#Tech Trance

[lethaloptix]

A fast-paced, dark-tech fusion built on layered loops, driving rhythms, and haunting vocal textures. © Nexus 2025

[haveyouheardthisband]

[thisisrealy2kok]

The Grid - Rollercoaster (1994)

[haveyoulistenedtothisalbum-poll]

Tracklist:

It's Gonna Be Alright • Fill Harmonik (Rework) • Fill Harmonik (Donk Mix) • I'll Pad U

Spotify ♪ Bandcamp ♪ Youtube

[radiatorofsound]

Listen/purchase: Dystopia - EP by Tektridium

[ikvogel]

[Tech Trance] Mitchell Claxton - Koh Samui (feat. Angie Coombes)

[theparanoid]

The Forgotten XCV: I Hate Models (2017)

Soundcloud

[lethaloptix]

Made with Soundation.

[randomvarious]

Today's mix:

The Lizard Man by Mauro Picotto  2000 Trance / Progressive Trance / Tech-Trance / Techno / Hard House

Listened to this double-disc mix over the past couple days that ultimately shows just how versatile popular Italian DJ, remixer, and producer extraordinaire Mauro Picotto's own dance exploits really are, because with this release that was put out by Virgin, the guy supplies a pair of sets that are really of completely different sound and vibe.

And the first set, which is by far my favorite, is just some straight-up fun and feelgood Eurotrance. Picotto's selection here carefully trots near a cheesy borderline, but it never quite crosses it, and instead delivers some warm spoonfuls of sort of dreamy and euphoric fare without being infantilizingly over-the-top ridiculous like a lot of Eurotrance has a tendency of being. Picotto sets the tone with the Megavoices remix of his own "Save a Soul," which leads with one of those bleepy and simple, nostalgia-inducing melodies, but also uniquely goes on a markedly slower worldbeat kind of detour too.

And other dope bangers from this disc include the remix of Tiësto's "Sparkles," by Scottish duo Transa, and the "Pulsar Mix" of "Sweet Dream," by an Italian quartet called CRW, of which Picotto himself is a member. "Sparkles" is a big tune that starts off darkly with these high-pitched and howling sirens, but then further develops with its string synths, whose melody brightens up the production a bit; and "Sweet Dreams" is another one of those warm-and-fuzzy bits of trance with a female vocal and twee lead melody that consists of rich piano notes 😌.

The second disc, however, strips out all the cheeriness and goes for pure underground dungeon murk instead; and I can't say that I really like it at all. I mean, I don't mind a dark vibe that much, but this, more or less, sounds like an audition for the Global Underground series, where oftentimes, at the turn of the millennium, the progressive beats boringly throbbed and the melodies didn't satisfy. But if you like the types of dance songs whose primary objective seems to be making walls shake while sporting a devious peeing Calvin grin, then maybe this disc is for you.

So, a deliberate bit of good and evil, heaven and hell-type of thing going on here. I don't always roll this way, but give me the more mass-appealing happy here, and skimp on the subversive.

Listen to CD1 here. Listen to CD2 here.

Highlights:

CD1:

Mauro Picotto - "Save A Soul (Megavoices Claxixx Mix)" Gee Moore - "The Dolphin (Picotto Mix)" Mario Piú - "The Vision (Vision 1 Mix)" Bismark - "Make a Dream (Extended Mix)" The Act - "Something About You (DJ Garry Remix)" DJ Tiësto - "Sparkles (Transa Mix)" CRW - "Sweet Dream (Pulsar Mix)"

[nineteenfiftysix]

Members Of Mayday - Sonic Empire (Sonic Empire - Single, 1997)

[radiatorofsound]

Listen/purchase: Danger (Original Mix) by Sira M - Danger

[jalonz0]

(Dj Panda)