It seems Russia’s premier drum and bass producer Enei is not a man afraid to raise expectations if the title of his latest release is anything to go by. It is a good job then ‘Goliath’, out now on Critical Records, sees him deliver the noise on a biblical scale with an eclectic and varied record whose roots are firmly set in the darker side of the genre.
Opening with the titular track ‘Goliath, Enei provides us with a rippling synth intro before unleashing an old school jungle-breaks banger with vocals from Manchester MC DRS, whose raw and stripped back verse talks of walking with giants and taking on Goliath, the perfect motivational preamble just before you lose yourself on the dance floor.
Enei switches the vibe completely with ‘The Artefact’, with a tribal introduction and tension building drum roll dropping into a kaleidoscope of heavy hitting bass and breaks, walloping you from all directions and never letting up. ‘Prometheus’ features a cinematic build up with a thumping bass and techy synth, reminiscent of Pendulum in their prime, before cutting loose with an absolutely filthy deep and dark bass designed to send the junglist soldiers into a state of delirium.
The last track on the vinyl release ‘Hot Plate’ sees the variety continue with a clattering drum edit and hypnotic use of synth to create a frantic compelling production. For those who opt for the digital release, two extra tracks will be your reward of modernity. The first, ‘Woodpecker’, hits you with a rumbling drum break layered with percussion samples and a synth so stabbing it could be directly from an 80’s slasher movie while ‘Get Low’ is a trap inspired belter which jitters along at breakneck speed.
‘Goliath’ is a masterful and complex production by Enei and definitely worth checking out if you prefer your drum and bass at the heavier end of the spectrum.
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