01) Slyder - Neo (The One)
I first heard this in GTA3 and it threw me into trance music violently. It was melodic, epic, beautiful, I loved it and I still do. Shiny Toy Guns, which is just Slyder with a drummer and girl singer, redid it as You Are the One.. I still prefer this one. "You are the one, you'll never be alone again, you're more than in my head, you're more"
02) DJ Rob - Start Playing (Original Mix)
This is the song that got me into hardstyle. Amazing, aggressive, dark, hard hitting, perfect.
03) En-Viro & V10 - Sinister Buisness (Original Mix)
This song is still one of my favorites and is really unlike any other tech trance song I've heard. It's a bit minimal but the bass in itself makes the song amazing. For the record En-Viro & V10 is an alias of Joe-E and Kidd Kaos.
04) Laibach - Der Zivilisation
This was the first song that I was just completely dumbfounded by. I had no idea what kind of music it was.. I just knew it had a really dark feeling and creepy sounding operatic vocals. I love it. This song and also L'Homme Arme are my favorites from them
05) Burial - Archangel
This was another song I loved ever since I heard it.. but had no idea what to call it. It makes me think of a city at night time while its raining. Kind of haunting and soothing and catchy all at the same time. When I was shocked to see it at my local FYE, it was the only CD I have ever bought without thinking. I didn't care, I knew I'd love it and I do. It was either gonna be this one or Shell of Light. The last minute of that should be in it's own song. So beautiful
06) Kleerup feat. Lykke Li - Until We Bleed (Mikael's Cello Version)
I WISH this one in itself was a genre cause this song is amazing. I love classical and then this one added a whole new dynamic with the vocals and amount of emotion in the lyrics. Just a beautiful song
07) Nic Chagall - What You Need (Original Extended Mix)
This epitomized a trend where trance artists made songs with emotionally driven lyrics and rock elements. This is probably one of my favorites out of the whole stint.
08) Cressida - 6AM (Kyau & Albert Remix)
This is a new type of trance called Neo Trance. It's hard to explain but long story short the song is gorgeous. It was either gonna be this or Myon & Shane54 - Not a Lot Left, both are good examples
09) Tiesto - Driving to Heaven (Mat Zo Remix)
This made me realize that progressive can be just as uplifting as normal trance. It's not always long and drawn out with no emotion. This song is just timeless, it's one of my all time favorites
10) John Murphy - The Surface of The Sun
This epitomizes epic in its truest form. It just has such an amazing buildup and I love it immensely
Here it is!