AutomAte was founded in 2012 by London and Bristol label owners Deficit and Esion as a digital drum-and-bass label. Its origins lay in a collective also comprising DX Machina and Nathan E, with a shared interest in dark, techy sounds. The main imprint leaned towards edgy, dancefloor-focused drum and bass, while the label’s digital family included AutomAte Deep and AutomAte Tech; the latter was the first of its three sub-labels.
Philth and Inja have both released music on AutomAte. In 2014, Philth and Wreckless issued the single Submarine / Who So Ever; Philth returned in 2022 with Submarine VIP, The Hammer, Cordyceps VIP. AutomAte’s core artists were not exclusive to the label, and many also appeared on other imprints. A 2014 sample pack combined sounds from its artists and parts of AutomAte tracks with exclusive vocals from MC Agman Gora. In November 2014, AutomAte released its first EP by a solo artist, a four-track release by None Decay.
