Innovative Dubstep Artist Virtual Riot Joins Monstercat with Debut Album Stealing Fire
Germany is renowned for its exceptional house, techno, and trance artists, but it also boasts hidden gems in the bass music scene. Mannheim’s own Virtual Riot has continually showcased his talent through electrifying tracks and captivating live shows, keeping audiences engaged. Now, this dubstep pioneer is unveiling his unique sound and influences with his debut album on Monstercat, titled Stealing Fire.
Stealing Fire defies the typical dubstep album format. With 16 tracks, Virtual Riot demonstrates his artistic vision and production skills, navigating varied soundscapes to craft a cinematic experience. While the album prominently features the heavy dubstep for which this German artist is celebrated, it also explores other genres like midtempo, melodic dubstep, and bass house, enriching the overall journey.
When you are inspired by other people’s work, and you take the parts you like and re-interpret and combine them with something new; when you share knowledge that was previously gatekept or unavailable except to a select few; when you listen to music to put yourself into an altered state of mind — you’re stealing fire. And you don’t have to take it away; when you do it right, it spreads and multiplies, and in the end, there is just more fire for everybody.
Virtual Riot
Listeners got a glimpse of Stealing Fire earlier this year with the release of “Give in to you,” a collaboration with Rezz and One True God. Following that, two more tracks, “Believe What You Want” and “Scorched Earth,” heightened fans’ anticipation for the album. Now that Stealing Fire has been officially released, there are even more tracks to delve into.
The album kicks off with “Embark,” featuring an unsettling introduction that sets the stage for an impending bass-heavy experience. The title track carries an infectious groove that propels listeners forward, leading to vibrant drops that invigorate. One of the standout tracks, “Dino Killer,” showcases Virtual Riot’s creativity by merging organic percussion with dinosaur roars and vocal snippets, creating an exhilarating energy that culminates in a wild ride.
Other tracks worth exploring on Stealing Fire include “Nights On Fire (2024),” “VROOM,” and “Ridiculous,” each highlighting different facets of Virtual Riot’s artistry and reinforcing his status among the industry’s top producers. Notably, “Holding On To Smoke,” featuring Raven Gray, closes the album on a surprising note with its house-infused vibe that will keep listeners dancing long after the final note.
Stream Stealing Fire on Spotify or your preferred streaming service, secure tickets for his extensive audio-visual headline tour, and follow Virtual Riot on social media for updates.
Listen to Virtual Riot – Stealing Fire on Spotify:
Tracklist for Virtual Riot – Stealing Fire:
- Embark
- Stealing Fire
- Need / Get
- Dino Killer
- Star Destroyer
- Give in to you (with Rezz and One True God)
- Scorched Earth
- Impending (interlude)
- Believe What You Want
- New Energy
- Nights On Fire (2024)
- Ridiculous
- VROOM
- Reconnect
- Black Sands (interlude)
- Holding On To Smoke (with Raven Gray)
