Dave Nardolilli, better known as Dubloadz, has forged his own trail in the dubstep scene ever since stepping foot into the electronic music world. With influences from everything hardcore and metal to hip-hop and funk, he carries some of the highest energy and craftsmanship with his production skills. Whether in the studio or on stage, Dubloadz guarantees triumphant execution of massive bangers.
Having collaborations and remixes stretching across the bass spectrum and originals that carry support from dubstep dons such as 12th Planet and Excision, Dubloadz implements his savage-wonk sound design across the world. His debut album Dubloadz and the 9000 Ghosts LP was only a further spectacle of his cemented position among the underground and heavyweight hitters in the bass scene. He also had his welcoming to the Never Say: Die Black Label with the release of the Ghost Gang EP.
Continuing to showcase his growth as an artist since leaving the Disciple label in 2018, he has released ‘Salt’, ‘Pepper’, and his latest collaboration with SUAHN, ‘I Am The Light’. Each of these come with a consistency of meticulously crafted wonky bass that sheds attention on the Dubloadz brand while also pushing forward with current trends. In addition to these originals, he also boasts staple remixes of the tracks ‘THE DROP’ by Gammer and ‘Cyan’ by Dion Timmer.
Furthermore, his latest progress can be seen in the mix Savage Wonk Undead Vol. 2 where he merges the eerie low end bass wobbles of his fine tuned wonky sound with a reckoning of catastrophic riddim. This convergence of skull shattering dubstep is exactly what is served up in his return project to the Never Say Die: Black Label, the Necronomicon. 40 Oz Cult enthusiast Dack Janiels to additionally scribe the Dubloadz legacy.
An aggressive vocal introduction suggests pushing everyone out of the way, much like Dubloadz has had to do in his rise to the top. Leading up to an attack of laser-like sounds and crunchy bass distortion, the title track sets the tone for the entire project. The original Necronomicon is a textbook of magic and this track is the grimoire of savage wonk. In many cases, these books are believed to be imbued with magical powers themselves, and this introduction may have you thinking you’re under a spell. The final drop returns with even more power and induces uncontrollable head banging, with a rhythm that cascades into furious foot stomping bass.
Beginning its life as ‘Out Tha Way’ featuring vocals by Young Buck, ‘Space Goats’ is that traditional Dubloadz sound that we all know and love. Talk about a track that will have rails praying for their metallic lives. Featuring intensely grimy bass that sounds like an interstellar monster with whooping cough, this is a track that will surely send listeners’ limbs into a frenzy. A clear trait in his tracks that is prevalent in this as well is a constant change of both note structure and sounds that keeps the listener’s ears on edge, yearning for more. Each drop is notably different, but even the subsections of each drop carry enough variance elicit a constant stank-face.
‘Dead Inside’ feels like a welcome departure from Dubloadz’s traditional style, incorporating more robust and longer drawn-out bass lines, it makes the song have more of a weight to it. Traditionally, he’s used quick, sharp notes that come out almost like a belt-fed machine gun, but this is more like a grubby slow dance with a necromancer, rather than something that induces one into a finger gun frenzy. With the metal-influenced vocals “I’m dead inside” and the spooky midtempo overall sound, this is a perfect combination for those edgy high school kids that talk about nihilism and wear all black.
‘Blue Bomber’ creates a feel of a post apocalyptic video game where collecting items becomes a very vital point to surviving. With samples of collecting these necessary items introducing us to the stage, the alarm sounds build, questioning if you are ready for battle. The final boss approaches with a grim smirk and tests the limits of your skills. Containing expected chaos in this fight, it becomes difficult to remain in control. A back and forth battle comes to a halt when the boss acquires the upper hand. Regaining some of your health and reloading, all weapons have their sights aimed to destroy and work towards victory. The final meter of the rivals health declares it is time to go all out in this final drop. Coming out beaten and bloody, victory is attained with the assistance of Dack Janiels as Dubloadz continues his journey of summation. This battle is over, but the savage wonk war has just begun.
Necronomicon is an ode to all things that go bump in the night. Curating his consistently dark, metal heavy aesthetic, Dubloadz has secured his spot among the pillars of dubstep. People had doubts once he left Disciple, but he’s showcased time and time again that he’s here to stay. Cultivating relationships with 40 Oz Cult leader Dack Janiels and with multiple releases through Never Say Die: Black Label, it seems Nardolilli has easily found other like-minded individuals to take the world by storm. Whether it be his music, his artwork (he does the cover art for all his releases), or just his overall persona, fans continue to be on the edges of their seats for what comes next. While his sound continues to bloom over time, what’s most certain is that it will assuredly be savage, wonky, and evil.
Words by Tony Leonard and Alex Bell.
