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Sometimes I wonder how I could miss big sets, seeing as I'm online nearly 24/7. I could have missed this one because it's a Youtube video, and I don't watch videos as much as I should. But a good friend of mine (onderkoffer) has reminded me yet again I should be watching this. A must listen to set. And the main reason for that being that the set was done by the mighty Mark Archer. Yes, one half of Altern 8. And if you remember, I've interviewed him a couple of months ago. Worth checking out too! But for now it's his set at the Boiler Room in Nottingham. I've seen the concept before and it looks interesting and scary at the same time. The DJ is the centre of attention, and literally stands amongst the crowd. Not high up on a stage, but where the ravers are. This edition they asked Mark Archer to play an hour long set, and seeing him during the set, he seems to have a brilliant time. Loving the reactions from the crowd around him, but also making sure they were treated to the finest oldschool classics. And the crowd, well, they were having it. Mark behind the decks is a good promise. He's been around for decades and knows exactly how to please but also surprise the fans. When he throws in a classic that everyone loves, the crowd go mad. I'm getting you hyped up, and now it's time for you to see what kind of tracks Mark used for his set. Be warned: nostalgic feelings will emerge. 01. Xpansions - Elevation (Move Your Body) 02. Bassheads - Is There Anybody Out There 03. K-Klass - Rhythm Is A Mystery 04. CLS - Can You Feel It 05. Gat Decor - Passion 06. The Prodigy - Everybody In The Place 07. House Syndicate - Jam The Mace 08. Blapps Posse - Don't Hold Back 09. Joey Beltram - Energy Flash 10. Outlander - Vamp 11. Cybersonik - Technarchy 12. CJ Bolland - Ravesignal III (Horsepower Exclusive Remix) 13. Bizarre Inc - Playing With Knives 14. Quadrophonia - Quadrophonia 15. Cubic 22 - Night In Motion 16. T99 - Anastasia 17. Moby - Go 18. Rabbit City - Beyond Control 19. The Prodigy - Charly 20. Rhythm Quest - Closer To All Your Dreams 21. Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy 22. Awesome 3 - Don't Go 23. Liquid - Sweet Harmony 24. Johnny L - Hurt You So 25. The Prodigy - Out Of Space 26. Altern 8 - Frequency I've never seen a DJ laugh this much during a set. He was really enjoying himself. Mark has got such a lovely atmosphere around him: I reckon he's such a legend in real life. Not only music wise though. (just see how many people shake his hand or fist bump him). The set contains the finest yet well known records, but even though we've heard them a million times, they still rock. Hence why we hear them over and over again: these anthems take us back to the forgotten decade, the decade when everything was possible. We were free. We were alive. We were unique. And it's all down to music legends like Mark Archer. I can only give the man credit for a wicked set. Smiles for miles. And it's such a joy to hear these classics still being played out loud! These records do deserve a stage every week. I reckon the artists who made these never knew they were going to be played decades after. Some transitions are just beyond belief. But that's all down to experience: over the years he has perfected his craft, and he makes it look like a duddle. So easy. But don't forget, he's been active for decades! Mark is a legend. His set is amazing. His enthusiasm and dedication is just beyond belief. We need more sets like this one. With or without the mask (and Vicks), he's still enjoying the scene and leaves his mark on it. Mark Archer. The ledge! Best record? 'Technarchy'. No doubt about that. But also 'Night In Motion'. Wicked stuff. DJ: Mark Archer Genre/Style: Oldschool, Breakbeat, Hardcore, Rave Liveset Info: Recorded @ Boiler Room Nottingham Length Set: 01:14:55 Tracks: 26 (twenty-six) Download/Listen (via Youtube): LISTEN HERE File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Bitspeed: unknown More Information: Mark Archer - Facebook Fanpage

Remember when Hardcore Heaven released this album? The first of four? I can't, because I wasn't into UK Hardcore then, but I think it must have created a true buzz out there, and when I got sucked into the scene (not literally of course) this compilation was amongst the first few albums I bought. And what a joy it brought me. Can't believe it's 13 years ago since the first one was released. Time does fly by, and the sound has changed so dramatically. M@rt!n-J has brought this to my attention, and I would like to thank him for doing so. This regular to this site has made a dedication mix, hand picked the best records from the four albums, and if we are lucky, he might come up with volume 2, containing more records from this majestic compilation (which has been taken over by Hardcore Underground, if you didn't know). The good thing about Hardcore Heaven was the fact that it wasn't just UK Hardcore, but also Freeform (or as it was called Trancecore back then), and that's what got me into Freeform. So it has done a lot for me. And it also had the finest cover girls out there. Thing had to be said. Let me show you the 19 records M@rt!n-J has selected for his mix. And they are good! Be prepared for an hour and 20 minutes of excellent music! 01. Asa & S1 - Makin' Me Wanna Dance (Sy & Unknown Remix) 02. Plus System - Bassline Of The Century 03. DJ Ham - Hardcore Velocity 04. Seduction & Gammer - Put Ya Hands Up 05. Frisky & Hujib - Believe 06. Sy & Unknown - Make It Bounce 07. Brisk & Vagabond - The Time Has Come 08. Gammer - Let It Go 09. Sy & Unknown - I Feel On Fire 10. Brisk & Ham - In Your Life 11. DJ Phospor - Booty Calls 12. Dancelordz - Promises 13. AC Slater - 27 Hits 14. Alek Szahala - Lumi 15. Kevin Energy - Crescendos Of Ecstacy (K Complex Remix) 16. Lost Soul - Too Strong 17. Nomic & Pain On Creation - Make Me Real 18. AMS - Hard Bass 19. Scott Brown - Neckbreaker (Nu Style Mix) I've got to say that this mix looks tasty. And he has done a nice thing by dividing the mix into three sections: the UK Hardcore bit, Freeform, and a bit of Gabber at the end. The result is a mix which has already received 2k+ plays within a short period of time! There's still a lot of love for Hardcore Heaven, even after so many years! I was being sarcastic: how can you NOT love Hardcore Heaven? Only a numpty could hate them. And the albums are just amazing! When I used to live in the Netherlands I even had them imported from Australia (because that was the cheapest option?). I sadly don't play CDs anymore, but only mixes, and to hear an astonishing mix like this one brings a smile on my gob! Credit where credit is due: he has made a very interesting mix. And I can only thank him for doing so. The tracks are all amazing, the vocals from time to time piss wet (like 'Booty Calls', don't like the vocals at all, but everything else is wicked). And in this mix there are a few awesome records I can't choose from. So, I'll just select all Next Generation/Blatant Beats records as my favourite. Done. A mix worth listening to. Check it out, and check his previous mixes out too! DJ: M@rt!n-J Genre/Style: UK Hardcore, Freeform/Trancecore, Gabber Mix Info: Best Of Hardcore Heaven Vol. 1 Length Mix: 01:19:36 Tracks: 19 (nineteen) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): DOWNLOAD/LISTEN File Size: 182 MB File Type: mp3 Bitspeed: 320kbps More Information: M@rt!n-J - Soundcloud Page

If you are a raver, you must have seen this mad DJ and producer here and there. Especially on Facebook. He’s an interesting DJ, that’s for sure. Sometimes a bit mad, a bit loony, but when it comes to music he’s dedicated. A Freeform fanatic, but also a busy bee with his new label, and his social experiments (more about that later). Let’s talk to the most interesting man from this already underrated scene: DJ Cyrax. How are you mate, how’s life as we speak? "Life is good, got a fab missus who tolerates my constant sarcasm, just got back from holidays!" You are what is known as a DJ. But what kind of music do you play? "In general if I’m booked for a gig it will be to play Freeform Hardcore, I always like to mix a few other tracks from other genres (but not too many) usually some DnB or some beautiful Gabber." Where does the name come from? "I had a variety of alias’ but they all sounded stupid, Dr Tobogan, Drilldo, Nelly Retardo, ghost, the name that stuck was Cyrax, he was my favourite player on Mortal Kombat 2 on the megadrive." Judging on your appearance (wears glasses and has a beard) you look like an intellectual hipster. So let’s start with some intellectual questions, to get them out of the way (and come up with some stupid questions later): can you explain to the other hipsters/youngsters out there what Freeform is? "It’s a strange one because a lot of people have different views on what Freeform is. I believe they are : 1. Freeform is the way that you play a set, no fixed or planned route, not specific tracks, not sticking to the general formula 2. a Freeform track can contain elements from any other genres, the structure doesn’t have to follow suit e.g if you don’t want a breakdown then don’t put one in! For me and this is hard to explain, I just know what is Freeform and what it’s not, maybe the track being between 160 – 180 BPM, big lead riffs, rolling kicks, warm sub bass, epic chords, tonnes of acid, epic breakdowns, that sort of thing I guess." How awesome is Freeform? "I love it, yeah I could have made millions as a House DJ, playing predictable monotonous music to a bunch of drug fuelled ravers but……………………..oh wait! The people that Freeform attracts are the most lovely people I know and the music is just fab!" When did you become a DJ? And what was the reason to become one? Did anyone persuade you? "I had always been into the genre and rave music from my teens, my friend Paul taught me the basics of DJing when I used to hang out at his mum’s flat in Woolwich. The production stuff started when I randomly decided to do a studio day with Technikore in Southhampton, after we made a track together I was inspired and want to make a shed load more." Freeform. Of all the scenes you could have picked, you picked Freeform. What’s so appealing about Freeform that other styles don’t have? "The breakdowns keep you waiting so long that you are chomping at the bit when the main drop in the track comes. It’s great getting absolutely bo****ed to as well. As I said before the crowd are super nice and when you are all raving side by side it feels like the old days of raving, where no one is image conscious, they are just there to piss about, dance and have a good time." Who’s your biggest inspiration in the scene, and why? "My biggest inspiration is my Freeform husband Transcend, the guy is mega talented (although he bloody should be locked away in that studio) He makes awesome music and has taught me everything I know, unfortunately I don’t have a very long attention span so we are perservering with the tuition." The last time I saw you, was a while ago, in Bournemouth at BMH Freeform (that was 2 years ago, blimey!). The night was memorable, to say the least. I was completely wasted, and so were others. I was finally introduced into your world, and it was a bliss. If you had to describe yourself during a set in three words, which words would you pick, and why? "I’m into the music big time and like to have a dance behind the decks, I like to use a variety of different ways to mix to keep the set interesting and energetic, mixing in key is big thing for me now also." Soundcloud is our mutual friend, and you have posted many mixes onto it. I don’t know what my first introduction was into your wonderful world on here, but it left a mark. You’ve made many mixes, but which one defines Cyrax? Which one is the best, and which one is the worst you’ve made? "The worst one is my first recorded mix (not on soundcloud anymore thankfully) My best one is always the most recent mix I’ve done, I’m always trying to improve and make my mixes sound better, I don’t believe you should put out a mix unless it’s flawless 😉 " You also were responsible for ‘Project Badass’. A different approach, and it worked well. How was the response of the fans? Did it go down well? "Project Badass was a great way to make a name for myself in the scene and people loved it, it helped me network with everyone and meet all my fav DJs, I did however make lots of mistakes with that label which is why it’s not around anymore. I signed tracks as filler tracks, put out bootlegs, I didn't like the artwork, I didn't know who I paid for what, it was mental, I didn't set out to make money from that label, just to get people to make more freeform, but I definitely lost money on that label." From making your own compilations to mixes, to appear on albums such as ‘Freeform Family’, ‘Heat, Light, Sound’, ‘Who’s Got The Stamina?!’ and more. Has the transition from being a DJ to producer done you well? Was it exactly what you hoped for? "I’m very lucky to played at the events that I have, I love playing teh freefrums and always will. I do find talking about myself and promoting myself is difficult as it feels low level narcissistic. The weird thing is to be sucessful you have to do a bit of that. Producing is a great way to get ahead though. The one thing about producing is it takes up lots of time which I never feel I have enough of, that’s why I find it easier to collab, I need to get some of timetable on the go, instead of drinking all the time." Ok, a lame question inbetween (we have to): who’s the sexiest Freeform DJ and why? Please mention your love in full detail. "There are so many to choose from, I mean A.B looks like a cuddly bear, Arkitech in a certain like can be quite appealing, Finnbarr looks like an extra on Boardwalk Empire. I know DJ Acid Angel is a hit with the ladies, I’ll go with him." 2018 has been a good year so far, music wise. Freeform has come back (slightly) and you have been pushing a new label, Energy Field’, which is coincidentally your own. What’s the mission behind this new label? "Energy Field is there to keep putting out good wholesome Freeform. Energy field is totally different to Project Bumboy, it’s on all download stores worldwide, the artwork is professional and all the tracks are fire! I also have a Youtube channel alongside the label which is for any random TV show I can think of." Already 7 releases, it’s going extremely well. And the tracks are seriously impressive. The artists who released their music on your label are all well established names. And with some tracks you work alongside the biggest names: Transcend and A.B . Two very interesting producers. From all these releases, which record are you the proudest of, and why? "‘Follow Me’ is also my favourite so far, it encompasses all the best things, acid lines, lush vocals and a killer Trancey riff!" To me personally ‘Follow Me’ is truly amazing. But the track ‘Communion VIP’ is also smashing. Which records will be released in the near future, and will there be some kind of physical release of all these beautiful records? "No physical releases unfortunately, the next two releases are Substanced - Martyr and Communion VIP go and check them out." Another loony question: pinneaple on pizza, yes or no? "Yeah why not, although you can’t take that kind of thing too far e.g melon in your lasagne" And another one: Brexit, a good idea or not? "Let’s get back in, and let’s lose the pound and get euros over here it would make my life easier when I go away." Back to reality. You have become a phenomena in the music industry with an experiment that we all loved. 24 hours of listening to Gabber. Now, before we talk about that, how’s your physical state now? Have you recovered properly after this tremendous experiment? "Just about, you can have too much Gabber IMO, that’ why I only listen to it once a year at Dominator." And why did you start it in the first place? What’s the reason behind it? "I’m trying to grow my Youtube channel with lots of new TV content, I’m sure there will be more experiments in the future." How did you find the responses to your little video? And the other too (where you explain how to be a DJ)? Even big Facebook pages shared your experiment, and thousands of people have seen it. "So far so good, I just want to give back to the rave community! 😉" When will Cyrax become a meme himself? "I hope so, then I can make celebrity apperances in rubbish nightclubs up and down the country." Future wise: what’s happening in the near future with Cyrax? Any gigs you want us all to attend? Any news regarding your video’s? "I’m playing in Finland and London towards the end of the year, I’m certain there will be some more videos out soon x " Last question, and it’s a difficult one: if you have unlimited resources (money), and you could throw your own party, and book whoever you want to book, which DJ would have there, and why? "I would put on a big festival, sheep permitting of course, with all of this lot! Kev Energy, Sharkey, Cyrax, A.B, Solution, Aeon, Rikki Arkitech, Synthwulf, RX, Substanced, Dummy, Carbon Based, Proteus, Douglas, Finnbarr, Dani Delirio, Alchemist, Nick235, Andy Dee, Epyx, Cyrez, Alex Schazala, Ephexis, Hyphen, Evolutionize, Darwin, Transcend, Endemic, Eryk Orpheus, Midas, CLSM, Greg Peaks, Marc Ashley, K Complex, Lost Soul, Gammer, Rhona, Cube Hard, Grimsoul, Horzi, Tamerax, Digital Commandos, Ethos, Odyssey, Obie, Nomic, Oli G, Aryx, Wyrm, Olly Addictive, Acid Angel, Kounta Kulture, S3rl, Haze, JD Kidd, Shox, Ponder, Alabaster, Shanty, 3star, Fury, UFO, Atheral, Hedonistik ritual, Qygen, Stormtrooper, AMS, Slippery Disco, Ales, Poisecore, 7sins, more mental, Andy F, Raqhow, Beezee, Genki, shimotsukei, Paul Cumbum, MC wank, Lost Faith, pain on creation, plasmadancer, solvynt, tyranoid, strongstream, guld, dj yousuke, ranzor, spirit wolf" Thank you Cyrax for this very interesting interview. We talked about this 2 years ago, and it finally happened! Proud moment for TCD. Cyrax has been a genuine legend from the first time I noticed him on Soundcloud. Make sure you check him out on social media, and also his label Energy Field. Share the love, passion, and dedication he has got, and keep the Freeform love going! As an added bonus, here are two good mixes you should check out: the Freeform Anthems mix, and the latest Stamina Records' podcast, presented by Cyrax and his husband Transcend! - Energy Field - Soundcloud Page - Energy Field - Facebook Page - Energy Field - Youtube Page - Energy Field - Beatport Page - DJ Cyrax - Facebook Fanpage - DJ Cyrax - Soundcloud Page

Thumpa has returned! Not that he really left, but he has returned on Soundcloud with a slamming mix we were all hoping for! Thumpa has been known for his love of everything Hardcore related, and the majority of fans might know him from his Freeform enthusiasm, but the last couple of years he has moved toward the Dutch Hardcore/Gabber sound, and especially the early sound. The sound from the 90s. And that's exactly the kind of Hardcore I like. Can you see why I am happy to find another Thumpa mix? This time he has come back with a brand spanking new mix, dedicated to one of the best labels of the 90s: Mokum Records. If you are a raver/gabber, you are definately aware of this label and what it has achieved during the 90s. It was an important label, which released some serious dancefloor anthems like 'Name Of The DJ', 'I Wanna Be A Hippy', 'Headsex', 'The Point', and many more. The good thing about a mix like this one is the fact that it shows me that there were more records on this label, some I have not heard in nearly 2 decades, or never before. Thumpa's mix contains 42 brilliant records. And it's a 2 hour and 10 minute long mix. So you get everything you want on this boring Wednesday. Worth checking this mix out, yeah? 01. Chosen Few - Freedom 02. Chosen Few - Tranceparant 03. Haardcore - Ore Slope 04. Technohead - The Passion (Mokum Mix) 05. Lenny Dee & Ralphie Dee - I Control Your Body 06. Chosen Few & DJ Pila - The Break 07. Lenny Dee & Ralphie Dee - Power Dominion 08. Tellurian - Guyver (The Outside Agency Remix) 09. Annihilator - Realm Of Darkness 10. Vitamin - The Point 11. Chosen Few - Danica 12. Party Animals - Used & Abused (Amnesia Mix) 13. Tellurian - Squash The Floor 14. Formek - Prison For Your Mind 15. Technohead - Headsex 16. Tellurian - Straight To Hell 17. Titanium Steel - Slapback 18. The Outside Agency - We Move As One 19. Chosen Few - Name Of The DJ 20. Search & Destroy - Don't Need Nobody 21. Search & Destroy - Deep In The Underground 22. Chosen Few - All You Motherf*ckers 23. The Outside Agency - Hardcore Headz 24. Chosen Few - Bring The Beat Back 25. The Twins Artcore & Walter One - F*cking Artcore 26. Chosen Few - Party! 27. The Outside Agency - Brainwaves 28. Lenny Dee & Ralphie Dee - Brainwaves 29. Tellurian - Don't Stop 30. Technohead - I Wanna Be A Hippy (Original Mix) 31. Narcanosis - You Are Magnificent 32. Byron - Taken By The Dark Power 33. Party Animals - Buddha Shop 34. Ceasefire - Who's Afraid Of Noise? 35. Wicked XXX - True Born Junglist 36. Walter One - Speedjack 37. Maniac Of Noize - Mokummania 38. DJ Dano & Liza N Eliaz - Manic Cure 39. Haardcore - Toxic 40. Party Animals - E.H.B.O. 41. DJ Dano & Liza N Eliaz - Gimme A Break 42. Aggroman - You're Wild Man Tracklist and a half, eh? Thumpa doesn't do things half half, he does it properly. And by the looks of it,he purchased the whole back catalogue! And when I say whole back catalogue, I do mean it. He's missed out on a few records, so you'll probably see another mix coming soon, dedicated to Mokum. And for once that's a mix I'm truly looking out for impatiently. As I said before, Mokum has produced some slammers over the years, and is still alive and kicking. But for me the 90s sound they released is simply the best. The sound is so unique and refreshing. But to be honest, no matter where you went, everywhere in the Netherlands Hardcore sounded good. Be it from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Rotjeknor. But Mokum has left a mark on our precious history. With banging tunes. And that is an understatement. I would have gone for the Technohead tunes, especially 'Headsex', but after seeing 'Who's Afraid Of Noise?' by Ceasefire, that just instantly became my favourite record in this mix. God, haven't heard it for at least a decade! Don't know which CD it was on, but I played that record over and over. Thumpa, you've made yet another astonishing mix. The people at Mokum should be proud, and as a fellow Dutchman I am proud. For an British person to make a Mokum mix really good, interesting, and intoxicating! DJ: Thumpa Genre/Style: Hardcore, Gabber, Happy Hardcore Mix Info: Thumpa - Celebrating 25 Years Of Mokum Records Length Mix: 02:09:29 Tracks: 42 (fourty-two) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): LISTEN HERE File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Bitspeed: unknown More Information: Thumpa - Soundcloud Page

