Dungeon Meat’s 18th outing, “Track Assassins“, arrives via the hands of Brawther and Tristan da Cunha – the duo behind the no-frills, all-thrills label that’s become synonymous with stripped-back, funk-charged House. Known for championing music with bite, their latest release proves they haven’t lost their appetite for the raw and the groovy. The four-track VA “Track Assassins” that swings between basement sweat and daylight swagger, its pure peak-time artillery.
Mance steps up first with “In A World Of” – a no-nonsense heater that balances raw rhythmic muscle with soulful flourishes. The low end flexes with a steady sway while ghostly vocal fragments drift through the mix like memories from nights you only half remember. It’s stripped, warm, and completely in the pocket – a late-night mover with staying power.
On “Utter Filth,” Timmy P flips the mood, twisting the dials into more playful territory. The bassline wiggles with rubber-tight precision, driving a slinky house workout that leans just freaky enough to raise eyebrows without losing its groove. Tripped-out FX coil around a chopped “dance” vocal, making it clear what the floor is supposed to do. You don’t dance to this – it dances through you.
Pimp C’s “Where My Bitches” dials up the tension with a sleazy, stripped-back groove that’s all about attitude without the need for vocal theatrics. The track lurches forward with a stomping kick and ghetto-tinted energy, its swagger built from jacking drums, cheeky rhythmic chops, and a breakdown that teases release without ever spilling over. It’s tough, focused, and undeniably effective — a peak-time weapon with no frills, just impact.
Jesse Merlin closes things out with “Do The Umm,” the weird cousin of the bunch, but maybe the most charming. Shiny metallic stabs snap into place over a bubbling low end, while the titular vocal loops in hypnotic fashion. There’s menace, there’s swing, and there’s enough freaky nuance to keep DJs and dancers leaning in.
“Track Assassins” lives up to its name: four precise cuts with zero throwaways – proof that Dungeon Meat’s taste stays razor-sharp, funky, and fully in the zone.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 