Bristol, U.K.-based Kristian Jabs produces sparse yet tension-heavy drum'n'bass as Pessimist. His work is sleek, dark, and intelligent, clearly recalling Photek and Source Direct, but forging its own path. His work isn't entirely as gloomy or nihilistic as this name suggests -- releases such as 2010's Close to Me hint at a lighter side -- but this is certainly not the most dancefloor-friendly music available. His first tracks appeared in 2010, on labels such as Ingredients Records and Touched By Records. Additional releases continued at a prolific pace, on labels including Alignment Records and Buried Audio, as well as an appearance on a compilation issued by legendary d'n'b label Renegade Hardware. In 2012, Jabs began releasing material as part of Ruffhouse, a trio rounded out by Nick Callaghan and Tom Cooper. Around 2015, with the release of "The Woods" on Samurai Music, Jabs' music had become more experimental, and subsequent releases such as 2016's Paian (UVB-76 Music) drifted somewhere between experimental drum'n'bass and deep techno. His stark, unnerving 2016 single "Balaklava," released by Blackest Ever Black sublabel A14, received acclaim from the underground electronic music press. Following the Pagans EP on Osiris Music UK, Pessimist's self-titled debut full-length appeared on Blackest Ever Black in 2017. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi