Lizzy McAlphine Has Grown Up
29th July 2024Maggie Rogers – Singer-Songwriter
30th July 2024Zeds Dead brought their dedicated group of “Deadbeats” to Red Rocks Amphitheatre over the weekend for a spectacular light show and musically eclectic set, transporting their audience into another realm entirely.
Once Ghastly had completed their technical set, their headliners took the stage with an energetic performance based around their first song – setting an early tone.
Sound
Zeds Dead of Toronto epitomise EDM‘s irreverence through their creatively hybrid sound. Mixing hip-hop, jungle, house, and bass music genres, DC and Hooks (Dylan Mamid and Zachary Rapp-Rovan, better known as DC and Hooks) began their musical journey as Mass Productions back in 2004, releasing an album entitled Fresh Beetz before changing their name to Zeds Dead in 2009.
Northern Lights was released by the duo in 2016, their most creatively ambitious full-length album to date. Boasting collaborations with electro-popper Dragonette, Twin Shadow and Oliver Heldens as well as Pusha T and Rivers Cuomo from Weezer (Pusha T and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo respectively), Northern Lights offers up unexpected compounds.
Bassmentality was launched by the duo that year as a weekly dance music event held in Toronto that showcased early performances by artists like Skrillex and Borgore. Since then, their label has expanded into an events brand and bass music powerhouse; curating hosted stages at global festivals as well as special events such as Dead Beats Tour (sold-out tour) and an annual Colorado Dead Rocks festival event.
Visuals
Zeds Dead performed two nights of their NYE event “Dimmemories,” drawing a packed house. Their bass heavy fluctuations attracted an incredible amount of energy while providing spectacular visuals for the occasion.
Zeds Dead have made their mark in modern electronic music by carving their own path by refusing to limit themselves to any particular style or genre of music, demonstrating true artistic talent through consistently expanding their brand while maintaining project integrity over the years.
Altered States showcases this duo’s knack for merging undulating bass with catchy four-on-the-floor beats. From capshun’s paralytic drops on Lost to BLXK MNTN’s upbeat house and Tape B’s offbeat experimentalism – every corner of underground bass music is represented on this album! Additionally, their accompanying visuals add another level of immersion for fans of underground bass music.
Audience
Zeds Dead saw an unforgettable audience charged up with adrenaline like an overcharged battery saturating itself with Red Bull. Opening acts GG Magree and Blazen started the evening off right by providing lighthearted dance club music that got everyone ready for what would later become one of their signature performances: Zeds Dead himself.
Zeds Dead consists of Dylan Mamid (DC) and Zachary Rapp-Rovan (Hooks), two producers who began as Mass Productions in 2004 before transitioning into dubstep in 2009. Since then they have gained widespread acclaim with their hard-hitting drum and bass tracks and continue to make waves within their genre.
These two Toronto-based artists are pioneers in the modern North American bass scene and have amassed millions of cross-platform streams, multiple Billboard hits, and multiple JUNO Award nominations. Additionally, they have hosted such EDM acts as Chase & Status, Noisia, Liquid Stranger Coki & Moody Good at their events curated under Deadbeats Label Deadbeats.
Overall
While the game can be enjoyable, it does feel like something of a grind and most players quickly settle into one Zed class and progression tree. While there is plenty of variety when it comes to enemies and weapons available for purchase in the game, that doesn’t guarantee you won’t end up facing off against similar foes over and over.
Dylan Mamid (DJ DC) and Zachary Rapp-Rovan (Hooks), two Toronto producer/DJs who first met on the club scene during the mid 2000s. Together they created Mass Productions from 2006-07 which focused on 90s hip hop-influenced sounds. As bass music became more mainstream in 2009, they created their eponymous production alias. Within months they garnered the attention of major DJs like Bassnectar and Skrillex as well as becoming regulars at North American dance festivals. Northern Lights was an acclaimed 2016 LP from this duo which showcased their diverse sound. Tracks like “Stardust,” featuring Twin Shadow and Diplo, wonsome electronic rock (“Hadouken,” featuring Dragonette, Clipse and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo), unrelenting dubstep (“Already Done,” with Ghettos), and unrelenting dubstep (“Already Done,” featuring Ghettos), as well as their debut of their Deadbeats label which has seen numerous breakthrough hits such as Champagne Drip, YOOKiE LICK and Ganja White Night releases since their initial debuts.
