MethLab Summer Mix Series // Vaetxh

The next part in our Summer mix series comes from Vaetxh - in our opinion, one of MethLab's most talented producers and creative minds. Vaetxh aka Rob Clouth has  a small track record of releases so far, but counts Richard Devine and Loops Haunt amongst his fans. And quite rightfully so - with each of his tracks being a collage of unique and original sound design, threaded with heartachingly beautiful and broken melodies. It's a rare thing to find a producer who goes into such intricate levels of detail with his sound design, and yet retains a strong sense of melody, composition and structure - but Vaetxh is one of those artists. The last year saw his profile raised with the excellent Cloud Complex release, which gathered wide acclaim and was supported with a remix by Techno legend Max Cooper. This short mix is a slice of Rob's current direction - beautiful, complex and devastating. 

We're now looking for bookings for Autumn/Winter - get in touch with: jef@methlab-agency.com

MethLab Artist News // Something for Your Ears

A lot of exciting news for Feb/March for the MethLab roster, with more heavy releases from heavyweights both new and old! We've got a slew of mixes and previews for you to check out for these recent and upcoming behemoth system killers..  get your ears involved!

Gore Tech //                               Bookings //    Ash@methlab-agency.com

Machine Throne - Ad Noiseam - March 11

A man who's seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and has quickly been selected for a succession of awesome releases through labels very close to our heart like Peace Off, Murder Channel and now Ad Noiseam. 'Machine Throne' is set for release March 11thRead more about it and get you pre-orders in over at Ad Noiseam and in the meantime - check out the taster medley of tracks from the EP below, as well as his recent 'Mainframe Warfare' mix covering many of his upcoming releases for the first quarter of this year!

Machine Code //                         Bookings //    Jef@methlab-agency.com

Under The Sun - Subsistenz - March 4

We've had a lot to say about this album in the past couple of months, and simply that's because it's amazing. One of the tightest sounding DnB albums we've heard in the past year, but with some unusual and nice amen rinseouts amongst the precise kick and snare experimentation going on here. You can get your pre-orders in for the vinyl and album CD pack here at Tirple Vision, and in addition to this, we're taking bookings between Feb-April for the release tour.

Current Value //                         Bookings //    Jef@methlab-agency.com

Stay On This Planet LP - Subsistenz - March / April

Perhaps one of the busiest and more prolific experimenters in the world of DnB, and hot off the heels of the Machine Code LP... there's also word of a new CV album set to drop suddenly in the next few months. You can probably hear some of the tracks on this forthcoming album in his most recent Ultramonics mix - which you can listen to below!



Techno Sedation (CV Remix) - Underground Promotions - Feb 25

A heavy dubstep - techno hybrid that has one of the most brutal and well designed kick drums that I've heard in recent times. A 'sedation' of Mystification original DnB piece on the flip of the record; this futuristic, primarily techno stepper, with it's smeared and twisted bass elements, is an essential purchase - you can grab it from Triple Vision here or purchase online.

The Sect Music //                         Bookings //    Jef@methlab-agency.com

Current Value - The Sect - Dean Rodell // BURN IN / GLITCH / THOUGHT MACHINES - Out Now

Another road cut in the path Berlin DnB residents' DnB // Techno // Neurofunk crossover sound. 3 of the sound's most productive and forward thinking pioneers on a single release.. and incredibly loaded slab of vinyl for this label's 2nd physical output. We're looking for promoters to put on TSM label nights across Europe currently - with successful events already underway in Bristol and Berlin... more cities need to get close and personal with this powerful form of DnB.

2methylBulbe1ol //                         Bookings //    Jef@methlab-agency.com

Your Computer is Under Arrest (2methylBulbe1ol Testify) - Acroplane - T.B.A

A faster and glitchy melodic IDM affair from 2methyl, on another great label - Acroplane. This from Stazma's Acid Bleep EP, which features more of the amazing artwork from Artist Shift.. whose logos and artwork adorn the covers of many of our favourite artists.