New website, new music. And it has been a while since I heard from Selectabwoy. I sadly can not visit my old website anymore, but I do know he received a lot of love from TCD, the mixes were really tight and really what we were looking for. He seems to find the weirdest, most obscure, and the coolest records out there, and crams them in an hour-ish long set. And that's exactly what he has done right now. Playing the finest 92/93 Hardcore anthems. I came across this DJ by accident but I'm really happy I found his Soundcloud page, and I think the majority of listeners agree with me: his page is just sheer awesomness. Or however you spell it. Don't know how he has find these anthems. The majority of them are so underground, I have not come across these before in other mixes. But that makes this mix (and the whole mix series) so unique. And fresh at the same time. Tracklist is a must-see for those true Hardcore fans who were raving their tits off during the early 90s. I was too young. Sadly too young. 01. A Guy Called Gerald - Too Fucked To Dance 02. 2 Bad Mice - Tribal Revival 03. DJ Mayhem - Storm Trooper 04. DJ Gemini - Roc 4 Me , Roc 4 U 05. Essence Of Aura - Spiral 06. Younghead - Moonraker 07. Cloud 9 - Mr Logic 08. Internal Affairs - Shinin' Down On Me 09. 4 Hero - In The Shadow Part III 10. Studio Pressure - Jump Mk.II 11. Tango & Ratty - The Killer 12. Liquid Aliens - No Problem At All 13. Nasty Habits - Let's Go (Cold Remix) 14. Ed Rush - Bludclot Artattack 15. Jack Smooth and Spencer T - Tell Me Something 16. Skanna - The Future 17. DJ Kid Twist - Ruffkut 18. Smooth But Hazzardous - We Are The Creator 19. DJ Crystl - Deep Space 20. Peshay - Dreams 21. A Guy Called Gerald - Anything v2.1 22. The Holy Ghost Inc. - Crow Business 23. 4 Hero feat Diane Charlemagne - Better Place 24. Manix - When You Hold Me Close (92 Mix) 25. Johnny Jungle - Flammable 26. Gappa G & Hypa Hypa - Information Centre (DJ Ron Remix) 27. Last Crusaders - In Love 28. Metalheads - You And Me There we are. It's Sunday evening and you and me are listening to Hardcore from the 90s. Isn't this a total state of bliss? I could not have pictured it to end any better. The tunes Selectabwoy has selected suit the current atmosphere: it's dark and rainy. And so are these tracks. Well, not really rainy, but you know what I mean. Credit where credit is due: Selectabwoy has not given us a shite mix. They are all spot on, and this latest instalment of his mix series does the trick extremely well. The dark and edgy sound of the 90s is just the kind of thing the most of us miss. And it was so unique, and has not been copied since. I can only advise you to listen to this. Nothing more to add, truth be told. The records are ALL spot on, and the quality of the tunes is beyond belief. Selectabwoy is back, and this mix is brutal, as before. No question about his love for this, and no doubt about me loving it as much as he does. DJ: Selectabwoy Genre/Style: Hardcore Mix Info: Evolution Of Hardcore Part V Length Mix: 01:18:51 Tracks: 28 (twenty-eight) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): DOWNLOAD/LISTEN File Size: 181 MB File Type: mp3 Bitspeed: 320kbps More Information: Selectabwoy - Soundcloud Page

TCD is honoured and proud to introduce to you the next artist: DJ Penta. This name only came to my attention a couple of months ago, when I spotted his Defqon.1 promo mix, and from that moment on he gained a new fan, me. This Belgian DJ and producer has taken the world by storm, and due to his dedication and passion to bring the rawest Hardcore to the masses, he was signed to the mighty label ‘The Third Movement’ back in 2015. It’s time to talk to this upcoming artist, and who will gain more followers and fans in the near future: ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you…. DJ Penta! Hi Penta, how are you? Have you recovered from Defqon.1 yet? “Hey, I’m fine thank you. Héhé yes I’ve managed to recover just fine.” Normally at this stage I talk to DJs/producers about their artist names, and I think it’s suitable to ask you where the name comes from? It sounds quite dark and edgy…. “Well, my name is actually a shortened version of what I had originally planned. Lets start from the beginning. In the very beginning, when everything was still far from serious, I mixed under the (horrible) name:”X-razor”, but as soon as things started to get a bit serious, I knew It was time for a more professional name. Back in the day, during my day-time-job, I was working on this client-portfolio and all of a sudden I saw very cool company-name “Penta Core Industries”. It was a manufacturting company to whom my client had leased several huge “next-gen”-machines. But the name really gave me the feeling like it could be some Hardcore concept. At the time, one of my “trademarks” was that I always mixed several styles into 1 set and my entire track-portfolio covered 5 styles. As I don’t believe in coincidences, I just knew this was the way to go.  After some thought (and good advice), I figured Penta Core Industries was way too long, so I decided to narrow it down to something easy & catchy: Penta.” You are a DJ and a producer, and you literally live and breathe Industrial Hardcore. But let’s go back in time, time to find out when it was you discovered Hardcore (in general) and when the love for the rougher and tougher stuff grew? “Haha this my favourite and probably most told story I know. I remember like it as was yesterday: I was +- 14 years old and we we’re in the recreation-room at our school, when all of a sudden, one of the older students puts on his CD, a some serious nasty electronic music started pounding. somehow it instantly “took” me and I just had to find out what it was. I found out it was a CD from a local club called “Lagoa” and afterwards I started looking up all their music. The funny thing is that from the very beginning , even withing the “harder styles”, I always found myself liking the harder/aggressive and more distorted sounds. This quickly led to me discovering Hard Techno & Footworxx, which on its turn, led to me discovering an even harder version of electornic music: Industrial Hardcore. Looking back at my youth, the one thing that stuck to me was always wanting that harder, filithier sound and hearing the filhty distorted screech cut through everything else, leaving all “normal” music far behind. The peek of my musical youth was around 2006, when I really started “investing” more time in music and I started to realize that music was just more than a fase to me. It was also around that time I just couldn’t accept any music that wasn’t as hard as hardcore. Throughout 2007 untill 2014 I think 99% of what I listened, was Hardcore and eventhough I researched the entire genre with all its subgenres & era’s, the dark & filthy sound always prevealed over all the rest. So I guess that’s the story (in a nutshell) of my musical journey into Industrial Hardcore. Where 2006 was the year of my Hard Techno peak, 2009 was for my Industrial Hardcore-peak.” Many DJs start raving on the dancefloor, and so did you. When you were a raver, going nuts on the dancefloors, which DJs made you rave the hardest? Who were your idols? “Well, throughout the years, discovering all the things Hardcore, I had many idols. But I do have a few who I will always consider “lifetime” idols. The first is definitly Sven Wittekind. In my Hard Techno fase he was my ultimate hero. I consider “Maybe we’re crazy” & “Sunstorm” to be 2 of my life-time-top-tunes. Promo, obviously, is also one of those idols that I’ll respect my entire life. I looked up so much to him because of his sound and what he had already achieved back then with The Third Movement.  Aside from Idols, I also have 2 albums who I will always consider to be the best of the best: D-Passion’s Data Recovery & Negative A’s – Modern music is destroying our youth” You started listening to TTM from 2004 onwards, but it took 9 years for you to leave the dancefloor and start DJing/producing. What took you so long? “Héhé, well I’m somebody who thinks and thinks and overthinks, and in this case, I doubted very long to start DJ’ing. I don’t remember when I had the first thought but I remember considering buying technisc and Hard Techno on vinyl, so I think  I’ve had the idea for a long long time. Aside from that, I’m also somebody who likes to do things properly. I either go for it completely or I don’t do it all. In this case I suppose I waited for the exact moment when I was ready to really launch myself into it and that moment finally arrived in the beginning of 2012. I actually did the research, because I remember exactly what party made me “change sides”. We celebrated NYE at “Raving Nightmare” in Gent, 2011. and after the party I realized how much time I spent analyzing & commenting the sets instead of partying. I propably considered starting for the 100th time but then I just cut the cord and said fuck it, lets do this. So, the day (literally) after I got myself some gear and I also immediately grabbed fruity loops and the rest, as they say, is history.” There must have been a reason why you ‘left’ the dancefloor and joined the DJ scene. Why did you make the transition from dancefloor to the stage? “Well as I said, I noticed myself, being more critical, analyzing the music and sets. And slowly but surely that led to me thinking: I can do this better (well or at least do it so that It fits my own vision)” 2013 you started DJing, and even though it is only 3 years ago, can you see progression in your mixing skills? If you listen back to your first ever mix, is it different mixing wise to your latest mix? “Oh yes, I notice a huge difference. Over the years, my sets have evolved in very different ways. To be honest, I’m very happy to see such a evolution in my sets. It just goes to show I’m still growing & learning.” DJs are always very picky when it comes to equipment, so what is your favourite setup? “Well DJ-wise, I’m not very picky, as long as they have the latest Pioneer gear. As long as the equipment is failproof and I can do my thing. I’m happy but if I would have a favorite setup. It would be a live-setup. But more on that later ” When did you receive your first booking, and which event did you play at? “Well, my first gig, was a DJ contest, and my first booking came not long after. The DJ contest was somewhere far in north of Holland (Groningen) : Kings of Core DJ contest . it was a 6-people contest and my first performance ever. I was nervous as hell and practiced set as crazy. We ended up having a really nice time and eventhough I didn’t win (as to be expected) it was an amazing experience which boosted my motivation as crazy. Kings Of Core – Partyflock Event Page My first gig/booking, was Brutal Sounds ! I’ll never forget this one (or the dj contest). We had such an epic time there. We got welcomed with open arms by the BS-Crew. We even had a nice afterparty afterwards and when we finally drove home (yes all the way from Hengelo) we got pulled over by the police (which also was my first pullover). But thankfully I was sober (enough), and I could continue my 3hour drive back to Belgium. Over the years, the guys from BS & me always stayed good friends and its always nice to meet up whereever we can ! Actually I’m the secret 5th member of the crew haha (or the international version of the crew is with me included haha). Brutal Sounds – Partyflock Event Page ” Producing was the next step. But what made you decide to ‘leave’ the decks and start producing your own music? Wasn’t DJing enough for you? “No it wasn’t, as I was already kneedeep in the scene before I even started, I was well aware of the fact that in this era of the scene, you needed to be a producer to get somewhere. That’s why I grabbed Fruity loops as soon as I could. On the other hand I have to admit my producer-level stayed very low in the beginning due to the focus on perfectionising my DJ-skills. As soon as that was where I wanted it to be, I focussed more on producing. if I recall correctly, that switch came around august 2013. I decided it was time to get serious about producing and bought my Mac and Ableton and just went for it. Nowadays I can say that I feel more like a producer than a DJ. 75% of my free time goes to producing. And then whats left over goes mostly to track-selection, -research and trying out new combo’s.” Were you a sell taught producer, or did you follow any producing masterclasses? “I was/am a sell taught producer and DJ. I started alone, I learned alone, and today I still do my own thing alone (but I think that’s basicly the case for every solo-artist?). Most of what I know comes from researching & reading (yes I’m a nerd and theorycrafter).  I started from scratch in terms of producing & dj’ing, but obviously, I had my fare share of conversation & feedback-session with various experienced DJ’s. And of those, Promo is definitly the person from who I learned the most via feedback on my projects (and the occasional random theory-discussions).” Your first EP which was called ‘Stormrage’ and it got released on the mighty The Third Movement. But before it coming out, how did you get recognised and signed? Did it go the way artists get signed in the good ol’ days, by sending out mixtapes? “Yes It was exactly like that, I just sent my demo to Promo and he really liked it. Even though we’ve been talking for a while before, I think I never got a reply as fast as when I sent the Stormrage demo (haha).” The EP literally set your name on the map. But when it comes to your tracks, do you have a specific style, a signature sound? “Well I don’t know, I don’t purposely aim for a certain “sound”. I just do my thing and what comes out seems to always be within certain criteria. I do have a lot of rules and things in my head to which every element has to comply, so maybe that’s kind off my sound. I think the most important thing for me, is to have something that I’ve never heard before and sounds original to me.” For DJing you already mentioned your favourite setup, but producing wise: what’s your favourite setup? What’s really necessary to make a Penta record? “Lots & Lots of Coffee ! Aside from that, I just use a Mac, external sound-card and a normal midi-keyboard. Nothing fancy really, but I do have some stuff on my wishlist but I don’t really feel like I need something more at the moment, otherwise I would’ve bought it.” Fairly new to this scene, but if you could work with anyone on a record, who would it be and why? “That’s a hard one, my collab-wishlist is very long. I have so many hero’s I’ld like to work with but I think I would prefer to wait untill I’m a conformtable level of producing, so I doesn’t feel like I’m leeching of the other artist. I want to be able to contribute in an equal way.” You have recently played at the mighty Defqon.1, and the set blew me away. How was it to play at Defqon.1? “Pure magic! It was so intense and such an amazing experience. Everything was just so amazing, especially the crowd !! this is easily my most favorit set I ever did (so far).” Do you ever wake up and think ‘this is all a dream’? “Haha, it is a privilege to do what I do and to just imagine what lies ahead, it sometimes does feel very unreal. But I guess that makes it all the more special! I really look forward to see where  this all ends up. Meanwhile, I just sit back and grab whatever comes at me. I’m very happy to be able to take this amazing journey.” Random question of the day: Industrial Hardcore, is there a market in Belgium for it? I thought Belgians only liked cheesy pop music, and the occasional Techno tune? “Well, what used to be a big underground scene, today, is something completely different. But I guess the generation that created the underground scene is replaced by a new generation, with different priorities & tastes. Business-wise everything has become more difficult, more legit, inhibiting smaller/less-legal raves. Aside from that, many of the old underground “sanctuaries” have been closed down/destroyed. So this combination of crowd-movement, location-shortage and legal-hassle, has made it very hard for our scene to stay alive. But If its destined to continue, it surely will.” Penta, what will happen in the future? Anything exciting you want to mention? “Well, since I took ages to finalize this interview, I made a lot of new music that will be coming out in 2017 (which is also a reason why it took so long to reply haha). Aside from that, there are some nice bookings coming up in countries I’ve never played before like Denmark, Spain and some others which I cant disclose yet.” If people are interesting in what you do after hearing the mix underneath the interview, where can they find you playing next? “Well my agenda is always up to date @ the concrete website, currently I have Belgium, France & Denmark coming up next. And for 2017 everything is still undisclosed, but I would recommend everyone to keep an eye on my artist-page !” Belgium, not only famous for their Belgian waffles, chocolates, small kid who urinates constantly, or their contribution to the Techno scene since the early days of the 90s, but also famous for their Industrial Hardcore and their artists. Penta is a name you should already follow and worship. Thank you a lot for this insightful interview. To fully understand his capability and his strength as a DJ and as a producer, we’ve added Penta’s set, recorded at Defqon.1! Make sure you check it out, and turn up your speakers! Whilst listening, why not check out these links: Penta – Facebook Fanpage Penta – Soundcloud Page Penta – Twitter Page Penta – Booking Agency

