SKisM

Etymology

The etymology of Petais' alias derives from the English word schism, which simply means to split or divide. Petais noted that the etymology behind the name didn't involve anything religious, "satantic or anything like that".^[7]

Musical style

Petais' tracks incorporate, according to the Ravalli Republic and Beat Magazine, a "syncopating rhythm", "bass and drum elements", "classical progressions, metal influences, ethnic samples, and break beats". Petais also draws influences from both heavy metal music and drum and bass while growing up and from breakbeat during his music school years and his years being part of Ctrl-Z.^[3][8]

Ctrl-Z as 'Dash' (Mid 2000s–2009)

Petais attended, and is an alum of, Community Music: a music school located in the East London neighborhood.^[9] Petais met Nicholas D'Silva (aka Night Shift and Pyramid):^[10][11] a classmate in Community Music's Creative Music Production & Business program, and both formed Ctrl-Z: a breakbeat music duo.^[12][13] Petais was also known as Dash and D'Silva was also known as Inch. In 2005, the duo was selected as winners for, both, "Best Breakthrough Act" and "Best Breakthrough Producer" at the Breakspoll Awards: an award ceremony and music festival for artists and record labels that produce breakbeat tracks. In 2006, the duo received "Best Compilation Album" for their contributions to a compilation commissioned by Hardcore Beats (the label the group was signed to) called "Hardwired".^[11][14]

SKisM (2009–2021)

In September 2009, SKisM released his first, 2-song Extended Play (EP) titled Rise Of The Idiots / Back Off. Back Off was remarked as "dirty roughened gully funk... guaranteed to sooth the soul during frustrating, testing times" while Rise Of The Idiots was remarked having "added weight an irony" than the former.^[15][6]

On July 17, 2009, Never Say Die Records was founded along with Nicholas Sadler (aka Mobscene). SKisM did so because he "wanted to continue making bass music and working in the industry" due to the decline of the breakbeat scene. The very first track to be released on the label was a single titled "Ruffneck '09" by Ctrl-Z and the Freestylers with vocals from reggae artist Navigator on December 7, 2009. Ctrl-Z then released a remix of Cracks (by the Freestylers) on Never Say Die eight months later.^[16][17]

In December 6, 2010, SKisM released his second, 5-song EP titled Down With The Kids. The EP included 3 original tracks: Power, Elixir, and Rave Reivew and two remixes, made by FuntCase and Matta, from his first EP. Elixir was remarked for "spawn[ing] a whole range of fugly remixes".^[18] A VIP Mix was later released on 2013.^[19] Rave Review, on the other hand, was made in response and reaction to the radio playing "recycled samples and ideas coming through" and jumping all over the "future jungle type music" at a time where dubstep was starting to became popular. The song used a sample from Henry Rollins.^[20]

In 2011, SKisM collaborated with Flux Pavilion, with featuring vocals from the Foreign Beggars, to release Jump Back. The single was remarked for being "a dark, hard-hitting track" consisting of "grimy vocals" and "Flux [Pavilion]'s signature sounds".^[21]

In 2012, SKisM released a 9-song EP titled The Division. The EP included 5 remixes and four original mix songs that each had a "variety of different genres and rhythms". In other words, deviating from producing what SKisM is typically known for: dubstep,^[7] Experts had a music video that depicted Excision, Eptic, Skrillex, and Zomboy each "battling [one-on-one] an empowered internet troll" on YouTube that often gives "so much stick online... asking where the... music is". The song used a sample recited by Phil Anselmo from heavy metal band Pantera.^[20][22] Kick It (with Zomboy) was made "with giddy disco samples, bird calls, and Alvin and the Chipmunks' vocal chops".^[23] At the same year, Petais' single: Like This, with featured vocals from Virus Syndicate, reached and maintained the #1 spot on Beatport's Top 100 Tracks list for one month.^[7]

In 2014, SKisM released a remix of Lazerbeam by ShockOne featuring Metrik and Kyza. The track is one of the few "record[s] outside of his predominant genre[s]" which refers to the track being a combination of both Moombahcore and Breakbeat influences.^[24][25]

In 2015, SKisM, Habstrakt, and Megalodon collaborated to release Jaguar. The single was initially started by both SKisM and Megalodon two years ago, but Habstrakt was brought into the project to complete the track into its final product. The track was remarked for "its ability to swarm with a kind of barely restrained violence that broods and busts through with an untouchable gangsta lean".^[26]

Since 2015, Petais has retired from producing music to focus his efforts on running the label such as "hav[ing] responsibilities for other people" and "executively produc[ing] for the artists' tracks".^[16] On October 5, 2021, Petais officially retired as a DJ and producer via a dissolution in its recent filing with the UK's Companies House.^[27]

EPs

Singles & Collaborations

Remixes