Albums, Dubstep, Electronic, Glitch, Review | Haywyre – Infinite
Posted by Mach on June 25, 2012
After our featured post of Haywyre a few months back, the man was more than grateful and in the opinions of FNT, more than deserving. Today is the release of Haywyre’s 6th musical compilation, the album titled ‘Infinite.’ I cannot stop listening to this new album, Haywyre’s history of piano composition is reflected immensely all over the course of his work. Last minute he teamed up with Jay Fresh to do a vocal mix of his highly anticipated instrumental, ‘Raw Crunch.’ The track was already wanted by all, but now with that extra step into Hip-Hop it is simply irresistible.
“The idea behind the album name “Infinite” came from our tendency to label existences with specific beginnings and ends. The circle represents the possibility of a never-ending existence, as opposed to one with a beginning and an end.”
– Haywyre
Infinite is comprised of many different styles, more prominently Dubstep, but also consisting of Glitch-Hop and little Electro/Lounge styling. His first track ‘Prototype’ kicks off with some smooth Glitch-Hop, as funny as it is to say. The track then breaks into his mastery of the Piano leading only into an incredible Glitch drop. Exclusive to Beatport is his second track, and by far one of the more incredible of the album, ‘LD004.’ This Orchestral Dubstep track really puts the top 10 of Dubstep to shame. The bass is massive, but not messy sounding like a lot of Dubstep theses days. Assembled flawlessly, the repeat button is the only next logical move. By far my favorite track of the entire Album, ‘Raw Crunch’ shows an entire new side tot he potential Glitch-Hop holds. The intro carries you seamlessly into a Razor drop (Dubstep/Electro), and from there you are completely blown away by the composure that Haywyre created for this massive track. ‘Raw Crunch’ finishes off strong in true Glitch-hop fashion, continually blowing your mind until the very end.
His second Exclusive to Beatport, ‘Contrast,’ is another big Glitch-Hop tune. Embodying the idea of contrast, this track floats right into more of that Razor style. I love the name of ‘Stone Shower,’ and once you listen you will understand why. The track has this vibe of rain falling, but breaking from the first simple Glitch drop you quickly are introduced to the bass stones that now wash away all else. The last orignal of the album is yet another favorite of mine from the album. ‘Mezmerize’ does just that to you, I cannot get enough of that Electric Guitar. Listening to the track you wonder where all the bass went. Patience is a virtue, and well worth the wait as the track progresses into an incredible drop. As a bonus, is a remix of ‘LD004’ from The Digital Connection, transforming the track into a more intense Glitch/Dubstep version of the original. This album has to be one of the best releases I have heard in 2012. Besides the two exclusives to Beatport, ‘Infinite’ is FREE! Don’t be shy to show Haywyre some love and name a higher price on Bandcamp than $0.00. He is more than deserving of the support. I hope everyone else enjoys this album just as much as I have, it truly is a masterpiece.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ‘INFINITE’ FOR FREE ON BANDCAMP
Events, Review | Avicii @ TD Bank Garden 6/15/12
Posted by Middy on June 17, 2012
I will start with the good of this review because there is plenty of good and bad that went on with this show. The production was spectacular. It was simply amazing. He put himself in the ranks of Deadmau5, Amon Tobin, Pretty Lights, the Skrillex Mothership and Shpongle. The entire stage was covered in lights shining to every corner of the Arena, leaving no enlarged pupil untouched by streaming beams of colored light. The back display was filled with glittering visuals of various colors and images blending and dancing together in rhythm to the music with incredible visuals such as the first person view of riding a roller coaster. The head was a good addition to the visuals, but its real purpose is when it takes off during Third Party’s remix of “Otherside”. The top part separates from the rest of the head and moves over to the center of the crowd lowering itself there for about 15-20 minutes with tracks such as ‘In My Mind” and a bootleg of “Greyhound” and “Antidote”.
The tracks played by Avicii were the typical euphoric, uplifting sound you would expect from him, with some hard hitting electro sprinkled in for good measure. He went through his discography and featured the 8-9 minute version of “Levels” seen at Ultra, “Sweet Dreams”, “Silhouettes”, and his remix of “Hang With Me” among others, and offered up some other tracks such as Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso and Alesso – Eclipse (Why Am I Doing This), Alesso’s remix of “Save the World” and others, while finishing off with “Kernkraft 400 (Stadium Chant)”. I walked in to his Summerburst ID, which is yet another ID from Avicii that is going to be ripped by millions worldwide. We all know his mixing skills, are average at best, but his ability to produce is among the very best and that is why he has become so popular.
Events, Review | Tiesto at Lavo NY 6/6 Review
Posted by Middy on June 8, 2012
To get to the point of even being inside Lavo NY last night was one hell of an adventure. It is a long story but I will try and keep it short. I had originally gone into New York to see Dada Life’s secret show. They booked a club that could not hold the 1500-2000 people they gave tickets to, not even half of those people, so the vast majority of the people who showed up over an hour in advance could not enter. Probably only 200-300 people were able to attend this free, secret show. I got in line at 6:45 for the 8pm show and was nowhere close to getting in. Dada Life did not do this one right at all and really should have thought a lot more carefully about the club they booked.
Four hours later, after many frantic emails to the man Adam at Plexi PR to get last minute press passes, about a mile or two of walking around the city, and a change of attire from Dada Life appropriate clothing to ritzy NYC night club appropriate clothing, me and my two friends were able to get in after some less than stellar door management. Once inside, I was able to view the grand splendor of Lavo with a large back display, though it was mostly blocked by VIPs, bottles of champagne and champagne flowing like water, girls looking like they just got off the runway and guys looking like they would make it rain Benjamins if the time came. More of the recap after the jump.