Cooh //                         Bookings //    Jef@methlab-agency.com

Rebirth LP - Position Chrome - T.B.A

A new full-length LP from heavy DnB legend Cooh, also featuring tracks from a selection of artists from the heavy hall of fame, including Limewax, Current Value, Counterstrike, Donny and The Panacea. Cooh continues to innovate and generate an inhuman amount of music through his various aliases... one of the most talented producers in this scene today.

New Mix // Current Value - Ultramonics V

It's been a rich couple of weeks for output from the Berlin DnB crew.. first the amazing mix from Machine Code to promote their imminently dropping album, and now a fresh new Ultramonics mix from Current Value. In keeping with the pattern of previous Ultramonics mixes, this freshest instalment is packed full of upcoming dubs and  genre boundary-pushing DnB. All in all, another epicly well put together mix from one of DnB's finest!

Now Out // Current Value - Quantum Physics LP, Filthcast & Interview

Out and available to buy on Beatport now!

Following a long, evolving and successful career in electronic music production, Current Value continues to clamber the heights of notoriety. Some of the highlights of 2012 brought him the prestige of collaborating with Bjork on her acclaimed Biophilia album, as well as releasing the 1st and 4th parts of her remix series; with forward thinking DnB reinterpretations of Crystalline and Thunderbolt. The year also saw the re-release of his Noisia remix ‘Soul Purge’ on the famed Mau5trap label, another example of his continuing collaboration with some of the world’s top artists.

Tim Eliot’s sound has continued to push the boundaries of Drum and Bass production; with his perfectionism in creating frenetic beats lushly underscored by driving deep bass and complex undulating harmonies. The Quantum Physics L.P. is a crux point in Current Value’s production path, taking the raw, kinetically charged drum maelstroms of his past, but putting them in a new context with higher production values that match his ever-increasing abilities. This, in combination with tracks that showcase his deep appreciation of highly polished and lean Neurofunk and Rave music; showcases both the evolution of Current Value’s older sound against the establishment of the new – whilst maintaining the bridge and connection between both. 

Listen to the Filthcast that he's put together for Barcode Recordings below, and read on for the interview to find out what he has to say! 

For bookings: jef@methlab-agency.com

- Your sound has undeniably evolved over the past decade, seemingly becoming more focussed and stepping up the tightness of production even further. Do you consider the latest album to be a manifesto of where you stand musically right now?

I was aiming to take the ‘old’ Current Value sound and give it a new production level, such as in ‘Uncertainty Principle, which I think shows this evolution. But, this is as well as showing a different side of the Current Value sound, that feels at home in the realms of Neurofunk and Rave; finding a clearer formula in the tracks ‘Rollin Hi’ or ‘Crusader’. I've been introducing and building up to that with tracks like ‘Grin’, ‘Harm’ or the CV & Cooh collaboration ‘Reket’ already.

The tunes do speak a similar language though, which is a major statement of this album. My intention was to show that my heart beats for both directions and to make visible the transition between the two. I feel that the track ‘Face Its Measure’ serves this purpose here.

- Tell us a little bit about what was going through you head and your life when you were working on this album…

I was in a producing rush in January and February. I had many ideas and feelings that had to be transformed into music early this year to ‘top off’ what I was working on before.

- You mentioned ‘Grin’, ‘Harm’ and ‘Reket’ as some tracks that served as preparation from some of the more Neurofunk flavoured tracks on the album. In terms of continuity – are there other tracks that you feel led to this?

It's to a vast extent been the Bjork remixes that were really experimenting but remaining on quite a dancefloor-oriented side.

Also, the track ‘Burn In’, which will be released on The Sect’s new label TSM (The Sect Music).

- Just when cutting amen breaks seems to be an area of production that’s been exhausted, you continue to innovate. Do you have fixed ideas in mind about your drum break experiments prior to working on the tune?

Often my work is based on ‘blueprints’ that are most of the time whole tune parts that go through my head. So yes, I would say I have fixed ideas prior to working on a tune.

