Culprate – Nightmares In Reality

Released on the 20th of August on Inspected Records, The eponymous ‘Nightmares In Reality’ is a meticulously crafted and menacing blend of dubstep, hip hop and grime featuring Maksim on mic duties. Drifting in on the sprightly flute melody and biting lyrics, Culprate sets the scene before letting the track unravel as a warping bassline swipes through the track with glitching beats swinging pendulously beneath.

Official Press-Release

Culprate has quickly established himself as a mainstay of the murky dubstep underworld over the last three years with a string of impressive releases and remixes that have racked up millions of plays and support from scene heavywieghts such as Gemini, KOAN Sound and Skrillex. Returning to Inspected Records following last year’s much-lauded ‘5 Star’ EP, Culprate is once again asserting his versatility and creative restlessness with the ‘Nightmares In Reality’ EP, five tracks of intricately produced and fiercely powerful electronic music that take dubstep as their cue but remain resolutely indefinable.

EP opener ‘Hall of Mirrors’ draws on euphoric rave melodies and soft vocals for its intro as Culprate builds the track only for them to be quickly shattered as he unleashes a drilling bassline, complex drum patterns and sharp electro chords. Up next, ‘Two’ takes the tempo down and ups the groove as beautifully swung rhythms carry deconstructed chords and bumping bass notes. Introducing soaring female vocals and squirming melodies, it starts to paint the picture of a varied and masterfully crafted EP of forward-thinking bass music from an artist ready to make his mark.

Diverting down a different path once again, the eponymous ‘Nightmares In Reality’ follows with a meticulously crafted and menacing blend of dubstep, hip hop and grime featuring Maksim on mic duties. Drifting in on the sprightly flute melody and biting lyrics, Culprate sets the scene before letting the track unravel as a warping bassline swipes through the track with glitching beats swinging pendulously beneath.

Tooth Fairy’ starts on a more ethereal note as floating melodies drift over skittering 2-step percussion before crashing back down with pounding 4×4 beats and jarring bass manipulations thrashing through the track. ‘Diablo’ then closes the EP exploring some of Culprate’s more esoteric influences as sweeping strings nestle over glitchy, intricate IDM percussion, only to morph into a ruffneck drum & bass roller that will hit you right in the chest, closing out the EP and leaving you breathless.

Having long since asserted his talent with a slew of inimitable productions, Culprate is not content to rest on his laurels, and this is clearly just the start for a young producer who is hitting his stride.

Track Listing

1. Hall of Mirrors
2. Two
3. Nightmares In Reality
4. Tooth Fairy
5. Diablo