“He’s half man, half robot, half dinosaur. He is the one known as…Excision”
As his Facebook bio indicates, Canadian dubstep producer and world-renowned DJ, Jeff Abel is the furthest thing from a stranger to the bass music community. A debut studio release nearly 8 years ago on mau5trap, titled X Rated, offered a formal introduction to Excision’s timeless sound design, while more recent projects Codename X and Virus offer further proof that his style is ceaselessly developing and constantly evolving.
Excision’s latest album APEX is yet further illustration of Jeff’s desire to push the creative boundaries of dubstep. Composed of 14 total tracks, the project is nothing short of a marathon from start-to-finish and had me gasping for breath by the end of it. While the project remains loyal to Jeff’s intricate approach to sound design, he unearths an arsenal of brand new sounds and juicy collaborations that truly set this album apart from the rest.
Kicking things off with ‘Exterminate’, which composes the familiar grungy repetitive ‘X’ sample, layered between pounding, wavering notes of bass. The track really comes together as contrasting off-beats materialize into a timewarp-esque buildup, which drops into an onslaught of tight metallic hits.
The first of two SPACE LACES collabs from the album, titled ‘1 on 1’, builds from grimy UK-inspired vocals into an insistent bass rhythm. An energy-ridden buildup launches the song into an assault of rigid screeches, alternating with ruthless, soaring synths.
‘Wake Up’ derives Sullivan King‘s genius death metal style with a chorus and lead reminiscent of a punk rock track, the tune builds into a seamless barrage of resonating bass frequencies, broken only momentarily for incisive guitar riffs.
The energy-laced tune of the album, ‘Tonight’ starts with a throwback synth melody, graciously building emotion before the tuned-out, raspy vocals “This..is the night” catapult the track into an unyielding assail of oscillating synths and rumbling bass patterns.
A long-awaited collaborating in the works, ‘Gold‘, is a beautiful depiction of Excision’s ability to take a more vulnerable, emotion-based approach to a song. Composing the luscious, heavenly synths Illenium is most known for and stunning vocals from Shallows, the tune mimics the emotional rollercoaster of young love. A synth-heavy first drop set the stage for the track, while the drowned out chorus in the interlude leads to an unsuspecting bass-ridden second drop, which gorgeously combines X’s raw power with Illenium’s euphoric appeal.
A thundering medley of synths, joined by pounding percussion lead the intro of ‘Fall’, before a perfectly timed pre-drop sample launches the tune into the depths of an abyss with relentless, precise bass hits and wailing synth patterns.
Laidback, vibey synths lead into the beginning of the first Dion Timmer collaboration from the project, titled ‘Home’. An insatiable melody and vocal chorus give the song an overtly euphoric feeling, while tropical, bouncy bass notes provide the track with more than sufficient energy. The second Dion Timmer collaboration, ‘Where Are You’ takes the album backs into the depths of bass. An otherworldly intro with brief hinds of drowned out industrial noises build the tune into a quick percussive lead before the sample “They’re everywhere” heaves the track into a descending pattern of blaring synths.
Shrill revving lines the intro of ‘Power’, as a drowned-out robot vocal groans “Power”, a ferocious, compact melody of synths wash over the tune. Perfectly timed breaks, riddled with growling bass notes provide the track with a choppy, yet seamlessly coherent feeling.
Perhaps one of Excision’s most sought-after releases to-date, ‘Vault’ was initially teased in a number of live sets, culminating as the introduction to Jeff’s Lost Lands 2017 mix. A masterpiece in and of itself, the song scaps a trove of nostalgic pre-drop vocals from past Excision tracks in a captivating, yet refreshing manner.
Initially released nearly 9 months ago, ‘Hoods Up’ with Dion Timmer was Excision’s first sneak peek of the forthcoming APEX. Gripping vocals from Messinian lead to a monumental, rambunctious buildup of energy before the drop introduces an invasion of reverberating synths. Revisiting the death metal style, the second Sullivan King collaboration, ‘Fight Through the Pain’, uses a riveting guitar riff and screaming vocals to intensify the energy of the grumbling synths and pulsating bass.
Released just shortly after ‘Hoods Up‘, the second SPACE LACES collab ‘Rumble’ furnishes the ideal end cap to an astonishing album. Intergalactic lasers and an ensemble of fast-paced percussion build unparalleled energy before a bonkers metal-on-metal sample unleashes a blitz attack of industrial synths and thundering bass.
A much-anticipated release for the bass scene, APEX, is a radiating depiction of Excision’s meticulous sound design and ability to span multiple styles and genres over the course of one project. Armed to the teeth with heavy-hitting collaborations and solo releases, this album is indisputable affirmation of Excision’s creative prowess.