- Your intense bombardment and barrage of drum breaks are perfectly contrasted against some ambient breakdowns of a truly epic nature, such as in the tune ‘Requiem’. Have you ever considered making something totally ambient? Or at least unconstrained by the pressures of the dance floor?

I have never really felt I wanted to miss out on the ‘fun’ part of electronic music production, which for me is and has always been the bass and drum elements. Furthermore I'd like to say that the pressures of the dance floor are a really nice limitation and challenge to the production values. It is as if you had a further musical dimension to work or deal with through this constraint.

- You seem to have had a good relationship with Barcode since your relationship began in 2007, with multiple release on the label. Are you happy with the label being the home for your latest L.P.?

Barcode has had many quality releases, and in that regard a good reputation over the many years it has existed. Donny and I were talking about releasing new tunes on Barcode again and Cyall and him were prepped to rebuild the label properly earlier this year. So I sent a couple of tunes to them, with the initial idea being to have another Current Value 12’ - maybe an EP released soon. Shortly thereafter Donny came up with the idea to have a whole album released. As it happened to be many more tunes that I had at a certain point produced, than was required for the album, I was able to come up with a very fresh selection of tracks; while at the same time giving the opportunity to release some ‘most wanted’ candidates such as ‘Hybrid’ which, despite it being an almost old tune, people are really really thankful for!

New Addition // VHS Head

We at MethLab are all over forward thinking producers, across a wide range of genres; and we're lucky to be able to announce that an incredibly unique artist has joined our roster in the form of VHS Head. With an album and 2 E.P.'s on the legendary Skam label (run by Rob Hall of Autechre fame), and a further album on Skam set for next year - VHS Head stands to be another pioneer of experimental dancefloor electronica. His unique take on mashing up samples from his extensive VHS collection of grindhouse and 80's gems, and turning these into some seriously hectic, shuffling, scatty but tight tunes, makes him something special. He's pulled together an exclusive mix for MethLab which you can check out below. Wrap your ears around something different, and look forward to seeing him in a city near you in the future. Get in touch with jef@methlab-agency.com for bookings!

New Release // Current Value - Quantum Physics

We told you it was going to be a month of heavy releases, and what better way to approach the end of the month than with the announcement of Current Value's latest albu on Barcode dropping. You'll have heard several of these tracks on the MethLab Ultramonics mix that he put together for us, and certainly if you've seen him live recently, you'll have witnessed these tearing through crowded rooms. Well, the good news is that you can wet your appetite with 3 of the tracks on vinyl - now available from Triple Vision.. PLUS - you can look forward to a fresh filthcast from CV himself with the launch of the album. The album itself is set to drop on Monday 29th October. Check the player below for previews of tracks from the album - each day there'll be another one uploaded until the day of the release. Get your bookings in asap - this year is almost full (New Year's Eve is still open, but won't be for long!): jef@methlab-agency.com

New Release // The Sect Music - Angel / Protected

As we excitedly put out back in September, new additions to the MethLab roster The Sect have been very busy indeed putting together their own awesome new DnB label 'The Sect Music' (website still under construction). The first release is now available on Beatport (go buy it!!) and features 2 solid as fuck DnB dancefloor pulsators - Angel / Protected. Our favourite is probably Angel, with an epic buildup that explodes in a way that's guaranteed to make ravers go mental and get down to some serious stomping action. The flip, Protected is The Sect's familiar brand of technoid stepper, perfect for peak-time on the dancefloor. You can check out the previews below, including samples from the next release, featuring Hostile MC, that's due out on slabs of vinyl in shops everywhere from Monday 5th November. Also, check out the exclusive mix The Sect did for MethLab back in September to get a taste of how killer their DJ sets are, and then get in touch for bookings with: jef@methlab-agency.com

The Sect // Interview and Exclusive MethLab Mix

Recent addition to the MethLab roster, 'The Sect', have given us some pretty next-level insight into the future of their upcoming label 'The Sect Music', as well as their influences, history and production tools of choice. 

