Techstep
Techstep is a drum and bass subgenre from the late 1990s, defined by its dark, science-fiction-infused atmosphere, employing synthesizers and drum machines for a driving, often industrial sound. It emerged from the jungle and hardstep scenes around 1995, drawing heavily from industrial music and techno for its rhythmic intensity and sonic palette. Pioneering artists like Ed Rush and DJ Trace were instrumental in developing its distinctive instrumentation and popularizing the genre. Its influence extended throughout the drum and bass landscape, shaping a grittier, more technologically-driven sound.
More about Techstep
Techstep is a drum and bass subgenre that emerged around 1995, instantly recognisable for its dark, cold, and science-fiction-industrial atmosphere — a radical departure from the warmer textures of jungle or liquid drum and bass. Born in London's underground clubs, it represented the most radical and futuristic face of late-1990s drum and bass, pushing the genre into ever more austere and mechanical sonic territory. The No U-Turn Records label, founded in London, played a determinant role in the diffusion and definition of the genre, releasing the key records that established its aesthetic.
Musically, Techstep is defined by complex, syncopated high-velocity breakbeats (typically 160–180 BPM), deeply distorted basslines inspired by industrial techno, and audio samples drawn from science-fiction films or noise music. Melodies, when present, are minimalist and anxiety-inducing. Production leans towards intentional lo-fi and a "dirty" sound, creating a unique texture somewhere between machine and living organism. Pioneer artists Ed Rush and DJ Trace contributed enormously to defining this dark, cinematic aesthetic that would influence the entire drum and bass landscape for years.
On FestT, PENDULUM (14 festivals) is the act that most contributed to bringing techstep to wider audiences, by fusing it with alternative rock. BLACK SUN EMPIRE (5) carry the tradition of dark, atmospheric techstep with high-quality productions, and FRACTURE (1) holds the torch for the genre's most purist and experimental approach.
Present in 20 festivals on FestT, Techstep durably influences neighbouring subgenres such as Dancefloor Drum And Bass, Atmospheric Drum And Bass, and Breakcore. For those seeking the most cyberpunk and dystopian face of drum and bass, Techstep remains an essential destination for lovers of dark and futuristic sound — a genre that refuses commercial compromise and keeps its underground edge intact after three decades of continuous evolution and innovation within the broader bass music ecosystem.