Hex: The UK's Pioneering Drum & Bass Alchemist

Hex is the primary alias of British electronic music producer and DJ Matt Carter, a pivotal figure in the drum & bass scene since the mid-1990s. Hailing from London, Carter is best known for his intricate, atmospheric productions and for co-founding the influential record label Horizons Music, which became a cornerstone for the genre's tech-focused evolution.

Early career

Matt Carter began his musical journey in the early 1990s, immersed in London's burgeoning hardcore and jungle scene. His early work emerged under various aliases on labels like Moving Shadow, where he demonstrated a knack for complex breakbeats and deep, rolling basslines that set him apart from his peers.

Breakthrough

The true breakthrough for the Hex project came in the late 1990s with a series of seminal releases on his own Horizons Music imprint, founded with fellow producer Chris Inperspective. Tracks like 1999's "Revelation" and the "Chain Reaction" EP solidified his reputation for a darker, more minimalist and technically precise sound that helped define the "tech step" subgenre.

Key tracks

Revelation — This 1999 single became an anthem for its flawless fusion of a haunting, cinematic intro with a devastatingly heavy drop.

Chain Reaction — The title track from a key 2000 EP exemplifies Hex's signature style of interlocking rhythmic patterns and subterranean bass pressure.

Nothing 2 Say — A standout collaboration with vocalist Kemo, showcasing Hex's ability to integrate soulful elements into his dense, tech-framework.

The Rites — This later work from 2005 demonstrates the producer's evolving, more experimental approach while maintaining his core sonic identity.

Throughout the 2000s, Hex remained a consistent force, releasing critically acclaimed albums like "Digital Prophecy" and collaborating with scene luminaries such as Digital and Spirit. His work on Horizons Music provided a crucial platform for a new generation of producers, shaping the direction of underground drum & bass for years.

Artists exploring similar territories of intricate, bass-heavy drum & bass include Digital, a close collaborator who shares a focus on stripped-back, rhythmic potency. Break carries a comparable dedication to complex drum programming and heavyweight sound design. The atmospheric depth of Alix Perez finds a clear precursor in Hex's moodier works, while Marcus Intalex operated in a parallel lane of soul-inflected, yet technically rigorous, drum & bass.

Hex's pioneering catalog is a staple on dedicated drum & bass and jungle radio stations, as well as electronic music specialty shows on independent music radio stations worldwide. His tracks are frequently featured in sets by top-tier DJs, keeping his influential sound in constant rotation for a devoted global audience.

Listeners can explore the deep and influential sound of Hex on specialist drum & bass and electronic radio stations featured on onairium.com, where his classic anthems and forward-thinking productions remain essential listening.