ThaDarkStranger

Member Since: Aug 10, 2003
Rank: 508
Average Vote Received: Correct (4.14, 7 votes)
Rated 53 releases, average: 4.30
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Profile: An absolute oldskool boy, been following the electronic scene all the way from back in 88 or so. Really dug the whole house (acid-, hip- and classic house) movement with it´s experimental and fresh vibe artists like Phuture, Adonis, DJ Pierre, Hithouse, Technotronic, The Shamen, M.A.R.R.S., Midi Rain, Mr. Fingers, A Guy Called Gerald, S‘Express, D-Mob, The KLF, Frankie Knuckles and Lil Louis.

Then when the big, hard & funky techno rave tunes from Belgium and the seminal UK hardcore sound came along I went completely bonkers, I was hooked for life! Stuff from 808 State, Quadrophonia, LFO, Underground Resistance, D-Shake, Dr. Baker, Eon, The B-sides, Human Resource, N-Joi, Set Up System and lots of other artists. And more on the hardcore breakbeat tip, stuff from artist such as 4 Hero, Kicksquad, The Scientist, Messiah, Lennie De Ice, LTJ Bukem, 2 Bad Mice, Doc Scott, The Holy Ghost, Genaside II, Shades Of Rhythm, A Guy Called Gerald, Acen, Manix, The Shut Up And Dance collective, Altern 8, Baby D, Blame, Carl Cox, Desired State, Release, DJ Seduction, DJ Trace, DJ SS, Isotonik and loads of other acts.

"Hardcore will never die...only multiply..."

The darkside jungle sounds of 1993 (Goldie, 4 Hero, DJ Crystl, Bounty Killaz, The Invisible Man, Bizzy B, Skanna, Wax Doctor etc.) where really my cup of tea; the complex beats, sinister sounds, sample freedom and everything. The jungle & d&b of 94-95 only made me love the whole breakbeat scene even more, cause at that time there was some real innovation and experimentation going on.

I dug the drum&bass sounds from 1996 till about 2000 when I totally lost interest in the sounds like trancestep and other silly sidetracks of the d&b sound. It had really stagnated and gotten incredibly predictable. So not much of a loss for me there as far as good music is concerned.

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Also really into ambient music and slow‘n‘deep electronic rhythms. Both the old stuff; Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Vangelis, Brian Eno, Jean Michel Jarre, Steve Roach etc. and the modern stuff by Pete Namlook, The Orb, Aural Float, Global Communications, Biosphere, Aphex Twin, Dreamfish and last but not least the maestros of The Future Sound Of London.

Also a big fan of the classic Progressive House sound with artist like Leftfield, Sasha, Gypsy, Gat Decor, The Sabres Of Paradise, System 7, Moby, Lionrock, Havana, Blake Baxter and many more. Those old tunes from about 1990 till 1993 are some of the best ones I´ve heard, real classics in my book.

Damn, there´s just so much quality stuff out there that HAS to be listened to and enjoyed forever...

ThaDarkStranger's groups (2)

Reviews:

Intravine - The Lord's Prayer - 08-Sep-07 01:32 PM
This is awesome end of the world orchestral oldskool hardcore madness. It begins with a sample taken from some science program where it says:

"We believe that the whole universe - at least one theory is that the whole universe which is now expanding, ultimately will begin to contract upon itself and in so doing it will annhilate itself back into the singularity from which it was born."

Deep stuff there and the four tunes here, which are basically just slightly different arrangements of the first track, immediately throw you into a wall of sound. Massive beats, huge bass and another sample that fittingly goes: "Are you afraid of chaos?"

You gotta love hardcore bizznizz like this. This is rough badass stuff.

DJ SS - Breakbeat Pressure Remixes Part 3 - 22-Apr-07 03:37 AM
The original mixes of "Breakbeat Pressure" and "The Pulse" are some of the best hardcore tunes Ive heard and remixing them was quite a task. But DJ SS definitely delivered the goods and the results speak for themselves. The "String Of Life" mix of "Breakbeat Pressure" is excellent. Great uplifting vibe, while at the same time haunting us with those brilliantly dark strings and chopped up beats. "The Pulse" gets a proper darkside treatment, with the beats and sounds of the original updated for 93. Incredible timestretched and ruff beats are the order of the day here along with some of the grittiest, ruffest and most low down bass sound there is. What an absolutely great bassline, so dark - so uncompromisingly evil. This is really a top notch production by DJ SS. This along with "Terminator" by Metalheads and "Journey From The Light" by 4 Hero revolutionized the breakbeat sound back then. So futuristic. A grade stuff. Man, I which there was somebody out there today making tunes like this!

Wots My Code - XLR 8 - What's My Name EP (Dub Plate Re-Mixes) - 11-Dec-06 01:36 AM
Ray Keiths "Simply Rolling Remix" is a classic. The first time I heard that tune I fell in love with it and even today I still find myself listening to it all the time. It gives so many good memories of great raves and just being totally immersed in the music back in the day, its a feel good anthem. Production wise, this is a class act by Mr. Keith and the ever reliable Nookie. Great rolling beat (plus the good ol Amen), THAT bassline (so memorable) and those sweet thought provoking strings and piano. All the ingredients are there for a great tune and the boys delivered. Sometimes I just leave this tune on repeat, over and over again...

After Dark - Come With Me Tonight - 13-Nov-06 10:43 PM
"Come With Me Tonight (Midnight Mix)" has to be one of the biggest "hands in the air" hardcore anthems of all time. That heavenly breakdown a minute into the track just oozes absolute joy and happiness. You cant help but lift your hands high in the air and wave em like you just dont care. What a great hardcore anthem. This brings back so many good memories. Nuff respect.

Outa Intelligence - Foolz Gold - 31-Mar-06 07:55 AM
One of the all time darkside classics, came out in 1993 on the legendary Back 2 Basics label. "Foolz Gold" contains this little sample, really sinister and spooky. Don´t know where this sample is from though.

"Children, we have gathered here today to drink from the fountain of death. You are now entering the dark zone..."

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