Listen to the exclusive mix they have pulled together in collaboration with Host!le MC below and get your eyes stuck into what they have to say - exciting things lie ahead...

ML // You've mentioned Prodigy to us before as an early influence. What was your earliest exposure to the rave scene in the UK?

Dave: I think flicking through the FM dial on the radio as a kid in the early ’90s and hearing London pirate stations like Pulse and Don FM and swapping cassettes recorded off the radio with my mates at school. I recall listening to The Prodigy Experience more than is probably healthy, going to local record shops and then getting into mixing.  As soon as we looked old enough to get into clubs and raves in the mid-90s, we went out to hear new music there.

Ben: My first gig was The Prodigy at Brixton Academy in ‘95 which was amazing. We also went to events like Heat, One Nation and World Dance as soon as we looked old enough to get in! Before ever going to a rave it was all about listening to new music with friends which wasn't easily accessible at the time. Someone would record a set off a pirate radio station like Kool FM or Unity, play it at school and you'd hear sounds you'd never heard before. It was really eye opening to hear what was actually there, musically, underground.

Pretty much the same for both of us then!


ML // Your first significant releases were on Offkey, a label that I've always loved for its combination of DnB and Techno. What drew you to this sound?

It combines a lot of the things we love in music and can be a very futuristic, energetic sound. There are so many elements to both DnB and Techno that you can use pretty much any sound you want - whether it’s driving percussion, weird atmospheres, basses and FX, or something more musical. We don't ever feel there are any limits to the things we can try and put in a track, although we rarely if ever set out to make a certain style and usually just see what sounds good to us on the day.


ML // Do you think there is more scope for experimentation in DnB?

There are already plenty of sub-genres in DnB, but there isn't a limit on experimentation other than imagination.  There are always ways to develop a sound or style. We love the way that very often a stand out DnB tune will contain elements of something no one's thought of doing before. 


ML // Are you drawn at all to the more autonomic end of DnB, and labels that combine techno and DnB on a more minimal level, like Hidden Hawaii?

There's a time and place for everything and for us that’s perhaps more music to listen to at home.  There is undoubtedly some very interesting stuff in that vein, but it’s not really something that we know a lot about, or tend to listen to in a club.


ML // How wide-ranging are your influences? Maybe just give us a sketch of the very outside perimeter?

Well obviously in DnB our love of all things Konflict, and Stakka & Skynet is a massive influence.  But there is such a variety of incredible music out there: ‘80s Electro like Rock It, early ‘90s Acid Trance, Hip Hop, The Prodigy, Aphex Twin, Orbital, Burial, Brian Eno, Speedy J, Stax Records and even Kate Bush have influenced one or both of us to varying degrees.


ML // Dave, you've been living in Berlin for a while now, do you feel at home there? The scene seems much more techno rather than DnB oriented...

Berlin definitely feels like home and it’s a fantastic place to be, especially if you make music. It is still very much a techno city and you can hear that club systems are set up specifically for that sound, but there are regular DnB nights and the scene is healthy and growing stronger.  The Subland club in particular is rectifying the imbalance with the cream of the underground DnB scene passing through on a regular basis.  Their system is purpose built for DnB and we’re looking to start putting on The Sect Music nights there from February next year.


ML // Could you give us a brief description of your setup? Any favourite VSTs or hardware?

Both the Berlin and London studios are very similar, with PCs running Cubase and a host of VSTs such as Native Instruments’ Massive, which is probably our favourite for its ability to create a seemingly infinite range of sounds.  Both have Tannoy Reveal monitors, whilst in addition Ben’s got a 5 octave midi keyboard and microphone, and I’ve got a really useful Behringer EQ in the room here in Berlin.


ML // Virtua comes from a turntablist background - have you produced any hip hop in the past?

Ben: Yes, but nothing which has been released - although Mary Ann Hobbs played a Trip Hop track on Radio 1 many years ago. My first love in terms of production has always been dance orientated, but it’s always fun to dabble in other genres. 


