Burial (William Emmanuel Bevan) is a highly influential British electronic music producer. Emerging from South London in the mid-2000s, he became one of the defining figures of dubstep, UK garage, and ambient electronic music through his mysterious persona and emotionally charged productions.
Burial began producing music in the early 2000s, releasing his first tracks through Hyperdub, the influential London label run by Kode9.
For years, his identity remained unknown; he rarely gave interviews or performed live, emphasizing the music’s atmosphere over personality. In 2008, he revealed himself as William Bevan, but he has largely maintained a low profile ever since.
Key Releases:
Burial (2006) - His debut album introduced a distinct nocturnal sound: crackling textures, two-step beats, melancholic melodies, and vocal snippets that sound like distant memories. It stood apart from heavier dubstep trends, earning critical acclaim for its emotional depth; Untrue (2007) - A landmark album in electronic music, featuring tracks like “Archangel”, “Near Dark”, and “Ghost Hardware.” He used R&B vocal samples, chopped and pitched to evoke loneliness and longing and cemented Burial’s sound as a blueprint for post-dubstep and ambient bass music.
Burial shifted to releasing EPs and long singles such as Street Halo (2011), Kindred (2012), Rival Dealer (2013), Subtemple (2017), and Chemz/Dolphinz (2021). These works explore longer, more ambient compositions, jungle/drum & bass revival elements, and deeply spiritual or existential themes.
Burial’s sound has shaped post-dubstep, influencing artists like James Blake, Mount Kimbie, Jamie xx, and The xx, crossed over into pop and indie, inspiring production techniques used by Radiohead, Beyoncé’s team, and others, and helped transform electronic music from a club-centered genre to an introspective, headphone-listening experience.
Despite never touring or seeking the spotlight, Burial remains one of the most respected and imitated producers of the 21st century.