Arcon 2

Who is Arcon 2?

Arcon 2 or Leon Mar, real name Noel Ram, is a musician best known for his alternately jazzy and uplifting drum'n'bass and extreme, focused darkcore. He has been producing dance tracks for the better part of a decade. At first little known in the jungle community, Noel rode a fast track to notoriety through a string of acclaimed releases for 4Hero's noted Reinforced label, recording such tracks as "Liquid Earth," "Silent Running," and "The Beckoning" under his own name and as Arcon 2. Noel was also included on the tough-as-nails Reinforced compilation, Above the Law next to such noted artists as Goldie, L Double, and Dillinja.

Although Noel's earlier Reinforced material, as well as a scattering of tracks and remixes for Echo Drop and Selector mined a softer, more fusion-fueled vibe, Noel's work since "The Beckoning" has tended toward the dark'n'hard, with thick, warbling bass set against snapping breaks and ominous atmospheres.

Released toward the end of 1996, "The Beckoning" in particular cemented Noel's name as One to Watch in the 9-7, and subsequent work proved as much; Noel nailed a recording deal with Warner Bros. in 1997 and released his self-titled first album later that year.