Techstep
A dark, mechanical drum and bass style with harsh bass and science-fiction sounds.
History
Techstep appeared in the mid-1990s as drum and bass became darker and more machine-like s1. Producers used harsh, distorted bass, cold sound effects and fewer samples s1. The name joined 'tech', for the clean machine sound, with 'step', for the drum pattern s1. Ed Rush and Optical were central to the style, and their label Virus Recordings released many key records s2. Ed Rush, Optical and Fierce's 'Alien Girl' (1998) is one of its widely known tracks s2. Bad Company's 'The Nine' (1998) became a club anthem with a very simple, heavy riff s1. Optical's 'To Shape the Future' (1997) was another important record s2. Techstep was important in making drum and bass sound serious and futuristic rather than soulful s1. It led to the harder neurofunk sound that followed s2. The style was championed by DJs such as Grooverider and Ed Rush s1. Its dark sound influenced the neurofunk records that followed s2.
Sound
- Harsh, distorted bass
- Fast, mechanical drum patterns
- Cold, science-fiction sound effects
- Very few vocals or samples
- A dark, serious mood
Key figures
- Ed Rush — Producer and co-founder of Virus Recordings
- Optical — Producer and co-founder of Virus Recordings
- Fierce — Producer and collaborator on 'Alien Girl'
- Bad Company — London group behind 'The Nine'
Labels
- Virus Recordings — London , 1997
- BC Recordings — London , 1998
- No U-Turn — London , 1993
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Drum and Bass , Darkcore , UK Techno
Led to: Neurofunk
Sources
- Techstep — Wikipedia
- 10 best techstep slammers, part one — Line Noise
- Ed Rush — Vision Recordings