As Viper Recordings celebrates two decades at the forefront of Drum & Bass, Matrix & Futurebound are back at the helm for one final blowout in 2024. Following a packed-out event at XOYO earlier this year, Viper’s epic anniversary celebration continues with a massive showdown at the same venue on December 6 for the concluding chapter of their 20th anniversary celebrations. The event coincides with the release of the 20 Years of Viper album, a compilation that showcases the label’s diverse legacy—from their groundbreaking releases to the newer sounds.
Viper Recordings has become a powerhouse in the scene, nurturing talent from breakout stars to established legends. Over the past 20 years, the label has been a launchpad for some of the genre’s most enduring names, including Sigma, Nero, and Camo & Krooked, alongside rising stars like Dossa & Locuzzed and Jack Mirror.
Matrix & Futurebound reflect on their 20 standout moments…
Futurebound & Jaquan – Blind Cobblers Thumb
The one that kicked it all off. Brendan made this in 2003, and a whole load of labels wanted to sign it at the time. Many of the scene’s artists played it in their sets. Starting his own imprint was always Brendan’s plan, and this was the moment.
Matrix & Futurebound – Universal Truth LP
We always join our labels for our own releases, and making this album felt so natural. At the time of making it, we felt there was a void in the scene. It was either full-on liquid or full-on jump-up, so the goal was to bridge the energy of both in our own epic flavour.
ShockOne – Polygon
Karl was our first exclusive signing to the label, and early on, we knew this guy had everything to kick on to great things. The ‘Polygon’ EP was a game-changer for him, and his excitement and hunger for Viper were growing.
Various Artists – Acts Of Mad Men Album
We wanted to celebrate our five-year anniversary with something special. This project was a good twelve months in the making, and the goal was to showcase our sound and representation in D&B with a pivotal body of work from our own acts and some of the scene’s finest, such as Nero, Ed Rush & Optical, Sigma, Camo & Krooked, etc.
This album really put Viper on the map and established us as a household name in the industry, gaining accolades such as Zane Lowe’s Album of the Week on Radio 1 and more.
Futurebound & Metrik – Brave New World
Tom Metrik was the next guy to come on board after ShockOne, and after a series of early Metrik singles, Brendan jumped in the studio with him and came up with this. They were both on laptops, headphones on, saying nothing to each other for about two hours. When they played each other’s ideas, they fitted perfectly, and knew they had something really cool on the go.
DC Breaks – Halo EP
It’s 2010, and everything was moving in the direction we’d hoped for. DC Breaks, who had joined us in recent years, delivered the ‘Halo’ EP, which brilliantly encapsulated Viper’s sound.
Camo & Krooked – Pulse Of Time EP
Another huge four-tracker from the fast-rising Austrian duo. We’d worked with them on and off on singles for a few years prior, but this was the best of the lot.
Matrix & Futurebound ft. Luke Bingham – All I know
We thought our first idea of this was too light for our sets and decided to make more of a set starter banger version (M&F’s Smash & Grab Mix). We ended up putting the original edit on the package as a bonus, and the next thing we knew, we were 29 in the UK Top 40, which opened new exciting doors for us to walk through. It’s funny how things turn out unintentionally.
Fred V & Grafix ft. Reija Lee – Just A Thought
2013, and the sound of Viper really is a thing, a label that delivered strong, powerful hooks and great dancefloor energy, and this track did exactly that.
Seven Lions – Polarize EP
This whole era of Viper was so exciting. D&B was having a real golden spell, but we wanted to branch out and try some other styles along the way, and when Brendan was sent these demos from Seven Lions in Cali, he was blown away. They were epic Dubstep with a hint of breaks.
ShockOne – Universus LP
Karl had really developed his sound at the point of releasing his debut album in 2013. It was such a pleasure to see him grow from this shy kid from Perth into a serious producer who was now playing shows all over the world. Also, we’ve got to give a big shout to Karl’s sister, Reija Lee, who’s featured heavily throughout Viper’s history.
Metrik – Freefall VIP
Metrik had released his seminal cut ‘Freefall’ two years earlier but the VIP took it to a whole new level which featured on our 50th Release EP.
Brookes Brothers ft. Chrome – Carry Me On
Another act that Viper had grown with since its infancy was Brookes Brothers. After delivering a huge album on BBK, the guys came back to Viper to begin work on their second album. The brothers delivered the ultimate feel-good D&B track, gaining fans on radio and D&B dancefloors.
The Prototypes – Pale Blue Dot / Lights
In 2014, we’d just signed The Prototypes, who’d been honing their sound on various labels for a few years. But when they came to Viper, the stars aligned. If we had to explain the term double A-side, then this is it.
Both tracks exploded them into the spotlight and led them to deliver their gargantuan ‘City Of Gold’ Album later on.
InsideInfo & Mefjus – Pulsation
InsideInfo had been signed with us for a good few years up until this point, but this collaboration with Mefjus blew us away. Incredible sonics. What a tune.
Dossa & Locuzzed – Shag
These guys had been sending demos, and we instantly knew they had something different going on, a Daft Punk meets D&B vibe; it was a no-brainer to sign them to Viper. ‘Shag’ is one of those tracks we would tag under the anthem; it’s never left our sets since the day they sent it to us.
Koven – Figure
We signed Max and Katie back in 2014 and released many epic releases by them, but there was just something special about this single. Lush and beautiful, it’s been so great to see another Viper act go on to great things. Two very talented people who deserve all the goodness that comes their way.
Millbrook – Rituals
Finding and building artists from scratch has been our speciality over the years, and Millbrook was another act who we knew had the potential to do great things. ‘Rituals’ was the one that put him in the spotlight, and from there on, he flourished. One of those stripped-back tracks where all the elements feel fresh as f**k.
Futurebound ft. Tom Cane – Dangerous
Brendan wrote this one early on during the first lockdown. The world was freaking out, so he hit the studio HARD!!! It has all the ingredients of Vipers’ euphoric sound and features our long-standing collaborator and friend Tom Cane, who also has one of the most iconic voices in the game.
Various Artists – 20 Years Of Viper Album
We’ve worked tirelessly in the creation of this exclusive 20-track album, which features brand-new exclusive cuts and remixes of some Viper classics.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve done over the twenty years, but the glass is half empty for me. Hold tight for the new era of Viper! Huge love and respect to all the Artists who’ve passed through Viper and to the team who’ve played a crucial role in our journey and growth over the years.
I also want to thank every promoter, venue, publisher, distributor, and punter for believing in Viper and to all our peers in the scene who inspired and motivated me to push Viper to the limit.”
–Brendan (Futurebound)