Druid Cloak

This is the work of a nameless North American producer who takes inspiration from the Tolkien-esque prog concept LPs of the '70s, as well as the bass music scene running dance floors right now. While concept records (or EPs, in this case) are nothing new, there has yet to be one in the current crop of electronic artists that have had their content influenced by Rick Wakeman, et al. The story involves a wizard and a princess — I'll leave it there though. It is certainly an interesting idea, but one that would have made a great deal more sense if the musical content related in any way to the mystical themes. The production is crisp, with the 808s and Amen breaks, seismic bass and downtuned vocals that are so en vogue at the moment, but nothing sets it apart from the multitude of other bass tunes out there. Remixes come courtesy of Timbah and Tony Quattro, whose bass-y reinterpretations are a much more welcome proposition. The Timbah remix of "Sterling Thrones" in particular, gives the original a grime makeover with shuffling two-step hi-hats and kicks, representing the flight of the dragon king, or something.