Federico Epis "Mare"

Federico Epis might not yet be a household name in the world of electronic music but those whose attention he's grabbing certainly are aware of him. Garnering support from Sasha, Nick Warren and Hernan Cattaneo, Epis is already thirty-plus releases strong, making his presence known on Global Underground releases and remixing producers like Derek Howell and Matt Rowan. In all, not bad company to be rubbing elbows with. With his latest, 'Mare', he's roped in remix help from Mr Anthony Pappa, who has released it on his new 'Red Light District' label. If you remember how Pappa played Ghostbuster and absolutely snagged the Zeitgeist with his spacious and atmospheric contribution to the Balance mix series, you'll understand why he's in league with Epis and reworking this terrifying journey.

'Mare' starts in the distance; out there, coming closer. Something you feel before you hear, the muffled pounding of kicks, throwing up shifting rustles of hats like damp leaves. The low snarl of a mangy synth crawls up the back of your neck as you listen: bells, and you for whom they toll, rippling out through the wood. Tripping over rocky basslines as you finally gather your senses enough to move, the trees break down into a clearing, where ominous melodies hoot like spooked owls. Blundering back into the brush as bells rattle behind you with greater intensity, you strain to hear a new sound: more bells, a clear chime that cuts through the fog.

The track plunges desperately toward the sound of sanctuary as short snares gasp for breath and a menacing synth roars into the coda like blood in the ears. Clearing the trees, dire straits become too much as bells carry the track's last hopes away on the wind, but when you turn to accept your fate, nothing remains but kicks that mirror the hammering in your chest.

It might have been over, but Anthony Pappa returns you to this harrowing experience. Kicks pound louder inside your skull with new vocals slipping into his remix. The panic you remember is more intense, building and releasing pressure like a twisted machination. Basslines bucking and heaving as they're spurred viciously by metal synths. In Pappa's remix, every extreme is heightened to tear at your senses.

Sinister and chilling, Frederico Epis' 'Mare' shows why he's getting the nod from some top-notch DJs and producers. You'll want to check out Pappa's rework of 'Epis', it's certainly a slice of Anthony's DJing style. If you like Hybrid's 'Gravastar' mixed with Bedrock's 'Voices', don't let Red Light District's first pass you by. Epis chose a fitting title for this release, as you may very well call this experience a (night)mare.