Craig Williams

Australian output Craig Williams has fashioned a career around his ability to manipulate grinding tunes on the grittier end of the electro and techno spectrum. Not one to deviate from his signature sound, Craig offers up his latest tune 'EXIT', which taps into the same dark depths.

Immediately, 'EXIT' picks up a pounding energy thanks to an acid machine clip from an original TB-303 which Craig picked up just ahead of creating the track. The machine's raw power shines throughout record, aided by a driving bass line and vocoded sample.

"For the core idea I just tried to limit myself to a couple of machines to give the record that raw feel," he explains.

Paralleling his stirringly real and ominous musical touch, Craig's own story is one that veers off the beaten path. After honing in on his producing and DJing talents, Williams was enlisted in the Australian Army's Black Hawk helicopter crew and deployed to Pakistan and East Timor, an experience that likely provides plenty of fuel for the raw makeup of his catalogue and now, 'EXIT'.

'EXIT' releases July 11 on NEST. In the meantime, hear the exclusive first listen below.

Valerie Lee is Mixmag's US Digital Editor. Follow her on Twitter here