Without showing any signs of tiring or losing any of the pace or quality shown this year, Belgian label DUPLOC announce the imminent arrival of a brand new Various Artists series with a specific focus on sound system, introducing 140 ALLSTARS Vol 1.
This exciting and truly heavyweight new project pays homage to the now legendary Tempa release series and follows. With the tracks and artists being kept quiet until closer to release and 100 early copies of the vinyl selling out in rapid time, the hype is certainly building, also helped by DJ support and love from the likes of Sicaria Sound, Jook & Ternion Sound.
Vol 1 features six brand new, huge and heavy cuts from some of the best rising stars in the game including the bad and bouncy 1893 from Essex-based JSM, the gritty & hard hitting Immortal by the Begian 11th Hour, the swinging, elephant-like Swerve from Rotterdam’s Crowley, the Trap-infused rough and tough Triple Choc from Berlin-based Causa, the big, bad and wobbly Better Stay Home by Germany’s Ome and finally Snake’s Kiss VIP from Russian-based Ninety, with it’s relentlessly pulsating wall of sub bass.
Talking about the new series, DUPLOC label owner Pieter Grauwels says, "W hen naming a project after one of the most iconic series that existed in dubstep, you know the pressure to deliver is on, but that's exactly what I needed. I have worked on quite a few compilation releases over the past years and I'm happy with the results, but I wanted to raise the bar. In slight contrast to our other releases, this series specifically built for the sound system and I couldn't be happier with all the heavyweight cuts on Vol. 1. There will be at least four more volumes coming through over the next year and a half and will be nicely wrapped up in a special vinyl box for the collectors in early 2022”
After the huge success of the well-received Sacrifices EP by Distance, Belgian label DUPLOC keep the momentum hurtling at a blistering pace with the imminent arrival of Kuji EP, a rough and tough 4 track project from rising producer Mungk.
This EP marks the first solo release on the imprint for the Leeds-based artist who has been building his name over the past couple of years through a slew of highly exclusive, highly sought after and high-quality lathe-cut, vinyl only releases, all vibrating within the vast spectrum of Dub and sound system music.
His new EP certainly dwells within that same sonic universe but this time is taken to a new level, with a stark and impressive focus on Dubstep, Trap and Grime fundamentals.
Things kick off with title track Kuji, which duly earns its ‘banger’ status. Steeped in Eastern influence with it’s beautifully placed hypnotic & melodic vocal cuts set against gun finger raising UK Drill influenced low end & percussion. Next up we flow into Rajasthan which keeps us transfixed in the same vibe and style and mesmerises with its beautiful use of sub-continental instrumentation.
Flip the record and on the B side sits Puli Kali which keeps the Eastern flavours sizzling, this time plunging us into a halftime world of hard-hitting 808’s and crashing snares. Things are rounded off superbly by final track Macaque, a truly mystical track with one foot in old school Dubstep tradition and the other in this fine producer’s unique sound, it glides majestically like a bird of prey over a slowly fading, misty mountain range.
Established in 2015 with a vision to push the envelope on bass-driven music at 140bpm, Belgian label DUPLOC have been doing just that ever since. Now, after a refreshing rebrand and enticing new label plans in store, they welcome Distance into the fold with his darkly raw and starkly haunting Sacrifices EP.
Distance is nothing short of a dubstep legend, having run the foundational and highly respected Chestplate imprint since 2007 as well as boasting an extensive back catalogue on the scene’s premier labels and regularly shutting down legendary nights such as DMZ and FWD>> with his deadly DJ sets.
His sound is certainly pioneering, fusing elements of Drum & Bass & Heavy Metal (sometimes sampling his own guitar playing) to create a raw, heavy and often beautifully melodic sonic.
This EP is without question an extension of that, with opening track Sacrifices carrying a bouncing, steppers rhythm interlaced with an infectious and rousing riff. Next up, Overcome shakes the soul with it’s devastating low-end and haunting, ghoul like sonics. 808 Snake wraps things up, it’s rough, tough and almost mechanical, crashing through your speakers in full force.
It’s a superbly executed body of work which once again illuminates the producer’s magical ability to mix Rock sensibilities with soundsystem culture and serves as yet another supremely accomplished weapon in his deep and cavernous arsenal.
For the 5th and final volume in the DUPPLATES series, the label welcomes back the Canadian heavyweight ColtCuts. Back in 2019 he made his debut through DUPLOC026 with the outstanding cuts "The Vihaan" and "The Phantom". Considering DUPLOC claimed that release to be possibly their best one, a follow-up was destined to happen. On the A-side ColtCuts is coming through with two unique original 140 productions, while on the flip side he delivers two wild VIP masterpieces. Especially "The Vihaan VIP" has been in heavy rotation, receiving support from top tier dubstep DJs worldwide. The “DUPPLATES Vol. 5” is a more than appropriate record to shut down the DUPLOCv series.
It has been a long time coming. Birmingham producer ENiGMA Dubz has not only influenced dubstep as a genre, he truly shaped the duploc.com platform from literally the very beginning, going back all the way to October 2012 when he was featured with the channel’s first ever upload.
Along the way several releases from ENiGMA Dubz have been pushed on platform while the support and respect have been mutual. ENiGMA Dubz did already work together with the DUPLOC imprint as well a few times, although now he is releasing his first ever solo vinyl record and of course that is coming through on DUPLOC. For “DUPPLATES Vol. 4” he carefully prepared a collection of his absolute finest productions. Expect a mixture of raw cuts as well as heavyweight rollers with "The Eyes" holding an iconic sound on his full-fledged 12-inch debut plate.
