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.