Compilation, House, Review | Axtone Presents Thomas Gold
Posted by Middy on May 31, 2012
Axtone not to be outdone by other labels put Thomas Gold to the task of putting together their 2012 compilation filled with Thomas Gold’s impressive discography, most of the releases this year on Axtone and a few other hand picked tracks from Thomas Gold. The 33 song album illustrates the sound and skill of Thomas Gold. Thomas Gold showcases one of his strong suits as a bootleg specialist in this compilation with the plethora of new and unreleased bootlegs in this superbly mixed compilation.
The first disc aptly starts with a new Thomas Gold track “The Beginning” with powerful synth chords, a soft piano melody and a driving bass line. The album then moves through tracks such as the still relevant Hard Rock Sofa – Quasar, Thomas Gold’s 2012 Rework of “Teenage Crime”, a solid rework but Axwell & Henrik B have still yet to be dethroned and a bootleg of “Sing2Me” with Red Carpet – Alright, giving some vocals to his anthem. He picks out Axtone & other major label tracks like “Resurrection”, “Eyes Wide Open“, “Troll“, as well as some of his own remixes and reworks such as “Set Fire to The Rain” (one of the most downloaded tracks in FNT history), and his 2011 rework of “Marsch Marsch” to fill in much of the rest of the first album. The first disc finishes off as it started with another new Thomas Gold original “Fanfare” with its complex bass lines and rhythmic patterns with matching synth chords, bookending this great start to the compilation.
Disc two starts us off with a special intro edit of his 2011 summer anthem “Alive” with Aussie superstar “Dirty South”. It then moves on to an update of one of his first big singles “AGORa” with the vocals from Axwell’s “I Found You”. The second disc is where we really get into the new Thomas Gold remixes and reworks, so be ready to be bombarded by new sounds from Thomas Gold. He then gives us his rework of Sander van Doorn’s anthem “Koko” adding the flavor of the day adding a strong clap to the bass line with changes to the mix and the rhythm, while keeping that instantaneously recognizable melody. We then move through his remix of “Judas”, an unsung remix of 2011 and another unreleased bootleg of his with John Dahlback – Blink and Hard Rock Sofa – Blow Up (Thomas Gold & Axwell Remix). The next original track appears next in the form of “Circles”, a subtle, uplifting piano driven progressive house track. We then get into favorites of the last few months with tracks like “Million Voices“, “In My Mind“, and his important remix of “The Wave” with a new rework of Digitalism – Zdarlight included as well. He finished off the compilation with a few of his older, more low tempo, techy tracks that bring you down after the all energy spent listening to the massive 33 track Axtone compilation.
Per usual Axtone and Thomas Gold exceed expectations. Axtone has been releasing some of the best tracks of the year and Thomas Gold has been improving with each release. This partnership on the compilation is perfect and it shows in the mixing and the tracklist. Tracklist is after the jump and also check out the little competition below where you guess the mashup put together by Thomas Gold for the chance to win a lot of prizes. It is quite easy though if you are really challenged the answer is after the jump.
Events, Review | I Love This City (Day 2 Recap, San Francisco)
Posted by Mach on May 27, 2012
I Love This City San Francisco is now at a close, and what an amazing past two days it has been. The energy of the California people is incredible and the artists you could tell by their performances, truly enjoyed the event. Day 2 the clouds took over the skies and all prayed that it would not rain, thanks to the Gods of Sound that it did not. We managed to catch these shows in order, Nit Grit, Helicopter Showdown, Adrian Lux, Madeon, Laidsback Luke, Tiesto, Feed Me, Excision and lastly BT.
Click ‘Read On’ for the rest of the day 2 recap.
Dubstep, Electro-House, Moombahton, Review | Knife Party – Rage Valley EP
Posted by Mach on May 27, 2012
Knife Party’s long anticipated ‘Rage Valley’ EP has finally released, despite the leak a few days back. For those of you that havent the chance to listen to ‘Rage Valley’ in its entirety, it is about time you do so. Kicking off this sick EP is the title track ‘Rage Valley.’ Dirty Electro-House, this track is rage, the initial build up to the drop is immense. Building similar to ‘Internet Friends,’ but without the slightly annoying iPhone ringer and dropping like a Unicorn on Bear steroids. The next track is my favorite for sure, ‘Centipede’ has been played in Knife Party’s live sets for over a year now. It is exactly what dubstep fans love to hear. I love how the intro mentions how the Centipede is basically better than the Tarantula, for those of you that don’t know Knife Party’s other allias, Pendulum, has a track named ‘Tarantula.’ The track is filthy, portrating the power and deadliness that a Centipede has. ‘Bonfire’ I fell in love with instantly, Sev and I have been all over the Reggae vibed Dubstep tracks recently. Even if it is just the vocals, this track hit a sweet spot for us. The last track ‘Sleaze’ I did not know much about before listening. Knife Party couldn’t have ended this epic EP in a better way, ‘Sleaze’ is one of the few Moombahton tracks that I listen to and it wreaks house. This track is the definition of an all night rager, in a live setting I’m sure all of these track destroy the dance floor. The ‘Rage Valley’ EP is what its name says, a rager waiting to happen.
Events, Review | I Love This City (Day 1 Recap, San Francisco)
Posted by Mach on May 26, 2012
I Love This City may be one of my most favorite events I have been to, with the one negative being that having a huge festival in an amphitheater with seats may not be the best idea. Even with that said I had a great time on day 1. The day over, sore feet, and a camera packed with awesome photos, I would say the day was very successful. We managed to catch the following artists in order, Fareoh, Nervo, Araabmuzik, Cookie Monsta, Tenderloin (Chuckies replacement due to missed flight), Steve Aoki, Sebastian ingrosso, and Afrojack.