BLACK SUN EMPIRE

(THE NETHERLANDS)

(BLACK SUN EMPIRE RECS/ OBSESSIONS)

TRUTH

(DEEP MEDI / AQUATIC LAB / DISFIGURED DUBZ)

WITH SUPPORT FROM:

ILL DEF ( AKA: MADDIX / MARTY J and UNDEFINED)

Hosted by: CAMO MC + MC GT

SATURDAY 20TH MARCH- MINISTRY - Christchurch, NZ

TICKET INFO:

Pre sales:

Earlybirds: Only $25 + bf ! (get in quick!)

Standard pre sale tickets- $35 +bf

Available now at Cosmic Corner

Door sales will cost more (if available)

BLACK SUN EMPIRE :

Back in NZ by popular demand- Black Sun Empire represent the finest in dark and techy dancefloor drum & bass. Since bursting onto the scene back in 2000, they’ve continued to develop their own unique style and sound, releasing numerous singles as well as three full-length LPs and establishing themselves as leaders in the field. With their awesome DJ skills and inspirational productions, Black Sun Empire have reached far beyond their native Holland. They’ve toured the world over, playing dates in the USA, UK, Russia, Korea, Australia and New Zealand to name but a few, and continue to build on their growing reputation as some of the most exciting and consistent performers around. Black Sun Empire have been setting the pace again in 2009, with collaborations alongside the likes of Eye-D and N.Phect, remixes for Gridlok and Cause 4 Concern plus the launch of their new label Shadows of the Empire. They’re currently working on a new LP featuring drum & bass and dubstep productions and have more in store for 2010 from the likes of Mindscape, Telemetrik & Bulletproof across their labels.

Borne of brothers Milan and Micha Heyboer along with René Verdult, Black Sun Empire is a DJ/producer collective based in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Since first making music together in 1993, the trio experimented with various styles until they found their musical direction around 1997 and formed Black Sun Empire. Heavily influenced by releases from the darker labels such as No U Turn, Prototype and Virus, they took the techstep drum & bass blueprint and set out to make a new sound of their own.

With a sound that was fresh, new and progressive, their early demos caught the ears of several well-established labels. Their debut release came courtesy of Rotterdam based label Piruh in 1999 with the tracks ‘Skin Deep’ and ‘Voltage’ and further release on Piruh and another Dutch imprint, DJ Esta’s “A New Dawn,” soon followed. It wasn’t long, however, before their technically proficient productions came to the attention of Trace, the long-serving DJ and techstep pioneer, and he invited Black Sun Empire to compose a remix for his label DSCi4. They took on the classic “Mutant Jazz,” and provided a remix of truly devastating proportions that announced Black Sun Empire on the UK and indeed the world scene.

Further release on DSCi4 came and were followed by remixes for SKC and Technical Itch before, in 2002, the boys decided to start a label of their own. Set up as an outlet for their increasing body of work, Black Sun Empire Recordings became home for their own productions as well as collaborations with other like-minded artists. Their first album ‘Driving Insane’ was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and featured work with the collective talents of Concord Dawn and Stu from Cause 4 Concern alongside their own material. Deft, dynamic, devastating and deranged the album announced that the day of the Dutch was dawning. Supported by a mix CD, it showcased their sound in style and coincided with a highly successful world tour, taking in dates across the UK, Europe, USA and Australia.

Motivated by the massive response they had received, the boys followed up with their second long-player, ‘Cruel and Unusual’, in 2005. Raising the banner of the Black Sun Empire even higher than before, the LP featured further collaborative work with yet more high-profile artists including Noisia, Corrupt Souls and Kemal. Feeling the urge to satisfy other sides of their collective psyche, a sister label was established in the form of “oBSEssions.” Designed to cater for atmospheric, unusual and funky flavours, this label is certainly no lightweight and proven itself as one to watch with releases from the likes of Chris SU, Noisia and SKC so far alongside newer names.

Never losing touch with their roots, Black Sun Empire continue to promote their bi-monthly event ‘Blackout’ in their home town of Utrecht and are looking forward to it’s seventh year aniversary in 2010. This well-established event has attracted some of the best in DJ talent from across the globe and regularly draws crowds of up to 1,000 people. As resident DJs, Black Sun Empire consistently captivate the crowds by mixing their freshest material together with live elements to bring an edge to their sets.

Their most recent LP, ‘Endangered Species,’ drew together creative minds from across the drum & bass scene with input from Noisia, Bad Robot, Chris SU, Jade, State Of Mind, D.Kay, Optiv and Audio all featuring alongside BSE. The resulting tour was a resounding success worldwide with nearly 100 gigs and was soon followed by last year’s ‘My Lightyear LP’ Tour alongside Telemetrik, to promote his debut album on BSE Recordings. In 2009, BSE have been on a roll with a whole raft of releases across their labels including collaborations with State Of Mind, N.Phect and Eye-D. Add to that the release of their dubstep label, “Shadows of the Empire,” plus tours in the USA, Australia and New Zealand and it’s no surprise why they’re widely regarded as one of the hardest working DJ/producer teams around.

TRUTH :

(Deep Medi Musik / Disfigured Dubs / Aquatic Lab/ Boka )

Truth, undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s greatest Dubstep exports; have been making a huge impact around the world with their heavy bassline riddims. Truth have a style that defies categorization; encompassing an array of melodies, vocals and spacious beats that range from half-step stompers to the deeper profound realms of sound; all with one common element which underpins every track; a heavy bassline riddim that lays sheer force on any system heavy enough to handle it.

Truth’s big riddims have been quickly snatched up by a number of established labels such as Mala’s seminal label ‘Deep Medi Musik’ with the huge 12”, (The Fatman / Stolen Children). Skream has picked up four Truth tunes (Stay / The Future/ Wednesday / Bubba Ho Step) and will be releasing them as an double vinyl EP 12” for his label ‘Disfigured Dubs’. Australian label Aquatic Lab has recently released two 12″ Truth vinyls (Terror Planet/ Disappear and Revelation/ Lost At Sea) have plans to release a Truth LP in 2010. Truth have also recently released have a 12” Vinyl on New Zealand based label ‘Optimus Gryme Recordings’ (Payback / Optimus Gryme- Immortal- Truth remix), along with a bunch of remixes for artists such as The Nextmen, Ms Dynamite and Silverclub to name a few. Also, Alix Perez has included a Truth collaboration on his debut album ‘1984′ which has been receiving huge applause. 2010 is set to be a massive year for Truth, with some big releases in the pipeline including a second 12” release on Deep Medi, a 12” on Boka Records and the much anticipated Truth Album.

Truth’s dubplates have been receiving vast DJ support from around the globe with artists including; Mala, Skream, Benga and Mary Anne Hobbs to mention a few, with their beats being dropped at shows from venues as far away as Club Love in New York City to DMZ in London, from Double Happy in NZ to Sonar in Spain, as well as featuring on Radio shows including the BBC’s Radio One and ‘Rinse FM’.

2009 saw Truth embark on a comprehensive 14 date tour of Europe and Asia, playing gigs from Hong Kong to Paris and which included an appearance at the seminal DMZ night in Brixton, London. DJ wise - they have been honing their skills for years alongside the worlds best, as well as mixes for radio shows and podcasts, each receiving huge accolades from the lucky listeners, you can be sure their set will be a set to remember.

Catch Truth before they embark on their 2010 world tour to promote their debut album “Puppets”.