Premiere: Phasmid ‘Fractal’

Phasmid is gearing up to release a new EP via Gimme A Break Records, ‘Hadal Zone’. Have an exclusive first listen to ‘Fractal’ below.

Five years on from releasing his debut single on GAB’s ‘We Are Viable’ compilation, the Leeds-based DJ and producer returns to the imprint with his first physical EP. Crafted from a clinical blend of breakbeat, electro and trance, ‘Hadal Zone’ is the sort of explosive, bass-led affair we’ve grown to expect from the artist, whose personal sound remains rooted even as he branches into new terrain.

Systematic loops collide with tense, instinctual rhythms on the title track, which oozes the same eyes-down energy as Phasmid’s club sets, ahead of UK bass-inspired heaters ‘Fractal’ and ‘Onyx’. The Taipan Trax boss continues to pay homage to the UK dance lineage on the fiery ‘I’ll Be There’, which samples Baraka’s 1995 jungle heater, and through the ruthless subs and synths of ‘Neuralware’, which takes inspiration from Cyberpunk aesthetics.

On the flip, Kessler – who Phasmid describes as one of his earliest inspirations – delivers a head-spinning remix of ‘Hadal Zone’, complete with terse breaks and a devastating, technoid bassline.

“As my first solo vinyl release this is a truly special project to me,” Phasmid shared. “It’s the culmination of my various styles to date but also feels like a full circle moment as Gimme A Break was the first label I ever worked with and Kessler was one of my biggest inspirations when I first started out.

“This EP has been a couple of years in the making and I’m really proud of how my sound has evolved over this time,” he added.

‘Hadal Zone’ is out 7th March via Gimme A Break Records. Pre-order the EP here, and have an exclusive first listen to ‘Fractal’ below.