Underworld, a/k/a Underworld Mk2, electrified the underground (and overground) UK dance scene in late 1993, with their hypnotically detached, druggy-dub-club blend of techno, house, and other sonic elements (e.g., whispery vocals and mysterious conversations). They went on to become one of the most prominent electronica-innovators of the 1990s.

The act’s “Mk2” lineup buzzed under the influence of DJ Darren Emerson, who joined the core-duo Karl Hyde (vocalist) and Rick Smith (keyboardist), the headmasters of the defunct 80’s new wave band Freur, and the previous incarnation of Underworld (Mk1), whose commercial Brit-pop was a commercial failure (despite being on Sire Records).

After the failure of their commercially accessible music in the 80’s, Hyde & Smith had become disgruntled, musically aimless, and broke. Ironically, their leap into artistically satisfying but decidedly anti-commercial music rejuvenated them as brand-new players in the dance-music scene, fully realized on their “first” album Dubnobasswithmyheadman. A modest success commercially, released by TVT Records in 1994, the album and a few key tracks (with their various extended mixes, individually compiled on CD and 12" vinyl) were of the “underground” hipster blockbuster variety.

The sophomore album Second Toughest in the Infants gained ground commercially, during which time a non-album track became Underworld’s claim to fame: “Born Slippy .NUXX” hit it big as the signature song to the movie Trainspotting, whose soundtrack also included Underworld’s “Dark & Long [Dark Train] – Jerome Isma-Ae & Maor Levi Remix” track, the original version of which opens the first album.

Fast-forward: the 2012 Summer Olympics' opening ceremony music, directed by Underworld, who contributed, in various forms, 11 tracks to the ceremony’s soundtrack, Isles of Wonder. This Olympian effort won them 2012’s UK Q Award for Innovation in Sound.

The core duo of Underworld Mk2 does not seem to be running out of musical batteries anytime soon, with recent albums (to date, 2016’s Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future marks their seventh studio-album proper), live albums, live shows, side-projects, soundtrack contributions, and “deluxe”, expanded anniversary remasters.