Steve Aoki‘s infamous label Dim Mak Records are celebrating a major milestone with the label’s 500th release with the ‘King Babies’ EP from experimental art punkers, The Death Set, out today.
With ‘King Babies’, The Death Set epitomizes the spirit of punk, electro, and hardcore, the three pillar sounds that define the Dim Mak brand. Founded in 1996 by Grammy-nominated producer/DJ and electronic dance music entrepreneur Steve Aoki, the label launched as an independent imprint releasing hardcore and punk rock bands with the first official Dim Mak record coming from obscure, SoCal hardcore ensemble Stickfigurecarousel.
Since then, the label has grown to become a powerhouse in the global electronic music scene today, while still remaining true to its commitment to release cutting-edge music from artists shaping and creating fresh music genres. Dim Mak has played a major role in defining and creating the current electronic music space, particularly within the Los Angeles market, and helped foster various music scenes from indie dance rock, underground hip-hop, electro, and house.
To date, Dim Mak has broken countless artists, who are now leading figures in their respective genres, including The Kills, Battles, Bloc Party, The Gossip, Klaxons, The Bloody Beetroots, MSTRKRFT, Felix Cartal, Datsik, and more.
Coming as the 500th release on the imprint, the 4-track EP features new music from the NYC-based via Australia thrashers that perfectly exemplifies their brash mix of cross-genre punk, noise, grunge, and beyond. ‘King Babies’ marks a full circle for Dim Mak Records as it perfectly meshes the label’s punk rock roots and current status as a leading brand in contemporary electronic music.
The EP comes as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed album Michel Poiccard and sees the duo Johnny Siera and Dan Walker along with hard-hitting drummer Will Broussard return to full form. Always strange and ridiculously catchy, The Death Set reignite their punk origins which is equal parts noisy and melodic with maximum energy and captures the mayhem of their live shows.
The EP launches with the fast-paced “Lite The Fuse”, a screaming ode to its moombahton inspired beat that features furious vocals, unnerving punk heaviness, and a grimy bass line. “Think Shank” inspired by 80′s hardcore, follows suit with electronic builds, back-and-forth vocals and a half-time bridge that begs listeners to bounce. “Soar Away” shows the melodic side of The Death Set, which includes a pop-leaning chorus of anthemic proportions. The track pays homage to their previous popular tracks like “Negative Thinking” and is a melodic journey about conquering self-doubt. King Babies closes strong with “The Enemy” with electronic blips and a stomping beat behind lyrics that give voice to the madness of internal dialogue.
“The Death Set is excited to join Dim Mak, a label that launched on hardcore 7-inch records and has grown into an EDM superpower”, says Siera. Adding that, “The fit is snuggly and perfect”.
Check out the EP below & get it now on Beatport or iTunes!
We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to Steve Aoki and the entire team at Dim Mak Records on this momentous achievement and wish them all the best for the future. Here’s looking forward to even more ground-breaking releases from the Dim Mak catalogue!