GYDRA: Beatdown EP [C4C Recordings]
Release Date OUT NOW
Label C4C Recordings
Cat No C4CDIGUK047
Gydra are a production outfit who’ve spent the past few years creating a formidable reputation within the shadier drum & bass corners, given a stage by their undeniably intricate layers of production. Whether it’s the individual statuses that both Bes and Menfort bring into the project, or their combined weight and capabilities clearly stated throughout their musical output, their forthcoming ‘Beatdown’ EP on Cause4Concern is no different. With the added weight of neurofunk’s most definitive drum & bass imprint, they remain as pivotal as ever, moving forward with the same cut throat intensity which saw them rise to notoriety.
Cause4Concern’s expert A&R skill sifts through each meticulously fashioned segment prevalent throughout the EP’s entirety. From the darkly lit undertones of ‘Protocol’, to the moodily transpiring collaboration ‘Raw Code’ with head honchos Optiv and CZA, Gydra do little to disappoint. This EP will ensure they remain on the scene’s forefront and ‘Protocol’ cuts through the baying tides of competition alongside its ripping, intimidating drum patterns and crashing bassline, one which is guttural yet ripe with energy. Fatloaf joins Gydra next for ‘Sphere’, just as heavy duty alongside its nastily ingenious breakdown and pumping layers of sub. ‘Raw Code’ sees Gydra team up with Optiv and CZA for a hardcore melting of minds, detonating a sure-fire dancefloor cut which punches through to your aural core.
For the EP’s latter part, ‘Beatdown’ rolls forward on an intro which is intimidating and throbbing with power, pushing through a hook which snares you instantly and grooves between each spike of sonic. Gydra also include a revamped VIP of ‘Noise of the Machine’, whilst staying true to the original’s roots but still exorcising a separate demon from its carefully manufactured skeleton. And for their final offering, the revered MC Coppa brings his slick, grimy vocals to ‘Bomb First’, demonstrating the versatility Gydra have at their disposal and adding another heavyweight featuring artist to their track listing.
From start to finish, the ‘Beatdown’ EP reasserts Gydra as Russian pioneers, helping to excavate its sound into drum & basses furthest reaches. Cause4Concern only speed up this process, providing a cutting-edge look into their future takeover.
Posted By Mike Bennett (fuzzyfeltman) mike@jungledrumandbass.co.uk