Crucial repress of Skream’s debut album from 2006. Skream was responsible for the first dubstep invasion at the Lab (with the now-classic Midnight Request Line 12″), and since then we’ve seen the genre blow up on crazy levels, even seeping into the mainstream. This self-titled debut cemented Skream’s place at the top of the dubstep echelon, influencing countless biters with his heavyweight style. The vintage Lab review – Dubstep’s numero uno producer’s distinct combination of warbling bass, staggering drums, and choice dub samples doesn’t disappoint (his big single, “Midnight Request Line” got me hooked into dubstep and is a consistent Lab seller). For starters, check the opening track, “Stagger”. Heavy warbling bass bidness to shatter a soundboy and rattle your nuts by the sub-woofer. If you are even remotely into this stuff you are adding to cart already, but i’ll go on. Check out “Colourful” for more of that deep bass and wicked synth combination that just murders, plus the female soul vox is a nice touch. Also, Digital Mystikz remixes the killer “Midnight Request Line” to a level that rivals the heaviness of the original (I thought this wasn’t possible). 9 tracks spread out over 3 LP’s. Necessary dubstep material.

• music label: Tempa 2013

reviewed by TKB 10/2013