Darude - Sandstorm [1999]

Artist(s)
Darude
Release title
Sandstorm
Label name
16 Inch Records
Release year
1999

dmgtz96

Legendary Member
Jul 13, 2020
3,047 Posts
1,892 Thanked
DaRuDe - SaNdStOrM

It was inevitable that someone would make this thread.

For younger generations, Sandstorm is the song from the meme "What is the name of this song?" It's the go-to track to get real hype and pumped-up, so it was used *a lot* by League of Legends streamers while playing competitive matches.

For older generations, Sandstorm was one of the biggest trance hits ever. It was that one OONTZ OONTZ track that broke into the mainstream beyond the world of electronic dance music. Even if you only listened to rock, hip hop, or whatever was popular in '99 you likely heard Sandstorm at some point because everyone played it. It was the "Party Rock Anthem," "Gangnam Style," "Despacito" of its time.

Some history on how Sandstorm became an online meme:

The actual, full-length original mix. Note that most people are only familiar with the radio mix.


Evaluated as a trance classic, Sandstorm is an oddity. Its synth feels like a distorted version of the acid from Josh Wink - Higher State of Consciousness, but it's also unique enough that it sounds original. For some, the synth is actually annoying and feels like a car or house alarm going off. In any case, it was a relatively unique anthem trancer, and PvD reportedly supported it before it became such a mainstream hit. It's so recognizable that you can tell this Yahoo answers question is talking about Sandstorm just by reading the song description.
I ALWAYS hear this song on the radio or when I'm up in the club but I can't find what its called...its all beats one part of the song is like this

k like it will get real low then slowly start picking back up and it will go faster as it does

its like
dun dun dun dun
dun dun dun dun
err
dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun
dundundundundundundundundundun

er er er er er er ER ER ER ER ER ER der der der der derrr

i'm so sorry if this is bad information but i'm sure if you really think of REALLY popular techno/rave songs you could help!! thanks!!

Many other producers copied this track, so the early 2000s have a good amount of Sandstorm knockoffs. Don't listen to those; they suck. Listen to the OG Sandstorm instead.

For the sake of completion, here is the JS16 remix.

Although it does have some good ideas, it feels less cohesive than the original version of Sandstorm. It draws too much from the original, and even the main part of the climax feels generic.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

TRANCEBLASTER

Elite Member
Jul 21, 2020
1,964 Posts
2,834 Thanked
the 'Sandstorm' sample can be found in this little tranceyhousey track released some weeks ago:

Mixloydian - Days Of Vision [Suckerpunch] 2024
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: NJRoddy

Progrez

Legendary Member
Jun 17, 2022
4,323 Posts
2,486 Thanked
 

Julian Del Agranda

Elite Member
Jul 3, 2020
2,325 Posts
3,182 Thanked
Dancemania's interview with Darude is going ahead.
Not sure why though. For this track there are already a lot of interviews, like posted above. Maybe he can also talk about Feel The Beat, which was a minor hit.

Perhaps he will combine it with other Finnish artists tracks?
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Freezer

Progrez

Legendary Member
Jun 17, 2022
4,323 Posts
2,486 Thanked
Not sure why though. For this track there are already a lot of interviews, like posted above. Maybe he can also talk about Feel The Beat, which was a minor hit.

Perhaps he will combine it with other Finnish artists tracks?
Yes, he plans on doing more interviews maybe people like Orkidea, Super 8 & Tab, Miika Kuisma (don't know if he still lives in Finland), JS16 (he told me he is on the list)
 

tranceking26

Member
Mar 21, 2025
182 Posts
127 Thanked
Sandstorm and Feel The Beat were two of my first ever trance tunes back then, so I have a soft spot for them both.

That said, the JS16 Remix is better than the original.
 

Progrez

Legendary Member
Jun 17, 2022
4,323 Posts
2,486 Thanked
Not sure why though. For this track there are already a lot of interviews, like posted above. Maybe he can also talk about Feel The Beat, which was a minor hit.

Perhaps he will combine it with other Finnish artists tracks?
Here it is mate and yes he has done it with Miika Kuisma as well. It was a special one because it's a 250th Vlog episode.

 

Julian Del Agranda

Elite Member
Jul 3, 2020
2,325 Posts
3,182 Thanked
I saw Twan said there are new insights in the Sandstorm interview and… there’s a Feel The Beat one too, so that’s cool! 😎