#DigDeeper is the motto behind US-based Hard Trance record label, HQ Recordings. Each year the A&R team keeps their listening ears open for unique and cutting-edge sounds that blur the lines between genres from producers across the World regardless of stature.
Bloggers at OurTrancelations reviewed the recent flagship Dig Deeper EP and give a stunning breakdown per track! See below in artist alphabetical order.
Carlos De Matos presents CDM Projekt – Renaissance
INTRODUCTION:
Carlos De Matos is a ones to watch English producer. This explains why he is in the 5th Edition of HQ’s Dig Deeper series.
Before going into his new installment, let’s go back to how he started. Back in 2020, D.MAX picked his track ‘Alkonost’ in 2020. Last year saw his ultimate breakthrough moment when ‘Gift Of Love’ released on FSOE, as part of their Future Sounds Vol.1 EP. His support since then includes Ferry Tayle, Aly & Fila, Giuseppe Ottaviani, JES, Manuel Le Saux to name a few.
This year marks his return in a different alias: CDM Projekt. Since his main moniker is uplifting, this one might be dark!? Let’s witness his Renaissance.
PRODUCTION:
Razor edge basslines & acid crash in for a pumping electrifying intro. The vibes are no less than spooky, which is perfect for Halloween. The techy schematics with hard kicks typify the trademark of HQ.
Going towards the breakdowns feels like a realm of psy-trance until we hear some solid breakbeats & uplifting supersaws, driving home the theme of Renaissance. Tech-lifting must have been established here.
The main climax transitions smoothly, a cracking hard trancer with a little bit of everything to brighten up the darkness. I’m a huge fan of the acidic sounds aligning with the dominating leads.
CONCLUSION:
Indeed this is as we thought, the dark side of Carlos De Matos. Truly a remarkable way to debut with such a High Quality (HQ) production.
Breakbeats in breakdowns can significantly change the whole vibe of the track and he proved it.
Dicken – Esidarap
INTRODUCTION:
Dicken is a regular at Trance Room, a prominent event in the Argentinian trance scene.
Other than releasing on the event’s label together with Blashear, he has also released on Projekted. These names are very much in the harder side of tech trance that also define his own music. He has received support from Sean Tyas, Smith & Brown, Scot Project and Ganesh to name a few.
Speaking of Ganesh, Dicken here is making an appearance on his label’s Dig Deeper 5 EP. Let’s get into this slammer!
PRODUCTION:
Dicken starts straight with a driving intro which gives a sense of uplifting trance hitting your speakers, before immediately switching up that feeling with the buildup.
The first climax is nothing short of what tech trance would feel like, progressing from the bassline to the hard rides and an extra dose of industrial synths. Around the end, however, we witness some adlib vocals.
These vocals speak of paradise during the breakdown. This is the uplifting bit of the production that eventually takes us to a dark fresh climax. It resembles oldschool tech trance which clearly fits the clubs with little to no lights turned on!
CONCLUSION:
Truly a paradise for clubs & warehouses looking for a big punch. Dark trance choons like this can sometimes be hard to find so we do appreciate how Dicken brought that magic back. It is also worth noting that the title is basically ‘Paradise’ written in reverse, adding more depth to the vocals in the breakdown.
Enemy 9 – Revelations
INTRODUCTION:
This Swiss trancer is a certified rising talent! Enemy 9 has been quite wicked with his acidic hard style of trance with releases on HTE & Hyper Reality.
Support includes the likes of Ed Lynam, R.E.L.O.A.D., XLS.
Given how recent he has entered the scene, being included in HQ’s prestigious EP is a huge step! We can’t wait to witness his revelation here
PRODUCTION:
Off the bat, we start with a rush of energetic fields to your head. Bouncing basslines, razor fills, powerful drums, filthy leads, dirty acids and a ‘Revelation’ vocal fill truly count for a dominating weapon for any crowd.
It seems to be set in space based on the ambiance and atmosphere of the breakdown. Strings & futuristic razor fills blend well to make for a twist in the climax. The intensity increases when breakbeats with trap drums & high octave piano keys are added, it is as if they are in a serious mission against a threat.
The threat is the main climax. It is truly monstrous with those hard, dark, acidic characteristics. This is THE revelation that they discovered, the onyx-influenced wave of darkness that stems from this section.
CONCLUSION:
Enemy 9 seems to have created a villain in this track. The first climax felt like his weapon amidst the mysterious odyssey to another world, while the second felt like a major obstacle with a stronger weapon on its way to cause massive destruction to the spacecraft. It is a clever move & a good fit for festivals.
Rikki Starrett – Launching
INTRODUCTION:
Northern Ireland’s Rikki Starrett is a diverse rising talent who makes both trance and progressive.
With releases on Redux, Radiation, Tranceformer, Tranzone etc. He has garnered huge support from Paul Van Dyk, Manuel Le Saux, Artento Divini, Suzanne Chesterton, DJ Ten, Tom Exo, & Mercurial Virus to name a few.
Now he is Launching himself to Dig Deeper in HQ’s 5th expedition. Let’s see how that turned out.
PRODUCTION:
Launching with full energy, Rikki showcases his faster side and goes driving with captivating bass & acid. The intro had a nice ring of tech trance and then sees an interdimensional shift towards hard trance, in the first climax itself. What is his destination, we wonder?
Right after that comes the breakdown that signals where he is venturing. The female vocal fill is followed by acid, the main premise of the track, as he fits it nicely with a motivating, spacey breakdown.
And as time goes by, we witness a man responsible to “Release” the second climax. There are many phases to this: first are the hard kicks, second are the trippy acid 303s arriving before the “Launch” announcement throws out even more acid. In a way, this mix is also psychedelic!
CONCLUSION:
We love the different ways Rikki used acid sounds & created a full tech trancer around that theme.
Taufiq Azam – JCStomper
INTRODUCTION:
We would like to welcome US based Taufiq Azam, a Redux regular, onto HQ’s Dig Deeper EP.
Apart from Redux, you will also see his releases on We Are Trance, Amon Vision, Emergent, Butterfly. He earned great support from the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Andrew Rayel, Talla 2XLC, Allen Watts, XiJaro & Pitch, & Suzy Solar.
Judging by the title, you can expect some classic vibes and samples, so let’s see how he handled his HQ debut.
PRODUCTION:
Starting off with a bounce! The thumpy kicks and bassline in the intro already give it the warehouse touch while still being a festival tool, especially with the vocal sample.
The first climax is raw & heavy. Gritty acidic basslines, dominating fillers and samples from the classic by The Chemist’s Ruff Kutz. This will easily start a rave anywhere!
After that trip, the breakdown goes full on uplifting. Warm atmospheric pads and high lead sounds add to the anthemic flavor. The buildup, however, signals a comeback to the hard trance from before.
Taufiq put an interesting twist by carrying the uplifting to the final climax and blending it with the bouncy elements from before. It further capitalizes on the crowd-pleasing trait.
CONCLUSION:
This is the most uplifting track from the EP. Tech-Lifting, Hard-Lifting, or Ascension meeting HQ, you name it.
Taufiq’s idea of bringing out the most of the production in the form of an anthem is commendable. We also appreciate how the sample of a eurohouse classic met a modern trancer like this.