If the picture above doesn’t cause mayhem, or doesn’t make you loose your mind completely, you are not a full-on raver. The legendary Altern 8 dominated the 90s with their perspective on the newly formed Rave scene, and one half of Altern 8 (the one I’m about to interview) is the mighty Mark Archer, one half of Altern 8. A legend within the scene, with many years of experience as a producer, DJ and rave pioneer.We talk to the man who made the 90s memorable, and who still to this day continues to play all over the UK and the world. He might be a bit older and not on Vicks Vapo Rub anymore, but he’s still determined to get you all raving. Raise your hands in the air, and dance like a monkey on acid: Mark Archer!!! Mark Archer, how are you doing sir? How’s life at the moment for you? “I’m very well thank you and life is particularly good at the moment, after a few years of it being a bit difficult to say the least, things are looking up.” Mark Archer, or is it already sir Archer? You must have been knighted by her Majesty for your contribution to the Rave scene… “Haha – I wish :)” Let’s go back in time, way back in time. When Mark was a little lad, and wasn’t focussed on DJing or raving the night away. What did Mark do when he was a young kid? “I used to live in a really small hamlet called Bishopswood so had a small group of friends and everyone knew everyone really, kind of a quite idylic childhood growing up in the countryside playing in fields etc” No disrespect, but I’m young. I don’t know what the wonderful music had to offer when you were young. What kind of music did you listen to growing up, and was it music that you really loved and adored, or disliked? “I pretty much listened to everything, you either liked or disliked a tune, I wasn’t into one specific thing really, just whatever was on the radio at the time. I’ve recently done a series of mixes called ‘Back To Mine’ where I’ve added some of these old tracks that maybe part of a film soundtrack or country and western, just tunes that I remember well from when I was little.” DJing wasn’t a thing, because it’s wasn’t fully developped yet. Music was there, dance scenes were also present, but someone playing records non-stop was obviously not a full on thing. What attracked you to the music scene in the first place? What kind of connection did you have with music? “It wasn’t until the late 70’s I guess when there was a lot of Disco on the radio that I kind of started veering toward liking a certain sound more than others and then when Hip Hop and Electro Funk came over to the UK that was it for me, the idea of the tracks being mixed on the Streetsounds Electro series had me fascinated and it’s from then I started reading all the credits on who produced and mixed tracks and got really into things.” What did you as a kid imagine to become when you were older? Was it something to do with music, or something completely different? “When I left school the only thing I could think that I wanted to do was be a DJ but that came after the production really (and after becoming a painter and decorator too).” According to your own website you started your production career back in 1988. 1988, that’s a long time ago! You started alongside Dean Meredith and formed Rhythm Mode D, being a Hip Hop/sample House group. How did you get into producing as such, and what did you use to make records back then? “I was laid off from my job as a painter and bumped into Dean who was on work experience in Stafford town (I’d known Dean a few years earlier when we used to be in to breakdancing etc). He said he had a set of decks at his and i’d just got a small sampling keyboard so I went to his and we just made some tracks messing about, nothing serious. We took this tape with our tracks on to a newly opened studio in Stafford and were offered a deal there and then, amazingly lucky when you think about it.” The majority of artists started listening to Hip Hop and slowely moved into the dance scene, listening to House music. But is the transition that easy? How come you went from Hip Hop to House music? “It was pretty much a logical thing and everyone who was into the same sort of music as me at the time did the same. We were listening to a lot of 80’s Soul and R&B so the transition to house wasnt so great as it was a lot more vocally than the Hip Hop and Electro of the time.” What was the scene like back then? Was the scene as memorable as we believe it was? “It was very exciting, House music was brand new – it’s now been around for over 30 years so people are used to it but then it was like ‘what on earth is this?’ Then with the start of Acid House it totally turned clubbing upside down.” Rhythm Mode D was your first adventure, another adventure was Bizarre Inc (founding member). How did that happen? “Dean and myself were recording loads of different things at the studio we were working at, from Hip Hop to Acid House and doing loads or remixes for the label that ran alongside the studio. We wanted to do a more Techno styled track and so came up with the name Bizarre Inc. Our first release got to number 100 in the UK charts and so Dean kicked me out of Bizarre Inc.” Nexus 21 was the next step. And you had multiple releases on big labels. But first of all: where did the name come from? And wasn’t producing for Bizarre Inc. And Rhythm Mode D enough work on its own? “As I’d stopped working with Dean after he kicked me out of Bizarre Inc I was on the dole for a while. I’d firmly got the music making bug so contacted the studio to see if I could do a new project, which became Nexus 21.” The music progressed, and so did you. You formed a side project, which became one of the biggest duos in the UK Rave scene. The name is known for many things, but the main focus was the music. The group became an instant success overnight, and you took the UK charts by storm. And this happened at the beginning of the 90s. How did the success of Altern 8 effect you? How did it make you feel? “We started Altern 8 in 1990 when we signed to Network records and released the Overload EP. It sold well because it was 8 tracks at a single 12″ price, so when we release The Vertigo EP in 1991, people were already waiting for it. It was a complete shock that it charted in the UK top 40 but I think that was due to the power of the Rave scene. Radio was no longer breaking these sort of records, they were just being catapulted into the charts because of the amount of people who went to raves and bought the singles.” How did the act come about? The mask, the suits? “It was all accidental, the name was wrong as we were supposed to be called Alien 8, the suits and masks were to stop people recognising us as Nexus 21 as we had done a fair few PA’s under that name so wanted to look different.” Two tracks appeared in the UK charts, ‘Infiltrate 202’ and ‘Activ-8’. And the true ravers know the tunes and they know the legendary video for ‘Activ-8’. How was it, making a video with the equipment back then? And what was the focus of the video? Is there a hidden story behind it? Or were you just mocking about (because of the Vicks)? “It was supposed to be us at a club/rave then jumping into this parallel world where it all goes crazy with the violins and robot in a country park. It was all very funny and a great laugh to do it, but at the time we never thought the PA in the car park would go down in rave history.” Not only were Altern 8 known for their music, but also Vicks Vapo Rub. How in God’s name did that happen? How did it come about? And did Vicks ever contact you two, because you made the sales go through the roof? “After wearing the masks for a while they begin to smell so it was purely by accident when we went to a club in Newcastle Upon Tyne that people were using vicks in the club, we decided to put it in the masks so it would smell nice and last a long time. I wanted to see if Vicks would sponsor us untril someone told me the reason why people were using it in clubs, then thought maybe contacting them wouldnt be such a great idea.” You must have seen quite a few weird things during the 90s, being Nexus 21 or Altern 8. What’s the most memorable thing you can think of, the most funniest moment, the most beautiful moment, and the most shocking moment? “Being spat on as we left a club was probably the worst moment (can’t please everyone eh?) but playing infront of 40,000 people in Birmingham while we were in the charts in 1991 was a great memory.” Obviously you kept on producing music, and the next step was obviously an Altern 8 album, which was called ‘Full On Mask Hysteria’. How was the general reaction to this album? And how were the sales? “It went top ten in the UK album charts so we were very pleased and it’s seen today as one of the two biggest albums of that era. It’s something i’m very proud of indeed.” Talking about the word general: the general election of 1992. You were participating during the election. That must have been the weirdest thing you’ve done? Who’s idea was that, how many Vicks did you us on that day the decision was made, and how many people voted for you? “It was actually Chris who did that and not me, but we didn’t come last in the local elections which was funny as we beat someone who was being serious about a political career.” Altern 8 as a group decided to call it a day after those succesful years. Was it the right decision to make? And was it the right decision, looking back at it? “We decided to stop Altern 8 on a high as there had started to be a huge backlash against the whole Rave scene and we were going to concentrate on Nexus 21 but by then mine and chris’s working relationship had gone bad and it never happened.” You continued in the music industry, and your next project was Slo-Moshun, and success continued. Was it hard to maintain the level you reached when you were part of Altern 8? “We weren’t aiming to emulate the success that I’d had as Altern 8, we were just making music that we liked and luckily ‘Bells Of New York’ was a massiver club track and it silenced a lot of doubters at the time that Altern 8 was pure luck.” The 90s progressed, and you continued in the DJ scene. Producing wise it all became a little bit more quiet than the previous years. After those memorable years, what happened in Mark Archer’s life? “I got married in 1992 and soon had my first child which make it difficult to be in a studio all day. When in 1996 my second child was born and the label I was signed to folded it sort of halted my career (not that regret having children of course, I wouldn’t change that for the world)” The party scene evolved, and became bigger and bigger. You’ve played at so many events, and I reckon you do have some memorable moments you would like to share? What was Mark Archer’s biggest moment as a solo artist on stage? “Over the years I’ve been very lucky to play in so many different countries at amazing clubs and festivals but I think that closing the Arcadia stage at Glastonbury 2015 was the best gig of my career. the stage is a huge robotic spider so the crowd is 360 degrees all round you and even underneath the stage and there was around 40,000 people there.” The internet emerged during the late 90s, early 00s, and Facebook came and made you closer to the fans you adored you since the early 90s. I’ve not asked this to anyone before, but how does social media affect the artist’s life? How is it to be under constant pressure (in a good way) by the fans? “It’s great that social media alows you to get closer to people who years ago you’d only be able to see on tv or at a concert and it’s fantastic some of the messages I get especially about the book that came out last year, the fact that people can relate to things that have happened in my life or it’s maybe inspired someone to keep trying at music, it’s fantastic.” Towards the end of the early 00s tracks began to be released on several labels, such as ‘Frequency remixes’, ‘Microdots’, ‘Flections’, ‘Joints’, and more. Did the producing side of Mark got him back into releasing records? “I’d done a few things through the 00’s but mainly engineered by other people as I’d not kept up with engineering after the late 90’s when I’d sort of stopped making music. After meeting Josh from I Love Acid, he got me back into producing slowly so I’ve been doing more things but I don’t think I’ll ever be as productive as I used to be in the early 90’s.” Did you use your ‘old’ equipment from the 90s, or did you move with the flow and used modern day equipment? “These days I just use a laptop as I had to sell all my equipment years ago.” Ok, hard question: if you had to choose between making music back in the 90s and now, and we’re talking producing wise, what would you choose and why? “The 90’s for sure, I knew what I was doing then haha.” It’s like you never stop! After releasing an album and many records and also contributing to mix compilations, you released your own book last year! Who would have thought that? Who came up with that idea, and was it hard to remember everything that happened in your life? “It still blows me away that I have a book out, it’s mental! I’d had people tell me a few time that I should write a book but I didn’t think anyone would be interested in what I had to say and had no idea how to go about it, so when Billy Daniel Bunter asked me if I wanted to do a book to follow up his own I jumped at the chance. It was a great experience and I owe a lot to Dan and his wife Sonya for getting me to do it.” A book? Who reads books nowadays? For those youngsters who don’t read books, what would you say to persuade them to get a copy and indulge themselves into Mark Archer’s rich history? “It’s not justy a book about Altern 8, it’s the whole story of how I got into music in the first place, how I got into production, about the success of Altern 8 and the very difficult years that followed, but also about how things are now a lot better and like a lot of good books theres a very happy ending ” Ok, so we’ve established that you are a very talented man, who’s gifted with the gift of producing music, contributing to his own book, and also DJing non stop. What will be the next step? Are you going to get your own reality TV show? Your own cooking show? The Altern 8 Vibrator? The Mark Archer toeclippers? Nexus 21 comic book? “I’ve no idea haha, I just want to continue DJing and producing and should any opportunities come up that I think will work then I’ll go for it.” When you were a little lad, you probably never thought you would be where you are now. If you are given the power to change anything in your past, what would it be, or would you leave it as it is? “I’d not change a single thing, there has to be bad times for you to appreciate the good times and bad decisions to make you learn not to make them again.” Where will Mark Archer be in the near future? Where can those dedicated fans see you/hear you? “Between now and June I’m pretty much booked up every weekend playing up and down the UK as well as gigs abroad. For gig updates it’s always best to visit the Facebook pages.” Could you clarify for me the saying “real DJs play vinyl records”. Is that true? What’s your thought on this debate? “Yawn (I think that covers it)” Random question: if asked, would you still be able to dance like a monkey on acid? “I do, regularly ” Last question, and it might be the most difficult one of this interview, but if you could rate your life from the moment you stepped into the music industry until now, what would you rate it, and why? “I’d give it a 7 out of 10, not that it hasn’t been amazing but it’s not been easy and it’s far from perfect (very little is).” Thank you to the wonderful Mark Archer, who took the time to answer these questions as honestly as you would expect. And if this interview has sparked your enthusiasm, why not check out Mark’s own book, which you can get right now, and read about his whole music life, and hopefully it does have a happy ending, as he mentioned before. CLICK HERE and you’ll go straight to the website! Again, many thanks to Mark Archer. The legend. If you want to know more about him and follow him, check out these websites right now: Mark Archer – Facebook Fanpage Mark Archer – Mixcloud Page Mark Archer – Soundcloud Page Mark Archer – Official Website Mark Archer – Bandcamp Page Mark Archer – Twitter Page

If you are a regular visitor of TheCrazyDutchmansBlog you already know the name, the name that should be embraced by more and more people. DJ Casketkrusher, a producer who I’ve embraced, because he’s unique in his style and the way he keeps not only the forgotten sound of Happy Hardcore alive, but pushing Early Hardcore in general towards the masses with his own label, Total Destruction Records. It’s time for us to get to know the man behind the name, the label, and the passion he has for the Early Hardcore/Gabber/Happy Hardcore. Hello mister Casketkrusher, how’s life? “Pretty good actually, thanks for having me here!” Before we start yapping about the music and everything related to the name, where does the name Casketkrusher come from? “That’s an easy story, as you may know I’m very into Metal music as well, and one of my favorite genres in Metal is Death Metal. So I actually “stole” my name from a song of a Death Metal band. I thought it sounded pretty cool and unique compared to all the other standard names you hear. Many people write it with a ‘C’ but the ‘K’ is intentionally.” Everyone during the 90s had a cheerful name, and yours sound a bit dark and edgy. Is that the reason why you’ve come up with a whole list of aliases, such as Acid Frequency, E-Core, Happical Movement, Malice, The Manipulator, etc? “Yes, sort of. I started using aliases after I began my label, I had so many ideas and different styles I wanted to use. And to be honest I didn’t wanted to release everything under one name. So each of my aliases have a somewhat different style, some are very small. Sometimes I just use a different alias to make my music library a bit bigger and wider.” You are 10 years younger than I am, so you must have been too young to witness Happy Hardcore being extremely big in the Netherlands, during the heydays of it (94-96). When you were simply Stefan, what did you listen to when you were younger? “I was never into music when I was a small kid, I actually began listening to music when I was at attending a school. I had a “friend” yeah you call them friends at school, didn’t seen the dude for years! But back to the story, I guess I was around 12 or so and he said “Hey Stefan, check this music”. I was like music hmm whatever, okay let’s take a listen. He let me listen to Korn and I was like boom that’s fucking music, it was very heavy (at the time). So he made me like music. So I went Metal all the way! To add another story to this, the same dude had a brother who was actually into Hardcore. When I was at his place we sneaked into his brothers room and we took a look at his CD collection, he had many Thunderdome CD’s and I  felt in love with the artworks. The music not so much however. The love for the music came much later when I was around 17/18 or so, I was randomly scrolling the internet for some pictures to use as my desktop background, and I stumbled across a Thunderdome CD artwork and the nostalgia hitted me hard at that point. I went to YouTube and listened to those song and bam I was like this is music! Heavy, fast, and yes I also love some happy melodies which was very prominent on the early Thunderdome CD’s.” When you were a teenager, the whole Early side of Hardcore disappeared slowely to the background due to several reasons. You were sadly born 10 years too late. Do you sometimes wish you were there, when Happy Hardcore and Gabber dominated the Dutch nightlife? “Yes ofcoure, If I watch those Thunderdome videos I wish I was there. Well I say that now but those times we’re different. Life itself has changed a lot in those 20 years. Most importanly to have music on the go in good quality. Back then I used them too as a kid we had cassette players which had shitty audio depending on the quality you bought. Yes, fucking batteries who ran dry and then using a pen to rewind the damn tape. But if I look at he raves today to my feeling Early Hardcore/Happy Hardcore/Early Terror is really making a comeback, there are a lot of parties that are strictly in those styles for the die hard fans of the old sound which is pretty cool. Especially the Ouwe Stijl is Botergeil parties (please book me again guys!!!)…” Funny bit of information I found: you started as a Goa Trance producer using the alias Xyloblast. Goa Trance, what’s that about? “Yes that’s right. I started using those easy access drag and drop programs like E-Jay, and the styles they had on the version I had was Goa Trance. So I started to experiment with that, I got to say I’m also a huge fan of Hard Trance, Techno and stuff. But, my experience was very limited at that point, I didn’t knew anything about music back then. Now, I know the basic stuff I actually bought a book with mixing techniques and stuff back then which really is a help still to this day. And Xyloblast was just a silly name, again I wanted to be unique but today it sounds lame and I actually want to delete that part of my “music” history behind.” You started with Goa Trance, but quickly changed your artist name into Casketkrusher, and started to focus on the Early Hardcore side of things. What made you change your musical path into something completely different to Goa Trance? “I was always into heavier/aggressive music, and Goa Trance was fun to start with, but ofcoure way to soft for my real taste. But around 2010/11 I got myself into Hardcore thanks to Google as I said in the previous question ” Quick question: if you have to choose, what’s your favourite, Early Hardcore or Goa Trance? “That’s easy, Eary Hardcore, it’s actually a huge part of my life at this point. The sound is so different and diverse compared to the Millenium crap. I mean in Early Harcore you can literally use anything.” Casketkrusher isn’t a house hold name yet, but you seem to push the Early sounds forward like I’ve never seen before. Why did the Early sound appeal to you so much, you wanted to bring it back to life? “I just like the way it sounds, it’s sometimes happy, it’s sometimes aggressive. I like the melody and the tempo. And to make that sound in your own style is just amazing, it feels like you we’re part of the OG posse. I’m not only interested in Happy Hardcore, I’m also a huge lover of Early Terror, Breakbeat, Hard Trance, Speedcore. Just extreme music overall. But Happy Hardcore appeals to me because of those stabs, I just like stabs, I’m not an edgelord but stablord lol” Nearly 10 years ago you started, and back in 2012 bookings slowely happened. What was your first party, and how did it make you feel? How was the response to a Casketkrusher set? “My first live performance as a DJ was back in 2014 in Belgium, I still to this day don’t really had much bookings. It was something I always wanted to do, I did not play my own music however because I do that rarely. My biggest passion as a DJ is vinyl, I spin it, I eat them depends on the color which is flavour. I felt in love with DJing and this is pretty a important story in who I am today because of a video I saw on YouTube. It was DJ Dano at Mayday 1994, that video changed my life, to see that whole arena filled with strobe lights and party people screaming and yelling was insane to me. The music however gave me goosebumps, and damn that reverb in the arena! Dano played records by Brothers in Crime, Q-Tex all that good old 1994 Hardcore Gabber. If I never saw that video I probably never started as a DJ at all. My first set I played in Belgium was actually 80% of tunes Dano also played at Mayday that night.” A year later you created your own label, Total Destruction Records. And if you check it out on Discogs, the list of releases is extremely long! What made you decide to create your own label? Weren’t there other labels you could release your music on? “Well, back in 2014 I made so many tunes. I still can’t believe how much shit I made in one week. And I saved them all on my harddisk and I was like damn, nobody is going to hear them if they stay on my harddisk, so I tried to get my tunes released on labels but always with failure. Well I actually had a contract with Bass Generator Records which really didn’t took off. So I decided why don’t I start with my own label, so I can manage and do EVERYTHING my own way. So I made a bunch of names, which one of them was “Alien Force Records” I thought again because it sounded cool and unique (secret tip from me, if it sounds cool fuckin’ use that name!) the name took also insperation of one of my favorite UK Gabber labels Area 51 Recordings. So I made a logo with my amazing photoshop skills and put an alien on the front. But yeah, I though, if I call it Alien Force Records and there is an alien on the label’s logo and my music is 90’s Gabber everybody will see me as and Area 51 clone or rip off at the time, those first releases I made, damn they are horrible. So then I thought again, and again and suddenly I had a name, few days after I made a new tune called “Total Selfdestruction” so yeah after that “Total Destruction Records” was born. So now I needed a logo. And I thought that logo of Earprotector Records is pretty cool with the warning head. So I took the logo and someone from Gabber.FM I don’t know  who that was anymore but creds to you again dude re-drew it in high quality for me, and because the label only had like 3 releases and is defunct since 1993 I thought yeah I can use this without harm. So I did.” From albums to mixes to single records, the album released them all! Not focussed on just the Happy Hardcore side of life. What was your goal when you created the label, and did you reach it? “My goal and still is is to re-create the Hardcore sound from the mid 90’s, ranging from 1993 ‘till the sounds of 1997. Another goal is to release a new E.P. every single month by myself or a guest artist. So far I did reach it.” Two albums have been made, ‘Hardcore Files’ and ‘Rougher & Tougher’. Which one are you the proudest of, and why? “Hardcore Files was released in 2013 in a very, very limited quantity because I had to finance it myself, so I only made 10 physical copies of it. Printing CD’s is fucking expensive. The label on which it is released was a failure, it was a label created by Dietmer Tan (Sonicdriver) and he asked me to run it together with him. It was called “Creativity First Records”, so as the name says creativity. The label was not only focussed on Hardcore, it was open to every single genre. If we thought it sounded good and had potential it was welcome for a release. So Hardcore Files was the first release and the last on the label. The music on it however sucks ass, I didn’t knew much about producing and everything is basically all sampled from other Hardcore tunes. The only tune I still like on it is “Dancing on Your Grave”, I collaborated with an American rapper called Rahat, and he made some sick ass rap lines. So I made a tune with that.” Let’s talk production stuff: you do use bits and bobs from Early Hardcore records, and you are capable to re-create the old sound that most of us have forgotten about. What’s the secret behind your records, what’s your set-up when it comes to producing records? “Yes, I still sample a lot today. Not that much as I used to do. I also make my own lines, fx stuff and kicks. I have a small studio, nothing special, and I use only plugins, I don’t have any hardware at all. I kinda compare myself to Lenny Dee, I heard in an interview with Mental Theo that Lenny Dee was a God for them because of his amazing tracks he made, and when they finally came to visit him he had like a small ass studio with basically the most basic stuff ever. So, to my knowlegde you don’t need huge ass hi-tech studios and all that crap today. You can make everything as vintage as possible. Just do your thing, learn the basics and let yourself go!” OK, you love Early, we’ve established that, but if you had to pick 3 records, which ones are your favourite records of all time, and why? “That’s one hard ass question to ask brother. There are like million tunes I like sooo much. But it depends on the mood which records is at my number #1 spot. I can say that Q-Tex – E-Creation (’94 Mix) is one of my favorites and also this tune that fuckin’ nobody knows because it’s never been released on any CD it’s vinyl only. Weird name of a tune but it’s called Hyperact – Technotrance v’s MC XXX (G.T. Sampler Mix) talking about a weird ass title for a right?” Who have you been influenced by? What makes their style of producing/mixing so appealing to you? “That’s also a hard question. Well hard, I don’t know. Since the Mayday 1994 rave I tracked and traced every single DJ who played on that night and listened to all their mixes. And without a doubt Dano is a huge influence, but also names like Laurent Hô, Marusha, Carl Cox (best DJ outthere!) But ofcoure I have more DJ’s and producers who I’m influenced by like the names of Paul Elstak, DJ Clarkee, ofcoure the legendary Scott Brown, Vibes, Brisk, Vinylgroover, Manu Le Malin, The Darkraver, Gizmo, The Prophet, Buzz Fuzz, Drokz, Seduction. Damn, too many to name I could go on forever, but that’s a few of them. The list would be fuckin’ long.” The day I became a fan of your music was the day I found your ‘Oude Stijl Is Botergeil’ set. I am an Oldskool lover, and especially Happy Hardcore. I was fascinated about your own records and how they sounded like they were made during the 90s. How would you describe your style? “Well there is a term for oldskool sounding Hardcore called Nu-Rave but that sound’s lame as fuck, like Nu-Metal everybody hates that shit. So I just call it Early Hardcore, Early Terror, depends on the genre ofcourse.” You are not only on social media to promote your own label and your own music, but you are also on Gabber.FM with your own show. The listeners, how do they responds to your passion and dedication to keep the Early stuff still in the limelight? “Yeah, in 2014 (again) I met a producer and also a DJ online who was also into Early Hardcore what a coincidence. His name is Ferren (Fredrik Redegård) who liked my music and he played on a website called Gabber.FM so he asked me to play a 30 minute mix to broadcast. So the ball was rolling and they actually liked the way I played my records and my fine ass skills (joking). So I eventually got myself a 1 hour broadcast each saturday of the week which was called “100% Early Hardcore”. The response was always positive with some building critique sometimes, but critique is good! We had a chat on the website which was pretty active so I could communicate with the listeners which was very fun. But today the chat is dead and I still play a 1 hour show but only 1 time each month on Thursday (Throwback Thursday). The site and crew had many changes and also of course more talented DJ’s came to get a 1 hour broadcast.” I’ve recently bought your second album (wicked album, see the review) and I wasn’t fussed about paying a few euros (and everyone should do so), but online I read somewhere that you don’t want to make money when it comes to your label. It’s a nice bonus, I reckon, but how else could you stay afloat between those other big labels? “I don’t know, there is not a huge market for Early Hardcore anymore, the only people I think of who could make a buck out of it are Painbringer and Frantic Freak (Both very good producers and DJ’s, well Frantic Freak is technically only a DJ). But, I never wanted to make money out of it, yeah a donation is nice but forcing to pay, nope not my style. My music is and will always be free, okay, my second album “Rougher & Tougher” is only available for a few bucks but that’s normal if it’s a physical CD. I mean you need to invest in those kind of things, but still pretty cheap if you ask me. There is more than 1 hour of rave on that fucking plastic piece of shit! And the digital release is only 6 bucks. So free is the answer, I get a decent amount of downloads each week, around 30/40 tops. But, also spamming your label’s BandCamp page in various Facebook groups helps a lot too ” You’ve made many records under varias aliases, but if you could ever work with anyone you fancy, who would that be and why? “If you mean like big names? I would love to work together with Scott Brown someday. Same taste in Hardcore!” Ok, the ultimate question, and it might be a difficult one to answer, but if you could organise your own party, and you had unlimited funding, who would you book and why? You can pick any artist you like, unless it’s Justin Bieber, and if so, your funding has been cancelled. “Oh wow, that’s actually an awesome question I’d be happy to answers. If I could I would have a mixed party, not only with Hardcore but also with some of my favorite bands. I would love to have a stage with Napalm Death playing and in the other room a DJ in the likes of Delta 9 with his blasting terror. That would be fucking awesome at least for me. But not a huge venue just a small venue with like 300 people, just having fun and enjoying heavier music! Or if I could be part of the Strentgh of Unity crew I would keep organizing more Ouwe Stijl’s! I mean that concept and atmosphere is so unique and for the real lovers only!” What’s your future perspective, as a DJ/producer and as a label owner? “As a producer I would like to keep going and going, making Hardcore in all different forms which was booming back then. As a DJ I hope I get more bookings on real raves, which has the true dedictation for the music.” Are there any new releases coming up? Any raves coming up you want us all to know about? “There are always new tunes in the works, so I can’t tell. I release it when it’s finished. As a DJ sadly I don’t have any bookings for the upcoming months ” If you could only use one word to describe yourself, which word would it be, and why? “CASKETKRUSHER!” One final question, and it’s a daunting one: Happy Hardcore was once extremely big and exciting, and it created an atmosphere not seen since. It was sadly destroyed by money-grabbing producers who only did it because it made a few quid, and the tunes were focussed on quantity and not on quality. Also the media destroyed it, with mind numbing TV shows focussed on it. What’s your perspective on the whole disappearance of it around 97-98? Or were you too young to remember? “I guess I really can’t say much about that, Too young, fuck! Otherwise I could have been on a crusade against false HARDCORE!” Final word by DJ Casketkrusher: “I would like to thank you for having me on your blog! And everybody who has something to do with me, music wise or in personal (no I don’t owe you money!), you know who you are!!!  <3                         Peace!!!” I would like to say thank you to Casketkrusher for this very interesting interview. A truly underrated producer and DJ, and worth checking out (and booking him too!). Make sure you check out the following pages, they will amaze you. Bookmark them, spread them amongst your friends, whatever you do, spread the love! DJ Casketkrusher – Facebook Fanpage DJ Casketkrusher – Soundcloud Page DJ Casketkrusher – Mixcloud Page DJ Casketkrusher – Twitter Page Total Destruction Records – Official Website Gabber FM – Official Website DJ Casketkrusher – Booking E-mail And whilst you are browsing through his pages, check out this awesome New Years Mix, so you can get a glimpse of his passion and dedication for Hardcore, especially the earlier stuff!

