I am not familiar with Mercenary, but who I do know, is Tommyknocker. This legend has been pushing Hardcore from Italy for so long now: I cannot imagine Hardcore being around without Tommyknocker in it. This man has meant so much to the Hardcore scene, it's really unreal how many slammers this man has created over the years. Mercenary decided to create this monster mix, containing ONLY Tommyknocker anthems. And there are 60 crammed in this 2 hour and a half long mix. 60 of Tommyknocker's finest records. One of the finest producers out of Italy.
I think the only time I witnessed Tommyknocker was at Raving Nightmare - Brutal Truth, back in 2008. Wow, can't believe it's nearly 12 years ago. Fucking hell. But I did witness him there (as far as I can remember). Most of my partying memories are based on alcohol infused nights, so it might be true or not. It's all a tad cloudy. But I certainly went to Raving Nightmare. Anyway, let's talk about this mix.
I had another of Mercenary's mixes saved, but never came around to review it. He has made 3 in total, focussed on artists: DJ D, Nosferatu, and now Tommyknocker. In the tracklist you are about to see, there are 60 really awesome records. Some I have even forgotten about. And some that take me back to Raving Nightmare years. The years so precious to me. These are the years when Hardcore was awesome. Italian Hardcore has always been slightly better than Dutch Hardcore, if truth be told. They just had something unique. A different approach on Hardcore. A pleasant sound, vibe.
The tracklist, if you were interested. And you should be. So here it is:
01. Tommyknocker - The Aftermath
02. Tommyknocker vs DJ Mad Dog - Clockwork
03. Tommyknocker & MC Lob - The Realm
04. T-Factor - How Many More Out There?
05. Tommyknocker & MC Lob - Millenium
06. The Stunned Guys & DJ Paul - Thrillseeka (T-Factor remix)
07. Tommyknocker - The Nutrition
08. Tommyknocker & MC Lob - Full of Shit
09. Headbanger - Violator (Tommyknocker Remix)
10. Tommyknocker - Showtime
11. Holy Crown Forces - Feel The Force
12. Tommyknocker & Armageddon Project - Thy Kingdom Fall
13. Tommyknocker - Twist
14. Tommyknocker vs DJ Mad Dog - Snap Off
15. Art of Fighters & Tommyknocker - Follow Me
16. Tommyknocker - In The Shadow
17. Endymion - Payback (Tommyknocker's Yes I Am remix)
18. Tommyknocker - Revolution
19. Tommyknocker - Dream:Scream
20. Amnesys & Tommyknocker feat Jessica Pearson - Eliminate
21. Tommyknocker - Before You Go #TiH
22. Tommyknocker - The World Is Mine (DJ Inyoung & Static Remix)
23. Paul Elstak vs Tommyknocker - Party Hard
24. The Viper & Tommyknocker feat Da Mouth of Madness - The Prophecy Unfolds (Tha Playah Remix)
25. Tommyknocker - Domination
26. Tommyknocker - Criminal
27. Tha Playah - Fuck The Titties (The Viper & Tommyknocker Remix)
28. Tommyknocker - Hurricane
29. Tommyknocker feat. Ian K - Scream
30. Tommyknocker - Demolition
31. Tommyknocker - Learn From The Pain
32. Paul Elstak vs Tommyknocker - Danger Danger (Tommyknocker Mix)
33. DJ Mad Dog & Tommyknocker - Who's The Best
34. Tommyknocker - T-2012
35. Tommyknocker feat. MC Justice - Nocturnal Rituals
36. Evil Activities & DJ Neophyte - To You Who Doubt Me (Tommyknocker Remix)
37. The Stunned Guys - Atmorico (Mad Dog & Tommyknocker Mashup)
38. Tommyknocker - One Sick DJ
39. Tommyknocker - Sometimes
40. Traxtorm Creatures Allied - Disposal of Outer Power (Eardrumx on Blood Mix)
41. The Stunned Guys & Tommyknocker - Your Choice
42. Tommyknocker - Crunk
43. The Viper & Tommyknocker - World of Hurt
44. Tommyknocker - Wild
45. Amnesys & Tommyknocker - Blackout (Official Ground Zero Hardcore 2016 Anthem)
46. Tommyknocker feat MC Justice - Nocturnal Rituals (Tieum Remix)
47. Tommyknocker - Shogun
48. Tommyknocker - Nobody Stopping This
49. Tieum & Tommyknocker - Post Traumatik Stress
50. Unexist & Tommyknocker - Rock The Beat
51. Tommyknocker feat The Wishmaster - Supernatural
52. Tieum & Tommyknocker - Ruff Beats Make Me Sick
53. Tommyknocker feat Unexist - Ghost Rider
54. Tommyknocker - Demolition (Evil Activities & Lenny Dee Remix)
55. Unexist & Tommyknocker - Step Into Our World
56. Tommyknocker & The Braindrillerz feat MC Ghost - Weed Song
57. Traxtorm Gangstaz Allied - The Hardest (TRSE Creatures Remix)
58. Tommyknocker & Art of Fighters - Your Betrayal
59. Unexist feat Tommyknocker & Lenny Dee - Destructive Behaviour
60. 3 Steps Ahead - Drop It (Tommyknocker & The Stunned Guys Remix)
Welcome to the aftermath. Fuck me sideways. Normally I would wait with announcing the best record of a mix, but seeing as it's literally the FIRST record used by Mercenary, how can I not mention it? This, to me, is the pinnacle of Hardcore made around the Millennium era. This truly captures the strength and power behind Hardcore music. Such an underrated classic anthem. Not. a lot of bullshitting happening, just straight towards the music.
But, not only was the first record a truly remarkable one, but the 59 records following it were. Such a good selection of tracks. I might have a 'crush' on Tommyknocker's music. I truly find it astonishing that this man has the power to make anthem after anthem, over and over again. You can say whatever you say about all of his music, but we have to agree that he's a musical genius. He certainly is. To me, he's the world's finest and best Hardcore producer.
I can only give Mercenary credit for fabricating such an awesome mix. It's wicked, it's good, it's excellent. No word of a lie. This has been 2 and a half hours of pure nostalgia. Pure porn, for Hardcore lovers. And to finish the mix with the tribute record to 3 Steps Ahead, good choice.
Bring back the Millennium sound. We need more of this. Tommyknocker is such a legend!
DJ: Mercenary
Genre/Style: Hardcore, Millennium Hardcore
Mix Info: Merciless Monsters Special Edition #09 - Totally Tommyknocker
Length Mix: 02:30:45
Tracks: 60 (sixty)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): LISTEN HERE
File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate: unknown More Information: Mercenary - Soundcloud Page