Bicep have been immersed in the CHROMA project for a couple of years: they had already been working on it for a few months when on January 31, 2024 they released the track “CHROMA 001 HELIUM”, apparently a single like many others. Instead, it was the first of a series of issues, more or less bimonthly, which served as the launch for a long sequence of performances – which still continue – entitled “Bicep Presents CHROMA”, essentially pyrotechnics DJ/AV shows during which the Belfast duo plays the songs from this project, alternating with some repechages from the previous repertoire. Among the most engaging shows ever in the EDM field (electronic music designed for dancing), a successful combination of sound design And visual art which in Italy was possible to appreciate on two occasions: in November 2024 at the C2C in Turin (where Bicep had already been protagonists in the 2022 edition) and in September 2025 at the Spring Attitude in Rome, in both cases presented among the major attractions on the bill.
A concept with a strong identity, a remarkable visual and sound impact, a powerful, hypnotic, totally immersive experience, made possible thanks to the work of designer David Rudnick (Terrain Studio) and del visual artist Zak Norman, former long-time collaborator of Bicep. Rarely effective special effects that help create a rave atmosphere, a “light and laser show” that allowed Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar – these are the names of the protagonists – to increase their fame. In mid-November 2025 the “CHROMA 000” compilation closes the circle by presenting all the singles already released, plus a couple of unreleased ones and two alternative versions with an even stronger shot. A sound built without distorting too much the tech-house formulas consolidated since the nineties, which has always been the main reference of the duo, who designed a work of this type to bring back the club culture at the center of the discussion after the forced stop of the Covid period and the creeping post-pandemic crisis. On this page you will find the link to one of the shows of the “Bicep Presents CHROMA” tour.
“CHROMA 000”, the final result of this long and exciting journey, a sort of soundtrack to those shows, presents itself as a cohesive album, in which Bicep explore a wide range of styles club orientedrecontextualizing the influences nineties tech-house thanks to a sound modern that integrates jungle, dubstep, trip-hop and future-garage elements, in a successful alternation of breakbeats and melody, between overwhelming crescendos and stratifications that proceed by progressive accumulation. The affection for the past, in particular for the sounds of Chicago and Detroit, has been evident since the two ran the blog “Feel My Bicep”, in which they collected and republished memorabilia and rarities of the genre. Looking to the past to embrace the future, reimagining certain sounds in a modern context, has allowed us to create a perfect format to be represented both in underground clubs as well as at the biggest music festivals on the planet, including Glastonbury and Coachella, plus one special shows at Fabric in London where for the first time the Northern Irish duo presented themselves with the moniker DOVE.
“CHROMA 000”, published for the proprietary label, contains i featuring by Benjamin Damage, Hammer, Eliza and Kehina. The album is available both for streaming and in a special vinyl edition, contained within a boxset with a limited edition of five thousand copies. A couple of tips on the best pieces? If you've never listened to Bicep, “CHROMA 007 STEALL” and “CHROMA 010 BRILLO” might make for an exciting introduction. If you prefer more timbres soulfulwatch out for the two versions of “TANGZ”, ennobled by Eliza's voice.
25/11/2025
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
