It's time for a slightly-belated new BBB! 🗞️✨
ENJOY 💙💙
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NEWS
Never Say Die drop huge remix compilation
Last Friday, legendary modern Dubstep label Never Say Die dropped their second mammoth compilation in their widely-celebrated comeback to the scene. The newest collection is titled Never Say Die legacy, featuring 25 tracks with a 1hr23min runtime. The modus operandi of the project is fresh and exciting Bass acts - from WINK to Modal Nodes, Silcrow to beastboi. and beyond - remixing classic NSD originals from veterans such as Zomboy, Eptic, Skism, MUST DIE!, 501 and more. This is thought to be the final release before Never Say Die embarks on its new era, as detailed by Skism in recent weeks, and covered extensively on the Big Bass Bulletin.
I can't give many more thoughts on the compilation yet as I've yet to hear it, given I was at Rampage Open Air last week. I'll be streaming my reaction to the project tomorrow on Twitch, so make sure to tune in for that if you can! As usual, the video will be going up on the YouTube channel following that.
If you've listened to the compilation already, please drop your favourites of the 25 in the comments section below!
Rampage Open Air 2026
Over the weekend, the 2026 instalment of Murdock's famed Bass festival Rampage Open Air took place in Lommel, Belgium. The 4-day, predominantly-Drum & Bass and Dubstep bonanza hosted performances from the likes of Space Laces, Eptic, Virtual Riot, Mefjus, Fox Stevenson, Barely Alive B2B Kompany, REAPER and many more. Safe to say, the event was another roaring success for Rampage, with no significant hitches across its stretch, and countless European attendees labelling it as easily the best Bass-oriented event on the continent - and for some, the best in the world.
It was my first time at the festival since 2019, and unsurprisingly it has changed immensely in that 7-year period. The expansion of it has been impressive, for starters - I would guess the festival was a 5th of the size it is now before the pandemic began. Considering how many companies, businesses and events have folded since then, it's extremely commendable the level to which it's grown. The layout of the festival is nicely condensed, and there are a manageable amount of stages to easily dip in and out of. Funfair rides are on hand to provide entertainment beyond the music, and fill space well within the festival.
Those things being said, I was still left thinking they can go far bigger in future editions of RoA. No doubt they've done the research to deduce that Drum & Bass and Dubstep are the most celebrated Bass genres in Europe, but they could incorporate far more styles into the festival going forward to make its global presence felt more. It's marketed as 'The biggest Drum & Bass and Dubstep festival in the universe', but they can't really say that as it currently is when events like Lost Lands exist.
Moreover, on the note of the stages, many I talked to remarked on the size of a couple of them being worse for general atmosphere building. Those stages discussed were apparently shallower and wider compared to previous years, which creates a more spread-out grouping of show attendees - it simply doesn't generate the same energy levels needed for this kind of music. It was also depressing how few vegan options there were food-wise. Hopefully, off the back of record European temperatures in the last few weeks, and with animal factory farming renowned as the third-largest contributor to global warming, steps can be taken to change this from next year.
On a personal level, I had many genuinely incredible conversations and interactions with artists, managers, fans, festival workers and more from start to finish. Events like this remind me why I do what I do - for the people saying they value what I do, for the sets and performances, for the love shared between people joining up for a shared passion and sense of community. If you've ever been a part of that, at Rampage, Lost Lands, an event in London or anywhere else, thank you.
Roll on 2027!
TIDAL streaming app takes steps against AI
There may just be hope yet. Music streaming service TIDAL announced last week that new AI policies will be integrated into the app from July 15th. Amongst the new features are: 100% AI-generated tracks will be labelled as such, and not earn royalties; music impersonating other artists will be removed; users can filter out fully AI-generated music from their search. Labels and distributors will also be required to identify AI-generated material when uploaded to TIDAL. For consumers, this music will be tagged with an icon. AI-generated music will remain on the platform, but after these policies are implemented, it's thought that far less of it will be uploaded given money can't be earned from doing so.
If you want to read the full, official TIDAl announcement, click here: https://tidal.com/ai-policy
Will this bring more people towards TIDAL? Will the likes of Spotify and Apple Music follow in their footsteps? It's certainly making me think about where I'll be putting my money going forward.
MUSIC
Zeds Dead drop another album
It's a second LP in two years for one of Bass music's most renowned duos of all time. The new project, Return to the Return (of the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness), follows March 2025's Return to the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness. That's a lot of returning! Important to note is that this is not a deluxe album that includes tracks from the former album - it's a completely fresh batch of 14 tracks, with a 43min runtime. Included on Return to the Return are collaborations with Jem Cooke, CUT_ and more. I have yet to hear it, and might listen to it on tomorrow's stream alongside the new Never Say Die compilation, but that's a maybe depending on how the comp coverage goes. Regardless, I very much look forward to hearing it as an extension of the first album, which placed as my 5th favourite Bass LP of 2025.
