Review: Submerged - Violence As First Nature

Submerged - Violence As First Nature
2008, Ohm Resistance

Submerged is one of the most in-demand Drum N Bass artists in the world. Having played with the likes of Bill Laswell, John Zorn, Dr. Israel and Mike Patton (among others), Submerged is practically royalty in the Drum N Bass world. Aside from being a resident DJ at Konkrete Jungle NYC, Submerged has played clubs all over the world. Submerged issued their latest project on CD in 2008; Violence As First Nature is a 2-CD collection of classic collaborations or remixes of songs from the Ohm Resistance Label mixed with three new songs. None of these songs has even appeared on CD before.

The album opens with the three new tracks: Consciousness, A Bad Time For Empire and Homicide Bomber. Consciousness mixes ambient passages with repressed Drum N Bass runs that end as precipitously as they started. A Bad Time For The Empire plays with tempo and rhythm variations in a constantly shifting yet stubbornly relentless barrage of beats and sounds. Homicide Bomber has a surreal feel to it, almost like trying to walk around under water. The frenetic pace and manic rhythms are almost too much to cope with. From the tracks previously released only on vinyl, I Love You But I Chose Darkness is a personal favorite. The fuzzy electronic effects interspersed among the rhythmic phrases offer a surreal funhouse feel. Let Your Body Take Control is absolute madness. Don't pass through without giving this track a listen. Just don't lose your mind. Other highlights include Project Two, Cop Killer and Human Camera.

The second disc is mixes released by Ohm Resistance featuring artists such as Impulse, Temulent, Lethal, Khanage, Imaginary Forces and Silent Killer. At 28 tracks its too much to go into here, but suffice it to say that if you liked disc one you'll love disc two.

Submerged hits us up with Violence As First Nature as a celebration of the continued success of the Ohm Resistance label. Featuring a number of tracks from Submerged as well as mixes done with or by some of the most impressive names in electronic music (Bill Laswell and Scorn, just to name two). If Drum N Bass is your thing, then you've come to the right place. Submerged keep their electronic creations vibrant by constantly mutating the beats, sounds and rhythms. Violence As First Nature is both an exciting look backward at material not previously available on CD, but also an open window on the future of electronic music.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Submerged at www.myspace.com/theonlywaytogoisdown. You can purchase a copy of Violence As First Nature at Amazon.com.