Another year, another cracking album from Never Say Die. After releasing two absolutely huge compilation albums over the last two years, the UK dubstep label helmed by SKisM has just let loose the untamed beast that is ‘Never Say Die Volume 3’ in association with UKF/AEI Media. Volume 3 has 20 tracks, and 13 of the 20 tracks included in the package are brand new exclusives.
Never Say Die have really been expanding as a label recently and they’ve been pushing hard for a more varied and wider sound that builds on the trademark style they’ve established previously. This album is a testament to that, and this means that you’ll find much more here than just dubstep bangers. In fact, a few of the album’s best tracks stray from the dubstep formula entirely.
The Zomboy remix of Fedde Le Grand and DI-RECT’s ‘Where We Belong’ is a wild, rough and furious dubstep version packed with heavy bassline distortion and cracked beats. The remix widens the appeal of this well known track that soon will catapult the mainstream pop dance charts as well.
‘Step Two’ tends to lean towards the club ready hip-hop influenced side of LAXX’s catalogue with ecstatic synth work. Weaving back and forth across like a sonic roller-coaster, the track continuously switches back and forth from adrenaline-pumping buildups that climax into barrages of synths at full blast while the percussion lays out a base of pure swagger.
Dubstep Heavyweights MUST DIE! and Mantis have teamed up once again for a face melting collaboration called ‘Culture’. It features an anthemic series of chords which explode into a frenzy of piercing bass growls. The subtle rhythmic chattering of voices in the background of the track is a great addition that only adds to the menace of the song.
‘Like a Boss’ by Eptic starts off as bouncy and fun during the intro, but the drop explodes, you can’t help but nod your head. It’s a very melodic & synth oriented track, a little housie in the beginning but is incredibly full of notation.
‘Gunfingers’ by Trampa is a powerful dubstep track which is tough and effective. Cool melodic breakdown with rock guitar riffs followed by a euphoric climax with uplifting feel good synths to make you scream and shout loud. It’s colourful euphoric optimistic breakdown, acid dirty riffs and rough aggressive climax with gritty basslines will surely destroy dance floors.
‘Pakistan’ by Antiserum and Mayhem is one killer track filled with cracking pulsating beats and electro shocking basslines that will do serious damage on dancefloors. They used 2 Chainz vocals and a ticking bomb sound in the intro leading into the drop mixed with a sick 303 sound making this track an explosive one.
‘Raptor’ by Zomboy is a dynamic dark dubstep track with energetic electro beats, rough and sharp basslines and a superb breakdown. His epic distorted synth leads will prove successful in driving clubbers nuts and blow their minds without any mercy.
‘Freak ‘ by DISKORD, as the name goes, is one hell of a freaky ride. The intense sensations that are exuded from this dark, swampy, bass-heavy track gives us more reasons to completely lose ourselves.
‘Fuck You Looking At’ by Trolley Snatcha is fresh and unique. It’s still dubstep at 140 BPM but seems much faster paced and when combined with its glitch, simplistic nature – it makes for a pretty great tune.
Culprate and Torqux team up for “Drop” which is tailor made for bass heads. The opening sounds are minimal but they do a good job of keeping you engaged. The bass is funky and glitched, and contributing to the groovy bass line are a series of random synth patterns and beeping noises, all layered on top of a drum n bass rhythm.
‘Space Cats’ by Eptic shows everything his fans love about him. It is a Dubstep track wrapped neatly into a 3 minute long package. This track is short but not definitely sweet with it’s relentless assault of high pitches, euphoric synths and chugging midrange bass, all led by an atmospheric, sci-fi tinged intro.
‘Cake Dough Cheddar’ by Buku is a slightly more toned down tune, but it’s a true stomper nonetheless. It is a slow-paced, glitched-out jam. A pulsating harmony is added on top of all this to make another great track.
There’s also 501’s ‘Emotive’ which is one of the more aggressive tracks from the producer we’ve seen lately – employing the use of blaring, quickly flickering synth jabs that give the track a much faster pace than its BPM warrants.
Also from MUST DIE! is a pretty ridiculous remix of Hyper Crush’s ‘Illegalities’. The original tune is morphed into a wild dubstep track with twists and turns at every corner. It’s another level of aggression when it comes to 140BPM music – and it’s no wonder that there are no less than four tracks from the lauded producer on the album. He’s taking a genre that’s growing rather stagnant to new levels.
Far Too Loud – Acid 9000 (5C4R Remix) starts off with a psych blaster tune that will immediately gets listener’s into groove. This track is a minimal take on the genre, using only a small selection of sounds and using them all to the full effect. This track is an impressive mixture of piercing synth stabs along with mechanical, distorted basslines. This track is a delicacy to listener’s ears. Relish it and admire its beauty.
Never Say Die Volume 3 is a truly massive release that can’t be matched in its genre. It’s one of the best compilations you’re likely to hear this year – let’s hope Never Say Die continue flying the flag for dubstep for many more years to come. Long live bass music!
Purchase it on Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/release/never-say-die-vol-3/1320458
– Review by Samir Goyal
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