Have you guys checked this album out yet? If so, let me know what you're making of it in the comments!
Is the Dubloadz project done?
In a rather sobering post, modern Dubstep legend Dubloadz took to X to share every unreleased piece of music he's been working on in recent years. He opened the post by saying 'Thank you guys for a fun ride', and ended it with 'Do whatever you want with it. Release it as your own for all I care'. This sounds defeated, and a little worrying if I'm being honest. Understandably, some will now be wondering whether he'll still be formulating Dodge's new label with him alongside Virtual Riot. Though I think of more importance is whether he's okay, especially in light of past open posts about his mental health, how much of a toll being a musician has taken on him and more. The replies to his tweet were incredibly supportive, so I hope that's provided him with some good feeling to move forward with. But I'm praying there's someone close to him - as a friend, but also physically - to make sure that he's getting on alright. That's the ultimate thing we want from seeing a post like this! If you're interested in hearing the unreleased music, I've linked it below.
Dropbox link: https://x.com/dubloadz/status/2072463751513551221?s=46&t=TEbbHyZ3OlICtgts4_3J0g
New MUST DIE! album announced
Another MUST DIE! album! A fifth in 5 years in fact, which is extremely impressive to be honest. Lee Bates' latest LP BLOODBATH AND BEYOND will consist of 9 tracks and release on Seven Lions' label Ophelia Records. The opener 'SPEAKERBOX' and Track 6 'VOGUE' are the only tracks from the project that are already out. As I mentioned in a previous BBB, given the Dubstep leaning of those 2 tracks, I imagine this collection will major on that genre, where other MUST DIE! albums of the recent past have been heavy on the Hardstyle - plus other genres - as well as the Dubstep. As with every new MUST DIE! release, I look forward to hearing it heartily!
Big Bass releases of the week
Along with the Never Say Die compilation and Zeds Dead album, let me direct your attention towards other extensive Bass projects - albums from Skope and ZETTA, plus a new compilation from Alix Perez's label 1985 Music. There's a new EP from Phace on his co-owned Neosignal Recordings. Singles-wise, Teminite and VGR have done a remake of Pegboard Nerds' iconic Monstercat original 'Disconnected'. Elsewhere, we got new tracks from Solomun & Skrillex, Excision & LEVEL UP, Subtronics, Effin, Doctor P and QUIX. Happy listening! 💙
DISCUSSION
I have to be honest guys: I didn't find a good discussion point online last week, which is very rare! I did see someone post about there being a lot of 'shitty' people in the EDM scene, but as I started writing about it I found that I wasn't really qualified to provide an opinion on it given that I don't live where EDM is most popular - it was definitely a US-centric tweet. It's a conversation that easily dives into sub-discussions of politics, as well as different kinds of show and festival energy in different US cities / states. And whilst I have a bit of knowledge on those things, it isn't enough to definitively write about what I think of them within the context of the main topic. Sometimes you get into a flow with opining about something, and realise you don't actually have enough to back up what you're saying, and it isn't something I'd wanna ruminate on too much anyway.
Anyway, if you have any particularly strong views on this post, then please do post them in the comments below as I'd love to get more learnt on the subject generally!
FUNNIES // COOL STUFF
Hamro rings end of chemotherapy bell
What a lovely sight to see! Hamro's chemotherapy is done, as shown by him ringing the hospital bell that signifies the end of his treatment. Whilst he absolutely shouldn't rush getting into a full schedule of touring again, it's good to know that he can at least play shows once more now, as evidenced by another video he posted quickly after this one which you can view on his profile. The biggest of big ups to Tarik!
Video link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaLSkNHOHsQ/?igsh=MXhld2F0aGhjeWVlNQ==
Mala 🤝 Skrillex 🤝 Four Tet
Another beautiful sight, but of a different kind altogether! It's an Instagram carousel post from original Dubstep legend Mala's recent show at Futur Festival in Torino, Italy, within which there's a clip of Skrillex and Four Tet dapping Mala up during the set. It's always incredibly nice seeing multiple artists you like, from different ends of the musical spectrum, acknowledging each others' existence, and being convivial to go with that. It always hits - undefeated.
Post link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaalV1Hitz8/?img_index=9&igsh=MXJ0ZnZxOWw2OXRibA==
Gen Z Bass music
Chat, how facts is this out of 10?
When you put it like that
So simple, and so powerful. Generating something with a few words requires zero talent. Just thought I should get that out there again.
The 'Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites' growl
I've yet to watch the whole thing, but did spare a bit of time for this video from System 53 titled 'It took me 15 years to reverse engineer the Scary Monsters growl. Here's how to accurately remake it'. It's worth a watch if you're a producer, but also if you love that track really! And who doesn't? Enjoy.
Video link: https://youtu.be/uggzeuncLH0?is=1XKrvf9tj-hkWWqD
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Did I miss anything from the last week in Bass music? Let me know below! 😌