Komodo: The UK's Pioneering Drum & Bass Force

Komodo is a British electronic music production duo known for shaping the sound of commercial drum & bass in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Hailing from London, the pair achieved significant chart success with their debut album, which entered the UK Top 40 and spawned several hit singles.

Early career

The duo, consisting of Mark Hawkins and Matt Coleman, formed in London in 1995. They quickly immersed themselves in the city's burgeoning jungle and drum & bass scene, honing their production skills and developing a more accessible, melody-driven sound. Their early demos caught the attention of the influential label Creative Source, leading to their first 12" releases and establishing their reputation.

Breakthrough

Komodo's mainstream breakthrough arrived in 1997 with the single Global Terror. The track's fusion of atmospheric pads and energetic breakbeats resonated widely, earning heavy rotation on BBC Radio 1. This success paved the way for their debut album, Above the Clouds, released in 1998 on the respected drum & bass label Trouble On Vinyl, which charted at number 32 in the UK.

Key tracks

Global Terror — This 1997 single was their commercial breakthrough, defining their melodic and atmospheric take on drum & bass.

Contra — A key track from their debut album, it showcased their ability to craft intricate, driving rhythms with strong musical hooks.

Strange Universe — This later release exemplified their evolving, more experimental sound while maintaining dancefloor energy.

Above the Clouds — The title track from their debut album solidified their signature style of combining ethereal melodies with powerful basslines.

The success of their first album led to remix work for major artists like Everything But The Girl, expanding their reach beyond the drum & bass circuit. They continued to release music on labels such as Hospital Records and their own imprint, consistently refining their production. While later albums did not replicate the exact chart positions of their debut, Komodo maintained a dedicated fanbase and respect within the electronic music community for their consistent quality and pioneering role.

Fans of Komodo's melodic drum & bass style also appreciate the work of High Contrast, who shares a focus on musicality and soulful elements. The intricate production of London Elektricity offers a similar blend of jazz influences and breakbeat science. Listeners may also enjoy the anthemic compositions of Hybrid, which bridge electronic and orchestral landscapes. The early atmospheric work of LTJ Bukem provides essential context for the genre's development that Komodo helped popularize.

Komodo's influential catalog remains in regular rotation on specialist electronic music radio stations and online drum & bass radio streams. Their tracks are staples on shows dedicated to the genre's history and its more accessible, musical variants, ensuring their sound reaches new generations of listeners.

You can hear the music of Komodo on various radio stations featured on our website. Explore the drum & bass and electronic sections on onairium.com to discover stations currently playing tracks from Above the Clouds and other key works from this pivotal UK act.