Shimotsukei’s Hardcore Summer Bash 2014 is one of the most highly recommended sets for a long time, but some teeth-gritting will likely be needed to get you through the first couple of (very nicely mixed) hardcore tracks. inner universe is the point where things really get going, and the set becomes a brilliant example of how to use some very tricky tunes.
That happy hardcore opening seems all the more incongruous when you realise where the set is really heading – the darker, psychedelic avenue of Betwixt and Alek Szahala’s freeform backed up by the best use of dark psy I’ve heard all year. Just check that connection from Reincarnation, while Hidden Radiance makes a really nice appearance. Some of the psy might stick around for a little too long, but that’s the nature of the genre – it probably says a lot about freeform these days that so many of us are pillaging other styles to get some darker atmosphere into our sets.
Higurashi isn’t my kind of tune, but it’s definitely worth sticking with until the brutal introduction of Battle of Dawn. How nice to hear it at its natural bpm, and so begins the high speed final section of the set, including a why-haven’t-I-heard-this-combo-before transition between Anmitzcuacah and A. Pink Magic will divide opinions at 200bpm and doesn’t blend as smoothly as the previous tunes, but no arguments about the use of 12 little fragments, it’s a perfect finale.
I can imagine some people wishing for a few more tracks of ‘normal speed’ freeform, especially given the wonderful transitions and atmosphere on show here, but this is a superb (if unusual) hour that really confirms Shimotsukei as one of the DJs to watch these days.
01. MesoPhunk – Within Those Eyes [F/C Lucky Lotus Records]
02. Elipton – Happy Forever [F/C Lucky Lotus Records]
03. Icon feat. R.Cena – inner universe [Exit Tunes]
04. Dark Whisper – Polymorphia [HSS Records]
05. Betwixt & Between – Hidden Radiance [ALiCE’S EMOTiON]
06. Betwixt & Between – Reincarnation (Remaster) [CDR]
07. Exemia – The Demons of my Reflection [Free]
08. Chum – Higurashi no Naku Koro ni [Exit Tunes]
09. Blender & Nomic – Battle of Dawn [CDR]
10. Alek Szahala – Anmitzcuacah [Electronica Exposed/FiNRG]
11. Le Dos-on – A [Free]
12. Alek Száhala – Pink Magic [FiNRG]
13. Betwixt & Between – 12 little fragments of silence [HARDCORE TANO*C]
I think the two opening tracks were intended as a preview for an album he recently helped release, which would explain why they don’t fit the atmosphere of the rest of the mix as well. It’s still an awesome set, and I had been hoping it might get posted on here. 🙂
I guess I’m the only one who thought the first few tracks were adding to the atmosphere – I really enjoyed the progression to the darker themed tunes. Not many sets like these out there.