On the fourth of August this year my life completely changed. I was already back on track when it comes to Sied van Riel and Rielism, but on that day I discovered two new names. It was all thanks to sharing a mix on Sied’s Facebook page that I was drawn towards a mix by, at the time, two unknown DJs/producers, namely Perrelli & Mankoff. I was (and still am) blown away by their approach to Trance music, and their dedication of making sure everyone gets their daily Trance dosage, and this obviously led up to this moment: interviewing these two new superstars. So enjoy the interview with Perrelli & Mankoff! Q: Hi guys, how are you doing? How’s life at the moment? “Hello! We’re doing great. Thanks for having us!” Q: Can you explain yourself who you are, to those who have never heard or seen your names before? “We’re a producer/DJ duo based in Newcastle, UK. We’re both huge fans of Trance and lots of other genres of course.” Q: I wanted to browse your Facebook information section, but there’s not a lot of information on your past, how you got together etc. Only about your releases, which we will talk about later in the interview. But for now, how did you two get together, and was it magic from the start? “CM: We met at a local trance night in 2013 which we were both playing at. Dan had been producing for a number of years and had had a few releases already. We got together in the studio and it went really well. We bounced ideas off each other and we were both really satisfied with the outcome, so we decided to start a project together.” Q: When many DJs and producers use an alter ego/alias, you decided to keep your last names as artist names. Ever thought of using different artist names instead? “Not really. We chose the name once we had finished our first track, Gratification, and we just stuck with it. We’ve contemplated using an alias but that would mean starting again from scratch. We do however use the pseudonym ‘P&M Project’ for our slower, houseier stuff.” Q: You two emerged in 2015 with records such as ‘Vertebra’, ‘Gratification’ and ‘Phantom Of The Emperor’. But before you became producers, were you dancefloor ravers? What were Perrelli and Mankoff doing before they became DJs/producers? “DP: I actually got my first set of decks when I was 13, long before I had ever stepped foot into a club. I had a few residencies at some small local nights which were more towards the harder side of dance music.” “CM: I was a late bloomer in terms of Trance / dance music, but once I started going raving, I got hooked, and knew straight away that I wanted to learn how to mix and produce.” Q: When I grew up, the music that dominated my youth was House, which quickly diverted into Hardcore/Gabber, and around the Millennium Trance emerged out of nowhere, and I bought literally every bloody Trance compilation under the Sun. What did you two listen to when you were younger, and when was it  you discovered Trance music? “DP: Before I discovered Trance, I was into a genre called Makina (Spanish Hardcore), as well as Hard House. Around 2009 I started listening to Trance from the golden era (late 90s/early 2000s), and it just went from there really.” “CM: As I was born into a very religious family, I actually grew up listening to Jewish music, which then gave way to pop music, but the less said about that, the better! I got really into rock music as a teenager, and was obsessed with that until I finally got introduced to Trance in 2010, and I never looked back!” Q: It’s always difficult to answer this question, but I will ask it anyway: for those who do not know Trance or do not understand it, what’s the sheer power behind the music? Why is it so heavenly? “That is indeed difficult to answer. It’s not easy to pinpoint what’s so powerful and enthralling about it. It’s something you just feel. If we had to describe it, we’d say that it’s a beautiful combination of beats / percussion with melodic elements intertwining, that evokes emotion on many different levels. We saw a really cool quote somewhere recently: “Trance is euphoria, and euphoria is a state of mind”.” Q: Who were the artists you listened to when you discovered Trance, and who was actually the one (or ones) who made you decide to leave the dancefloor and start making music yourselves? “DP: When I started listening to trance, I really enjoyed Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Paul van Dyk and Paul Oakenfold. I wouldn’t say that there was a particular artist who inspired me to make Trance, it was more the music as a whole.” “CM: What he said^. I think we both just fell in love with the music. When I started listening to Trance, I was a big Armin fanboy, and I also loved Markus Schulz and Gareth Emery. When my tastes in Trance matured a little bit, I considered Sied van Riel, W&W, Jochen Miller, Mat Zo and Arty to be my favourites. As I got more into the harder/faster side of Trance, I was really into the likes of John O’Callaghan, Bryan Kearney, Jordan Suckley, Will Atkinson, Sean Tyas, Mark Sherry. I would say they all played their part.” Q: To make music you need a studio, or a laptop (whatever’s within budget of course). To make a Perrelli & Mankoff record, what’s the set up? What kind of soft-/hardware do you use? “We’re in the process of building a “proper” studio, so for now we just produce in each other’s houses, using 2 laptops running FL Studio 11, a midi keyboard and monitors. Once we get closer to setting up the studio, we hope to invest in another pair of monitors and some hardware synths. It’s a very basic set-up at the moment, but it’s all about what you do with it isn’t it?!” Q: You two haven’t been in the scene that long, but still, do you judge your previous records, and see improvements, or are you not there yet? “We absolutely do, we’re constantly seeing improvements and that’s how we know we’re headed in the right direction. We still have a very long way to go, and we’re constantly aspiring to improve our productions, but we do look back and cringe at some of our earlier tracks, which is something most producers do we think!” Q: In 2016 you continued producing, and (according to Discogs) 5 records were thrown into the Trance scene, records such as ‘Catapult’,’The Other Half Of Me’ and ‘Hierarchy’. What’s the message behind your music? “That’s a question that Keith Lemon would ask! There isn’t really a message behind our music, it’s just 2 guys putting their heart and soul into their productions, making music that they love, hoping that other people will enjoy listening to it.” Q: You have had some good responses from the fans and records have been supported by the likes of Paul van Dyk, Markus Schulz, Aly & Fila, Sied van Riel, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Sean Tyas, and the list goes on. Be it as Perrelli & Mankoff or P&M Project, do you sometimes wake up and think it’s all a dream? “We feel extremely grateful and honoured that our music has been supported by some incredible artists, but at the same time, at the risk of sounding conceited, it’s not a surprise really because we really believe in our music and feel very passionate about it. It’s an incredible feeling to have DJs playing our tracks though, and we can’t thank them enough.” Q: Such a support must have led up to at least a mansion in the country side and 3 swimming pools, 4 Ferrari’s and more? “Of course. Don’t forget about the Lamborghinis, the yacht and the jet!” Q: 2017 emerged, and so did you two. Sied van Riel shared a mix on his Facebook page and it got my attention. It was the Rielism guestmix I think? Before we go and talk about the present day, let’s talk about Rielism and Sied van Riel. According to Soundcloud (and other media outlets) A&R for Rielism? How did that happen? How did you get this opportunity? “CM: Yeah, that was the mix we made to coincide with the release of Lingering Mind. We’re very glad to know that you enjoyed it! I’ve known Sied for a while, and as the Rielism label and brand grew, it was becoming a very heavy workload for one person, so he offered me the opportunity to come in and help with A&R and with running the label, an opportunity which I jumped at! It’s a role that I thoroughly enjoy.” Q: Sied van Riel is obviously giving you two a platform to showcase your strengths and diversity. Besides (obviously) being a friend, is he a good mentor? Does he give you any advise on how to improve or change records, etc? “Absolutely. He’s a great mentor, he gives us some very helpful advice and feedback, and it’s a great privilege knowing that we have the guidance and support of someone who has been at the top of the game for so long!” Q: Production wise you are mainly focussing on making records on your own (with female singers), but if you could make a record with anyone from the scene, who would it be, and why? “We’re actually working on some collaborations at the moment with some of our favourite artists, which we’re very grateful and excited about. Including one with Mr. Rielism himself! You heard it here first .In regards to a vocalist/songwriter, we’d love to work with Susana one day. That would definitely be a dream come true!” Q: Your most recent releases (Lingering Mind/Solar Flare) are really causing damages all over the world, on several dancefloors. What’s going on in Perrelli & Mankoff’s world right now, and what are the future plans? “Thanks very much! We’re working on lots of new music, mostly originals but also some remixes and reworks. We have some big plans in the works for 2018, but we can’t reveal too much at this stage. We are however very excited to reveal some of it in the coming months.” Q: It’s always difficult to pick a favourite Trance record of all time, the list is always changing. My list contains ‘Out Of Grace – Obscura’ ‘Spark7 & Thomas DeColita – ID 22’, ‘Thomas Bronzwear – Close Horizon’, ‘Richard Durand & Sied van Riel – Rivella’, ‘Alex M.O.R.P.H. presents Everest – Oree’, ‘Alex M.O.R.P.H. – Consequence’, ‘Celvin Rotane – Bienvenue’,  ‘Factor 9 – Release Me (Svenson & Gielen Remix)’, ‘Gabriel & Dresden – Arcadia’,  and a few more. If you had to compose a list of your favourites, who would it be, and why? “DP: Paul van Dyk – Out There And Back has gotta be my favourite album of all time. I lost count of the amount of times I listened to it a very long time ago!” “CM: This is never an easy question to answer, but most of my favourites are classics. ‘Solarstone – Solarcoaster (Midway Mix)’, ‘Saltwater – The Legacy (Alphazone Remix)’, ‘Push – The Legacy’, ‘Armin – Communcation’ are probably top of my list. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to!” Q: What’s your opinion about the current state of Trance, and the history behind it? Has it evolved well, and what will the future bring for Trance music? “We couldn’t tell you what the future will bring, your guess is as good as ours. We think it has evolved in a healthy way, musically at least. There might not be as many events as there used to be in the UK and Europe, but the Asia and America markets are getting bigger each year. There has always been an abundance of great music, some years more than others, but if you look in the right places, there are gems being released every week. Producing will only get easier though, so it’s imperative that labels employ a high level of quality control to ensure that the scene doesn’t become too saturated in the coming years.” Q: Last random question of today, and it’s the most quirky one ever (hence the name of the website ‘thecrazydutchmansblog’): Sied is covered with tattoos: when will your logo appear on his body? Would he be happy to be a living billboard for P&M? “Haha! We ask him this on a weekly basis. We’re still waiting for his response on this, so watch this space!” We would like to say ‘thank you’ to Perrelli & Mankoff, a duo you need to look out for! Check them out on various pages (links are underneath the review, so like them, and follow them). Also check out their latest releases, like the majestic ‘Lingering Mind’ with Sara Houston and ‘Solar Flare’. This UK Trance duo will become the next best thing to emerge, so you are warned! Thanks again for these insightful answers, and to get you a fan as well, here’s a Soundcloud player with their releases. Perrelli & Mankoff – Soundcloud  Page Perrelli & Mankoff – Facebook Fanpage Perrelli & Mankoff – Official Twitter Page Perrelli & Mankoff – Instagram Page Perrelli & Mankoff – Youtube Channel Perrelli & Mankoff – Discogs Artist Page Perrelli & Mankoff – Beatport Page Perrelli & Mankoff – iTunes Page Rielism – Facebook Fanpage Rielism – Official Website Rielism – Soundcloud Page

You might have seen this event on Facebook: Ravekick – 100% Happy Hardcore – #001 Lift Off Launch Party. This event takes place on the 24th of March 2018 at the Popcentrale in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. It’s organised by a brand new collective, called HPTG music. I’m speaking to one of the people behind this new collective, Daniel Seven, and talk about this event, the future, and of course a bit about his own past/present & future. So this is a duo interview. Enjoy it, and make sure you attend this party! Hi Daniel, how’s life? “I’m doing fine. Life has its ups and downs, with blocks falling down like a Tetris game. Being a good player and planning ahead is the way forward.” Before we start talking about yourself, can we first discuss this new collective you are part of. HPTG music. Can you explain to me what this is, who’s behind it, and what the mission is? “HPTG Music is a record label founded in 2018, as a foundation to the HPTG Collective. We are 7 artists coming from all over the world, with different cultures, but having a mutual love for the music and a good amount of synergy. Our mission is to deliver our music as a pure art form to the world – placing the “fun” before anything else.” A brand new collective, with a mission. And there’s more happening. At first, you’ve got an event planned in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, on the 24th of March. Can you tell us a bit about why your first event takes place in the Netherlands? Why not the UK, or Italy, or anywhere else? “We believe that the Happy Hardcore roots are in the Netherlands – back to the 90s there were many Happy Hardcore events. Also, nowadays there’s a lack of Happy Hardcore events in the Netherlands (and probably also around Center Europe – where Happy Hardcore used to be the epicentre of these events). So, we chose the Netherlands because we want to bring these vibes there again!” It’s a risk. Many have tried to pull off a UK Hardcore event abroad, and some have been succesful and some haven’t. What’s the secret behind this new event? “Showing that we are making these events because we want to have a good time – and give an opportunity to let ravers be themselves without any dress code or “behaviour code”. That’s what rave culture used to be in the past, and that’s how we want Ravekick to be! Music is meant to connect people, not to divide people.” The line-up is quite cool: Fracus & Darwin, Vau Boy, Alaguan, Triplestar DJ and Furystomper (and yourself too). On Facebook you mention the fact that the focus is on getting UK Hardcore and Happy Hardcore to the Netherlands, and with only one goal: raving! Music wise, what can the people expect? “Good, energetic, hectic, funny, uplifting, dreamy music, you name it. With our music, we want to express ourselves, and let even other people express themselves. Ravers will be our inspiration!” If there are people out there who do know Happy Hardcore, but not UK Hardcore, can you explain what it is? “Not really. I think that UK Hardcore is how Happy Hardcore was called in the UK, back to the early 2000’s. It’s literally the same thing, really. Happy Hardcore isn’t just a genre, is a movement, a scene, with no country and cultural boundaries. It can be happy, dreamy, sad, angry, energetic, whatever. It’s music.” What will you personally play? Will there be records from your latest album in your set? “I’m going to play a selection of my own tracks – including a few from my album – and possibly also a selection of my favourite actual happy hardcore tracks. I’ll play also “Teardrop” alongside Lexi, which she will be performing as a vocalist here at Ravekick.” Let’s talk abit about yourself. I’ve just talked about your latest album, which was called ‘Electronic Happy Dreamer’. You worked alongside artists such as Fracus & Darwin, M-Project, Emi, Hotchkiss, MOB, Olly P, and more. How did the album come about? “My music had always a distinct dreamy feeling, with Eurodance beats, happy melodies, uplifting lyrics and a nod to my childhood memories from the 90s – including legacy home computer multimedia, videogames, europop and eurodance music, and hi-fi tweaking (I was so happy everytime I saw a vinyl turntable, cassette and CD player in an all-in-1 system). Electronic Happy Dreamer is how I define myself: I still want to keep these memories alive in my music – and connect to the people who had a childhood similar to mine” Which record are you the most proud of, and why? “Rainbow Lights, with Japanese producer M-Project and American singer-songwriter Zoe VanWest. I’m so proud of it because when I saw Zoe performing it at MetroCon 2012, people loved it and even singed it along. She still keep telling me this record is an evergreen!” Not only will HPTG music throw an awesome party, but also release an album, with tracks by the people behind this new collective. Can you explain to those who are interested why they should purchase this album? “Our music is about a pure art expression form, not following any actual fad or trend. We want to keep this expression going on, and by purchasing the music (or supporting it through Spotify and Soundcloud) you’re helping our mission, and we can deliver better music in future!” When will the album be released, and will there be clips online? “The album will be released March 24th – alongside the event, and it will be available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, SoundCloud, TrackItDown, JunoDownload, and many more outlets.” Back to the event. It’s obviously a big thing, to arrange such a party. Why is it, that I’ve left the country (the Netherlands) and now it’s starting to become big? “Happy Hardcore is starting to spread again after the amazing support is getting from the United States, even in a mainstream channel.” The entry is free. Is there a dresscode? “As said before, Ravekick will be not having any dress codes or anything like that.” What are the future plans for HPTG music? Any plans yet for future events? “We are aiming at making more events around Central Europe and more compilation albums.” Thanks to Daniel Seven for this short but interesting interview. Make sure you are in Dordrecht on the 24th of March, where all the fun is going to be. With a very cool line-up, you won’t be disappointed. Also make sure you check out Daniel Seven on several social media outlets and the new label/collective HPTG! With their approach to UK Hardcore/Happy Hardcore, they will become the next best thing! HPTG Music – Facebook Fanpage HTPG Music – Ravekick Event Page HTPG Music – Soundcloud Page HPTG Music – Twitter Page Alaguan – Soundcloud Page Daniel Seven – Soundcloud Page Ranzor – Soundcloud Page Triplestar DJ – Soundcloud Page Vauboy – Soundcloud Page Viewtifulday – Soundcloud Page Xio-3 – Soundcloud Page And, as another bonus, here’s Daniel Seven and Triplestar’s latest release ‘S.P.A.G.H.E.T.’, which you can get for free from Soundcloud!

