Mt. Eden’s “Venom” EP Marks a Return to Form for a Dubstep Luminary: Listen
In the early days of December, Mt. Eden, a name etched into the foundational bedrock of dubstep, wiped his Instagram clean. Then came the announcement of a new EP, Venom, his first long-form project in years.
For those who have followed the trajectory of the New Zealander behind Mt. Eden, the move felt like both a symbolic and thrilling sign of renewal. The mind behind the timeless "Sierra Leone" helped define an era when dubstep broke free from its subterranean roots and erupted into mainstream consciousness.
Mt. Eden's music was a perfect storm of haunting vocal samples and tectonic basslines—hallmarks that remain characteristic of the late 2000s and early 2010s dubstep renaissance. Their 2009 single "Still Alive" remains a cornerstone of the genre and was recently revisited by Skeler in a high-profile remix that re-contextualized its raw beauty for a new generation.
But with Venom, Mt. Eden doesn’t just revisit his past—he reassembles it into something that meets the present moment. For fans of bass music, it's a timely reminder of why his legacy looms large. In a genre often criticized for its ephemerality, his work has endured, and he proves that he’s not content to simply rest on the laurels of his past.
The EP opens with its ferocious titular track, a drum & bass onslaught that marks a surprising departure from the producer’s more familiar tempos. The opening salvo seethes with energy as rapid-fire drums and hypnotic basslines conjure images of racing pulse and adrenaline-fueled pursuit. On "Double Up," he flexes his mastery over hybrid trap, crafting a track with otherworldly basslines that twist and mutate unpredictably.
The latter half of Venom sees Mt. Eden returning to more familiar terrain, but with a polish and confidence that reflect his growth. Tracks like "Geezer" and “Faded” stand as love letters to his roots. Warm, slow-stepping synths light the way for blistering drums and deep basslines that rumble like a distant storm. The approach is pure Mt. Eden: cinematic and unapologetically visceral.
Listen to Venom below and find the EP on streaming services here.
Follow Mt. Eden:
Facebook: facebook.com/mtedenofficial
X: x.com/MtEdenOfficial
Instagram: instagram.com/mtedenofficial/
Spotify: bit.ly/3Dp4oF3