With a slew of appearances on Forest Biz already under his belt, emergent drum and bass producer Shattering Palms (formerly known as Survivor Street) returns to the label with his first EP under the new moniker, the turbulent five-track project 2nd Runner.
Having re-emerged via the label multiple times in recent months, namely for the razor-sharp Forest Freebie single “Sentinel” and the Nocturna #2 compilation cut “Apocalypse”, the preeminent producer has marked himself out as one of the scene’s boldest sound designers, traversing the grey area between techstep, neurofunk and downright industrial D&B.
Opening the project, “2nd Runner” is a juddering juggernaut of a title track, building up to intoxicating crescendos centred around blistering breaks and staccato stabs. Taking things down a notch, “Aumaan” reels listeners in with its ethereal atmospherics before descending into a brooding, minimal drop spotlighting the rising star’s sheer percussive prowess.
“Cross Counter”, meanwhile, is a tense, neuro-leaning number, making use of cinematic sweeps and dark atmospherics and culminating in crunchy, caffeinated drops. Shattering Palms’ expansive repertoire doesn’t end there, however; the project’s final two offerings serve as further testament to his versatility. “Jungle Siphon” is a drum-driven, ribcage-rattling affair drawing influences from old-school jungle, while “Terror Storm” kicks off with a discordant amalgamation of synth pads and dogged growls, suddenly reaching a rowdy, rugged climax garnished with frantic breakbeats and resonant reeses.
The 2nd Runner EP lands 26 February 2021 via BadJah’s Forest Biz Records.
Cat number: FBZ048
Release date: 26th February 2021
Social media links:
Shattering Palms:
Forest Biz:
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