This years choice for the Back To The Oldskool forum Remix competition is a stone-cold hardcore classic from 1992, Neuromancer (Of Structural Damage)'s 'Pennywise'. Originally featuring remixes from legends such as Nookie, Bay B Kane and Micky Finn, this proved to be a very tricky track to rework, for fear of either following the original or remixes too closely, or totally messing it up.
Anyways, here's my attempt at providing a dark, junglistic take on it. I loved how the 'Reece' bass turned out on this one.
Altogether now....
'We all float down here!!!!!' :D

Click on the tab for the free 'Pennywise' remix album download link... :D


Free Album Download

Neuromancer - Pennywise (Breakbeatscientist Refix) [FREE REMIX ALBUM DOWNLOAD IN THE LINK INCLUDED!]

Here's my 'Dark Crystal' inspired track for the www.backtotheoldskool.co.uk / www.its-all-about-oldskool.com 2014 Track Making Competition entitled 'Dark Prophecy.

All entrants were provided with a specially selected sample pack of 177 Drumloops, Drum Hits, Vocals, FX, Synth/Pad/Piano/Stab sounds and vocal extracts from TV Shows / Movies. We were given free reign to make any form of 'Rave' genre track with the only requirement being that we had to use a minimum of 5 samples from the pack provided.

As per usual, I went for yet another dark 1993 style, hardcore/jungle, amen roller track. I had experimented with adding some time-stretched breakbeats, but had difficulties getting the correct pitch, but am planning on using the metallic break effects on future tracks.
I decided to use a bit of a different kinda bassline to accompany the amen break, as it gave me a Kniteforcey vibe, and worked out as a great melody. I also just had to use that 'Feel the power of the Dark Crystal' dialogue in homage to DJ Crystl's classic 'Warpdrive' track. 
Altogether I managed to use 9 samples in total. The breakbeats were all chopped by myself and re-edited to suit.

Here's the list of samples used....

- Chord4 pad.
- Oldscool vocal.
- Hotpants breakbeat (chopped and re-edited by myself).
- Amen i breakbeat (chopped and re-edited by myself).
- Dark Crystal vocal "And now prophecy is fulfilled. We are again one".
- Hihatop percussion.
- Dark Crystal vocal "Feel the power of the dark crystal".
- Hoover16 synth.
- Anastastab stab effect.

'Dark Prophecy' was made entirely from samples, with Sony Acid Pro 7.

'Dark Prophecy' is featured on the free 4-Track 'Feel The Power EP' on Paranoid Recordings. Alongside mammoth tracks from Pursuit, Leonized and RenegadeGenius! :D


Free EP Download

Dark Prophecy [FREE EP ON PARANOID RECORDINGS]

'Strange Magik' is available to download on the free, 13-track 'Strictly NuSkool - Volume Two' compilation. Download link provided below....

http://strictlynuskool.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/snb002-strictly-nuskool-vol1-2015.html

Strange Magik [Strictly NuSkool - Volume Two - Free Download In Description]

Classic '80's body-morphing, sci-fi horror meets late nineties, dark and nasty techstep inspired Drum & Bass with a touch of post millennium rave revivalism. 

I've always loved dark strains of music, especially the 1992-1993 period of hardcore/jungle and the D&B of 1996-1998 exemplified by labels such as No U-Turn, Emotif, Prototype and Renegade Hardware. Here's my attempt at recreating that dirty techstep sound utilising heavyweight amen breaks, growling Reese bass (pinched from Skyscraper's 'The Difference') and menacing movie clips taken from John Carpenter's body snatching 1982 classic. 

Many thanks go out to RenegadeGenius for all 'The Thing' movie samples.

'Shape Shifter' is free to download (as I've blagged way too many samples to call my own!). Any comments and advice will  be most welcome, 'coz I'm still learning my craft! :D

The Shape Shifter [Free WAV Download]

After many anxious months of having to keep quiet about this, I am proud to announce that my 'Time To Play (Doorway To Hell Mix)' is featured on the 7th Storey Projects 'The Dark Arts Volume 2', 12" vinyl alongside 3 other demonically dark hardcore/jungle tracks from the immensely talented  FX, Fringe and Dev/Null.

