erickUO
Senior Member
- Jul 13, 2020
- 945 Posts
- 1,025 Thanked
OUT Activa - Movement: One (Mix compilation) [Black Hole Recordings]
- Thread starter sszecret
- Start date
I'mpossible
Member
- Jan 30, 2021
- 110 Posts
- 41 Thanked
Ha ha. Bland is bland, go look at the scene. This kind of trance like Activa never played at standard trance club or parties. Right? Do you really understand what is true trance sound? Now is 2023, and you still trying to make it sound like 90, 2000s?
Last edited by a moderator:
- Jun 27, 2020
- 3,940 Posts
- 2,835 Thanked
@I'mpossible
Insulting others is not acceptable. We can disagree without calling each other names. I've edited it out for you but please do not do that again.
Insulting others is not acceptable. We can disagree without calling each other names. I've edited it out for you but please do not do that again.
I'mpossible
Member
- Jan 30, 2021
- 110 Posts
- 41 Thanked
- Jun 27, 2020
- 3,940 Posts
- 2,835 Thanked
If someone insults you, then you report it and don't respond. Although I can see he certainly didn't call you any names.He started first
Julian Del Agranda
Elite Member
- Jul 3, 2020
- 1,611 Posts
- 1,860 Thanked
Jetflag
Elite Member
- Jul 17, 2020
- 2,773 Posts
- 2,207 Thanked
dunno man, "Honey" is pretty darn passive agressive. if you ask me..
Jetflag
Elite Member
- Jul 17, 2020
- 2,773 Posts
- 2,207 Thanked
.
Disc 1.
Disc 2 will follow tomorrow
- LJR - The Last Satellite 6/10
- Luke Terry - Muon (Stripped Mix) 6/10
- Chris Johnson - The Calling 6,5/10
- Coredata - GeoMetric 6/10
- Chris Johnson - These Days 6/10
- Jaron Inc. - Inspire (Activa Rework) 7/10
- Spectre - Evolution (Activa Rework) quite shame about the non-melodic drop yet again, would be even higher 7,5/10
- Sunda - Mirage daaamn, another non melodic drop, still super-nice...the melody feels like Push for sure 7,5/10
- Andre Maier - Optimum 7/10
- Definitions & Char - All We Have 6/10
- Slipstream - Lagrange Point 7,5/10
- DJ Dazzle - From Within (Activa Remix) 6/10
- Activa & Glynn Alan - Titration 7/10
- Pulser - The Other Side of Time (Movement Edit) probably the best track from CD1, most complex melody 7,5/10
- Activa - Twilight this is definitely Airwave inspired track, quite monotone tho 7/10
- Øna - Øna 6,5/10
Disc 2 will follow tomorrow
Last edited:
Julian Del Agranda
Elite Member
- Jul 3, 2020
- 1,611 Posts
- 1,860 Thanked
SaltAcidFatHeatAcid
Senior Member
- Jul 19, 2022
- 285 Posts
- 400 Thanked
Really enjoyed the comp though at times it still feels like the same 'ol modern trance with better styling. For me Disc 2 for the win, though Disc 1 had some bangers. My only gripe with Disc 1 is due to what I call the 'Activa Filter'. Especially at slower BPM's the borderline sound can be a little bland for me, and I feel like a lot of the tracks from Disc 1 went through this filter to arrive in their final state. That sound is so pristine and clear it can almost sound a bit sterile. Where's the weird shit? The Pure Trance label always gives me some weird shit to eat with my cheese. It brings me surprises too. Alas, my fav tracks from Disc 1 were the ones that still managed to be unique, notably the LJR track (gorgeous) and the Coredata track. The Pulser remix was also quite nice. Disc 2 didn't seem as filtered to me, with tracks retaining their uniqueness more directly. The acid really helped bring the energy and vibe up as well. Just a really nice effort from Activa and team regardless. So so much better than 90% of what's coming out the modern trance scene. I think a bit part of my issue is that I am so tired of the modern templated uplifting sound, when I hear even a hint of the template, my lizard brain kicks in.
And while I disagree with a lot of the shit-flinging I just read above this, I will say that this particular 00's rebirth could take a page from the Nutrance world. I've heard tracks with super amateur production in the last few years that blow my socks off b/c the ideas of the track were so unique and different. My brain wants mold breaking new sounds. Can you imagine if a track like Perfect Fear made it's way in to a comp like this? Or the journey tracks from Aerium's Paracosm album? (still gets listens from me, such a damn fine album)? Or this Midian track with some Activa mastering? Again, I like the comp for what it is. But I think this light in the dark tunnel of 2023 modern trance would shine like a welding rig if it could adapt some of the more undergound ideas.
And while I disagree with a lot of the shit-flinging I just read above this, I will say that this particular 00's rebirth could take a page from the Nutrance world. I've heard tracks with super amateur production in the last few years that blow my socks off b/c the ideas of the track were so unique and different. My brain wants mold breaking new sounds. Can you imagine if a track like Perfect Fear made it's way in to a comp like this? Or the journey tracks from Aerium's Paracosm album? (still gets listens from me, such a damn fine album)? Or this Midian track with some Activa mastering? Again, I like the comp for what it is. But I think this light in the dark tunnel of 2023 modern trance would shine like a welding rig if it could adapt some of the more undergound ideas.
Jetflag
Elite Member
- Jul 17, 2020
- 2,773 Posts
- 2,207 Thanked
Fun fact, that almost happened.
Rob was already toying/working with the idea of said compilation back then from what I can remember, and we where in negotiations of releasing Paracosm on Borderline. But it would have meant that the selection chosen would be released as an EP or just seperate tracks, rather then the whole story-woven album, which, given the financial and time/scedule factor, wasn't a viable option for Borderline. (these where still just the tracks back then, no masters, full length mix, artwork, promo vid etc.)
In the end i'm actually quite relieved it didn't. TF:R picking it up as a whole piece, and as a genuine community effort/release with matching artwork and promo video etc. worked out I think so much better.
Last edited:
Jetflag
Elite Member
- Jul 17, 2020
- 2,773 Posts
- 2,207 Thanked
EnigmaState
Member
- Jan 17, 2021
- 232 Posts
- 404 Thanked
I'll give my track a 2/10 now to save the embarrassmentDisc 2 will follow tomorrow
A.Brindiss
Member
Coredata - GeoMetric is greeat
Very nice compilation
not the best of course but decent overall, looking fot Activa's next thing
Very nice compilation
not the best of course but decent overall, looking fot Activa's next thing
LostLegend
Senior Member
- Jun 27, 2020
- 3,940 Posts
- 2,835 Thanked
Very balanced review. More or less my thoughts exactly.
Came into this one with a mindset of: "I won't like it, it's surely typical Borderline stuff". But I was surprised in a way that the music itself was nice. Of course, the drums on both mixes sound like they came from the same sound pack (I wonder which one would it be...), but that aside I did really like some of the tracks - and others I simply appreciated as there is no bad track here.
As said, CD1 seems more standardized to Borderline, but CD2 kicks it up a notch regarding energy. Though I enjoyed both almost equally. I haven't lost interest throughout the mixes (I often struggle with that), but on the other hand I do wish the mixes weren't built so linearly and predictably.
Enigma State's track is definitely a step above the most, but there were others I also enjoyed. Of course, Aerium and the-not-so-mysterious-anymore Julian del Agranda made some belters as well. Brandt Hoff's Where is Your Soul left quite an impression.
All in all, I might play this one once or twice more.