Antagonist announces new EP

Antagonist’s new EP Rites is a tour-de-force of dense, uncompromising electronic music that showcases the Manchester-based DJ and producer’s drum and bass roots and influences. With five new tracks on display, Rites is a dark and cinematic exploration of the genre that marks Antagonist’s debut on R&S Records.

Drawing on a sound that has informed his DJ sets and studio productions since he launched the project in 2004, Antagonist’s productions are a masterclass in complex breakbeats and hard-edged beat science. Layering shadowy ambience and wistful tones over knifelike loops and dynamic kicks, Rites is a highly accomplished EP that showcases Antagonist’s highly creative hybrid sound.

The opening title track “Rites” sets the tone for the EP, with a dense and hypnotic beat that builds and builds over layers of dark ambience. It’s a track that demands attention, with its intricate rhythm patterns and cinematic flourishes showcasing Antagonist’s skills as a producer. “Observe” takes things in a more energetic direction, with haunting melodies and ethereal sonic textures floating over a bed of charging beats and deep basslines. The track is a masterclass in tension and release, with Antagonist expertly building and releasing pressure throughout.

“Within” is a more stripped-back affair, with a sparse beat and haunting synth lines creating a sense of space and atmosphere. It’s a track that is both introspective and emotive, showcasing Antagonist’s ability to create complex soundscapes that are both cinematic and deeply personal. “Woodland Noir” is a brooding and atmospheric track that blends dark ambience with hard-edged beats and glitchy percussion. It’s a track that is both haunting and menacing, with its driving rhythms and ominous melodies creating a sense of tension and unease.

Finally, the Bandcamp exclusive track “Movement One” rounds out the EP with a complex and layered beat that showcases Antagonist’s skills as a producer. It’s a track that is both intricate and hypnotic, with its dynamic rhythms and cinematic flourishes creating a sense of depth and complexity.

Overall, Rites is a highly accomplished debut for Antagonist on the R&S label. His hybrid sound blends the best of drum and bass and broken beats into a heady mix that’s both cinematic and deeply personal. If you’re a fan of electronic music that’s dense, uncompromising, and fiercely original, then Rites is an EP that you won’t want to miss.

The EP is set to drop this Friday on the 17th March via R&S Records, you can buy or pre-order the release here.

Check out the previews of the tracks on Rites EP below

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