ML // So we were pretty excited to hear that you're setting up your own label. What prompted this decision - and what's your main aim for the output?

Being in control for once!  Starting our own label seemed like a natural development for us.  We want The Sect Music to have its own identity and also stand the test of time.  We both have a clear idea of how we want to achieve that, so whilst there will be tracks aimed at the dancefloor, we’ve now got a bit more freedom to try other things as well.  This goes for the other artists on the label too.


ML // Any up and coming producers you particularly rate at the moment?

Springing immediately to mind are CA2K, who has been smashing everything for a while now and Absurd whose new tracks are getting better and better.  Block Dodger has some deadly beats too.  There are lots of talented people out there.


ML // Which of your releases so far do you feel has come the closest to representing what you wish to express musically?

So far Voices or Fractured State, although the tracks lined up on The Sect Music are getting a lot closer to the sound we’ve been trying to achieve.


ML // Favourite DnB tune? Favourite non-DnB tune

Ben: D&B - Paranoid User (Kemal) - Pitch Black; Non-D&B - The Orange Theme by Cygnus X, which I crashed my car to in ‘96 (this will forever remain the most adrenaline fuelled experience of my life. Coincidentally Jeff, our designer, was in the front passenger seat - good thing I didn’t kill us all!).

Dave: D&B - I can’t name just one favourite, but Kraken - Side Effects will always be a special tune for me.  Non-D&B: It’s tie between Burial - Dog Shelter and An Ending (Ascent) by Brian Eno.

Check out the photos of their studio setup below... minimal but powerful!

New Artist // The Sect Have Joined our Roster

Another massively heavy addition to the MethLab roster comes in the form of long-time contributors to the DnB scene The Sect. With their own label 'The Sect Music' due to see its first releases this Autumn/Winter, it's a pretty exciting time for the forward-thinking duo. The Sect Music will feature tracks from artists on the MethLab roster such as Current Value and Dean Rodell, and MethLab will be responsible for managing the label nights - so you'll be hearing a lot more from us about this soon! Their profile is now up on the MethLab website and for all bookings, get in touch with jef@methlab-agency.com 

We've got an exclusive interview and mix in the pipeline, but in the meantime while you're waiting, you can sink you ears into this upcoming remix due out on Aggravated music in October:



Some free tracks for your downloading pleasure they put out back in May:



And their latest mix for the epic Subcast series:

C.A.2k // Podcast for Perkussiv Records

Check out this awesome mix that C.A.2k has pulled together for Perkussiv records! Something for some mid-week energy to bring the weekend closer!

Summer festival season is almost over and it's time to start thinking about Winter bookings, get in touch asap to secure your event.

For bookings: jef@methlab-agency.com

01 Eiton & T-Psy - Y [PERKUSSIV DUB] 
02 Amex - Steel [PERK-DNB003] 
03 Katharsys - Cold Spot (Habit Recordings) 
04 C.A.2K - Pulsator (Subsistenz) 
05 C.A.2K - Kontakt (DUB) 
06 Kaiza + Basse (Absurd remix) (DUB) 
07 Denix - Spusk (forthcoming PERK-DNB015) 
08 Absurd CA2K Dextems - Truth (PERKUSSIV DUB) 
09 Ogonek and Cooh - Iron Curtains (Metafiziq) 
10 C.A.2K - Mashine dreams (Tech Cycle) 
11 Absurd - Thereafter (DUB) 
12 Absurd - Antiaircraft (C.A.2K Remix) (Future Sickness) 
13 Dextems and C.A.2K - Fury [forthcoming PERK-DNB015) 
14 Amex - Techno (Venom DUB) 
15 Cooh - Break u Free (C.A.2K remxi) (ABCD) 
16 C.A.2K - Matrix (Katharsys remix) (Future Sickness)

Noiz // New Live Set

Listen to the set here 
Noiz has adapted his unique breakbeat techno tinkering style into a brand new and totally live format, with recognisable tracks being mangled, glitched and beat-sliced with live to form and entirely unique new sound for him. Breakbeats are chopped live with triggers using his Akai MPK Mini midi keyboard controller, as well as the melodic arrangements being implemented on the spot. The set is remarkable because of the territory it crosses; spanning olschool rave influenced breakbeat, offbeat techno, electro, breakstep and modern classical. The evolution of his set pre-empts his latest release on Scan One's impressive Yellow Machines imprint, and you can listen to previews from his release here and here. Keep checking his soundcloud in coming weeks for more previews for what we think is going to be one of his best releases to date.