If there’s one artist I’ve been looking out for, it’s ATTLAS. And yet I’ve completely forgotten about him. Am I a fan? Yes. His previous mixes were so amazing, they blew my mind away, and I have listened to them at least once a week. So the amount of plays on Soundcloud can mostly be credited to me. But I haven’t seen his latest mix, which was released last year in December! How stupid am I? I’m so fascinated about his previous mixes, and I’ve missed this one completely. That’s a shame. Don’t know why I decided to go to his Soundcloud page today at work, but I was in search for something calm and relaxing, and yes, there was a brand new mix! Storyline Volume 2! Volume 1 was breathtakingly beautiful, so would 2 be as good, or even better? Better. This man combines music with films, and the combination is just astonishing! He takes your breathe away. I don’t know what his secret formula is, but it’s worth its value in gold! This is valuable, a commodity that many artists would like to have, but not one has. It’s so darn good, it becomes emotional, even after hearing it for the first time. He starts off with an amazing intro, and the music just flows through your speakers towards you. Instead of being hit with angry fists in your face, this feels like someone’s hugging you constantly, protecting you from the angry side of life. That’s how I feel during an ATTLAS mix. Embraced by his mix, and it won’t let me go. Another mix added to my ‘favourites’. And will at least have 10k plays by me. Just me. This is so addictive. 01. Lambert – As Ballad 02. Johan Johansson – Kangaru 03. Booka Shade – In White Rooms (Hunter/Game Remix)  04. Max Cooper – Organa 05. Joris Voorn – Sweets For Piano 06. ATTLAS – Colours 07. Rival Consoles – Slow Song 08. Grandbrothers – Prologue (DJRum Remix)  09. Two People – If We Have Time (Ryan Davis Remix)  10. Percussions – Digital Apreggios 11. Slow Hearts – Sub 37 12. ATTLAS – Shadow Play 13. Eagles & Butterflies – Kolleckt 14. Lambert – Stay In The Dark 15. Four Tet – Gillie Amma, I Love You 16. Clavis – Alcine 17. ATTLAS – Bloodwork 18. ATTLAS – Ryat 19. ATTLAS – 86cc 20. DJ Raff – Completed 21. Phantogram – You Don’t Get Me High Anymore (ATTLAS Remix)  22. ATTLAS – Thanks I don’t have a clue who 85% of these artists are, but for once I’m not bothered about the names. The music means more to me, and does the most for me. And boy, this is really a mix we’ve been waiting for. 70k+ listeners so far, and yet no one I know recognizing his name. He’s to me a truly gifted and talented DJ and producer. Someone who’s capable of touching hearts without any effort. The combination of music and films just works astonishingly good, and the way he does it, I haven’t seen before. Yes, people make music with bits from films in it, but the way ATTLAS does it, it’s scary. How does he do that? How does he make it work? I don’t know which films these bits are from, and I don’t care. ATTLAS, you are a hero to me. From the first to the last second you take me on a ride throughout musical heaven, and the feeling it generates can not be topped by anything else. I like many styles, and most of the times I listen to harder, rougher and tougher music, but ATTLAS’ mixes are just untouchable. They make me loose myself. I feel more human. Can’t pick a favourite, because it’s the combination that you need to think of, and in my case judge. The whole mix, it’s pure heaven. ATTLAS must have been sent from heaven, because only angels can make a mix work like he does. ATTLAS, thank you. I don’t need drugs or alcohol to get me high. Your mix does that without despair. Are you an angel? DJ: ATTLAS Genre/Style: Tech House, Mellow, Electronic Dance Music, Dance, Progressive House Mix Info: Storyline: Vol. 2 Length Mix: 00:57:31 Tracks: 22 (twenty-two) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): DOWNLOAD/LISTEN File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Bitspeed: unknown More Information: ATTLAS – Facebook Fanpage

Been offline for a couple of days to ‘enjoy’ the heat, and already people were getting angry for me not uploading a review. Well, I do apologise, but sometimes I’m busy. But for those impatient people I found a nice set to break the week with! A proper Hardcore set by the megamix master Bass-D, recorded back in 2014 at Eden Rave – The Reunion. I’ve never heard of this event before (or maybe I have, but my mind is clouded with nonsense), but for this event the line-up looked tremendously good! You had the oldskool legends all in the Central Studios in Utrecht: The Masochist, Mental Theo, Panic, Bass-D (of course!), The Viper, Buzz Fuzz, Petrov, Paralizer, Gizmo, TMC, Rob & MC Joe, Yves Deruyter, Stanton, Ricos, Francois, Genius, Ton TB, and MC Alee. Now that’s a beautiful line-up, and it would have been worth it to go there. Sadly I can’t go back in time, but thankfully we’ve got Soundcloud to remind us of the wonderful night we’ve sadly missed. Bass-D’s set contains the finest of the finest records, carefully selected and mixed together. Expect madness! 01. The Stunned Guys – Deep Impact 02. Distortion & MC Raw vs Bass-D & King Matthew – Raveworld Part 2 03. Rotterdam Terror Corps – We’re Gonna Blow Your Mind 04. Rotterdam Terror Corps – The Horror 05. Tschabos – Gib Mir Die Bass 06. Bass-D & King Matthew – In The Mix 07. E-Rush – Scream 08. Hardsequencer – Brain Crash 09. The Rizzler – More Pain Outside The First World 10. Inferno Bros – Slaves To The Rave 11. Sequential One – Dance (Part II Remix)  12. Too Fast For Mellow – We Gonna Get This Place 13. Isaac – Bad Dreams (Remix)  14. Turbulence ’n Terrorist – 6 Million Ways To Die 15. J.D.A. – Voel Je Die Bass 16. Ectomorph – Heartbeat 17. Brooklyn Boyz – That’s How I’m Livin’ 18. Omar Santana – Wizard Of ‘Oh 19. Paul Elstak – Luv U More (Stunned Guys Remix)  20. 50% Of The Dreamteam – B With U 21. Isaac – Bass & Sound 22. The Coalition – 9MM 23. Bio-Forge – Turbulence 24. Party Animals – Have You Ever Been Mellow (Tekno Mafia Mix)  25. Lunalotic – Happyhouse 26. Highlander – Hold Me Now ’97 27. Cyclopede – Bad Motherfucker 28. Masters Of Ceremony – Hardcore To Da Bone (Masters Of Ceremony Dope Remix)  29. Paul Elstak – Rockin’ Beats 30. Delirium – Surrender Your Dreams He has got an impressive collection, this Bass-D. And he’s been active in the scene, so you would expect an amazing tracklist, and he has done it. Some maybe a bit too cheesy from time to time (like the whole back catalogue of DJ Isaac lol), but also the finer records like ‘6 Million Ways To Die’, ‘Hold Me Now ’97’, ‘Surrender Your Dreams’, and more. You can always count on Bass-D to compose a wicked tracklist. These take me right back to the wonderful days, and Bass-D behind the decks always is a good thing. He always delivers, and makes sure the fans are treated the way they should be. And he’s passionate, that’s also another thing you might have noticed. Maybe a bit too passionate from time to time: it’s not always 100% perfect, but can you blame him? Nah, not really. The best record in this set has got to be ‘6 Million Ways To Die’, just the perfect rag plaat. The perfect Hardcore record to get the crowd go absolutely bonkers. Closely followed by ‘Wizard Of ‘Oh’. That’s also a wicked record. Not his finest set, but still hugely enjoyable. Sit back and enjoy! DJ: Bass-D Genre/Style: Hardcore, Gabber, Happy Hardcore Liveset Info: Recorded @ Eden Rave – The Reunion Length Liveset: 00:55:49 Tracks: 30 (thirty) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): LISTEN HERE File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Bitspeed: unknown More Information: Bass-D – Facebook Fanpage

2017 was the year we all saw a new phenomena come to life: the Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz became an act, and their mission was to fuck us up. For those who are unaware who they are, you will only find out if you buy this magestic album. Anway, this new phenomena took over the world by storm. Even though we were not ready for their greazy mission, we have all embraced them, and made their music our own. We welcomed them, and now they are slowely taking over the world, playing at shitloads of events. But talking about them, let me point out something you might have missed: the GPF album! You might not be a romantic person, we understand, and when you saw the ad on Facebook, you might have thought it was yet another stupid Valentines day present no-one wanted to get. You are wrong! As you would expect, it’s an album filled with ridicilous anthems, that don’t make any sense. But they are our guilty pleasures. Who never wanted to hear a Madonna song with a ridicilous kick underneath it? We have had that phase back in the 90s, when everything music related was remixed into a Happy Hardcore anthem, and now, 2010s, it’s all gone up a notch. The kicks are rougher, the bass is filthy, and that’s what we all need. And we all want to dance, 24/7. And if you are in a relationship, you want to bang uglies. You want to get some. And this album is for those who are doing it. I’m talking about sex, if you were unaware of what I was implying. The album comes with 14 DJ friendly anthems, and one DJ mix. And a condom. Well, the GPF boys want us to stay safe, and catch no diseases. Which other act has ever done that? Ever bought an album which came with protection? That shows us all they care. And want us to have sex. Sex is important. And keeping the reproducing elements of your bodies nice and lubricated. And why not hear these fucking wicked anthems coming at you through your speakers, whilst you are coming hard as hell? In a sock or a human being, whatever floats your boat. Let me show you the tracklist. And you sickos out there, you want to see it. It’s fucking epic! 01. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Lovin’ Ain’t Greazy 02. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Puppet Fuckerz 03. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Greazy Fuckdrum 04. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz feat Caine – Kendal Fuck 05. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – We No Fuck 06. Sjammienators & Ysiss – Boogie Woogie (GPF Remix)  07. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Kicks Out For Harambe 08. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz feat Omkara – Going In Dry 09. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz feat Mind Compressor – Spaghetti Love 10. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Fuck Me Daddy 11. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz feat Toxic Inside – Fuck Breaks 12. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Tardegdy 13. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – We Feel Like A Fuck 14. Malice & Rooler – Aggressive Acts (GPF Remix)  15. Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Lovin’ Ain’t Greazy (Sexy Album Mix) Ain’t that one sexy album, eh? Doesn’t this make you horny as hell? You want to bump uglies now, eh? Well, I’m not stopping you, just cum back once you’ve reproduced. The promotion regarding this album has been insanely good. An album focussed on making love, and also not catching diseases, released around Valentine’s Day. That’s good promotion. To be fair, their masks might turn you off, but let the music guide you towards the bedroom, not their appearance. Truth be told, I’ve had exes who looked worst. Anyway, the album. What do you get? As I said before, 14 records and one DJ mix. The records sadly are all too short. but it does throw a punch. This wasn’t what I was expecting. And I don’t even know if I can describe what GPF’s mission is. Or what kind of music they make. It says ‘Hardcore’ on Discogs, but this is something different. It contains bits from every style, from Speedcore/Terror to Hardcore to Hardstyle, and the odd pop reference. And it works, it bloody well works. You might think taking Steps’ ‘Tragedy’ and putting a kick underneath might not work…. well, it doesn’t. But strangely it’s satisfying. I’ve had this album on for hours in a row, and it didn’t make me feel bad. It made me feel extremely good, and made me want to loose myself. And I started swearing even more. Well, that’s one of their notable things: using a well known ‘fuck’ in each and every track. Wouldn’t this sound great at someone’s funeral? Starting off with a nice pop bit, and when the beat kicks in unnotified, everyone starts screaming, and having panic attacks. That would be an amazing feeling. Maybe I will put one of these records on my playlist, just to let the people know I will go out with a bang! Anyway, the album is a success. They came, they saw, and conquered. Their mission is clear, they want to enter your eardrums, and your lady’s underpants. It’s the funniest album of 2018. Nothing can compete. Just look at the amount of plays they’ve got on Soundcloud for these records, it shows the world is ready for the Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz. We might need some lube to get ready for them penetrating us hard, but once it’s in, you will get used to it! Ps. the album mix is also good, but would you have expected anything else? Act: Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz & Various Artists Genre/Style: Puzzcore, Hardcore, Rawstyle Release Year: 2018 Album Info: GPF – Lovin’ Ain’t Greazy CDs: 1 (one) Length CD: 01:18:37 Tracks: 15 (fifteen) Label: gpf recordz Product Number: GPFCD001 More Information: Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz – Facebook Fanpage

When you get a CD in your physical inbox, it always makes you smile. Last week I received two, one was the exclusive album by GPF (Greazy Puzzy Fuckerz), and the other was by MC Thunda’s, his last ‘Lyrical Convict’ instalment. It came with a nice flyer, but I didn’t know what was going to happen. Many people, are receiving the album, started sharing the album in selfies. The flyer played a huge part of it. But what wondered me, was if this was going to be the last thing we will ever hear from MC Thunda? And the answer is ‘no’. Hell no. This CD contains not only him, but also his fellow MCs. That’s what makes this CD even better: he wasn’t on his own. Let me name the MCs, and before you start dribbling, let me warn you; he asked the biggest names out there! MC Enemy, Wotsee, Rafta, Eruption, Domer, Skatty, B, and Octane! This brought a bigger smile on my face, and I reckon MC Thunda secretly smiled too (in a room where no-one can see him smile). I’ve never actually seen him smile on a picture. He looks so serious, but this is also his mission with the Lyrical Convict mix series: he’s bringing the heat to the listeners. And you get all that for only £6.00. How’s that for an early Christmas present? Here’s the tracklist. But, seeing as I was asked not to share it, it’s a mystery! 01. Unknown – Unknown 02. Unknown – Unknown 03. Unknown – Unknown 04. Unknown – Unknown 05. Unknown – Unknown (Unknown Remix)  06. Unknown & Unknown – Unknown 07. Unknown – Unknown 08. Unknown feat Unknown – Unknown 09. Unknown – Unknown 10. Unknown & Unknown feat Unknown – Unknown Could be more records being played, but they are mystery records to me too. So I can’t share anything with you lot yet. What you do get, is fire. This album should come with a warning: you might burn yourself once you press play. Who doesn’t want to hear these wonderful MCs on one mixtape? He starts off slowely with a nice dance anthem, but don’t you worry; he wil play the UK Hardcore soon. Jumping from UK Hardcore to Powerstomp, and even though I know the anthems, I can’t remember the names. Too many names are already in my head, there’s no room for more! But MC Thunda starts off nicely, and makes sure the listener is pleased by his skills. And he’s got skills. He’s one of those MCs who never disappoints, and who knows what to say, when to say it. And he keeps it real, as the youngsters would say. He uses his experience in life as his guidance throughout this mixtape, and you get a short history lesson in his life. Hence why I said he’s keeping it real. No bullshit, you wanted a mixtape which is true to the core. The music is fitting, the lyrics are really banging. And with a whole lot of his mates on this mixtape, you get a mixtape so damn good, one we’ve been missing out on a lot. I hope that he will come back with something new, and refreshing. We need something as dope as this. The last of this instalment, but not the last we will hear from MC Thunda! Get your copy right now. Check out the link underneath, and before you know it, the album is yours! MC: Thunda and Enemy, Wotsee, Rafta, Eruption, Domer, Skatty, B, Octane Genre/Style: UK Hardcore, Happy Hardcore, Powerstomp Release Year: 2018 CD Info: Lyrical Convict – The Finale by MC Thunda CDs: 1 (one) Length CD: 00:45:17 Tracks: unknown Label: unknown Product Number: unknown Buy Here (via MC Thunda’s Facebook Page): BUY HERE More Information: MC Thunda – Facebook Fanpage

Back in 2002 I went to Sensation White with a few friends from the place I worked, NedCar. They were into Trance music, and were talking about this event like it was going to be the best night of our lives. Everyone dressed in white, and a night filled with Trance music, in the Amsterdam Arena. Well, I really wanted to go with them, but the tickets were sold out. To cut a long story short: I bought a train ticket, went with my friends to Amsterdam, walked around the Arena, trying to spot someone who sold a ticket, and as luck might have it, I found someone. Scared that it might be a fake ticket, I walked to the entrance (at the complete oppossite side of where my friends were), and got in! I was a happy bunny, but not happy when I realised that I would never be able to find my friends, if literally everyone was dressed in white. Took half an hour to find them, in this wonderful setting. But once the gang was complete, the party could start! The line-up was impressive. And even though I was a full on raver (Hardcore/Gabber), I was digging the Trance and House scene. The names were: Armin van Buuren, Erick E, Jean, Johan Gielen and Marcello. What more do you need? And the wonderful thing is, that I just realised that this event took place nearly 16 years ago! My sweet Lord, time has flown by, but I can still remember the event like it was yesterday! So many good memories, even on the way back from Amsterdam to Heerlen. The train journey was even messy. To me this event holds a lot of memories, and it was a ground breaking event, and has set the bench mark for the whole Dance scene. Do this, or go home. The CD that followed this event is still one amazing mix CD. I bought it when it became available, and have cherrished it since. Even took it to my holiday in Greece, and made the Greeks aware of this event. But what an epic event this was, and the CD holds memories of me in my bedroom with my first portable CD player which didn’t skip (but secretly did). Let me show you the beautiful tracklist! CD 1  01. Sensation Intro – Fairytale 02. DJ Tiësto – Magik Journey 03. G-Spott – G-Licious 04. Perpetuous Dreamer – Dub Wav 05. 4 Strings – Diving 06. Tastexperience – Highlander (Ralphie B’s Massive Mix)  07. Midway – Monkey Forest 08. DJ Albert vs DJ Precision – Say Yes 09. Khemistry – Lights Of Fire 10. The Mystery – Devotion (Tatana Remix)  11. Aquanuts – Deep Sea (Martin Eyerer Remix)  12. Roger Goode – In The Beginning Again (Ferry Corsten Remix)  13. Project Medusa vs Exor – Moonshine (Symphony Of Strings Remix)  14. Driftwood – Freeloader 15. The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You (Svenson & Gielen Remix)  16. Shane – Too Late To Turn (Armin van Buuren Remix)  17. Sensation Outro – Do You Believe CD 2  01. Sensation Intro – Rulerz Of The Empire 02. Trilithon – Dagio 03. Armin van Buuren – Sunburn 04. M.O.R.P.H. – Consequence (Benicio Remix)  05. Rank 1 – Awakening 06. Art Of Trance – Madagascar (Cygnus X Remix)  07. The Future Sound Of London – Papua New Guinea (Marco V Remix)  08. C.Rea.Tive – Josephine 2002 (Delirious Instrumental Mix)  09. Matanka – Lost In A Dream (Push Remix)  10. Sensation – The Anthem 2002 (Johan Gielen Remix)  11. Marco V – Simulated (Marco’s V.Ision Mix)  12. Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar (Marco V Remix)  13. Signum – Second Wave 14. DJ Tiësto – In My Memory (Airwave Remix)  15. Mo’Hawk – Atlantic Stress 16. Pale-X – Beautiful Journey 17. Sensation Outro – Our Church Even today, in 2018, I’m getting goosebumps. It’s a serious thrill, to hear these beautiful anthems again. Look at the quality of the tunes, and I reckon even the youngest of ravers knows the classic anthems like ‘Papua New Guinea’, ‘Cafe Del Mar’, ‘Freeloader’, ‘Consequence’ etc. They were ground breaking in 2002, and they still made the dancefloors tremble. These were, and still are, the biggest anthems of a generation! This CD is one of those, if your house in on fire, I would run into it and save. This one and the following: Innercity 2001, Mysteryland 1998 Outdoor, Mysteryland 1994, Goldie – Inner City, Rielism 4, and the reason why is only known by me. These hold the most memories, and even though I lost the entry tickets, my memories last a life time. The tracks on each disc are amazing! The only annoying thing is the remix by Johan Gielen of the Sensation Anthem. The original is way better, and still don’t understand why they used his version? A tremendous party, and a wicked CD. Those were the days. Trance music dominated everything. ID&T were literally at the forefront of EDM, and they’ve left a good impression on me. Best record? I can’t pick. They are all great. Artist: Various Artists Genre/Style: Trance, Hard Trance, Progressive Trance Release Year: 2002 Album Info: Sensation White 2002 CDs: 2 (two) Length CDs: +/+ 2 hours Tracks: 34 (thirty-four) Label: ID&T Product Number: 7005262 More Information: Sensation – Official Website

The other day I got tagged in a post on Facebook, and it was done by Nico Suffis. You know, the man who really really loves Trance music. He made this dedication mix for Giuseppe Ottaviani, and as you are all aware, I’m a fan of this Italian superstar DJ/producer. So it was an obvious reason why I got tagged in this dedication mix. Thanks Nico for that. But this is not his first dedication mix: other mixes were for Aly &Fila, Bryan Kearney, John O’Callaghan, Tiesto, and many more. He’s an active DJ, this Nico. And we can only salute him for doing that. This mix is all about the Italian superstar, Giuseppe Ottaviani. The legend. I’m seriously impressed with everything this man does, and also look at every livestream/video I can. You can see someone with a lot of passion and dedication, sharing the music to a audeince who are willing to get intoxicated by it. For this mix he selected quite a few records, and the end result is a nearly 4 hour long mix. Now that’s exactly what I wanted to hear on this lovely Sunday. I’ve pressed play the second I got up, and I’ve already had it on repeat once. But I won’t stop listening. This Sunday is all about Giuseppe. The tracklist is something else. Check it out! 01. First State feat Sarah Howells – Reverie (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  02. Markus Schulz & Emma Hewitt – Safe From Harm (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  03. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Kyler England – Firefly (OnAir Mix)  04. Giuseppe Ottaviani feat Tricia McTeague – Loneliest Night (OnAir Mix)  05. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Jennifer Rene – Home (OnAir Mix)  06. Giuseppe Ottaviani feat Jennifer Rene – Lean On Me 07. John O’Callaghan feat Lo-Fi Sugar – Never Fade Away (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  08. Giuseppe Ottaviani with Aly & Fila – Brilliant People 09. Lawrence Palmer – Streamline (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  10. DJ Feel & Aurosonic feat Ale Haze – Feel (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  11. Giuseppe Ottaviani – No One Like You 12. RAM feat Stine Grover – Forever And A Day (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  13. Maria Healy – Desiderata (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  14. Paul van Dyk feat Sue McLaren – Lights (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  15. Sean Mathews – Paradise (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  16. Tom Colantonio – Mercury Retrograde (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  17. Giuseppe Ottaviani feat Faith – Angel (Vandit Night Mix)  18. Giuseppe Ottaviani – Danceology 19. John O’Callaghan feat Erica Curran – I Believe (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  20. Solarstone & Indecent Noise – Quercia (Giuseppe Ottaviani Extended Rework)  21. Solarstone & Meredith Call – I Found You (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  22. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Andrea Mazza – The Silence Of Time (OnAir Mix)  23. John O’Callaghan & Giuseppe Ottaviani – Ride The Wave 24. Sean Tyas – Reach Out (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  25. Giuseppe Ottaviani – Aurora (OnAir Mix)  26. Activa & Giuseppe Ottaviani – Long Way Back (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  27. Sly One vs Jurrane – Everything To Me (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  28. Sneijder & Giuseppe Ottaviani – Nero 29. Rafael Osmo – Renaissance (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  30. APD – Inscribe (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  31. Giuseppe Ottaviani – Legacy 32. Giuseppe Ottaviani – Jakarta 33. Sean Tyas & Giuseppe Ottaviani – Plan B 34. Digital Dreamerz – Perception (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  35. Maestro & Christine Tran – Ocean Tides (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)  36. Giuseppe Ottaviani feat Amba Sheperd – Lost For Words (OnAir Mix)  37. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Betsie Larkin – Toys (OnAir Mix)  38. Solarstone with Giuseppe Ottaviani – Falcons (Giuseppe Ottaviani OnAir Mix) It’s not often that a mix blows me away completely from the start, but we are talking about a mix containing records by Giuseppe Ottaviani, I would not have expected otherwise. He’s such a superstar, and he makes the most gorgeous sounding Trance music out there, it’s hard to believe that he’s not in the top 10 of the DJMag100. And if he is, I’m sorry, but I have not paid any attention to that list lol. Anyway, Nico made this beautiful mix. As I said nearly 4 hours long, but those 4 hours do fly by. It’s true, when you are having fun, time does fly by. And when accompanied by awesome music, it’s makes it all worth while. It has shortened the weekend, but it has also provided me with music for my work journeys every day. This shows us all how much Giuseppe loves making music, and whatever he makes, turns into Gold. To me the best record has got to be ‘Legacy’. This is a serious dancefloor divider: only those strong enough can handle the strength of this song. And I’m one of them. I can not turn the volume down when this song is on. This is so powerful, but so are all the other 37 records in this mix. Nico, credit for your mix. And Giuseppe, credit for you, for making the best Trance music out there. Keep them coming to us. We need more Giuseppe. Check out Nico’s Soundcloud page for hours of Trance music. DJ: Nico Suffis Genre/Style: Trance, Uplifting Trance Mix Info: Massive Tribute Mix To Giuseppe Ottaviani Length Mix: 03:41:16 Tracks: 38 (thirty-eight) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): DOWNLOAD/LISTEN File Size: 506 MB File Type: mp3 Bitspeed: 320kbps More Information: Nico Suffis – Soundcloud Page

