Much like the scorching summer temperatures, the hard drum & bass events keep on coming. Inhibit, as they always do, once again delivered the goods as they presented New Zealand’s Dose and Perth’s very own Rregula (who makes up one half of Bad Robot) at Shape nightclub. The stage was set for a night of intense fun for lovers of the sound of neurofunk.

Not wanting to be fashionably late, my crew and I arrived at Shape just in time to catch the very start of Fatsex’ performance. Having never seen his name on a flyer from events gone by, I could not help but wonder what Fatsex would serve up. He did not disappoint. His mixing was flawless, while his tunes were as dark as they were innovative. After a quick cold beer, it was straight to the dance floor. Only a handful of people were sitting down or standing still, even at that relatively early stage of the night.

Rregula stepped up to the one’s and two’s at bang on midnight. Having heard his excellent live set recorded in Koln, Germany, I was most excited to hear what he had to offer. In my humble opinion, given his DJ sets and productions, we might be looking at the next Perth drum & bass DJ who will make it big overseas. Rregula has already had his work published on a score of underground labels as a solo artist and fans of the dark and eerie sound of neurofunk (including myself) will be delighted to learn that Bad Robot are set to reform in 2009.

It was hard to stop dancing as Rregula increased the intensity with every tune that he dropped. Shape’s good air-conditioning did well in keeping the neurofunk massive cool. There was enough electricity in the air to power the national grid. I must admit that due to the frenetic energy of the night, it was rather difficult to pick up specific tracks that Rregula (and every other DJ for that matter) laid down for his appreciative audience. The energy that Rregula maintained towards the conclusion of his hour long set was almost too much, but still I kept on stomping, cold lager in hand!

Rregula received a rapturous reception as he made way for the night’s second headliner; Dose. After a short break for some fresh air, it was straight back to the dance floor for more mayhem. With the likes of Andy C and fellow compatriots The Upbeats backing his productions, it looks as though Dose is about to join the ever growing list of Kiwis who have stamped their authority on the global drum & bass scene. Much like The Upbeats, Dose’s sound is fresh, creative, innovative and downright dirty.

Dose’s two hour set seemed to pass in just two minutes, such was the fun that my crew and I were having. Again I am lost for track IDs, which is a shame because Dose dropped in a couple of excellent tracks towards the middle of his set, but even my two seasoned drum & bass DJ friends couldn’t help me! But then track IDs and chin stroking matter not, when the DJ is rocking the crowd, and that’s exactly what Dose was doing.

Unfortunately, the day’s heat began taking its toll as Dose made way for Descent at 3am. I really did want to see what he and Bear (who was up at 4am until close), for it has been a long while since I have checked out just what Perth’s local talent can do. Dose and Rregula meanwhile played fantastic sets. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they are billed as headliners once more. I cannot get enough of the darker side of drum & bass right now, so you can bet that I will be front row centre at the next Inhibit event!