Never ever anticipated getting a tune on vinyl, so am well chuffed at this. All tracks have been lovingly mastered and cut by the legendary Beau Thomas (aka INTENSE! BABYLON TIMEWARP!!! :O ) at Ten Eight Seven Mastering in London, and will be pressed by Optimal:Media in Germany, so top quality is assured.

'The Dark Arts Volume 2 EP' is available to purchase now from the 7th Story Projects webstore...
http://www.seventhstoreyprojects.com/7th-12007---the-dark-arts-volume-2---limited-edition-12-vinyl---pre-order-only-69-p.asp

Tracklisting:
A1 - FX - Lights Out.
A2 - Fringe - Is That Why.
B1 - Dev/Null - The Luckiest Spin.
B2 - Breakbeatscientist - Time To Play (Doorway To Hell Mix).

PS - This is not the mastered version, but my ruffcut before it got tweaked. Has also had that fade-in-and-out business going on to stop the blaggers from ripping. :)

The Dark Arts - Volume 2

Time To Play (Doorway To Hell Mix) [7th Storey Projects 'The Dark Arts - Volume 2']

Been working on this epic remix for the past month or so, and after many stops and starts have finally gotten it finished. I have been wanting to incorporate massive kickdrums into a breakbeat track, a la Smooth But Hazzardous' 'Made You Dance (Carl Cox Remix)' style for ages and since I was due Leon a remix of 'Howard', this was the perfect opportunity.

I didn't got too mad with the breakbeat choppage as I didn't want to stray too far from those kicks, so I mashed up the orchestral soundtrack sample instead. There are plenty of vocal samples from the cult sci-fi/comedy classic scattered throughout. I also messed about with the excellent Akaizer tool and got some pretty nifty metallic time-stretched breaks which gives this a nice 1993 vibe. 

As usual, it's a pretty moody hardcore/jungle-tekno number. Will maybe do that uplifting piano track one day....! :P

Check out the wicked original mix by Leonized here...
https://soundcloud.com/leonized/howard

PS - Have redone the orchestral section in the middle as it sounded shoddy and re-arranged the end section 'coz it didn't sound right to my ears. Apologies for anyone who has downloaded previously downloaded, but am hoping that this version sounds better. :)

Leonized - Howard (Breakbeatscientist Remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

I've been meaning to revisit one of my first, and favorite attempts at doing a remix. When I first began my foray into music production I was aided greatly by Leonized who sent me over some project files to get started on and my remix of 'Listen To The Bassline' remained a personal goal which got me hooked on producing.

I've kept the '2015 Re-Remix' as close to my original 'Dark Like 1993 Remix' as possible as I didn't want to stray too far from what I loved about that version. I have added some EQ-ing, reverb, chopped breaks and that missing bassline that should have been in the original remix. Hope it sounds a bit 'fuller' now. :)

The Leonized 'Listen To The Bassline (Breakbeatscientist 2015 Re-Remix)' features on the DJ Master Mash - The Nu Skool Volume 3 -Breakbeatscientist mix. 

Leonized - Listen For The Bassline (Breakbeatscientist 2015 Re - Remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

I am humbly honoured to announce that the ubiquitous Master Mash has featured my own Breakbeatscientist productions for his third volume of his 'The Nu Skool' series. Featuring a small selection of my own tracks and reworkings, plus remixes from XJ Matt (aka Break Junkie) and Master Mash himself.

Enjoy! :D
 
1/ Breakbeatscientist - Time To Play (Doorway To Hell Mix).
2/ Breakbeatscientist - Dark Prophecy.
3/ The Four Horsemen - Rise Of The Horsemen (Breakbeatscientist Pestilence Mix).
4/ Neuromancer - Pennywise (Breakbeatscientist Refix).
5/ Breakbeatscientist - The Shape Shifter.
6/ Leonized - Howard (Breakbeatscientist Remix).
7/ Leonized - Listen For The Bassline (Breakbeatscientist 2015 Re-Remix).
8/ Leonized - Wicked (Breakbeatscientist Re - Edit).
9/ Breakbeatscientist - Time To Play (XJ's Straight To Hell Bootleg).
10/ Breakbeatscientist - Strange Majik (Master Mash Acid Overload Remix).
11/ Breakbeatscientist - Dark Prophecy (Master Mash Remix).

