The Bug

Kevin Martin (aka the Bug) has always concerned himself with exploring the dirtier, further reaches of music. He has experimented with a range of genres, from heavy avant-garde hip-hop instrumentals with digital hardcore legend Alec Empire on the Curse of the Golden Vampire LP to his work with John Zorn and Napalm Death's Justin Broadrick on grindcore-/noise-influenced projects GOD and Techno Animal. One thing has remained constant through Martin's various musical experiments though, and that is the industrial influence, imbuing his productions with sequenced dissonance and underwear-ruining bass lines. His latest guise is the Bug — the Ragga Terminator, if you will — a producer returning from a post-apocalyptic, nightmarish future to save us from mediocrity with a hard drive full of bangers. Filthy is a natural continuation of his 2011 London Zoo project, which featured UK grime and dancehall MCs almost exclusively. Filthy adds rapper Danny Brown to the mix, with Kiki Hitomi (from Martin's dub-influenced King Midas Sound project) on the acid ragga "Freakshow," while old sparring partners Daddy Freddy and Flowdan make appearances as well. While Filthy might not be soundtracking any pool parties this year, it is one of the most vital releases of the summer. Funny, as it sounds as if it was made with nuclear winter in mind.