Promo – Solitude (2025)

Martin van Zeelandt / TCD
Jul 17
4 min read

Updated: Jul 25

DJ Promo is back! Well, he has never left, as he's Hardcore to the bone, but you know what I'm saying. He's back with a brand spanking new album. Not the first album which he has released, and certainly not the last. But he's gone back to his roots with this album, and it's certainly one that is going to please a lot of the die-hard Promo fans, who love his early work. The Promo Files, anyone? He goes in deep, and the album is the result of his years in the scene, building up extensive knowledge on how to be the best. The result is certainly there.

I did spot a few posts on social media regarding this new release, and once it was on YouTube, I jumped on it. I am a massive Promo fan since the mid 90s when he made his first releases public. I am in awe of his music, and I do not believe another artist comes close to the impact this man has had on my life, and many others. His music has touched generations, and made thousands, if not millions of people move. And he still gets us excited whenever he releases new stuff.

The first Promo album I ever purchased, was 'Never Compromise'. And what a smashing CD that was.'The Revolutionist' followed, 'Quality Control', but after that, I skipped 'Stijlloos'. Personally, that wasn't my favourite album. He came back with 'True Tones', and a few other albums followed. And obviously he brought back the Promo Files, be it remixed. It was time for something new and refreshing, and instead, he just did what he does: he doesn't refresh, he just delivers. He doesn't compromise, as he's the revolutionist, he always goes through quality control, and everything he does becomes stijlloos. Shall I proceed, or are you catching my drift?

With this album, it seems he goes not only back to his roots, but also proceeds with the sound he created later in life. There's a huge influential presence within each song of his sound after the 90s, and you might even say he combined multiple albums into one fantastic album. Some very deep and philosophical anthems, and some no nonsense, stomping hard anthems. You get it all, in one album.

DJ Promo - Solitude
DJ Promo - Forgive Me Father (For I Have Synth)
DJ Promo - In The Dark
DJ Promo - Stand United
DJ Promo - Fake Fodder
DJ Promo - Drowning By Daylight
DJ Promo - The Best One
DJ Promo - Countdown
DJ Promo - The Outsiders
DJ Promo - Promo Bitch
DJ Promo - The Second Dawn
DJ Promo - Totally Lost It
DJ Promo - Beneath The Waves
DJ Promo - Dark Times

Before I proceed, can I just give credit to Promo for making a tracklist which consists of no spelling errors? I don't think I've ever encountered a tracklist which didn't contain spelling errors. Stuff like that makes me happy, extremely happy. Satisfied by the list so far.

The album starts with an intro, and slowly builds up. And boy, does the BPMs go up and up. And the bass sometimes becomes unbearable for most humans. I'm not like most, and I like the bass to be as filthy and rough as possible. But I can also appreciate some more melodic anthems. Basically, I appreciate most stuff Promo makes. And this album contains all that is holy, in the Promo world. Excellent tunes, fantastically produced. A well balanced yet intriguing album. Promo is still here to stay.

It might take some time for people to categorise these songs in the same class as the old Promo Files anthems, but it won't be that long. These are solid anthems. I truly admire this album, and I cannot find anything wrong with this album at all. No issues.

'Promo Bitch' is just a fantastic record. Kevin Hart saying 'Promo bitch', that's just hilarious. And the stomping elements in this song make me want to put both my fists in the air and stomp the ground with my feet. And scream the words 'Promo Bitch' out loud.

But here comes the twist. 'Beneath The Waves'. What an awesome record that is! Whoever done the vocals, that is just mesmerizing to listen to. There's so much passion and emotions in the vocals, I cannot stop listening to this song. Maybe the lyrics themselves are quite deep, but thankfully I don't listen too much to lyrics. Her voice just persuades me to move my ass, and feel blessed to live in a world where there are songs like this one.

Ps. I've just discovered that these lyrics are from an Evanescence song. Wow.

Maybe the only point of interest is the last record. Not the best Promo record. Still enjoyable. But OK.

Nothing more to add. A fantastic album. Click the link below to stream this as much as you like, and share it with as many people are you know. I'll certainly do that. here in the UK. Blasting out the new Promo album on the M25 and M1. Max volume. If you are regularly stuck on those roads and you see a blue Toyota Yaris (new plate), that's me! I'm blasting out the Promo. Fuck yeah!

PROMO BITCH.