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Swansea lads Benjamin Damage & Doc Daneeka have quickly built a reputation for themselves as individual artists amongst a highly competitive bass scene. Their partnering together saw a move towards darker-edged, deep techno mixed with bass culture and has ultimately pushed them even further into the limelight with the release of the debut album, They! Live.

Despite laying claim to only a hand full of releases each, Benjamin Damage and Doc Daneeka impressed Modeselektor’s 50 Weapons imprint so much with their collaborative ‘Creeper’ EP earlier in the year, that the German label flew the Welsh producers over to Berlin where they were given a studio to hole up in between late August and early November and deliver a full length album. The result is a nine track collection of Berlin inspired UK-influenced UK funky, deep house, Detroit and dub techno.

Merging their UK bass and garage flavours with the classic house and techno vibe has allowed the duo to explore their sound palette further than before, pushing themselves into previously uncharted territory. In a record that lasts a little under forty-five minutes, the pair explore a mixture of darkened atmospheres and lighter moments in addition to a combination of pulsating tracks and more ambient, cinematic compositions.

The album is littered with matured melodies too, supplying a calming relief from the moments where the deep bass and driving beat take the helm. Damage’s intricate rhythms merge naturally with Daneeka’s haunting synth work to create a host of unique and interesting soundscapes that only their open minded attitude will allow. UK vocalist Abigail Wyles features prominently on the album too, something that supplies the record with a relatively consistent theme amongst the constant genre-bending that takes place throughout.

They! Live is a versatile, deep journey through the duo’s experience of underground club culture. Its many moods lend itself to home listening just as easily it does for the house party. It is a highly accomplished debut album that not only lauds the producers behind it, but strengthens the already revered label that released it too. They! Live is 50 Weapons’ third artist album. All have announced new artists, all with varying sounds and attitudes. As Benjamin Damage and Doc Daneeka have proved, 50 Weapons know how to get the best out the producers they see talent in. Who will they eye up next?

Artist: Benjamin Damage & Doc Daneeka Title: They!Live LP Label: 50 Weapons Tracklist:01 No One feat. Abigail Wyles02 Battleships feat. Abigail Wyles03 Deaf Siren04 Creeper (Album Edit)05 Charlottenburg06 Halo feat. Abigail Wyles07 Juggernaut08 Elipsis Torment09 Bleach & Penicillin www.50weapons.com  soundcloud.com/benjamindamage soundcloud.com/docdaneeka Our Rating: 7.5/10