For bookings: Jef@methlab-agency.com

New Artist // Katharsys Joins the MethLab Roster

Katharsys ripped their name from the ancient Greek word "catharsis"; a word which means 'cleansing, purifying or purging'. Katharsys take a view of their work as purging emotion through through the cathartic journey of their sets, leaving audiences purged and satisfied. The main focus of the duo lies in creating intense walls of sound which which provoke and challenge listeners, and funnel their intensity into the electronic music they create. 

We're very happy to welcome them onboard the MethLab roster, and look forward to sending their heaviness your way soon. Check out a preview of what they have to offer in the MethLab exclusive mix below!

New Mixes // Producer B2B Deathmachine

Again, not MethLab artists but a mix to grab if you're looking to get a Monday Gabba fix! Grab a set recorded at Bristol's Section 18 event, The DJ Producer and Deathmachine having it back to back. Grab it here!

New Mix // VHS Head

Lovers of Vaetxh will really enjoy this mix from Blackpool's VHS Head.. Mashed electronica, slow in tempo but hectic in consistency and intricacy. He's not on MethLab, but we have much respect. Enjoy!

New Mix // Stazma Fresh Beats

Fresh fix of new Stazma tunes and upcoming releases!

Current Value // Exclusive MethLab Ultramonics IV Mix!

Listen to Current Value's exclusive mix packed full of unreleased and fresh CV tunes here! One of the best CV mixes we've heard to date, truly epic and maybe the heaviest thing you'll ever unleash on your speakers! For bookings: jef@methlab-agency.com

Mobthrow // Live Mix

Check out this epic live mix from Mobthrow, recorded at this year's Riddim Collision - where both he and 2methylBulbe1ol played this year. An amazing blend of heavy electronica with a cinematic tinge!

New Artist Signing // Ruby My Dear

Ruby my dear is a French composer merging breakcore, IDM and jungle; an heir apparant to Aphex Twin, Amon Tobin, Squarepusher or Venetian Snares. His tracks blend dreamlike atmospheres in a rhythmically sharp and complex fusion - leading the listener through a changing sonic universe and destabilising the listener through permanently shifting contrasts.


Perhaps his most prestigious moment was being selected in 2010 by DJ Shadow for his remix of 'Building steam with a grain of salt'. This was published on the compilation "DJ Shadow's remix project". In 2011, he released two EPs on the infamous Peace Off (the essential French label), and an EP on Acroplane Records (UK). An album is scheduled for early 2012 on Ad Noiseam. He plays regularly on the European scene (Poland, Germany, Scotland, France, Ireland, Belgium,England) and regularly tips dancefloors sideways with his precise beat mashing. Check out a set by him here and contact jef@methlab-agency.com for bookings!

New Mix: Oyaarss

As promised - here's an exclusive mix from one of our latest additions to the roster - Oyaarss. You can hear a number of tracks from his upcoming album - "Bads", due out on Ad Noiseam imminently. Described as "Cold and toweringly massive, "Bads" ("Hunger" in Latvian) is both a deeply emotional affair and the bleakest of creations. Even though the wandering listener might encounter spoken poems and touching melodies, there isn't much compassion in this monster of an album". Listen to the mix below, and bring some 'toweringly massive' heaviness to your day!


Take advantage of the launch of the new album and the attached hype to book him while he's hot... Contact: Jef@methlab-agency.com

MethLab Electronic Explorations Mix!

Rob Booth over at Electronic Explorations has been awesome enough to put out a MethLab show, which went out on Friday - big up!!!