For centuries, scholars and sages attempted to answer the age old question: who is the hardest? Certainly not cookie-cutter butt metal, recycled rave tracks or Jason Mraz. After the rise of low bitrate MP3s and deteriorating sound quality across the globe, many believers gave up the quest to find The Hardest of Them All. However, over the last decade, psychics and soothsayers have revealed the location of an energy source with power so immense, so devastating that the people of Earth finally have an answer to this ancient conundrum. Witches and warlocks, look no further than Bristol’s legendary team of dubstep undertakers: H.E.N.C.H. Recordings.

Before we begin, we can’t start the H.E.N.C.H. (Hard Earned Never Caught Hustlin’) story without getting to know the godfather of Bristol drum and bass and dubstep, Jermaine Jacobs, aka Jakes. The world was first introduced to Jermaine Jacobs as MC Jakes, the charismatic voice of TC‘s most notorious anthems “Deep,” “Drink” and “Mindkiller.” With such international success from his work with TC and the label D-Style Recordings, it was only a matter of time before J. Jacobs began to expand his unique vision from the mic to the decks. With his ears directed to the underground and to the rapidly evolving sound of dubstep, it was time for Mr. Jacobs to become Jakes. In 2007, Jakes founded H.E.N.C.H., which would soon become the legendary Bristol dubstep crew, record label and club night it’s known as today.

The second you place the needle on a H.E.N.C.H. record, you’ll immediately notice the dynamic and rich sound quality of each cut over the majority of dubstep you hear today. With such attention to detail—from the lowest of low sub bass tones to the snares that cut like katanas—few can compare to the craft and sound design of a H.E.N.C.H. artist’s dedication to a great mixdown. These bangers are specifically designed for proper soundsystems. The members of H.E.N.C.H. also remain true to the best aspects of classic dub: space and atmosphere. Every track utilizes negative space just as much as it fills every frequency. Though it’s clear H.E.N.C.H. Recordings is infamous for each artists’ contribution to the global wobble sound, each song has an incredible sense of rhythm and tension.

When it comes to their catalog, the artists on H.E.N.C.H. individually have unique soundscapes without restrictions. Each member contributes their own sense of energy, unexpected sample choices, dread and humor. While Jakes can be found sampling classic 90′s hip hop or a disturbing scene from a Stanley Kubrick film, you can find Komonazmuk sampling some dub next to Chasing Shadows sampling classic rock. Relentless, never compromising or predictable, H.E.N.C.H. always dishes the filth like no other.

It’s clear H.E.N.C.H. is here to stay. With such instant classics as Jakes‘ Rock The Bells, the hard hitting Eddie K & Minus‘ tracks featuring the maniacal vocal stylings of one Beezy and this year’s menacing collaboration from Sukh Knight, Mensah and Squarewave called “G Activity,” this Bristol crew of invincible sound system warriors won’t be stopping now.

For those in the NYC area, you do NOT want to miss the Мишка sponsored event in a few weeks featuring the drill sergeant himself, Jakes. As for the rest of us, you can either cower in fear or show us your WARFACE!

- Rx