Please be sure to check out Master Mash's own selection of deep and dark hardcore and jungle tunes here...
https://soundcloud.com/master-mash

And his DJ sets here...
https://soundcloud.com/dj-master-mash

DJ Master Mash - The Nu Skool Volume 3 - Breakbeatscientist [FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD]

Here's my 1993, darkcore style VIP remix of 'The Shape Shifter' which featured on Switchblade Digital's 'From The Depths Of Hades' limited edition CD album which came out November 2015 and is now available to grab digitally.

http://www.discogs.com/Various-From-The-Depths-Of-Hades/release/7797696

As with the original tech-step version, I plundered a load of samples from a 1980's, sci-fi horror classic and layered them over an ominous, pulsating bassline,  menacing hoover riff and manic amen breaks.

'From The Depths Of Hades' features some seriously heavyweight tracks from Abyss, KeeZee, Pursuit, Necrotype, Deadly Nightshade, Master Mash, Liam Taylor, FX and Yell-O-Phase, so give yer speakers a fright and grab yourself a copy!!! :D

Amazon...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019U3012E?ie=UTF8&keywords=from%20the%20depths%20of%20hades%20switchblade&qid=1453459774&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=8-1

Beatport...
http://classic.beatport.com/release/from-the-depths-of-hades/1670110

iTunes...
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/from-the-depths-of-hades/id1065305469

Junodownload...
http://www.junodownload.com/products/from-the-depths-of-hades/2979095-02/

Trackitdown...
https://www.trackitdown.net/track/various-artists/from-the-depths-of-hades/drum_and_bass/9079357.html

From The Depths Of Hades

Juno Download

The Shape Shifter VIP [Switchblade Digital 'From The Depths Of Hades']

Now that the artist copies of Switchblade Digital's brand new Double CD compilation album, 'Total Amenation' has arrived (a twenty track strong selection of ruffneck jungle, drum & bass, breakbeat hardcore tunes, all featuring tearing amen breaks!!!), I thought it was time to plonk a preview of my track, 'Darkside Dub' up on Soundcloud to prove that I haven't totally ground to a halt musically!!! :)

This is the mastered, but faded preview version to prevent all the rippers out there pinching me track!!!

CD 1:
1/ Krave - Wicked Tingz.
2/ Necrotype - Flashes.
3/ DJ Wislov - Bully.
4/ Rad Rob - Flyin.
5/ Msymiakos - Cyberninja.
6/ Richard Champion - Playing God.
7/ Master Mash - Siren In The Dark.
8/ Pursuit - Feel Alright.
9/ Abyss - Attack Of The Drums.
10/ Beat Rapist - Dark Dreams.

CD 2:
1/ KeeZee - Thoughts.
2/ Dadly Nightshade - Dark Angel.
3/ Coco Bryce - Class Action.
4/ Beatgem - Raw Stylus.
5/ Breakbeat Scientist - Darkside Dub.
6/ Liam T - Can't Do This.
7/ Lucky Dime - FTP 303.
8/ Johnny Two Bad - Bad Dreams (Junglistic Vibes Remix).
9/ Yell-O-Phase - Hail Satan.
10/ CLSM - Be A Junglist.

Keep your eyes on the Switchblade Digital Facebook and Soundcloud pages for details on purchasing a copy of 'Total Amenation'!!!

https://www.facebook.com/Switchbladedigital/
https://soundcloud.com/switchblade-digital

Total Amenation

Darkside Dub [Switchblade Digital 'Total Amenation']

In late 2015 Master Mash, Leonized, Yell-O-Phase and myself took collaborated together during a breakbeat brainstorming session to create a The Four Horsemen project. Which resulted in the formation of a track entitled 'Rise Of The Horsemen'. Each of us then provided provided a remix of the track under the guise of one of the Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse.

I wasn't happy with how my contribution worked out, but after giving it a re-listen, I thought I'd stick it up as an unmastered WAV freebie. As always it's a dark, amen t'ing. N'Joi! :)

The Four Horsemen - Rise Of The Horsemen (Breakbeatscientist Pestilence Mix)

After what seems an age of not getting anything finished music wise, I have finally gotten something completed. It's had a painful birthing process what with really bad EQ-ing, and poor sound levels, but I reckon I've finally nailed it now.

