Stas Drive's star has risen rapidly within the underground dance firmament. As the Ukrainian producer now returns to Proton Music, the mighty "Abyssal" provides a debut original EP of depth and scope. An artist at the cutting edge of the electronic music scene since 2011, Stas Drive has continually impressed with his unique blend of techno, deep and progressive house, that combines hypnotic rhythms with "psychedelic textures, organic ambient shades and analogue modulations". A renowned DJ, producer and promoter across his native Ukraine, performances at the world-famous "Kazantip" on the Crimean Peninsula, cemented a growing reputation among elite global DJs. Quickly finding a home on some of the underground dance industry's fines imprints, early work for Balkan Connection saw Stas establish himself early in 2012. Going on to feature on the likes of Sudbeat, Suara and Selador, the June 2018 "Pleiades" with fellow countryman, Dmitry Molosh, was a notable debut for the Dave Seaman owned imprint. Regularly featured on Proton's Visceral compilation series, an appearance on Nick Warren's 2014 crowd-funded "The Soundgarden" with "Arujna" marked another notable career highlight. Continually supported by a whole host of global talents from Sasha and Digweed to Maceo Plex, Dubfire and Babicz, Stas has also regularly been championed by Hernan Cattaneo on his Resident shows and charts. A trio of remixes make up the Stas Drive contribution to Proton Music thus far as reworks of Soulwerk in 2015, Navar in 2016 and a June 2017 remix of Roger Martinez's "Deep", provide a continuing relevance to the label. Now making his original EP debut, the title track is a deep, pulsating affair that bristles with driving bassline power as intricate percussive cadence acts as a perfect foil for low-end menace. A sparkling motif supplies elegant melodic prowess that comes to the fore in a stripped back breakdown as counterpoint melodic phrases add depth and texture. Erupting in the third movement, a sublime melodic sequence ties rhythm and bass together in modulated harmony to create a work of genuine skill and craft. Partner track, "Modular Porn" continues the rhythmic prowess of its predecessor as the aptly named track builds with an arpeggio pattern that evolves and opens out with a chorus of counterpoint and juxtaposed sequences. Wending their way across an eight-minute feast of modular soundscapes, subtle motifs are further expressed at the mid-point in emotive fashion while a dominant beat and rapid-fire hi-hat syncopation keeps the energy high in a mesmerising track. As Stas Drive hits the mark with two tracks of the highest calibre, "Abyssal" shows the depth of his talent. Directed by Jay Epoch AandR by James Warren Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren