The Qemists – 2009’s underground dance music superstars. One of the most eagerly awaited debut album of next year, “Join The Q” meshes the high energy of drum’n’bass and rock with a wide-ranging set of sounds that betray the fact that the mysterious trio were a band before they took to the decks. Dancehall, metal, electro, grime and hip hop all make their presence known across the album thanks to a host of respected guest vocalists. It’s like ram raiding the best record shop in West London with your Saxo’s ICE turned up to drown out the alarm.
The Qems have hooked up with the most established names in their fields. Faith No More’s legendary mischief-causing vocalist Mike Patton adds the Qemists to his exclusive list of collaborations which have included Massive Attack, Bjork and Kool Keith. As “Lost Weekend”’s pure rock riffing gives way to frantic d’n’b beats he’s totally comfortable, like it’s the sound he been waiting for.
Elsewhere Wiley, the godfather of grime and mentor to Dizzee Rascal, slots in perfectly over distorted Brit-hop beats and layers of guitars for “Dem Na Like Me”, his filthiest track ever. UK champion beatboxer Beardyman meanwhile follows hosting Fatboy Slim’s Big Beach Boutique with “Soundface”, a jaw-dropping accapella track like nothing that’s come before. Devlin Love from Alabama 3 adds soul to the savage energy of “S.W.A.G.”
There’s also a huge host of names from the drum’n’bass scene, from Jenna G, the queen of d’n’b, to veteran MC Navigator, via Friction’s mouthpiece MC ID. It’s a vote of confidence that confirms what clubbers up and down the country already know: The Qemists are the real deal. Chase and Status, Pendulum and Mampi Swift have all been raving about them on the scene, while on Radio 1 Zane Lowe called them “the future of music, what The Prodigy hinted at.” Even Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson has given them the rock seal of approval.
With such a posse in tow it looks like The Qemists are going the bust down every musical barrier going. If you want to be in their crew, you’d better join the Q.
