Recycle: METALHEADZ Berlin ft. PHOTEK & GROOVERIDER

Box 1: Recycle

Photek (Photek Productions/USA)
Grooverider (Metalheadz/Prototype/UK)
Diverge (UK)
N'Dee (Recycle/D)
Sammy B (Deviate)
MC Jamie White (Recycle/D)

Box2: Impulse Bass Culture

NOXSNUG (6.5 Collectif, Noizion Rec., Urban Poetry Rec./FR)
Cursedin (D)
alllone (Grey Matter, Impulse Basskultur/D)
Saiman (Impulse Basskultur/D)
Turrican (Impulse Basskultur/ Urban Poetry/D)

Metalheadz is one of the most iconic labels in the history of drum'n'bass. Originating from the British underground rave scene of the early 90s, the label played a crucial role in the development of our favorite genre. The unique Metalheadz sound is always groundbreaking around the globe, always a little different, but above all deep, experimental and absolutely club-ready. Hardly any other label conveys a comparable futurism and unbroken belief in progress. This musical self-image characterizes the set of label manager Diverge, who comes to the Gretchen together with Grooverider and Photek from the Metalheadz cosmos. Our Recycle residents N'Dee and MC Jamie White as well as Sammy B from the Deviate Crew will ensure that the night keeps moving throughout.

Grooverider, one of the key figures in the scene, will be there. His name alone is emblematic of his style: rolling beats and powerful sets. Together with Fabio, he was instrumental in shaping a new sound that would develop into jungle and drum'n'bass during his residency at the club night Rage in London's Heaven in the early days. As the founder of the Prototype Recordings label, he proved to have a keen sense for forward-looking sounds and is regarded as someone who recognizes and anticipates changes in the genre at an early stage. His status and reputation as a promoter of high-quality artists ensures that he is constantly playing exclusive material.

Photek shows that drum'n'bass can also consist of highly complex, modern compositions: minimalist, technically sophisticated and characterized by razor-sharp breakbeats. He developed his very own aesthetic in the mid-1990s. His early releases on Metalheadz and Prototype quickly made him one of the most innovative producers in drum'n'bass. His EPs and his debut album "Modus Operandi" in particular are considered milestones in a sound that is often described as intelligent drum'n'bass. Photek has not only developed the genre further, but also opened up new structural possibilities. His tracks do not build up tension through obvious drops, but through subtle shifts, precisely placed breaks, an almost hypnotic rhythm and develop an independent, subliminal pull.

As usual, Box 2 is all about even more bass, this time curated by Impulse Basskultur. Be sure to take a look there too.