Bay-area native Danny Howland continues to put out some of the freshest, forward-thinking bass music around. From the acclaim of his VOYD soundscape and persona to the recent arrival of MELLODEATH, his groundbreaking duo project with Marshmello, Danny continues to surge in popularity with every new release. Fans at this year’s Lost Lands were left with jaws hanging as SVDDEN DEATH dropped ID . . . after ID . . . AFTER ID! No doubt the Harbinger EP is the release that opens the floodgates for a few of those tasty IDs. The ten-track, mouthwatering delivery from the bass Leviathan clocks in at just under 30 minutes. Many artists would find it difficult to pack such heavy and satisfying bass into a half-hour, but it’s SVDDEN DEATH, so of course, he pushed the boundaries.
On a steady roll-out since mid-November 2023, the now-complete Harbinger EP dropped on January 17 and included five new tracks added to the already wildly popular singles. In order, the single releases were as follows: “Harbinger,” “Don’t You Dare Go Hollow” with HVDES, “Mind Control” with Wooli, “Ten Toad Anthem,” and “Forgive Forget.” Quite a few of those first singles have already hit major streaming milestones. “Mind Control” is currently the most streamed on Spotify coming in just 24k off of 500k streams. “Don’t You Dare Go Hollow” is a close second trailing at 423k streams.
The five all-new tracks have no shortage of savory bass to sink your teeth into: “Teeth” feat. Bejalvin, “Torsion,” “Psycho,” “Yargonaut,” and “Immolator” will satisfy even the most feral basshead. “Teeth” as the EP opener brings a fresh feel to a familiar SVDDEN DEATH cadence previously heard on the instantly recognizable “Bleed” and “Behemoth,” both highly-successful and iconic tracks. Somehow, “Teeth” goes even heavier though, doubling down on industrial-style experimentation. “Torsion” with Neonix was teased as an ID under the pterodactyls at Lost Lands. Stretching and distorting frequencies battle it out through the track until it descends into tasteful, tonal hits reminiscent of early-SVDDEN DEATH releases (“Spelljam” off of his DEBUT “Spelljam EP” 2017 and “Jvnkworld” off of the “Jvnkworld EP” 2018). Neonix is known for tracks like “Spacewalk” and “Goodbye,” which can be heard within the elements of Torsion.
The title track “Harbinger” is addictive. Chalk-full of gorgeous elements throughout, one can imagine that the Ableton project file is a sight to see. It has a lot going on with zero clashing frequencies or muddy moments at all, it is truly art from a producer standpoint. The level of bass “Harbinger” delivers would definitely level a crowd. It will be a treat to hear played out live!
“Psycho” injects energy into the front half of the EP with a wild arp, almost a car-horn stab layered in, and a snappy arrangement that keeps it moving. No lack of monster-stomping bass, trills, and additional ear candy is sacrificed though. What might be used as a transition track in a set, “Psycho” is strong enough to confidently stand on its own amid the EP.
“Mind Control,” the long-awaited collab of Danny and Wooli (who were roommates for years!) is everything you want it to be: heavy, hard, an edge of drama, and a departure from anything even remotely basic. An extended break in the middle of the track re-sets the stage sonically before it winds up for the second drop, providing that extra grit to go even harder.
“Yargonaut” opens with fun, almost nostalgic, metal elements like a slamming drum kit and guitar riffs, but it doesn’t leave you in ‘expected’ for long—it drop kicks you straight into the kind of iconic bass drop SVDDEN DEATH is known for. Known as an artist who pushes the boundary and explores the evolution of entertainment, it’s possible that the name ‘yargonaut’ is inspired by YARG (Yet Another Rhythm Game), a free open-source plastic guitar game still in demo and development, but that may be bold speculation.
“Forgive Forget” pulls off an impressive feat by flawlessly crossing between many contrasting vibes. With sad boi vocals and chirpy, upbeat accents that nod back to releases with Marshmello (“Sell Out” in 2019 and “Crusade” in 2020) it is reminiscent of an older electro track, “Virus” by Martin Garrix, but resurrected after a bass baptism of course.
“Ten Toad Anthem” quickly yanks us back to brutal SVDDEN DEATH territory that we love. With ghostly, distorted vocals repeating “ten toad” this song has a more cinematic second drop featuring string instruments. Perhaps that is the reason cinematic-dubstep heavyweight, Apashe, was chosen to play direct support for SVDDEN DEATH’s Vegas show March 29 (tickets HERE). Either way, it artfully segways the vibe to the collab featuring HVDES vocals, “Don’t You Dare Go Hollow.” HVDES’ hushed and haunting vocals lay over a brutal bass track, leaving the feeling of an ‘anthem’ in your bones. On social media, SVDDEN DEATH explained the song, “is a reminder that it is always our choice who we are, and that pain is an inevitable part of life but to allow that to take the parts of us that make us human is to allow collective suffering to win.” This tune is sure to be a fan favorite on the charts and in his sets.
Closing out the EP, we have “Immolator.” Defined as “1. : to kill or destroy especially by fire. 2. : to offer in sacrifice. especially : to kill as a sacrificial victim.” This could not be more on-brand for Danny. Snappy leads with diverse, dancing, bass elements land nicely in bouncing drops. Vocals whispering “set fire to the world, set fire to my body… set fire to the dust that remains,” are classic SVDDEN DEATH-vibes from his world of VOYD that fans will welcome as a strong finish to the Harbinger EP that they didn’t want to end.
Upcoming appearances include a B2B with Excision February 4 at the sold-out Thunderdome, an EDC Mexico appearance February 24, and two shows in Honolulu March 15 and 16, before the incredible billing of acts at his headlining Vegas show in March. MELLODEATH, the deadly SVDDEN DEATH x Marshmello concept, officially kicks off its four-city tour April 4 in Denver (you already know it’s at Red Rocks), followed by Chicago, Minneapolis, and Dallas. A limited number of MELLODEATH pre-sale tickets go on sale Thursday, January 25 at 10 am PST. Having been blown away by their phenomenal B2B at EDCLV 2023 with the incredible visuals, mixing, and stage presence of two legends—this is a must-see tour.
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