Jason S, also known as the megamix master, has released the third instalment of his succesful ‘Holland Is Hardcore’ mix series. Only a month ago he released his ‘Thunderdome Chapter 1 – 10 Megamix’, and before that the previous ‘Holland Is Hardcore’ mix was back in 2016. And it got a very good score from TCD. It was something unique: his unique mixing style and the records selected made it very tasty. A very interesting concept, and now the new instalment will blow you away. If you want to know what happened with the second instalment: check him out on Mixcloud. Not only will you find the second one (which is pre-millennium Dutch Hardcore) but also other mixes, like a dedication mix for Neophyte, and much more. It’s a raver’s paradise, that’s for sure. For many years he has been perfecting his unique mixing style, and it has led up to this: the appreciation he deserves. Don’t know much about Jason S himself, but he gets my respect. And not just because he mixes Dutch Hardcore records (with Dutch lyrics/vocals), but because he makes the mixes sound so relaxed, so smooth. The previous mix was just my cup of tea: Thunderdome records from the first to the tenth CD, all together. But now he’s back with the Dutch-ness of Hardcore. You might not like it, seeing as it’s all in Dutch, and we (the Dutch) have a weird vocabulary, quite different to the rest of the world, so you will probably not understand the lyrics, but you should focus on the music. And the music is good. So good, we will breek de tent af (break the tent of). Well, it goes for the wind for Jason (het gaat voor de wind voor Jason). 01. Jason S – Intro: Leren Miksen Les 3 02. Je Broer – Me Gabber (DJ Paul Elstak & BeatKrusher Remix)  03. Outblast & Catscan – Stampgevaar 04. JeBroer feat Stepherd, Skinto & Jayh – Banaan (Re-Style Remix)  05. D-Fence – Koekoek Jonghuh! 06. DJ JDA – Voel Je Die Bass (N-Vitral Quick Edit)  07. D-Fence – BIEM! 08. D-Fence – Krakaka (Tieurm Remix)  09. Dyprax – Zultkoppen Koorts 10. Nosferatu feat Alee, LXCPR & Diesel – LOS! (SSZD Kingsday Anthem 2017)  11. Neophyte & D-Fence with Tim & Alee – Rammen 12. Kasparov & Amada feat Diesel – Ik Wil Stampen 13. The BeatKrusher feat Alee – Lekker Knetter 14. Kasparov, System Shock & Revolver feat Zwaargewicht – Poeder In Je Neusgat 15. Tieum & D-Fence – Beter He 16. The BeatKrusher – Helemaal De Weg Kwijt 17. Neophyte & Furyan feat Tim Beumers – Wie De Fok? 18. D-Fence & Angernoizer – Breek De Tent Af 19. N-Vitral feat Aux Raus – Getverherrie 20. D-Fence – B.A.M. 21. Popeye De Zeeman – Het Stalken Moet Stoppen 22. System Overload vs Da Mouth Of Madness – Sloopkick 23. Minus Militia – Gas D’r Op (Militant Edit)  24. SRB – More Dutchcore 25. Tieum & Angernoizer – Alles Is Heftig 26. SRB – Doedelzakorkest 27. Euromasters – He Scheids! Schop ‘M Voor Z’n Klote (Remix)  28. SRB – Doe Rustig 29. SRB & The Vizitor – Kut Track 30. Angernoizer – Luid En Duidelijk This, as you can rightly see, is a proper Dutch tracklist. Not often do I write track titles in Dutch, but today the focus is on Dutch Hardcore, and it’s making me go absolutely loopy. I’ve played this mix over and over after work (on my way home from work), and it still makes me smile: being Dutch and listening to Dutch Hardcore in London. What a weird combination, isn’t it? There are simply too many wicked records in here. Like every track made by D-Fence (who literally owns the Dutch Hardcore sound at the moment), and a few records like ‘Poeder In Je Neusgat’, ‘Gas D’r Op’, ‘Wie De Fok?’ and more. During the 90s the Dutch Hardcore sound (cq. Dutch lyrics in Hardcore tracks) didn’t make me move whatsoever. I found them boring and not as sensual as the records with English lyrics. But now, in 2018, I’m digging the Dutch sound like never before. It’s my connection with my homeland, my place of birth. Jason’s mix is interesting. He starts off with his wicked intro (isn’t that MC Drokz screaming?), and the beats, bass, and lyric come flying at you for the next hour and 11 minutes. He carefully mixes them all together, and at no point does it become dull or annoying. Which record makes me want to ‘hakkûh’ the most? ‘BIEM!’. Why? Because it’s a well produced record with a basic thought: making the ravers stomp the shit out of everything. I’ve got no urge to sit down and relax whenever I hear this record. Another succesful mix by Jason S. You must check him out on Mixcloud: it’s indeed a raver’s paradise! DJ: Jason S Genre/Style: Hardcore, Gabber, Uptempo Mix Info: Holland Is Hardcore 3 Length Mix: 01:11:25 Tracks: 30 (thirty) Download/Listen (via Mixcloud): LISTEN HERE File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Bitspeed: unknown More Information: Jason S – Mixcloud Page

I’m doing something unique, something I might have done only once or twice before: review a review. What does that involve, you might wonder? Well, it’s basically a mix I have already reviewed before being reviewed again. But would I review any ordinary mix? Nah, that’s not my cup of tea: only the finest of the finest will get a re-review. And I think that this one is one of the greatest Trance mixes I have ever heard in my life! It was released last year on DJ Midas’ Mixcloud page, and it had a fair amount of plays, but I reckon the majority were my fault. I have downloaded this and copied it onto my USB stick, but sadly now my car doesn’t have the option to use more than 1 USB port. So it’s either my phone (which I need for my satnav) or the USB stick. And I rather use the satnav, if I’m honest. But thankfully I can use the Mixcloud app to play it, and it gives me the opportunity to make every journey exciting. Does that mean my journeys are 4 hours long? Nah, not really. But still it makes it worth while. And every bloody time I press play again. I can’t contain my happiness. This is, without a doubt, the dopest mix out there. It contains the finest Anjunabeats records money can buy, and they were selected (and mixed) together beautifully by DJ Midas. Normally he’s all into UK Hardcore and Happy Hardcore, but for this mix he went a completely different route, and it’s a route he should take more often. I can not underline the fact that this mix is one of the greatest ever. But I will. This is one of the greatest mixes ever!  There, I’ve done it. And now let’s focus on the tracklist. 01. Oceanlab – Satellite (Marcus Schulz Coldharbour Remix)  02. 8 Wonders – Sex On The Beach (6″ Stilletto Mix)  03. Purple Mood – One Night In Tokyo (Above & Beyond Remix)  04. Tranquility Base – Getting Away (Original Mix)  05. Above & Beyond – Anjunabeach (Nitrous Oxide Remix)  06. Sunny Lax – M.I.R.A. (Daniel Kandi Remix)  07. Greg Murray & Christian Rusch – The Promise (Ronski Speed Remix)  08. Super8 – Cre8 (Original Mix)  09. Jono Grant vs Mike Koglin – Circuits (Original Mix)  10. Mike Koglin & Mark Pledge – Ultraviolet (Original Mix)  11. Oceanlab – Breaking Ties (Above & Beyond Analogue Heaven Mix)  12. Jer Martin – Ten Minutes To Midnight (Original Club Mix)  13. Super8 & Tab – Suru (Original Mix)  14. Signalrunners – Meet Me In Montauk (Oliver Smith Remix)  15. Smith & Pledger – Connected (Original Mix)  16. Oceanlab – On A Good Day (Daniel Kandi Remix)  17. Signalrunners – One Last Look (Original Mix)  18. Carrie Skipper – Time Goes By (Super8 Bangin’ Remix)  19. Oceanlab – Beautiful Together (Signum Remix)  20. Nitrous Oxide – Red Moon Slide (Original Mix)  21. Endre – Kallocain (Original Mix)  22. Aalto – Rush (Super8 vs Orkidea Remix)  23. Aalto – 5 (Nitrous Oxide Remix)  24. Aalto – Taurine (Super8 Remix)  25. Above & Beyond – No One On Earth (Smith & Pledger Remix)  26. Kaste – Desert Eagle (Smith & Pledger Remix)  27. Luminary – Amsterdam (Smith & Pledger Remix)  28. Daniel Kandi – Breathe (Original Mix)  29. Mike Koglin vs Jono Grant – Sequential (Original Mix)  30. Mike Koglin & Mark Pledger – All The Way (Original Mix)  31. Smith & Pledger – Northern Lights (Original Mix)  32. Smith & Pledger – Believe (Original Mix)  33. Tranquility Base – Buzz (Original Mix)  34. Dan Stone – Made In Bharain (Original Mix)  35. Nitrous Oxide – North Pole (Original Mix)  36. Smith & Pledger – Black 37. Oceanlab feat Justine Suissa – Sirens Of The Sea (Above & Beyond Club Mix)  38. Oceanlab – Sky Falls Down (Armin van Buuren Remix)  39. Daniel Kandi – Child 40. Sunny Lax – Misgrey (Original Mix)  41. Above & Beyond – Can’t Sleep (Signum Remix) It was easy to compose this tracklist: I already wrote the review last year, so it was basically copy-paste. Anyway, the music in this tracklist is pure bliss. I’ve enjoyed every time I have heard this mix. And it’s one of those mixes I have heard many times, over and over, and it wouldn’t disappoint me. If there’s a heaven I picture the angels playing this mix. Or just this mix. This is heaven in its purest form. The quality of the tunes is beyond belief, but we are all aware that Anjunabeats releases excellent music. They create masterpieces (well, the artists do, but you know what I mean). They give artists the platform they deserve. And by doing so they give us the music we need to survive our endless life. But what a way to live your life: press play and you will enter a new dimension, one you have not discovered before. Last year I mentioned my favourite record, and it still is the same. Above & Beyond’s ‘Can’t Sleep’ is a good ‘un, but still nothing can beat this seriously amazing record ‘Meet Me In Montauk’, remixed by Oliver Smith. This, to me, is probably one of the greatest Trance records ever made. If we could experience euphoria, this track is the way to do it. Let the music cover you and take you on a magical trip. You don’t need mushrooms to get high, just this one track. Or get high on this mix. DJ Midas has made a stunning mix I HAD to share again. Underrated slightly, but there’s still time to appreciate quality. And also quantity: 41 records in 4 hours. No bullshit mixes with 1296293 records in 10 minutes, but thankfully nice long extended version. That’s how to do it. Press play to hear the best ever! Not a lot of mixes can top this one. DJ: Midas Genre/Style: Trance, Euphoric Trance Mix Info: The Very Best Of Anjunabeats! Length Mix: 03:57:51 Tracks: 41 (fourty-one) Download/Listen (via Mixcloud): DOWNLOAD/LISTEN File Size: 544 MB File Type: mp3 Bitspeed: 319kbps More Information: Anjunabeats – Official Website

Last year M-Project released the album ‘Weaponized Soul’, and it was an immediate success. On this album he worked alongside names such as Scott Brown, Synthwulf, Mitomoro, Relect and many more, but we all know that M-Project can’t sit still: he’s always busy. And you might have seen on Facebook or Twitter the announcement of his new album, which is called ‘Weaponized Soul 1.5’. This follow up album contains reworks and remixes, and the records are big. 11 tracks for only ¥ 1500. Let me see how much that is in pounds…. 9.95 pounds. And like the previous album you can get it via Guhroovy’s Bandcamp page. It’s not out yet, don’t get too hyped up! You can pre-order it via Bandcamp, and the album will come your way on the 28th of April. But what can you expect from this album? Well, 11 amazing tracks being remixed or reworked by Powerstomp’s finest producer M-Project. On this you find classics such as ‘Neckbreaker’, ‘Freefall’, ‘This Is How We Do It’, ‘Checkin’ Da Cutz’ and more being remixed, and a few records by M-Project himself. This is not a boring album, or an album you want to miss. You obviously want to know what you can find on the album, and I’m showing you it right now! 01. M-Project – Hardcore Power (Redux)  02. Blunted – Freedom (M-Project & Muzik Servant Remix)  03. Scott Brown – Neckbreaker (M-Project & Mitomoro Remix)  04. Al Storm & M-Project – Distorted Chaos 05. Joey Riot vs It-Man – Can’t Hold Back (M-Project Remix)  06. Sash Dee & Daniel Seven feat Zoe VanWest – Over & Over (M-Project Remix)  07. Sy & Al Storm – Haunted (M-Project Remix)  08. Brisk & Vinylgroover – Checkin’ Da Cutz (M-Project & Liqo Remix)  09. Plus System – This Is How We Do It (M-Project Remix)  10. Daniel Seven & M-Project feat Blue Eyes – Climbing (Redux)  11. UFO – Freefall (M-Project Remix) A short but very exciting tracklist. This makes me happy. I do know the originals (and secretly heard a few records here and there), but now to find them all on one album is always great! This man keeps on providing us with awesome music, and his latest album is no exception. He’s an unstoppable force, and with this album he shows that he can make all time classics sound great, or sometimes even better than the original. Or show his own skills as a producer. He’s already worked with big names in the past, and on this album he does the same. Is this album better, worst, or equal to the first ‘Weaponized Soul’? Now that’s tricky. The first album’s focus was M-Project’s producing skills, and this second is focussed on his remix ability, so you really can’t compare the two albums. They are as different as they are unique. Which record does the most damage to my eardrums? ‘Can’t Hold Back’. The vocals are just brilliant! And with the legendary M-Project stomp underneath it, it all comes together beautifully. M-Project has delivered yet another awesome album. And I think you should pre-order it right now (if you haven’t already). Have I told you that you get 11 brilliant records on one disc? All DJ friendly, by the best Powerstomp producer out there? Artist: M-Project & Various Artists Genre/Style: UK Hardcore, Powerstomp, Happy Hardcore Release Year: 2018 CD Info: M-Project – Weaponized Soul 1.5 – Remixes & Reworks CDs: 1 (one) Length CD: 00:52:08 Tracks: 11 (eleven) Label: Terraform Music Product Number: TFCD-014 Buy Here: Weaponized Soul 1.5 – Guhroovy Website More Information: M-Project – Facebook Fanpage

