I know that I've never done it before (or maybe I have, but my memory is shit), but after only a handful of days I'm reviewing yet another mix by a DJ who I'd only reviewed a few days ago. Normally I would wait a few weeks, otherwise it might seem that I'm biased, but I just had to share this mix with you all. I am a sucker for Happy Hardcore, especially the cheesy songs from 1996 to 1998. Not saying I don't appreciate the later stuff, but truth be told: the mid to late 90s Happy Hardcore still remains the best of the best! Fight me if you disagree.
DJ Virus made three mixes so far, and the first edition I reviewed. Now I went straight into the third edition of this mix series, but expect in the next couple of weeks me reviewing the second mix. Don't judge me for loving a bit of cheese, but this is literally the music I grew up. This kind of music takes me back to my teenage years, raving the night away in my bedroom (I was too young when Happy Hardcore was around)....
Memories, only happy memories. And the music was just perfect for me. Hardcore was and still is cool, but for me I needed something happy, and euphoric. And Happy Hardcore was the right style for me. A lot of people hated it (and still do), but I literally couldn't care less. Spent a lot of money on compilations, which I still have. It just makes me extremely happy.
Is it my favourite music genre of all time? It might be. It is certainly in the top three. Would I prefer this over the present day music? Yes, sadly yes. But thanks to DJ Virus for making me remember what it was like, being a teenager in the 90s. And also for reminding me that there's a whole generation out there born after the Happy Hardcore buzz of the 90s, who don't even know what this is. They might not even heard of Happy Hardcore at all! And that is astonishing!
Let's focus on this third instalment and the records selected. These are the ones:
Bopgun - Dream Factory
The Prophet - Big Boys Don't Cry (4 Minute Mix)
Pentium 75 - Space Bass
Boombastic - Rudeboy
Yves - Sadness
Weirdo & Dr. Phil Omanski - Young Birds
Promo - Blastin' The System
Lipstick - Fly Away (Solid Hardcore Mix)
Tom Ace - I'm Ready
Party Animals - Have You Ever Been Mellow (Tekno Mafia Mix)
Promo - Sing It Louder
Triplet - Ragga Bum (DJ Isaac Remix)
Isaac - We Like Marijuana (DJ Paul's Forze Mix)
Waxweazle & Delerium - Dreams Of Heaven
Diss Reaction - Jiieehaaaa
Damage Inc. - Turn Around
Brotherhood - Crazy (Bass-D & King Matthew Remix)
Promo - Into The Light
Boombastic - One Love
Profound - Let Da Music Play
Kadoc - You Got To Be There (Point .44 Remix)
Frank-E & Mars-L - Back Once Again
Ferocious - Please Don't Go
Rob's Project - Loving You (Happy Hardcore Edit)
Promo - Wicked Louie
Yves - Losing Track Of Time
Phantasia - Hold Me Now (R-Dee's Happy Hardcore Remix)
Infernus - I Want Your Love (Bass-D & King Matthew Remix)
The Company - Open Your Eyes (Ferocious Mix)
Mystic - All That She Wants
Promo - Gabbers Paradise
So, the memories have come flying through. This second mix from Virus which I've listened to brings back a lot of memories, and also the hatred. It might not become clear what I mean by that, but all will be clear soon.
The mix contains a lot of awesome records, some never even heard of. And a handful of forgotten records, some probably on purpose. It's nice to hear that DJ Virus did his best to find the best of the best cheesy anthems out there, which resulted in this 79 minute long mix. 31 records, all in one splendid mix. Really enjoyed this edition, and we should demand more from DJ Virus. Make sure you comment on this Soundcloud page, and scream for more! We need volume 4, 5, 6 and ongoing.
All jokes aside, it's a very nice mix, with some anthems in here I've not even heard before, like the DJ Promo stuff. He only made the happier stuff for a short while before he ventured fully in the harder side of Hardcore, but I do like his happier stuff. Or anything with Bass-D and King Matthew. Top remixers/producers. Sadly the memories of them are focussed around MOH, but they should be proud of their Happy Hardcore history.
What was I talking about, when I said the word 'hatred'? Well, the cheesy cheesy tracks. The tracks you really don't like, because they are bad. Yes, they do exist. Come on, 'All That She Wants', 'Gabbers Paradise' (I can understand why this is a forgotten anthem, it's bad!), 'Please Don't Go', and it goes on. I always had the feeling that these records were just made for the money side of Happy Hardcore, and not a lot of effort was put into these songs. And I always contribute the downfall of Happy Hardcore in 1998/1999 to these records and shoddy producers. Thanks for destroying what was epic.
Wow, I think this mix has opened up a can of worms. But still, all in all, a really good mix. The positives outweigh the negatives by a long shot.
The worst records have been mentioned, but which one is the best? I've got three which are all epic anthems: 'Crazy', 'Dreams Of Heaven', and 'Into The Light' (maybe my favourite DJ Promo track of all time!!!!!).
From the two mixes so far the least favourite one, but still worth the following score:
DJ: Virus
Genre/Style: Happy Hardcore, Happy Gabber
Mix Info: Virus - Hard Cheese 3
Length Mix: 01:19:47
Tracks: 31 (thirty-one)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): CLICK HERE
File Size: 201,4MB
File Type; mp3
Release Year: 2021
Audio: Stereo
Sample Rate; 44,1 kHz
More Information: AdamDJVirus - Soundcloud Channel