American hard dance producer Death Code, formerly known as Skellism, is ready to show everyone what this project is about with his latest release. Death Code has been busy over the last year since announcing his shift to the hard dance genre. He’s released four other tracks, opened for hardstyle legend The Prophet, did a B2B with Dead X, and performed at Basscon’s Wasteland. He also signed with Theracords Labs, a Dutch hard dance label founded by DJ Thera.
Death Code’s debut EP, Beyond Cipher, spans four tracks with a run time of around 15 minutes, but in that time, he showcases a range of hard dance styles. According to Death Code, “Beyond Cipher is a high-octane experience that pushes boundaries, ignites emotions, and defies genres, leaving you exhilarated and craving for the adrenaline-infused journey once more.”
“Love Stolen,” the opening track of the EP, is a collaboration with Mexican hard dance producer Equalizer and it sets the tone for the EP. The emo-style vocals over shimmering synths quickly give way to a booming kick drum and higher-pitched glitching synths. The kick is definitely the star of this track, changing in intensity and style a few times throughout. The last drop is a more traditional hardstyle drop complete with screaming synths and a more bouncy kick drum and bass combination.
The second track of the EP, “Runaway,” was released as a single back in August. It is a journey through multiple styles of hard dance. The beginning of the track has more of a Happy Hardcore feel to it until the rawstyle kicks come in about halfway through the first drop. There is even a trap-style hi-hat breakdown before the second drop. The second drop kicks things up a notch with zaag kicks and other hardcore elements. The final drop brings everything full circle with traditional hardstyle kicks, bassline, and synths.
“Echoes,” the third track on the EP, starts out with an ominous melody over a simple kick drum before Devin Barrus’ vocals steal your attention. The synths build in the background before coming in full force with what seems will be a classic hardstyle track. Death Code quickly changes direction with distorted kicks and reverse bass. The middle part of the track really highlights Devin’s vocals, removing everything except the guitar riff and piano. The last drop goes back to the traditional hardstyle drop Death Code teased earlier to close out the song.
The last track, “Fading,” was also released as a single earlier this year. It is more upbeat than the other three tracks, opening with a guitar riff and featuring screamo vocals from G The Shep. Death Code has combined hard dance with rock elements on previous songs and “Fading” takes this to the next level with zaag kicks throughout the drops.
Beyond Cipher is just the beginning for Death Code, and we’re excited to watch him progress as he continues to master all areas of hard dance and beyond. Follow Moon Lnvding’s New Music Heat Friday playlist on Spotify to listen to the other hard dance tracks that dropped this week, and to stream Beyond Cipher or check out everything else Death Code has going on, just use the links below.
