Release Date: 30 October 2006
Song Count: 15
Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes, 54 seconds
Rating: 7.0/10
Description:
So I've recently come across a video essay online from around 4 years ago documenting the origins and evolutions of London style dubstep music, and how a big chunk of the genre's greatest fans eventually became alienated once the modern outlines and perception of it fully replaced the original scene that had been established. This was not only a unique insight into an electronic music style I had previously not had contact with beyond the surface level, but also a retelling of a tale of genre degradation and the loss of what initially was an underground scene but later became over-commercialised and lost its foundations - a tale that parallels the one of breakcore music, another subgenre that experienced something similar and that I was far more familiar with, so it was a particularly intriguing dive as someone who could form an adjacent connection around the phenomenon.
Among the many pioneers of the original dubstep movement that were mentioned, Skream was one that particularly caught my eye - originally named Oliver Jones, this English DJ and producer is often considered one of the most influential artists in the classic dubstep scene, solidifying the signature repeating, gritty and moody sound that practically defined it in its beginnings and golden ages. His eponymous album, Skream!, was also the piece he properly debuted into the industry with, having released a few singles and EPs prior but receiving his first actual surge of influence with this release.
To someone who is rather unfamiliar with this particular style of EDM beyond merely the most surface-level exposure to it, the contents of what is supposed to be the eye of Sauron for it may appear to be rather bare-bones in comparison, primarily only following through with one rhythmic groove at a time, most of them not even pushing any sonical extremities, and being very sparing with the amount of samples and instruments in use at a time. The real main course within albums like these, however, lies in the details: subtle introductions of individual moving pieces that aim to be complementary to what has already been established prior, rather than drowning it out or overpowering it, memorable yet also simple melodic lines made out of not only synths, but also some unexpected traditional instruments like flutes and trumpets, and catchy 2-step rhythms that, even as the primary focus of the music, move along well with the other assets whilst keeping that known dubstep quality to them.
Though Skream! overall doesn't seem necessarily impressive as a work of music on initial exposure and didn't hook me in on the first listen in spite of its reputation marking the beginning of one of the most well-known subgenres of electronic music in the public eye, upon repeated listening, the straightforward charm of these beats definitely grows on the listener far more, and it becomes much clearer why Skream as an artist was (and still is) as revered in the dubstep movement as he was. If I may make another reference to the previously mentioned other subgenre here: one could suggest, in this sense, that Skream is to dubstep what Venetian Snares is to breakcore - pioneers in their field that helped shape the sound of a particular kind of electronic subgenre for people to enjoy, with their works going down as undisputed classics, to the point where they are now considered the go-to gateway musicians for their respective music styles. And as someone who myself got into the latter genre in that manner, I can confidently say that Skream most certainly manages to fill that unique role in this case as well.