As per usual it's yet another dark, hardcore/jungle hybrid track. Heavily inspired by by a contemporary, home-invasion horror-flick and packed full of dark stabs, booming basslines and manic breaks. Am hoping that I've nailed that dodgy, 1993 white label vibe on this one. 'Strangers' is dedicated to iconic darkside artists such as Bizzy B, Doc Scott, Essence Of Aura and Chaos & Julia Set.
 
The version that I have I've uploaded has been cropped on the intro and outro, and is featured on the brand new Switchblade Digital 'The Power Of The Darkside' compilation, alongside Abyss, Abstract Illusion, Beat Rapist, Beats Are Broken, Danny Skeedale, Deadly Nightshade, Master Mash, RenegadeGenius and Virtuoso. 

Extremely Limited Edition CD's are available to buy now, with digital formats to follow soon!!!
http://switchbladevinyl.bigcartel.com/product/the-power-of-the-darkside-cd

The Power Of The Darksode

Limited Edition CD

Strangers [Switchblade Digital 'The Power Of The Darkside']

An old Ray Keith tape that I got back in 1995. It has loads of big jungle and D&B tracks (which I can't seem to list in here, 'coz it get's rejected - cheers copyright bots!). However it has a little bit of Bukem, Jonny L, MA2, L Double, Alex Reece and that much sought after 'Dred Bass (Dubplate Mix)' that only a few DJ's had back in the day (Hype and Ned Ryder most notably).

Dicogs link for the tracklist here... https://www.discogs.com/Ray-Keith-Unknown-Artist-Love-Of-Life-June/release/3414825

I will point out that anyone offended by happy hardcore, skip the last 15 or so minutes, as it goes all happy once the next DJ takes over!!!

Ray Keith & Unknown Artist - Love Of Life - June 1995 [320]

After a long anxious wait I am honoured to announce the forthcoming release of the 'Rebel Alliance' EP on Jedi Recordings, featuring four excellent tracks from Keezee, Worldwide Epidemic, DJ Jedi and myself. Available to buy now in vinyl and digital formats.

The 'You're Really Scaring Me' track is another moody slice of 1992/1993 inspired breakbeat hardcore/jungle, featuring an uplifting opening melody which is soon surpassed by a nasty, twisted synth line leading towards a sinister drop and horror flick styled vocal elements

Rebel Alliance

12" Vinyl + Digital

You're Really Scaring Me [Jedi Recordings 'Rebel Alliance' EP - Vinyl + Digital]

Who are those Shade Brothers.....???

The brand new Limited Edition CD, 'Darkcore Massacre' from the Switchblade Digital label features 11 heavyweight breakbeat hardcore, jungle and drum & bass tracks from the darkside, and includes a horde of the most deranged musical talent on the scene including the likes of Abyss, Beats Are Broken, Beat Rapist, Deadly Nightshade, Master Mash, Mr Anderson, Necrotype, Pursuit, Roko, The Shade Brothers and Virtuoso.

You have one choice.... Do you flee from the slaughter, or do you join in!!!!

Darkcore Massacre

The Shade Brothers - The Crow [Limited Edition, 11-Track CD Available Now From Switchblade Digital]

Have been a long time follower of many forms of electronic music ranging from ambient drone to freaked out Warp/Rephlex techno. I have a special fondness for all things breakbeat based - oldskool hardcore, jungle, drum & bass, hardcore breaks. I have been an avid vinyl/CD collector of these genres for many years, despite being utter rubbish at mixing.

As of February 2014, I made the leap from listener to producer after a good bit of prompting from Leonized (https://soundcloud.com/leonized) to pull the finger out and give music making a bash. I have been heavily inspired by artists from the 1993-1994 darkcore jungle-hardcore period. Especially the likes of Ray Keith, Bizzy B, DJ SS, Nebula II, Jungle Buddah, Chaos & Julia Set, and DJ Mayhem. I'm still at the very early stages of stringing samples together to re-create that oldskool hardcore/jungle sound, but am looking to get better at each track I knock up. :D

Any advice and comments are most welcome, and if you enjoy my tunes, then I've done something right! :)

I also help out with reviews at the Strictly NuSkool Blog under my Breakbeatscientist username.



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