(Masif/Stomp)

As most of the real fans know, the hardtrance sound is alive and well. Most producers and DJ’s of this genre are slowly shrugging off hardstyle and returning to more melodic sensibilities. The best of these are infusing their productions and sets with the frantic energy that hardstyle had while leaving out the claustrophobic neo-industrial tonal carnage that turned many would be fans off. Thus the hardtrance paradigm is slowly shifting toward a new fusion of darker melodia that is rapidly breathing new life into this resilient style.

Fans of both dark and uplifting are well served by Black Magic Hard Trance Anthems. In between finishing his masters thesis, creating a 60 track solo album and hectic Dj and production duties, Steve Hill has found time to mix up a storming euphoric hardtrance spectacular that is bound to please his many fans. Yoji Biomehanika, Japan’s favourite Dj and inspiration for a line of Seiko watches, has also deigned to treat fans to a beautifully crafted blend of edgy teched-out hardtrance that captures his relentless and unique style.  Both Dj’s have spun their own version of the sound, with Hill’s on a more melodic tip and Yoji’s exploring the darker regions. Interestingly, Yoji’s disc is a duplicate of his Good Greef 3 mix, so if you already own that be warned.

Steve Hill – CD 1

Disc one sees Hill mixing up one of his trademark ’melodic homage to the classics’ sets. His mix is full of new takes on old masters which will please those with a long involvement with electronic music while also sounding fresh enough to capture the hearts and minds of a new generation of clubbers. Many of these reworks have been done under his various guises. These tunes include ‘No Good For Me’ (an impressive doff to the Prodigy,) ‘Café Del Mar’, ‘Fine Day’ and the powerful Baby D tribute ’Let Me Be Your Fantasy.’

Two collaborative rework efforts also feature in the form of Steve Hill vs Dark By Design’s ‘Black Magic’ (an able reinterpretation of Nu Nrg’s ‘Pure Thrust’) and Steve Hill vs Technikal’s ‘Adagio For Strings.’ To complete the circle, Hill has also mixed in other artists visions such as Jam x + De Leon’s slightly disappointing ‘Blue Monday’, KSeries’ ‘Airwave’ and Rob Tissera vs Quake’s delightful ‘The Day Will Come.’

It’s easy to assume that Steve’s use of all these personal tracks is a bit on the self-indulgent side. Happily though, this is one instance when the Dj knows best. Hill is a gifted producer and it quickly becomes clear that this mix was a real labour of love for him. The tracks all gel together perfectly, thanks largely to Hill’s precise mixing, removing any doubts that their selection had any show pony motivation.

The choice cuts aren’t just limited to covers either. Tasty morsels abound, such as the hardhouser ‘One More’ which resonates with hoovers and oldskool flavour and samples elements from Ultra Sonic’s classic ‘We Want One More.’ Walt + Feliz’s crowd pleaser ‘Expansion’ and the catchy vocal hooks, squeaky synths and diligent b-line of Scot Project’s ‘L (I Want Your Love)’ are equally impressive. Add to the mix the soaring synths and snare rushes of ‘I’m Your Angel’  and the euphoric emancipation anthem ’Free At Last’ and you have one mighty tidy mix! 

Yoji Biomehanika - CD 2

If Hill’s mix is a melodic nu-tribute to the timeless, Yoji’s is a powerhouse showcase of the current crop of harder edged tunes. With a more uplifting techy flavour, Yoji’s mix includes everything from twisted-up acidic break beat hardstyle to congested hoovers and menacing pinball machine bleeps! If it’s tuff this mix has it and the pedal-to-the-metal style he is renowned for has translated extremely well to the lounge/bed room.

Yoji starts his assault with a tune from Belgian hardtrancer Dark Alliance. ‘Genetic’ has been receiving massive support from disc jockeys across the globe and is a great opener with an infectious vocal hook. A brief slice of ‘Vivil’ is up next before the snarling chaos of ‘Gods House.’ ’Vibration’, the ‘Genetic’ B-side, fills slot number four before Marcel and Woods’ rolling monster ‘Static State’ crashes onto the scene.

After the freakish ‘Acid’ sidles off, Yoji’s own ‘Monochroma’ thunders in, sounding like an army of demented arcade machines savaging a grand piano! The intensity of this tune is breathtaking, with the elements all fusing together to create an explosive monster that works equally well in a live or home listening environment. Truly massive!

Moving along, the techy grooves of ‘Blackout’ begin the descent into the echoey subconscious of a demented chanteuse while the spiralling chords of ’Streams’ will sit well with any lovestruck lazer licker. Another monster is the pure hardtrance indulgence of ‘Til Tears Do Us Part’ which features a  mournful vocal twist that keeps improving with every listen. It’s like a hardtrance pop song!

Nearing it’s conclusion, the mix moves back to darker climes with the chilling augeries of doom ’Shallow Your Soul’ and ‘Love Song.’ The penultimate tune ’Choruz’ is an apocalyptic anthem which leads into ’X-Bass’, the warcry of the demon.

So there you have it, two very different discs of meaty hardtrance that even the cynics should enjoy. Viva the evolution!