If you are a raver, you must have seen his name before. This mysterious DJ, radio producer, music blogger and promoter has become a well established name in the industry, and has created a platform on which he showcases his love for everything 90s Rave related. He’s been pushing the oldskool sound forward, and his dedication and enthusiasm has led him being recognised by big names in the game. This will be the first time I interview a fellow blogger, but obviously a more interesting one than yours truly. Sit back and enjoy the conforting words from the one and only GL0WKiD! GL0WKiD, πώς είσαι? “Γειά σου Martin, all fine in here;  preparing myself for summertime! Hope you’re fine too mate.” I know that the majority of people don’t know who’s behind the name, but could you explain who GL0WKiD is, and what he does? And more to the point, where the name comes from? “Well, GL0WKiD is my 7 year old project born by my avid passion for radio, music & writing expressed on different angles. It’s my proud artistic part and I’d say in overall that I’m just a humble normal guy, who’s probably a little bit more passionate and 24/7 digger in music than others hahaha. Regarding the roots of the name, it’s a combination of 80’s/90’s superheroes, rave air and that ‘forever young’ spirit. In a few words, emphasis on positive vibes… So, all of these elements are still glowing inside me and hopefully will last for long enough.” You are from Athens, the lovely Athens. And you are a fan of the Oldskool Rave sound. That’s kind of unique, seeing as I would not have thought Rave music would be big in Greece. On your website you state that this character started back in 2011, but the roots, that’s what I’m interested in: when did you hear Rave music for the first time, and can you remember what the actual first tune was? “I still remember myself listening to various local radio stations from the age of 8 around, born for real into music while also focusing on specific shows playing out from Pop and EuroHouse to Trance or Happy Hardcore. Big fan also of good old MTV too. First rave vibes that infected me, were tunes like ‘Out of Space’ & ‘No Good’ by The Prodigy then ‘Age of Love’ anthem, Komakino’s ‘Outface’ or ‘L.A. Style – James Brown Is Dead’ and ‘Can’t Stop Raving’ by Dune. I can admit that ‘No Good’ has transferred me to another dimension (although ‘Out Of Space’ teaches that). By this anthem, I’ve completely entered into The Prodigy world, additionally I’ve opened my horizons discovering new music apart from the Eurotechno vibes I used to listen mostly back then.” A big name in the industry, and a huge The Prodigy Fanboy, but before we start delving into your work, I want to know when GL0WKiD was a real kid, what did you listen to? Who influenced you to become the person you are nowadays? “That’s a good question. Well I used to and I still listen to almost all types of Electronic music emphasizing to anything that’s uplifting and specifically everything started back then from Eurotechno/EuroHouse vibes. And I can now reveal that just before GL0WKiD birth, my previous project was on a duet with a girl where we’ve been reviving and breathing every single moment like 90s, having our radio shows, playing out Oldskool classics as well as participating on a few parties. So when this one ended, my current self project was born…” You wear a mask, to hide your identity. Is there a specific reason why you do that? “Hahaha! It all started from my radio love. And from this perspective, I define it like: back in my youth when I was listening to a radio show I was becoming one with the presenter without even knowing him or ever seen him or whatever. And this kind of magic, the magic of the unknown and the desire for discovery into something different like a travelling without moving trip fueled with innocence, is my main message. I still treat my life like in the 90s. Life is too short, we should not get depressed or angry with anything and anyone. Live it like Oldschool but call it Nuskool!” A big name, not only when it comes to blogging, but also radio presenter. A show called ‘Generation X’. You have had great response from literally the greatest in the scene, and you try to take down the barrier between the oldskool and nuskool sound. How did it come about, this radio show? Weren’t there enough show online already? “As already told you, everything started from my love to the value called ‘radio’. And you know what?! Everyone makes his own show, his own thing and that’s much respected of course, but there’s a huge fanbase and amount of people out there who appreciate that different approach of a show I’m doing over the years. It’s not just mixing or talking. It’s a complete radio show. Furthermore it’s educational as Matt, a good pal from Chicago, has described it. I’m 100% proud of Generation X [RadioShow].” A wide audience is captured by this, and you have been nominated as ‘Best Radio Show’ back in 2014. Within those 3 years you have done pretty well. Ever woke up and thought ‘this must be a dream’? “Definetely my nomination @ Breakspoll in 2014 was an absolute praise by all means and a good push forward to keep it up. It was followed successfully by entering into the Top 8 a year later as well. So before 2014, 3 years of hard work gave a straight pass to the next 4 years to harder work till present. I’ve stayed concentrated and simply keep doing what expresses me. It might sound crazy but I haven’t really thought of how big it is or how far it can get because everyday I wake up, I have a full notebook scheduled with different tasks to do within the scene.” Explain to everyone, who are unaware of the show, what the mission is of it? “The mission of Generation X [Radio Show] is to bridge the gap between Oldskool & Nuskool generation by the rhythms of Hardcore and uplifting Rave buzzers! Everytime, emphasized on different setlist, new labels, promos, guests mixes & exclusive radio interviews either with well established legends in the game or new blood and upcoming producers that are my personal standout in the scene… The show is a serious takeover to the evolution of Hardcore featuring from Hardcore Breaks to Happy Hardcore and Ravecore dishes. Back in 1991, Qbass has said that Hardcore will never die and it’s totally true to date. At present, I’m currently into some occassional special editions of my radio show, due to my busy schedule. Anyone can get informed by subscribing or following my socials.” You have interviewed many great names (and I’m jealous), like Marusha, Mark Archer, Billy Daniel Bunter, Ratpack, Luna-C, Liquid, Fat Controller, Casketkrusher, and the list goes on. How do you prepare yourself for such an interview, and how have the responses been from the fans? “So far, all of my Guests (around 50 in total) are people that I appeciate and admire a lot and that gives me extra motivation and pleasure to make a good Interview with them. It takes time because I’m a perfectionist and everything should be done professionally, because it’s not just a chat but an interview and all listeners or blog readers should learn something and inform themselves. Till now, fans response regarding the interviews is ideal. I’d share as an example my recent interview with German superstar Marusha; its length is a bit less than 40 minutes and after that all messages I’ve received from the listeners were full of joy and excitement. Most of them said in common that it was about the real ‘chemistry’ between myself & the interviewee and then about the topics we discussed and news that revealed. Last but not least, all of my Guests are picked not by accident but on the grounds of my support and preference to their work. I really like to push and promote all of them as much as it can get. Good for them is good for the scene!” Who’s the biggest artist you haven’t interviewed yet, and really want to interview? “Everyone is special but The Prodigy was the beginning for me… I still call them my ‘music religion’. That says it all!” You became more active back in 2013: you joined The Prodigy Fanboy team member. Now we all know who The Prodigy are, and how great they have been since the start. I’m also a fan of their earlier work (don’t really understand their ‘newer’ stuff) and have played their first three albums so much, scratches have made the album unplayable. But what’s your reason to join this club, and what’s the mission behind this fanclub? “The Prodigy Fanboy is almost a 10 years old large community founded by Danny an Aussie loyal Prodigy fan. I’ve been following this website from its early days and by the time I was doing some exclusive special radio shows dedicated to the band I got in touch with him and it was a matter of time joining Fanboy. Over the last 5 years I’m offering several website reviews as well as my Prodigy Fanboy Podcasts which have been still receiving great feedback from the fans. It’s a must to hear if you missing these, because it features anything around The Prodigy; from live versions to remixes, solo stuff, exclusive fan remixes etc. Needless to say that I love being involved on this role and promoting the band I love. Thanks to Fanboy which gave me this opportunity & appreciates my hard work.” Ok, quick fire question (well, I had to): best Prodigy record, and why? “‘Music For The Jilted Generation’ without any second thought. The reason is that Liam Howllet has correctly set up the right bridge between UK based Hardcore Breakbeat and German Techno as well as adding new elements of Punk attitude, experimenting more himself and forming step by step The Prodigy as a full band…” The Prodigy has been a huge inspiration to many in the scene, and they still demolish dancefloors/stages all over the world. Are they succesfull in Greece too? “It’s been 3 years since the last time they played in Greece and when they return everything will be on fire again to embrace the new album. Every Prodigy gig in here is always frenzy. These boys are suitable to provide the right warmth to our mediterranean substance. Even though that Russia is the No.1 force of Prodigy fans I can say that Greek fans have built the right chemistry & a very good relationship with the band over the years.” You have been to several Prodigy gigs, but what is so appealing to their performances? Why are they so unique and refreshing? “From a die hard Prodigy fan to a guy who hasn’t seen them before, the day of a Prodigy gig is something special because even though you can guess the setlist, you’re fueled with energy pumping from the immense beats of Liam accompanied by a storming performance from the others on stage. We live in times when we’ve run out of big Electronic live bands; and when a 30 yrs band keeps doing that and still touring all around that’s unique, noteworthy and musically healthy. In addition their new direction since ‘The Day Is My Enemy’ has refreshed themselves as its something that totally represents them 3, thus it’s welcomed by all crowded venues they play.” Talking about big things: you experienced something really good, playing at ‘Old Skool Festival 2016’ in Lodz, Poland, and you played amongst big names such as N-Joi, Rachel Wallace, Rozalla, General Levy, Nicky Blackmarket, and more. How did that come about, and how was the response from the crowd in Poland? “It was an amazing experience and finally I got the chance meeting in person many good friends from the web like Damage Inc. , Nefti, Oneplayz, Teknociziak, Simi, Greg Sin Key, Dymeq and of course the man who booked me, DJ Tornado. I have only good memories to share about this amazing weekender. I appreciate and love all Polish crew. Just to say that I’ve been calling this city like the Capital of Nu-Rave before visiting and living the Polish rave buzz. Lodz is full of talented people in arts and the music is a big part over there. Additionally they do know how to party hard with or without vodka hahaha!” Can you describe your set in three words? “Energetic – Uplifting – Multigenre” But we nearly forgot to mention the Strictly Nuskool Blog! You are a partner/manager and blogger/author of this wonderful website. For those unaware of what this blog does, can you elaborate on what it is that you all do? “Strictly Nuskool Blog is in the game over the last 5 years and I’m personally very happy & proud seeing how it’s evolved and helping also various producers/labels/promoters. It features exclusive content like interviews, reviews for newish releases as well as various podcasts/mixes. You should check the annual series of Hall of Fame mixes by myself & Tariq Ziyad done every December of each year. Apart from that, it’s also run as a free net label aiming to promote Nuskool artists. There are 36 releases so far including Singles, Eps and Album compilations all available on digital format. You can stream/download all releases here: https://thestrictlynuskoolblog.bandcamp.com/music All in all, it seems to me that our scene needs more blog entries like Strictly Nuskool or yours to step next to everything new in order to promote the continuation of the music we love. Have to send my shouts out to Tariq, BreakbeatScientist, Andro, 2Nzy and Ted, and hopefully more people will start something on their own for the good of Hardcore music.” You’ve had me on twice, naming my top 5 records of the year (I think it was back in 2015 and 2016). Now I’m going to ask you a very, very difficult question, and I hope you are ready for it: if you had to choose 5 records of all time, which ones would they be, and why? “Tough 1 because they’re tons of good stuff from different genres. For example I can opt a Depeche Mode album or even Bomfunk MCs debut… Alright. Since you asking this question I can mention 5 albums that come straight to my mind at the moment for different reasons. ‘The Prodigy – Music For The Jilted Generation’ = Already told you the reason. Top of everything for me! ‘The Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole’ = Godfathers of Big Beat and rocking attitude in Electronic music. This album makes does it for real! ‘Moby – Everything Is Wrong’  = Nothing can beat Moby’s 90s albums and everything is totally… correct on this versatile LP. ‘Altern-8 – Full On Mask Hysteria’  = The Rave Bible ‘2 Unlimited – No Limits!’ = 90s of innocence” Not only a blogger/author, DJ, manager/partner, but also a vlogger! You are indeed a very busy man. Why did you add vlogging to your already busy portfolio? “Early of this year I had this great idea launching something that has been missing nowdays from Hardcore and that is dealing with Video. Furthermore a videoshow of me doing what I’ve been doing on my radio shows over the years. So, #GLOWBUZZ was born. The result, especially on the second episode, is totally phenomenal and I’m inclined to say that there will be more like these because all Hardcore community is next to it and I need to offer more. There are people like Luna-C, Jay Cunning, Hyper On Experience, Liquid, DJ Faydz as well as many good friends from various labels, DJs & producers, all showing their love on my new project. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all kind words, feedback and love. Bigup goes also to Akrivi Kollia, the videomaker. We’ve spent many hours sorting out these videos and enjoying it quite a lot. The second episode is available to watch now including forthcoming Kniteforce Records 12” Eps by Gothica Shade, Liquid, Hyper On Experience & Pete Cannon.” We’re coming towards the end, so before we sign off, can you please tell the fans what’s happening in the near future: anything we should focus on? Any gigs/interviews planned? Any other business venture you would like to share with us? “I like a lot doing surprises and this is the reason I haven’t revealed in public the subject of #GLOWBUZZ second episode. When people noticed that ‘Forthcoming 12” material by Kniteforce” they got blinded!!! Well, there are some good things and fresh projects in the pipeline but the main big thing coming up is Unity In The Sun 2018 in the beautiful Greek island of Corfu, where I’ll attend, making a big review of this proper Hardcore & Jungle week plus getting some exclusive interviews for an upcoming radio show. Keep your eyes peeled for this one. Last but not least I’ve been contributing on the music selection of a live theatrical play and this is a big challenge. Certainly something interesting and new for me.” We know each other due to the work that we both do. And I’m being humble as always. But if you could give me clues/tips on how to improve my blog, what would they be? (I always want to learn from the master blogger) “Martin keep doing what expresses you mate. No rules, no anything in our emotions and expression on the music we love and represent. This message goes out to all. Express yourselves.” Last question, and it’s a simple one: when will we see the true GL0WKiD (meaning without the mask?). When will the world find out who’s behind it all? “Time will tell… Till then go with the glow!” A big thank you to my fellow blogger/music lover from Greece! Thanks for these interesting answers. If you are intriguid by his answers, you should, and I underline the following, check out his social media pages, which you can find underneath the interview. Also, as an added bonus, you can find two episodes of his succesful vlog! http://www.glowkidmusic.blogspot.com http://www.youtube.com/user/gl0wkid https://www.facebook.com/GENX.RADIOSHOW https://twitter.com/glowkidmusic https://www.mixcloud.com/GLOWKiD/ https://soundcloud.com/glowkidmusic http://www.strictlynuskool.blogspot.com http://www.theprodigyfanboy.com

As a blogger/reviewer you get the privileges to receive great music via multiple channels, but sometimes people remind you (without it being their fault) of a mistake you made back in the 90s. That’s exactly what happened with the following mix CD I am talking about: Mazzo Presents: Manic Monday, released in 1994. I remember this album really well: it’s the only album I did NOT buy back in the 90s. I have had this album in my hands in a record store called ‘Free Record Store’ in Heerlen, and I always thought I should buy this, just to give it a go, but I was never interested. I did not understand Oldkool music back then, I was a full on Hardcore/Gabber fanatic, and thought this album was not my cup of tea. Oh the irony: I am a huge Oldskool music lover now! Someone called Onderkoffer reminded me of this album, and I had a quick listen to it on Youtube, and realised that I made a huge mistake back in the 90s. I should have purchased this album. Why, you might ask? Well, it’s a fucking dope album! Mixed by two legends from the scene: DJ Dano and Jeroen Flamman.  Yep, the one from Flamman & Abraxas. And for those who were raving the night away during the 90s, a quick reminder of what Mazzo was: it was a club in Amsterdam, and every week they held a ‘Manic Monday’ night. Now this album is commemorating those nights. To get this album I could have bought it back in the 90s, which I didn’t. And to go now to Heerlen to the Free Record Store is a no-no, seeing as the company is bust. So the only way is Ebay, and thankfully I found a copy. A bit dirty and a few scratches, but still playable. Thanks Onderkoffer for making sure I would listen to a wonderful mix album. And now you all want to see the tracklist, right? CD 1  01. Hypnotist – Pioneers Of The Warped Groove 02. The Todd Terry Project – Back To The Beat 03. Casanova’s Revenge – Let’s Work 04. Bazz – House Of Pax 05. Joey Beltram – Energy Flash 06. Second Phase – Mentasm 07. Phuture – We Are Phuture 08. Fierce Rulling Diva – Whipped Kream 09. Eternal – Eternal 10. Photon – Doin’ Our Thang 11. DJ Doc Scott – Surgery 12. Tronikhouse – Uptempo 13. The Prodigy – Charly 14. Marusha – Rave Channel 15. Set Up System – Fairy Dust 16. Fierce Rulling Diva – Rubb It In 17. E-Rection – Smoke My Dang Along 18. Spawn – Tension 19. Robert Armani – A.M.B.U.L.A.N.C.E. 20. Tyree – Video Crash 21. Church Of XTC – XTC 22. NRG – Never Lost His Hardcore 23. Immaginazione – Musica Del Futuro 24. Gateway Experience – Twin Freaks 25. Edge Of Motion – Set Up 707 26. Tellurians – The Navigator 27. TD5 – Cyber Trance 28. Nico – The Scream 29. Circuit Breaker – Trac-K 30. Edge #1 – Compnded CD 2  01. Science Lab – Flesh & Blood 02. B Sides – Magic Orchestra 03. B Sides – Moribund (Remix)  04. Time Zone – Praise God 05. Da Posse – Searchin’ Hard 06. 2 In A Room – Somebody In The House (Say Yeah!!!) 07. Set Up System – Factory 08. Techno Grooves – Techno Slam 09. Space Trax – Atomic Playboy 10. Trancemission – No More Mindgames 11. Ace The Space – Nine Is A Classic (Ace The Space) 12. Overdog – Fuck You Up 13. The Mover – Nightflight 14. English Muffin – Ride 15. Mescalinum United – We Have Arrived 16. Monoton – Translated Realities 17. Nighttripper – Tone Exploitation 18. Altern8 – Activ 8 19. Kicks Like A Mule – The Bouncer 20. Inner City – Praise (United Mix)  21. The Prodigy – Android 22. Return Of The Living – Get Funky 23. Frequency – Kiss The Sky 24. CJ Bolland – Horsepower 25. Kicksquad – Soundclash 26. DHS – House Of God 27. Dr Kevorkian – Suicide Machine 28. D-Shake – Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah 29. Turntable Hype – Turntable Hype (A’Dam Mix)  30. Nico – So Light (On 45!) 31. Phrenetic System – Reality 32. English Muffin – You Should Have Been Smarter 33. O.S.P. – Ooooh Shit! Wowzers! What a tracklist! And to think that back in 1994 they already concidered this to be ‘oldskool’ music. Hence the bit on the front of the album “a first lesson in rave history”. Yeah, this is Rave history! Carefully mixed and selected by Dano and Flamman. Bloody Nora, this album is great. A bit of everything is in here. From Dutch classics to British anthems, and we all know how much I like British anthems. The first album is nice and relaxed, the second comes in harder than before. The focus on the second album is Hardcore, and boy, do they play the records hard. And it’s an unbelievable thing, this compilation. Both DJs have selected really cool records. And to think I left this on a shelf in a record store, what a stupid decision I made. But let’s not forget, I was born in 1983, I did not understand the power behind Rave music yet, I was 11 back in 1994 lol. So young and innocent. It’s a tremendous album. I can not underline the fact that this is a must have album. I do that with a permanent marker. This is everything ravers need to have. They’ve done their best to make this album work, and it has worked beautifully. I can not point out one thing wrong with it. The first disc’s best record…. simpel answer: ‘Circuit Breaker – Trac-k’. Brilliant record. Second disc’s best record ‘Nighttripper – Tone Exploitation’. Can’t go wrong with these two amazing records. So all in all a wonderful album. Thanks Onderkoffer for reminding me what a fool I have been in the 90s. But it’s never too late to hallucinate! DJs: Dano & Flamman Genre/Style: Hardcore, Acid, Techno Release Year: 1994 Album Info: A First Lesson In Rave History CDs: 2 (two) Length CDs: +/+ 2 hours Tracks: 63 (sixty-three) Label: EVA Product Number: 74321 246372 More Information: —————-

One of the events I really wanted to go to, was Thunderdome ’96. As a young lad Thunderdome dominated my youth, and the 1996 edition turned out to be one of the most talked about Thunderdomes ever. The response it had was tremendous, and even to this day it’s a well remembered night. On Partyflock 74% of the partygoers rated it as aweseom/excellent, and not one bad review. A night to remember, and for only ƒ 50,- you would experience the night of your life, with an incredible line-up: 50% of the Dream Team, Bass-D & King Matthew, Buzz Fuzz, Dana, Dano, Darkraver, Delirium, E-Rick, Gizmo, Hardcor, Neophyte, The Prophet, Uzi, Waxweazle, Weirdo, and 3 Steps Ahead. You cannot deny the feeling you just received after seeing that line-up. And that night had been captured on a CD, and released also in 1996. On the CDs you find livesets by Dano, The Prophet, Weirdo, Buzz Fuzz, Gizmo & The Dark Raver, and you find live recorded sets by Bass-D & King Matthew, 3 Steps Ahead, Neophyte, and Delirium. So nearly the whole night is captured. Yes, only short snippets of their sets are recorded, but still a good impression of what happened on that wonderful night. And even though I was too young, I really wanted to go. The feedback after the event shocked the Netherlands: how can Hardcore create such an excellent night, when the majority of the politicians and regilious parties are against it? The physical CD has been played by yours truly so many times, I can literally dream each record on it. And the response from the crowd is just beyond belief. No other event can create such a vibe. And we might be living in an era during which everything has just become 1000 times better, but the atmosphere in 1996 was just much, much better. We gave the word gabber a true meaning. We were all mates, all lads, and we all raved. No mobile phones blocking our physical views. Nothing stood in our way of enjoying the night (well, maybe the odd pill here and there)…. CD 1: Live Recorded DJ Sets DJ Dano:  01.1 The Stunned Guys – Beats Time 01.2 The Lawyer – Yo DJ 01.3 DJ Dano – Starting Up 01.4 Tellurian – Hardcore Junkies 01.5 DJ Dave & The Chicago Hardcore Party Force – Listen… The Prophet:  02.1 The Prophet & DJ Delirium – Sirenia 02.2 Masoko Solo – Pessa Pessa (The Prophet Remix)  02.3 The Prophet & DJ Delirium – Da Skunk Mix 02.4 The Prophet & DJ Delirium – We Love To Party 02.5 3 Steps Ahead – Drop It 02.6 Re-Charge – Bumrush DJ Weirdo:  03.1 DJ Weirdo – The Thunder Anthem (Weird Siren Mix)  03.2 Dr. Phil Omanski & Jeremy – Rockin’ Your Body (Buzzy Goes BZRK Mix)  03.3 DJ Weirdo & Dr. Phil Omanski – Young Birds 03.4 Lords Of The Underworld – Take It Easy 03.5 DJ Mongoose – Rip Shit Up (DJ Isaac Remix) DJ Buzz Fuzz:  04.1 French Connection – French Connection (Original SS 19 Mix)  04.2 The Stunned Guys – Beats Time 04.3 DJ Buzz Fuzz – Summertime (Alright Y’All Mix)  04.4 DJ Omar Santana – Kick Some Shit 04.5 Buzz Fuzz – Chemical Overdrive DJ Gizmo & The Dark Raver:  05.1 The Nightraver & DJ Trevor – Rave Is The Word 05.2 Davie Forbes – Remember That 05.3 Bruyaa & Ozonic – Welcome To Deathrow (Happy Mix)  05.4 Lenny Dee & The Dark Raver – To Da Rhythm 05.5 DJ Dave & The Chicago Hardcore Party Force – Yo Mr. DJ Bonus:  06.1 Marshall Masters – Stereo Murder CD 2 : Live Recorded Sets Bass-D & King Matthew:  01.1 Bass-D & King Matthew – Like A Dream 01.2 DJ Distortion & MC Raw vs Bass-D & King Matthew – Raveworld 01.3 Highlander – Hold Me Now (I’m Sorry) (Bass-D & King Matthew Remix) 01.4 Bass-D & King Matthew – The Thunder Anthem 3 Steps Ahead:  02.1 3 Steps Ahead – Gangsters (Feel So Good) 02.2 3 Steps Ahead – Money In My Pocket 02.3 3 Steps Ahead – Drop It 02.4 3 Steps Ahead – The Thunder Anthem (Thunderscream) Neophyte:  03.1 Bodylotion – Always Hardcore 03.2 Bodylotion – Fuck Martina 03.3 Neophyte – The Guitarman 03.4 Neophyte – Execute 03.5 Bodylotion – Happy Is Voor Hobo’s Bonus (DJ Delirium):  04.1 DJ Delirium – Dance Or Die 04.2 DJ Promo & Da Vinci – Psycho Style 04.3 Paradox – The Guillotine 04.4 DJ Delirium & Omar Santana – Drop Da Beat Now, all of us are secretly in awe of this, aren’t we? For me the only other live CD that can top this is Mysteryland 1998 Outdoor, and that’s just basically because I was there. But I just love a proper album which contains the audience in their fullest. And for example during Neophyte’s set they left the bit in where they start asking the crowd if the music level is ok, or not? That’s a liveset for you. Let me tackle this CD in two bits: first we’ll talk about the live DJ sets, and the second bit will be about the livesets, eh? The first DJ on the disc sets the tone, DJ Dano. His short set is really astonishing, and it contains really awesome records. After him The Prophet takes over and treats us to a special version of ‘Pessa Pessa’, which still holds the record of the filthiest bass ever. DJ Weirdo is next, and he plays the coolest Happy/Hardcore anthems out there. Buzz Fuzz’s set isn’t without small errors, but he’s a crowd pleaser, and that’s what he does. And lastly, the Dark Raver and Gizmo (and also the bonus bit during which he coins the phrase ‘wacht effe’). They do what they are good at, and play one of the finest records on this disc: ‘Welcome To Deathrow’. The best set, without a shadow of a doubt, is DJ Dano’s set. Each record is a beauty, and mixed together insanely good. Second disc contains liveset. Bass-D & King Matthew are first to kick off. Playing their finest records, including the well spoken about ‘Like A Dream’, which has never been released. 3 Steps Ahead is after, and demolishes every brain cell you’ve got left. Neophyte just destroys the stage, and the guitar sound penetrates our souls. And DJ Delirium is the last to end it all, and does it with his unique style: American style. Best set? 3 Steps Ahead. All, and I mean all, records are amazing. I have listened to this over and over again, I can pin point each scream, noise and word. This is a superb set by the true legend (RIP). A wonderful 2 disc compilation of one of the greatest Hardcore events which have ever taken place. 22 years ago, but still alive in all our hearts. Thunderdome set the tone, really. And all of this because of a dream of a few youngsters. They changed the world, and during the 1996 event they paved the way for a future, a future with Hardcore dominating our lives. Ps. I’ve added two Soundcloud players, because magpie303 uploaded the CDs onto it. So you can enjoy it too! Act: Various Artists Genre/Style: Hardcore, Happy Hardcore Release Year: 1996 Album Info: Thunderdome ’96 – Dance Or Die! (Live Recorded At) CDs: 2 (two) Length CDs: 02:36:37 Tracks: too many Label: Arcade & ID&T Product Number: 9902299 More Information: Thunderdome – Official Website

