Pitch Black is where genres collide and deform into something brand new. Over nearly 30 years, Aotearoa’s Michael Hodgson and Paddy Free have fused dub, glitchy electronica, and immersive visuals into sonic experiences that thrive in underground rooms from NZ to Berlin.
But this isn’t a nostalgia trip. It’s proof that Pitch Black’s influence still reverberates. With remixers spanning Adrian Sherwood to International Observer, it feels like their sound warp continues. Gear up for impact, the journey’s far from over.
They crashed onto the scene at The Gathering New Year’s Eve festival in 1996 and never looked back. With dub’s deep bass and reggae’s skank at their core, Pitch Black pushed into psychedelic electronica.
In an interview with Fifteen Questions, Michael Hodgson talks about growing up on a steady diet of Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, and On-U Sound, artists who blurred the lines between music, noise, and experience. You can hear that DNA in Pitch Black’s tracks. The result is a sound that’s part rave, part meditation.
Critics have called their music “Orbital meets King Tubby… in Technicolor,” and it tracks. Pitch Black has never been about genre boxes. They’ve always worked in widescreen. Their live shows take that even further, blending pulsing visuals with deep sonic pressure to create an experience that’s as physical as it is trippy.
Their raw influences have driven them to release over 10 albums and a wild array of tracks that are pure fire.
Discover the hits from their groundbreaking albums below:
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Top Tracks |
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1998 |
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2000 |
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2004 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2009 |
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2016 |
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2019 |
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2020 |
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2022 |
Their albums have taken them from underground triumphs, like winning Best Live Electronica Act at the 1999 bNet Music Awards, to clubs around the globe. And their recent drops have only turned up the volume.
In September 2024, they released Echoes of the Night (The Adrian Sherwood Remixes), a limited-run 10" that reimagined key tracks through Sherwood’s heavyweight dub lens. Then, in April 2025, they followed it up with Freqs in Flux, a full-length remix album celebrating Rude Mechanicals. With reworks from artists like International Observer, Tor.Ma in Dub, Tom Cosm, Deep Seed, and Sherwood himself.
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/3O9Iwc2JGoeByCZKNkLtUV?si=JVTGz6E9RJihIN5pVKwbRw" />
Pitch Black lights up every stage they hit, fusing electronic beats and live instrumentation into full-throttle, sensory-heavy performances. Paddy drives the rhythm, getting the crowd moving, while Michael unleashes visuals that bend time and space.
Their high-voltage act has ripped through cities like Amsterdam, Zagreb, Las Vegas, and across New Zealand, earning them a global reputation. They’ve shared festival lineups with acts like Coldcut, Skream, Easy Dub All Stars, and System 7, holding their own among legends.
They’ve turned in standout sets at events like Earth Beat Festival (2025), where they played the same bill as Paige Julia, and the Nelson Arts Festival, where their immersive show brought the house down. Add in archived sets from iconic spots like Rippon Festival, and it’s clear: Pitch Black doesn’t just perform, they take over.
Pitch Black isn’t just part of the scene; they’ve helped shape it. With a sound that blurs the lines between dub, electronica, and experimental bass, they’ve carved out a space entirely their own. Over the years, they’ve earned a loyal global following and serious respect from critics and peers alike.
And they’re still evolving. From remix albums that spotlight their influence to live shows that keep pushing boundaries, Pitch Black keeps the momentum going without looking back. They’re not following trends, they’re setting the pace.
Want to keep up with what’s next?
Check out their website for the latest drops, tour dates, and exclusive content >>>
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