Sentient by Skynet: A Drum 'n' Bass Assault on the Senses
Alright, let’s get this straight—Skynet’s Sentient isn’t just another electronic album. Released in 2009 under their own label, Skynet Recordings, this UK-born beast slaps harder than most stuff out there. It’s raw, unapologetic drum 'n' bass with teeth. And yeah, it’s got that dystopian vibe you’d expect from something named after a killer AI system. But instead of chilling you out, it punches you right in the gut.
First off, the tracklist is stacked. You’ve got bangers like “Neo Cons” and “Trails of Egypt,” alongside remixes and deep cuts that feel like they were built for late-night warehouse raves. The whole thing flows like a cybernetic fever dream, but two tracks really stuck with me: “Lucifer” and “Silverback (Remix).”
“Lucifer” hits hard. Like, holy crap, this one doesn’t mess around. From the first kick drum, it feels like someone lit a fuse inside your skull. The bassline growls like an angry beast while these eerie synths creep up behind you. It’s not just music—it’s a full-on sensory attack. I remember blasting this at 3 AM with my headphones on, thinking, "Damn, this might actually summon something." That’s how visceral it is.
Then there’s “Silverback (Remix),” which flips the script entirely. This one starts off slow, almost teasing you, before exploding into this chaotic jungle rhythm. It’s wild, unpredictable, and kinda makes you wanna punch the air or run through walls. Or both. There’s something primal about it, like the gorilla in the title came to life and started smashing shit. Pure adrenaline.
What gets me about Sentient is how relentless it is. Skynet doesn’t give a damn if you can keep up—they’re here to push boundaries, even if it means leaving some listeners choking on the dust. Tracks like “Pluto Rising” and “Galactic Cycle” throw spacey vibes into the mix, but they never lose that gritty edge. Meanwhile, “Geometrix” sounds like robots fighting over a broken disco ball. Weird? Yeah. Awesome? Hell yes.
Looking back, Sentient feels way ahead of its time. In 2009, when other producers were still figuring out what DnB could be, Skynet was already building sonic war machines. Sure, it ain’t perfect—some tracks drag a bit, and the sequencing can feel overwhelming—but who cares? This album doesn’t aim to soothe; it exists to challenge.
So here’s the kicker: listening to Sentient feels like training for the apocalypse. If Skynet ever does decide to take over the world, at least we’ll have a killer soundtrack for it.
