SVDDEN DEATH needs no introduction. After storming onto the scene with his Spelljam EP last year, he has climbed the ranks faster than anyone else in the dubstep game, establishing himself as one of the best. His tracks have become the go-to heavy-hitters in dubstep sets from your local openers to the most respected bass artists.
A mysterious SoundCloud account by the name of “voyd” appeared earlier this year, where short clips that were posted quickly became everybody’s favourite dub plates due to their impeccable sound design and raw energy. Speculation among the bass community ensued, with many believing the project to be a collaborative effort between SVDDEN DEATH, Somnium Sound, and others. After all of the clips were suddenly deleted (no pun intended) earlier this month, SVDDEN DEATH finally announced the VOYD Vol. I EP would be released on July 30th, to the pleasure of all bass enthusiasts. And, after listening to it on repeat over ten times already, I had to review the full thing.
The EP begins with ‘Castles’, a track whose introduction makes you ask yourself whether big room really died in 2014. However, you soon realize that you couldn’t have been more wrong. A gnarly buildup leads you into a monstrous drop that will bring out your ugliest bass face. If you thought it couldn’t get any nastier, a screech-filled second half of the first drop will undoubtedly make you sweat profusely. SVDDEN DEATH then explores a hybrid second drop, making ‘Castles’ an extremely well-rounded masterpiece.
The following two tracks, ‘Rise’ and ‘Behemoth’, were among the clips posted on the “voyd” SoundCloud pre-deletion, and were perhaps the most anticipated tracks of the project. They certainly lived up to the hype, with SVDDEN DEATH adding a second drop to both tracks that is similar to the first, but different enough to still have you falling out of your chair when you first hear them. ‘Rise’ and ‘Behemoth’ waste no time getting in your face, hitting you with the filthiest sound design at the thirty-second mark, and not letting up until the end.
The fourth track titled ‘Gates of Hell’ is a collaboration with UK-based producer MurDa, who SVDDEN DEATH cites as one of the most underrated dubstep producers. The two producers teamed up to deliver an absolute brute of a track, with both artists making their signatures heard throughout the track to form one of the wildest, most gut-wrenching tracks of the year. The track truly makes you feel as though you’re entering the gates of hell (although for people such as myself, you’ll actually be in heaven).
Last but most definitely not least, SVDDEN DEATH and French producer Samplifire joined forces to create a diabolical track titled ‘Break ‘Em Down’. While it has a similar name and structure as SVDDEN DEATH and Yakz’s ‘Shut ‘Em Down’ , the engineering behind the track was upped to a level beyond comprehension and will leave you absolutely breathless.
VOYD Vol. I is not for the faint of heart, but if you love bass, it might just be your favourite project of 2018. Check it out in its entirety below!
