Atmos - Most Wanted Pres. Atmos - In Case Of Escape

I am not one of the all-in fans of Atmos' sound. While I can understand the hype accompanying Headcleaner, let alone for the genre defining album it unquestionably is, I never have been a big fan of the album. Don't get me wrong. I love minimal music, but it must not be overdone - or maybe the right word is underdone! I need the music to do a little more of the work every now and then than just sound :o)

So with this being my feelings towards Atmos I was very curious to see what Thomasz had put in his stash bag for us. I figured it could either be a great album with Atmos' coolness and a variety of artists to ensure mood change throughout the album, or it could be an album filled with Atmos wanna-be artists turning out an album neither fish, nor chicken.

Happy to report, the former situation turned out to be the case. This album has the foreseeable minimalistic edge, but with more of a dark edge I find harder to catch in Atmos own work. At least when an Atmos cd is heard from start to end. Take track two, for instance. When a simple synth melody kicks in at 3:38 it's just impossible not to get in a good mood and go full in with the flow even though it is still dark and scary. That for me, is the epiphany of deep trance.

Track two, and the album as a whole, reveals a strong deep house influence which is perhaps why this album works better for me than Atmos own work. It's simply born to dance to and I would imagine works great at clubs. Not too scary, but still dark, massive and extremely danceable. A great meeting between clubappeal and progressive trance. Recommended!