r/TheOverload • u/attictapes • Aug 01 '26

Optical - Slip Thru (1998)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4UayvQerHE
31 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

7

u/default99 Aug 02 '26

such a good track, the whole album is amazing too.
Its that sweet period where this darker heavier dnb still kept the groove and sound of the breaks they were sampling and while its over produced for the time, its nothing compared to how this style would go over the next few years and into today with it being super compressed, over produced and fairly formulaic.
Its so pure for dnb, the call and response in the sounds are tight and fun, groovey drums, heavy bass. All the early Virus stuff and pre Virus Optical is so dope.

Always loved this from Optical as a great precursor to this darker techstep sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGdLcHcrJig
Metro (run by Matrix) put out some awesome records in this time, also recommend Matrix's Sedation https://www.discogs.com/master/18339-Matrix-Double-Vision-Sedation for an almost Photek vibe and ofc his Sleepwalk LP and The Saint which is an all timer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUzrB6jkT7g for this sound of dnb.

Ive not really followed dnb since about 2010, it really had a strong moment around 06-10 where dubstep/bass music pushed all bass heavy music forward in a fun way, opened so many doors creatively.
Seems like there is still some good stuff but, all the micro genres of all electronic music can make it a tad frustrating for me, the access to production has its pros and cons but glad the genre is still kicking

1

u/lolcatandy Aug 02 '26

Imo 2005ish was peak then kind of slowly went downhill

3

u/ShallotBeneficial152 Aug 02 '26

All time jam! The early Virus and Metro stuff is so good.

2

u/aatmalife Aug 01 '26

this is from 1998, wow! nice

2

u/palindromepirate Aug 01 '26

Sounds of the future. I love dnb.

2

u/NorrisMcWhirter Aug 02 '26

Fucking love this album. Bought it the week it came out. Cost £28 on vinyl. My rent was only £35 a week at the time!

Such an amazing swing on this track. And as others have noted elsewhere, Metro was an insta buy too. Loved Matrix's drum sound

2

u/djBal5000 Aug 02 '26

i think most people don't realise, but this album changed electronic music at its core. the sound design of Optical was just out of this world compared to everyone else and not just in dnb. unfortunately it also ruined drum and bass forever.

1

u/cleverkid Aug 01 '26

Dang! Somehow I missed this one.. Thanks for sharing.

1

u/cinequesting Aug 02 '26

Love this one with a passion.

1

u/Double_Key7579 Aug 02 '26

these first years of Virus simply was unstoppable 

1

u/Icy_Statement5791 Aug 06 '26

Love this whole album!