Today, The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the debut single and its music video from London based duo Double Helix. The track “Rat Rave” is out today on UK based Slow Dance Records.

Formed in July 2021, Double Helix has developed as a word-of-mouth sensation over the capital with their visceral merging of underground punk energy and the unifying rave subculture of the 90’s. Built on a gargantuan electronic sound that falls somewhere between the acid psychedelia of Prodigy or Leftfield and the darker industrial tones of Nine Inch Nails or Boy Harsher, the duo caught the attention of Slow Dance Records at their first show back in late July 2021 (The Windmill, Brixton) and was asked to contribute a track to the labels 21’ compilation.

The mesmeric debut single Rat Rave is a mantra for the unconventional raver set against a background of caustic electronica. Pitting the iconic sound of the Roland 303 against jittery, pulsating rhythms, the unrelenting five minutes culminates in an uninhibited synthetic trance fused with mechanical vocals meditating the phrase “Pain, Figure, Pressure, Obey”.

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Thematically, the artists explain the accompanying music video: “We wanted to create this inverted, surreal world where the juxtaposition of pain and euphoria are represented by shifts in color. The girl in the video is an artist we know who has a hidden disability and crafts these resin sculptures from packaging of pain medication she takes. She is also a badass party goer despite this, which inspired us to feature her along with the sculptures and create this solitary, stylized day in the life of our friend.”

There’s also a striking DIY visual aesthetic to compliment the Balearic synths, with the duo curating their own photography, art direction and live visuals for each show, along with shooting and editing their music videos, combining many idiosyncratic ideas into one uncompromising vision.

“As I watched the music video, it gave me an atmosphere of the movie “Irreversible”, directed by Gaspar Noé, as the whole video was made as a reverse shot, also using bright psychedelic colours. The track, indeed, delivers nostalgic moods to the music of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the time I was growing up with, as nu-metal was on top of the music trends. The acid highlights of the track reminded The Prodigy’s “Fat Of The Land” and the synths part Boy Harsher motives. The electronic music combined with live-recorded drums and guitars creates an entirely new direction like you’re being a protagonist in the “Matrix” or “Blade” movies, ready for action. And the hypnotic repeating vocals give the release even more authenticity.” - The Brvtalist

Listen to the track on The Brvtalist SoundCloud and follow the artists on social media. Don't miss Double Helix live performance at Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes on Thursday 3rd February! Get your tickets here.

Double Helix comprises Patrick Smith (Synths, Programming, Vocals), Kim Engelhardt (Bass Guitar), and joined by drummer James Allix (Tigercub) for live shows.

The debut single ‘Rat Rave’ is out on January 25th via Slow Dance Records and was self-produced by Double Helix, mixed and mastered by Alastair Batchelor.
- Alisa Chepel