This man doesn’t need an introduction at all. A legend since day one, a pioneer and one of the hardest DJs on Earth, a man who’s mission it is to bring only the hardest and finest music to those who can handle it. The voice of a nation of Gabbers: his legendary ‘Thunderdome’ shoutouts still give every gabber goosebumps. To most he’s known as Opa Drokz (or Grandpa Drokz, if you aren’t Dutch), and some might even know him as Richard K, Richie Gambino, Creatures of the Occult, etc. We will talk to this legend, ask him those questions most of us are afraid to ask him, and will indulge ourselves into his passion for the music, getting crowds to go mental, and his love for sneakers. Ladies and gentlemen, we are honoured to interview the legend that is DJ Drokz! Drokz, how are you doing? Enjoying the weather with a nice beverage? “Nah, sitting nice and comfy on the couch with a heinie (a.k.a. Heineken). Mazzel the diva dog is doing a beauty sleep next to me and a DJ set of Current Value is on the speakers. Pretty relaxed setting to do an interview.” You are a well known name in the Hardcore/Terror scene, seeing as you are a producer and DJ, and used to be an MC aswel. We could ask you the standard question, but we won’t: if you sum up who Drokz is in a couple of words, what would those words be, and why? “Dedicated, Loyal, Music maniac, Down to earth…but to be fair, people who know me well can give you a better description. And to keep it real, also impatient and grumpy at times hehe. But grandpa’s are allowed to be grumpy at times hahaha.” You’ve been in the scene for many years, as a producer and as a DJ. You’ve been playing since the early 90s, and had your first release back in 1995 (according to Discogs it’s ‘Bier EP’ by you and Conabis). Back in those days, when you were a bit younger, what was your goal? What was the reason you decided to change from the dancefloor to stand behind the decks? “My first EP was out in 1992 on my own 289 records label. Musical vandals ¨Hakke¨ (btw the first record with the word Hakke in it ;) ). When I was 15 I played Hiphop. The reason was that I wanted to share my taste in music  and that is still the reason today.” What possessed you to choose for the hardest style known to mankind? Why does it appeal to you so much you made it your way of living? “I always tend to like the harder end of genres. For example, with Metal I like: Deicide, DnB Current Value & and Hiphop Onyx. It´s just natural to me that I like the harder end. But I got a wide taste of music. A way of living, I don´t know, I just do what I got to do and music wise nobody tells me what to do. Maybe that is the mentality of a terrorhead, I do and like what I like….don´t like that, phonk you!!” A few days ago a memorable moment passed you by without knowing: your 400th performance as a DJ. Currently you have played 402 times so far. Ever look back at what you have achieved in all those years? “There are 3 things that I´m proud of. First of all, that I´m still active in a scene of the music that I love.  Second that I arranged that Akira, Noisekick, The Vizitor got their first records out. Not that I started their carreer or something, they would succeeded anyway, no doubt, but I´m proud of that I helped them just a little bit. Third,  when I was young people believed I would end up to no good, so I proved them wrong biaaattccchhhhh hehe.” You were and still are an inspiration person. Your music has touched many souls. And during the 90s people were able to witness you in a show on a music channel (TMF) called ‘Hakkeeh’.  For those who haven’t seen the show, it was focussed on Hardcore during the heydays of Hardcore. It had live registrations of Hardcore parties, and also interviews with DJs/producers. Your section of the show was called ‘Ouwe Hoeren Met Drokz’. You were clearly enjoying yourself when you recorded it, but how do you look back at this period in your life? “It was wild & strange. Wild because everything I dreamed of as a young boy came true. Being able to perform on small and really big stages, lots of ladies, lots of drugs and making enough money. Strange, because TMF ´Hakkeeh´ did put everything over the top. Recognized everywhere, 2 hours before and after shows signing autograhps and all that. From being an anonymous dude just before that, it changed everything too fast. I had conversations with MC Mouth of madness (who also presented the show) like ¨wtf is happening here¨. We improvised everything, there was nobody to guide us, nothing (what gave us maximum freedom). The whole ¨ff ouwehoeren¨ thing i´ve made up while just smoking some weed and writing some ideas on paper. Went to a partyshop to buy a hat and a beard and just started with that. So I enjoyed it a lot, but i´ve learned also a lot. It was crazy times x 666.” Hardcore went down the drain, and nearly disappeared completely. The music changed, and many left the scene. Only a handful remained active, and kept the scene alive and kicking, but more focussed on the underground side of Hardcore. Was there ever a moment in your life when you thought that ‘it has been good enough, I’ll quit’?  Or was the love for the music strong enough to keep you going? “I´m a supporter for life, not a succes supporter (not footbal related, I´m not a hooligan, but footbal supporters know exactly what I mean). I always say to people with big mouths…I was there when you came into the scene and I will be opening the door when you leave. 2012 was a really bad year for the Terror scene, there was no music coming out. Most producers had legitable reasons for it (building a new studio, private issues ect.), some had give up and it made me work harder to put music out there. But the foundation in the Terror scene is strong, we stand our ground. What I sincerely hate, is when everything is on the rise again, the leeches pop up. Blurrrghhhh. DJ wise I will perform in the next years lesser and lesser, because it´s not easy to combine with my dayjob plus I ain´t getting any younger. But I always keep those tracks coming, can´t stop won´t stop.” Edit: when I´m coming home at 9 o´clock in the morning (drunk, trashed and looking like a truck ran over me) I like to qoute Danny Glover as Rodger Murtaugh from the old Lethal weapon movies :¨I´m getting too old for this shit¨ hahaha” Over the years you have produced many anthems like ‘Clear The Air’, ‘Bust That Ass’, ‘We’ve Killed The Pengo’, ‘Home Of The Sick’, ‘Time To Unite’… the list goes on and on. Which production you made still takes your breathe away, which is the one track that still gives you goosebumps? “There is not just one track…but I will make a Top 3. Bust That Ass, because it got the mid 90´s big hall sound and flow. Tried to remix it, complete waste of time. Btw the track is a remix, the original version I didn´t like enough to put it out and due to time pressure I remixed it in 1 day. Shotta, timeless gangsterstyled track, kick, vibe and vocal just fit perfectly. Destroyed a few dancefloors through time with that track and gives me that special attitude behind the decks. Our Song, last track on the last Thunderdome, really special track and moment with DaY-már. Long break, but when it hits, it HITS, that special feeling. And ofcourse a lot of genuine terror tracks…..Creatures of the Occult allways nice to hear back and gives me that dark feeling.” Who inspired you when you were producing those tracks? “I just get inspired by a lot of music in general. I get inspired by people who are doing what they like and stand firm doing that. Also people who think outside their genre/substyle and got the balls to step out of their comfort zone. Lately there are too many producers/DJ’s judging other producers/DJ’s while they are prisoners of their own style. I listen to a lot of styles and if you listen closely to my tracks you can hear that. Reggae in ¨Henkie Lives On¨, Metal in ¨Heavy Narcotics¨, Hiphop in the ¨Stealing Yo Shit¨ series to name a few.” Not only has Drokz released anthem after anthem, but also albums. Yes, this man is a very busy bee. His first album was released back in 2003, and many have followed. One even got released as a free download, for all those Terror freaks out there. And that’s something I am curious about: you do give out a lot for free, from mixes to EPs. What’s the reason behind your generosity? “Several reasons. Tickets are nowadays expensive enough (people have to work hard for the tickets), music must be easy acessable and they are on free download sites within 24hrs anyway. When I  started to make music/noise it was for myself, but I also wanted to share it with those who appreciate it. So nothing changed. That´s why I always ask kindly ¨like it, share it¨ when I drop a release. If you are a loyal follower of my pages, you´ll get rewarded with free music. Play it LOUD!!” Once you’ve witnessed the legend that is Drokz, the impact will change your life. Many have witnessed you over the years, and there’s a cult following. You have become the inspiration for many, and 36k+ fans do agree with your passion and enthusiasm for the music. There are even fans who tattoo themselves with your logo. But looking at your Tweets and Facebook statuses, you are still a down to earth guy. Hasn’t being famous affected you at all? “I explain it always like this. Someone who is really good in construction get´s compliments if his works’ finished and showed to the customer. I´m horrible with building stuff, I could not get a nail right in a piece of wood. So everybody got a skill they are good in, only with the difference that music will touch your hart, balls, clit whatever. So my talent is that I can play & make some music, that´s it. I´m not the type that is ¨oh so artistic¨, making things more important then it accually is. I think that is pure bullshit. A firefighter puts his life on the line doing his job, an airplane pilot got the responsibility over hundreds of people. You can´t compare those jobs with entertaining people in a club or sitting behind a pc listening to a kickdrum over and over. So being famous isn´t that important to me.” “Also I have a day job where  I´m Richard not Drokz. They don´t care what I do as Drokz, so that keeps my feet on the ground. But don´t get me wrong, I totally respect and appreciate my followers (even I don´t have time to answer messages, sorry). I´m blessed with such dedication of people!!!” “As far with the tattoos, that is the ultimate dedication. The Drokz tattoo club  get some merchandise for free as a appreciation for their dedication. It´s the least I can do back for them!” Drokz is well known for his passion for everything hard and tough, but also for his passion for sneakers. A specific brand to be precise (just do it). Is this the result from the 90s, when ravers/gabbers wore those sneakers? How many sneakers do you actually have? “No, I loved sneakers all my life, but never had enough money to spend it on. I started to collect a few years ago and now I think I got around a 120 pairs. Funny detail is that I’m always busy, so to relax I hunt for sneakers on the internet.” Have you got a shoe fetish? Do you find women in sneakers the sexies sight you’ve ever seen? “Nah I just like to wear fresh sneakers, that´s it. And for woman, yeah, I like it when they wear some supercute Air Maxes, no competition for boots, Uggs, ect.” Back to the music. You’ve recently released ‘DROKZ015 EP’ as a free download. After many years you haven’t lost your production skills and strength, but what is the secret behind a Drokz track? How come you make each track sound unique, fresh, raw, unedged, tough, etc? “Nothing, I just sit and start. Sometimes I have a plan what kind of style I want to make (like Industrial, Gabber, Funky, BPM range), sometimes not. I always make sure that the track is good to mix and most important that it will work on the dancefloor and gets you moving. I don´t give a phonk what is credible or not, new school/old school or flavours. Ofcourse there is a certain sound that I have, like some say ¨a typical Drokz kickdrum¨ or so, but that is what I like I guess, not doing that on purpose. Production skills can always be improved, so I will keep learning.” What’s your equipment set up at home? Do you still work on ‘oldskool’ equipment, or do you work on the latest hardware? “Everything in the box. Worked with hardware in the past and phonk that, phonk midi bullshit. It was always playing tricks with me, giving me errors, or not well saved sounds. It killed a lot of times my vibe. Plus a lot of synths nowadays are digital anyway, so I love to start up my computer and start where I finished the last time. Keeping my workflow high.” Many don’t know that you do have a full-time job, and being a DJ is some kind of hobby. You don’t perform that often (maybe twice a month). But if there is one reader who hasn’t seen you live before, what can he/she expect? “Yep I only perform twice a month. Expect energy!! Not a flawless set (I mix quite like a caveman hahaha), but with a lot of tracks building up from hard till harder.” Your musical knowledge is unendless, and you have worked/played with many artists over the last couple of years. Artists such as Akira, Partyraiser, DaY-már, Noizer, Angerfist, and the list goes on. At Masters Of Hardcore 2014 you played with an upcoming artist Mithridate. You introduced her to us all, as your protogé. Is there a specific reason why we all should follow Mithridate, and why is she the next best thing to hit the Terror scene? “Glad you ask, because there is some confusion about that subject. People that went the last few years to Terror partys in Holland probably seen her on the dancefloor already. And after some pictures (when she was behind the decks) posted by her boyfriend Paranoizer, Akira & I invited her spontaniously to play with us at Masters of Hardcore during our set. She was nervous as phonk, but played very well. Most wanted booking agency saw the response and we started talking. The reason she is supported by me is that she is FROM the dancefloor, UNDERSTANDING the dancefloor and has that energy that I sometimes mis with other DJ´s. She loves terror so much and that is the complete package to me. ATM she is learning to produce, but experience can´t be learned, so she still has a path to walk, but didn´t we all? I strongly believe that she is a great add-up to the terrorscene. Full support!!” “Angernoizer is back and stronger then before. Danny Ovington is the hard kick supplier and still making progress. The Sinner is improving his sound & production and working hard. Deterrent Man is dropping great tracks. Khaoz Engine signed with MW and is full focussed on a mission. And at the hard end of Hardcore I really like what Dave Dope is releasing. So things are looking good!!” You keep on releasing new music, and with Mithridate you’ve released ‘Haters Gonna Hate’, which people can find on ‘De Nederlandsche Terreur BV’ EP. The thought behind it is a nice one: all proceeds will go to charity. (ik zet hier links naar de EP). The top 5 Terror artists worked on this EP, and the result is a 5 track EP, with the slowest track being 220BPM. An excellent track, if I must say. But how come your track is the ‘slowest’? And who are actually the haters? “Because we love the 220bpm tempo haha. The other tought behind the project was also to unite/connect the older big name generation with the newest generation. United we stand!!” “The haters? Well…. let´s say that some people didn´t understand my support of Mithridate or disagree. Phonk that!! Also the usual rumours when a chick is supported, even Paranoizer is her well-known boyfriend and a friend of mine. So we tought it was a good subject for a song, case closed hehe. Also people can relate to the song, there is a lot of hating on the internet, so people remember…..Haters gonna hate anyway, phonk em!!” You’ve once said that ‘Holland Is Godverdomme Het Hardste’. You still stand by that quote? “Ofcourse, we are the hardest. What would the Hardcore scene be without Holland? It´s not only about BPM´s  📷 ” Still got a hate against Hard House? (mentioned in Holland Is…..) “Still don´t understand the word HARD .. Hate is a big word, but I will never perform in a leather jacket so to speak hahaha” What can we expect in the near future (production wise)? Any releases coming up? Or maybe an album you are secretly working on? “No secrets, currently I’m working on a team up ep with Goetia, some remixes pending and then drokz016.” Oh, something people might want to know: if anyone wants to purchase a Drokz t-shirt, where can they get them from? Are they still available? “At the Masters of Hardcore store. And I must say, it´s always superdope seeing someone rock your shirt at a party, seriously!!” Last question, and I’ve saved the best for last. It’s quite tricky to answer this correctly, but if anyone could answer it correctly, it has to be you. Can you explain to someone who thinks that it’s just a lot of noise, what Terror music actually is? “Hard, faster than average, sometimes funky, but most of all in your face music.” If you want to thank anyone at all for becoming who you are, or do the complete oppossite, here’s your chance. “Mr.Courage, Akira, The Vizitor, Noisekick, Masters of Hardcore, Marilys of MW bookings, ID&T (incl Waxweazle for the introduction), GNS crew, my old homeboys, my new homeboys, my dead homeboys, Sjoerd (known as the boy on a lot of album covers) and everyone involved in the Hardcore/Terrorscene + my lady aka Grandma.” We would like to say ‘thank you’ to Grandpa Drokz, for this very interesting, and very insightful interview. As I said before, this man doesn’t need an introduction, but only admiration for the achievements over the years. If you are still unaware of who this pioneers and legend is, make sure you check these websites out, bookmark them, and if you don’t (I’ll use a Drokz quote) ‘phonk you’. Also, check out his latest track on ‘De Nederlandsche Terreur BV‘ EP, which he made with the talented Mithridate. Drokz, a pioneer, the voice of a generation. Drokz – Facebook Fanpage Drokz  – Twitter Page Drokz – Soundcloud Page Drokz – Booking Agency Drokz – Personal Website

When we are talking about big events, there are so many to choose from. As a present day raver, you can go literally everywhere you want to, but if you really want to party hard, you should always go to the Netherlands. The birth place of many styles, and the birth place of the big events. Many have copied what the Dutch have done before, which is a compliment. But events like Intents Festival are unique. And you know it. This year at Intents Festival, Rooler played there and had a whale of a time. Of however the saying is. Rooler is one of those artists who pushes the Rawstyle sound forward, and has become the face of it. His music has been embraced by many, and captures the atmosphere in the scene beautifully. He has the natural gift of making the music sound beautiful, and intoxicating at the same time. He also knows how to please the fans online, like when he uploaded a teaser for 'YES!', in which he showed his awesome dancing skills in his house. But truth be told, the teaser was too damn short, but got literally everyone excited. And now it has been released, and the responses have been amazing. And even I am hooked. His set at Intents Festival was only 30 minutes long, but within those 30 minutes he comes and destroys everything, and everyone. Worth checking out the tracklist! 01. Intro (Domination Orchestral Edit) 02. Rooler - Domination 03. Rooler - The 23 Is Here (Intents Live Edit) 04. Rooler - #END 05. Rooler - YES! 06. Rooler - You Are Extinguished (Intents Live Edit) 07. Rooler & Thyron - Hesitate To Kill (Intents Live Edit) w/ Warface x Malice x Rooler - Watch Your Back (Vocal) 08. Rooler - Rollin' (Oldschool Edit) 09. Warface x Malice x Rooler - Watch Your Back (Intents Live Edit) w/ Malice & Rooler - Aggressive Act (Vocal) 10. Rooler - Violence (Aggressive Act Remix) 11. Malice - Dictatorship (Rooler Remix) 12. Rooler - Dikke Stroopwafel (Koningsdag 2018 Edit) 13. Rooler & Sefa - Survive The Street (Whatsapp Intro Edit) 14. Rooler - Martyr (Uptempo Edit) That's a beautiful tracklist. All focussed on Rooler (and friends). But you don't want to hear anything else besides this man's music. Rooler has been breathing and living Rawstyle, and his enthusiasm is very addictive. During this liveset the MC does his thing (which isn't imprresive to be said), but I'm not bothered about the MC, it's all about the crowd. And they loose it. They fucking loose it. You can hear them out loud, screaming, singing, and giving their all. There were only Rooler fans during his set, and they knew exactly each and every song he played. Now that's dedication for you, for sure. When the music is good, and the fans all love it, there's only love you can give to the artist. And in this set, the legendary 'YES!' got played, which has become an instant hit everywhere. A proper Rawstyle record with a few hints to the older sounds, but oh so fucking good. I can only give Rooler credit for this set. And he has got my respect. I fucking love whatever he does, even the quirky 'Stroopwafel' song. It's Sunday, press play and let the music take you on a journey. DJ: Rooler Genre/Style: Hardstyle/Rawstyle Liveset Info: Recorded @ Intents Festival 2018 Length Liveset: 00:31:01 Tracks: 14 (fourteen) Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): LISTEN HERE File Size: unknown File Type: unknown Bitspeed: unknown More Information: Rooler - Facebook Fanpage