The Belgian record label returns to Bristol for volume number three in their vinyl series. Back in 2016, dubstep champion Rygby was signed to DUPLOC for his very first official release, pioneering in the field of spooky distorted low frequencies. His most recent of the several appearances on the label has been the digital DUPLOC022 outing through which he truly developed a unique sound. Now he proudly contributes to the label's brand new DUPPLATES series with an impressive cohesive collection of probably his hottest material till date. DUPLOCv003 is all about catchy melodies, boiling vibes and heavyweight sub bass pressure.
Let's go back to the beginning of 2018 when three dubstep enthusiasts from the States started their collective alias Ternion Sound. It was a no-brainer for record label DUPLOC to immediately sign the trio for their fist ever official EP, considering the label is always up for supporting and giving opportunities to new talent. Driven by their genuine passion for the genre, Ternion Sound quickly followed up DUPLOC021 with other iconic releases on a few of the leading dubstep imprints which are Chestplate and Artikal Music UK. Fast forward to January 2019, they return to DUPLOC to release four of their hottest dubstep cuts.
Belgium’s most praised dubstep label DUPLOC has been consistently releasing two-track singles since 2015. The imprint curated by platform duploc.com now announces the launch of a new 12" vinyl release series. Catalogued as DUPLOCv001, the first EP features no one less than label resident Hebbe. The Dutch up-and-comer was introduced to DUPLOC in the beginning of 2018 with DUPLOC020, as he was signed to Crucial Recordings and Artikal Music UK short after. Now he returns to the label for the first volume of the new DUPPLATES series.
“Watch Out” is one of Hebbe’s most anticipated tracks as a chest-oppressive weighty sub bass rolls through a distorted landscape of cinematic samples and sinister melodies which are constantly progressing. Of course resident ENiGMA Dubz has to be involved in this first instalment as he delivers an incredibly stunning remix, hitting you with pure bassweight and powerful synths. On the flip side, compatriot Melle and the like-minded Mr.K enthusiastically accompany Hebbe to unleash both the bouncing “Wayside” as well as the murky “Lemon Twist”, two highly overdue cuts. The “DUPPLATES Vol. 1” is an essential in your record collection and marks a first much promising episode for the next to come on DUPLOC's prestigious series.
On the 2nd of October 2017 the independent Belgian platform celebrates its 5th anniversary by releasing its debut album. duploc.com, one of the leading references for dubstep worldwide, put together a 15-track compilation full of exclusive content from artists they regularly have been working with. Expect the typical residents such as ENiGMA Dubz, Bukez Finezt, Requake and SubFiltronik - though as usual they also included quite a few upcoming talents. In general, the album is a proper reflection of both the sound as well as the artists duploc.com has been pushing; since day one they have been known for featuring a rather unconventional and uncommon side of the genre. Originally duploc.com launched its brand in 2012 as a promotional outlet. Meanwhile they expanded to a currently 50.000-strong community with their own live events, a prestigious record label and a well-respected online magazine. By releasing this debut album, duploc.com looks more determined and passionate than ever to show the listener a true and complete definition of dubstep.
duploc.com’s debut 12″ has been a remarkable milestone for the Belgian imprint as Belgium has not seen any dubstep records released on vinyl in four years. Following up the success of DUPLOC012 with ARtroniks, the label gives a second two-tracker a wax treatment. For the next instalment duploc.com introduces upcoming Bristolian talent Rygby, his local environment with its well-respected music culture simply demands for a proper vinyl.
Bristol is the homecity of badman like Kahn, Pinch, Ishan Sound, Joker and Sorrow to name a few, but with Rygby’s first vinyl the spotlight definitely will be turned on him as well. “Poltergeist” probably is the most original track duploc.com signed so far. Though you’ll need to hear and experience it live through a decent sound system to fully understand this one. A very upfront haunting sub bass with the energy to shake up any dance, combined with an extremely unique A-side “Pagan” which perfectly does complement this spooky-sounding record. Or as they’d say in Bristol: Gurt Lush!
ARtroniks – “Torodial / Shifted” is due to release on the 1st of April 2016, catalogued as DUPLOC012. duploc.com has been putting out dubstep since April 2015 and to celebrate one year of digitally-released music, the Belgian platform stepped up its game and decided to release its first vinyl record. Founder Pieter Grauwels emphasises that it’s not his ambition to simply be an average digital label and combines that spirit with the aim to provide his artists with a physical format as well. However it’s definitely not evident to release a dubstep vinyl in Belgium, it’s been four years since a Belgian label did so. duploc.com is releasing a 12″ vinyl featuring two highly-anticipated dubplates from none other than resident ARtroniks.
The Ghent-based ARtroniks was featured earlier on duploc.com with appearances on DUPLOC005 and DUPLOC009. Now it’s time to welcome back Belgium’s dubstep frontman with his own proper vinyl. ARtroniks is a well-respected resident in and around Ghent for quite a few events. Though internationally he’s not passing by unnoticed, as the 23-years-old is strongly supported by DJ N-Type and J:Kenzo on their Rinse FM shows. Above all he was the first Belgian who had an episode on GetDarkerTV. Catalogued and titled as DUPLOC012, Torodial and Shifted will be exclusively available on vinyl for two months. A limited edition of 300 copies will be available via all the relevant vinyl stores from the 1st of April 2016. 100% Belgian brewed dubstep.
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