Billain

BILLAIN stands as one of the true pioneers and experimenters of our time. With few names in DnB so synonymous with the advancement of sonic ideas, narrative concepts and the incorporation of technology and visuals into his output - his consistent exploration of new hybrid combinations of these components sets him apart from the pack.

In 2016 he further established himself as on of the most uncompromising forces in drum and bass, with the release of METAL JAWS as part of MethLab // 2 on Bad Taste Recordings and his debut on Inspected with SPECIALIST, as well as the development of his AETHEK alter ego with the release of VERTEBRAE on MethLab Recordings and 1991 VG on Renraku. It was also the year that he launched his mindblowing AV show in collaboration with pioneering visual artist The Macula, premiering the show in Sarajevo’s largest concert venue Dom Mladih.

Having schooled himself in the techniques and theory of music production through Techno, Billain eventually found a deeper connection to the wide possibilities of experimentation found in the broken beats of DnB. With his early influences including from Xenakis, Aphex Twin, The Prodigy and early Metalheadz releases, it was inevitable that the trademark sound he finally gave birth to, was to be one of a truly experimental nature.

Following releases on Breed, Syndrome Audio, Citrus and Rise Audio, he eventually found firm footing in BAD TASTE RECORDINGS – the legendary label of DnB legends Bad Company Uk. With the release of a pair of singles ‘BATBOTS / Manifold’ in 2012 and ‘Blockfield / BOOGIE’ in 2013 that still get regular play on systems today, he established his sound on one of neurofunk’s most significant labels. With his ‘COLOSSUS’ EP on Bad Taste in 2014, he took things a step further, with the well-respected UKF publication declaring him a ‘GAMECHANGER’ and tracks like ‘AUTONOMOUS’ demonstrating his uncompromising approach to pushing the limits of DnB. With Colossus, Billain established the narrative of his ‘Apesian’ sci-fi odyssey, backed with the incredible artwork of Marvel artist Enis Čišić. It was at this stage that Billain became a firm part of the MethLab collective.

From this point his achievements multiplied – remixing Koan Sound & ASA’s track ‘TETSUO’S REDEMPTION’ accompanied by an incredible recut tribute version of Katsuhiro Otomo’s ‘Akira’, as well as the launch of his audio-visual experiment ‘ASSEMBLY’ and the release of his ‘BINARY 003’ EP on the well-respected Critical Music. He re-emerged in 2015 with his ‘COLONIZE’ EP on EATBRAIN, continuing the Apesian’s journey backing 4 diverse and hard-hitting neurofunk tracks, and launching the EP with an animated trailer crafted at a level rarely seen in the DnB context.

With his LP in development and set for release within the next year, as well as rumored releases on some of today’s leading labels, things are only set to get more intense.