Hyetal

During the 2000s, as Bristol’s dubstep scene first began to coalesce, David Corney, recording as Hyetal, earned recognition among the most inventive figures associated with the so-called post-dubstep wave. While still a teenager in Southampton he refined a distinctive blend of analog, dystopian electronics and sharply focused modern production techniques. Working with vintage synthesizers and drum machines, he sought to replicate the rhythms drawn from his large collections of hip-hop and rock records; the process turned him into a dedicated crate-digger and sparked a lasting fascination with classic electronic film scores and pioneering acts. The music of Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, and John Carpenter soon became central reference points for the young artist. After relocating to Bristol to pursue university studies in music and film, he immersed himself in the city’s rapidly expanding network of dubstep and electronic club nights. Captivated by the local atmosphere of creativity, he adopted the Hyetal alias and began releasing music. His earliest singles—“Pixel Rainbow Sequence,” issued in 2009 on Reduction Records, and the Soul Motive double-sided release “Neon Speech/Gold or Soul”—outlined the sonic direction he would pursue. The deep, off-kilter basslines and stuttering, hazy synth textures heard on those tracks were refined across further singles throughout 2009 and 2010. In 2011 he issued his debut album, Broadcast, on the Black Acre label; the record drew widespread critical praise and spawned the singles “Phoenix,” “Diamond Islands,” and “Searchlight,” each accompanied by additional remixes and alternate versions. He followed with the 2013 album Modern Worship, which appeared on the True Panther label. After a prolonged hiatus, Hyetal resurfaced in 2017 with Youth & Power, his third full-length and most overtly pop-oriented work to date; the album inaugurated Other/other, an imprint linked to the Multiverse collective.