2350.org - Compilation - Compilation 2

Trance: Do you love it or hate it? If you love it, you overestimate its worth. If you hate it, you underestimate its power.

To twist Bowie's quote, "This ain't genocide, this is Rock & Roll!"

I traveled to the Love parade in Berlin in 1994. This was when the festival had begun to take on massive proportions, but still had an intensity that defied the commercialisation to come. I bought Compilation2 on that trip, knowing little about the FAXlabel, but sucking in European variations of techno like a sponge. I was devoted to the Detroit soul-packed flavors, but had a fascination with Richie Hawtin's stripped down Roland work, as well as an interest in the Harthouse sound. I was still young enough to helplessly indulge in the frantic programming and synth noodling of early German trance. Compilation 2 still reminds me of the elation of that trip.

Compilation2 is Hard Trance pure and simple. It is not overblown or sentimental, indeed, the tracks here show a sense of restraint compared to much of the music that has inherited the genre label. These are vintage "off your face" tracks.

The infamous TV hostess from Compilation1 makes welcome appearances on "The Real Secret", "Mens Mentis", and "Healthy". But the real standout track for me is SynSyl's "AngeLIcKES the dEVIL" and the hard-as-f**k remix "Angel Kicks the Devil".

Do yourself a favor: if you hate trance, listen to this record when you are in a manic mode. If you love trance, listen to this record when you are in a manic mode. At any rate, be sure that the volume level is uncomfortably high.

ROCK ON. TRANCE OUT. AND HERE IS THE REAL SECRET!

(review by Ian Malbon)