A week ago, my best mate and I went to a 18+ all-building dubstep show at Metro/Smartbar. Hosted by Chicago’s Subfix massive, the relatively under-the-radar showcase featured Datsik, Eprom, Phaded, Jeekoos and several other wobble-monster DJs. My ears were still ringing when I woke up the next day.

Back in April, Flavorwire’s Bianca Merbaum drafted a short list of 8 Essential 2nd-Wave Dubstep Pioneers. Although lots of readers disagreed with how “pioneering” the 8 artists really were (check out their alternates in the comments or the Subfix artists listed above), I do think the article touched on something interesting/promising: this subgenre has been around long enough to actually have a second wave. While it still ranks 12th on Beatport’s genre charts, dubstep has overtaken its predecessor—drum & bass.

Dubstep’s round 2 could also open up the doors for more mainstream adoption. It’s darker, heavier and typically more aggressive than its drum & bass, grime and garage cousins, making it perfect for horror movie scores (think 21st century Goblin) and, of course, action flicks, car commercials and video game trailers.

It’s certainly popping up more as a backdrop for motion design and 3D work. Check out the showreels of Graffiti Technica and Menno Fokma as well as Nike’s T90 Laser 3 ad featuring DJ Torres.

And if you ever wanted to know how you “dance” to dubstep, observe: The Gaslamp Killer.