Album Review: Andrew Rayel - Mystery of Aether

Andrew Rayel is one of the fastest rising star in Trance music. He’s on the top of his game at the moment and what a great time to release his debut compilation. When he posted on his Facebook and Twitter about this first compilation, I got all giddy and excited. I've been following the style of this neophyte and there's no sign of him slowing down. Especially now being backed by the world's four-time DJ Mag #1 DJ Armin van Buuren, he is being tagged as the AvB's protege and even the modern-day Mozart. 

The 21-year old talent is known for his very own, distinctive sound, bringing trance a refreshing, new sound. That sound, loved by many, myself included, can now be found on Andrew’s very first compilation Mystery of Aether.

It hasn't been more than 24 hours since I have gotten my hands on my copy of this compilation and I have been bumping it all day. The initial impression I got upon first few listens is that the compilation brings the sounds of Andrew Rayel, in full effect. From the most touching, emotional twists to stumping beats, hard-hitting bass and quieting breaks, this is Rayel doing what he does best. Through the tracks of Airbase, Dash Berlin, Armin van Buuren, Alex Wackii, Orjan Nilsen, Alexandre Bergheau and of course himself, Andrew moves you, by unfolding Mystery of Aether beat by beat. It was also good that it includes a continuous mix of the whole compilation for a more dramatic, emotional, and tranquil journey into euphoria.

This guy truly lives up to what trance music is, as I have mentioned previously in my blog entries, and even in a contest I have joined for the Loudbasstard promo for the Andrew Rayel in Manila gig, the guy gives a dramatic, existential, majestic titles to his tunes that somewhat describe the feeling when listening to his work, ergo Mystery of Aether.

Track list:

01. Airbase – Modus Operandi (Andrew Rayel Intro Radio Edit) (03:52)
02. Tasadi & Aryas – Lost Garden (Faruk Sabanci Dirty Rock Mix) (05:58)
03. Andrew Rayel – Zeus (Radio Edit) (03:27)
04. Tenishia – Pantera (Radio Edit) (03:37)
05. Bogdan Vix – Stella Maris (Radio Edit) (03:28)
06. Maarten De Jong – Wave Glider (Radio Edit) (03:19)
07. Armin van Buuren & W&W – D# Fat (Radio Edit) (03:15)
08. Alex Wackii – Marianne (Radio Edit) (03:48)
09. Fisherman & Hawkins – Apache (Official Radio Edit) (02:50)
10. Dash Berlin & Alexander Popov feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn – Steal You Away (Radio Edit) (03:00)
11. Klauss Goulart & Mark Sixma – Rio (Radio Edit) (03:38)
12. Orjan Nilsen – Violetta (Radio Edit) (03:15)
13. Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat. Sylvia Tosun – An Angel’s Love (Andrew Rayel Aether Radio Edit) (03:32)
14. Alexandre Bergheau – Damavand (Original Mix) (08:06)
15. Bobina with Andrew Rayel – Sacramentum (Andrew Rayel Aether Radio Edit) (04:14)
16. Andrew Rayel – Musa (Radio Edit) (03:35)
17. Andrew Rayel & Alexandre Bergheau – We Are Not Afraid Of 138 (Radio Edit) (03:28)
18. A.R.D.I. – Beyond The Time (Radio Edit) (03:51)

19. Andrew Rayel – Mystery Of Aether (Full Continuous DJ Mix) (78:09.00)

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Official Video: Katy Perry - Roar

Katy Perry releases the official video for her infectious song Roar.

I love the message of empowerment by song. The video captures the emotion it wants to get across while being in a fashionably tribal and primitive get-up.

I'm loving Katy's outfit as the female Tarzan. Jungle Jane or The Queen of the Jungle.

Last month she did release a lyric video for the same song

What do you think?

Bigfish presents Innovation Black featuring Jaytech and Nitrous Oxide

Jaytech and Nitrous Oxide's sets were absolutely wonderful - they dropped Inception and Walter White and everyone loved it. Everyone - except me because sadly I.Was.Not.There.

Despite that, I still created this blog entry for my love of these Anjunabeats artists. I was confident that both of these acts will surely deliver even though many, during the line up's announcement, were apprehensive and skeptical whether if the event will be a success. They were wrong - with all the kind of feedback and reaction I have been getting from friends and social media, the event was more than a success. In fact, it was tagged as one of the best events that Bigfish ever threw. 

This was my second time to have missed out on Innovation Black since 2008. I have learned to realised by now that Innovation Black is the sure fire best event of the year in terms of line up. I should know because it has been consistent that way. Looking 3 years back, it was Ferry Corsten, Alex M.O.R.P.H, Tritonal, Jerome Isma-e, and this year were Jaytech and Nitrous Oxide -- all had been a success and outdid it's Innovation White counterpart. Cream however, is a different case because I don't really pay attention much on the line up - Cream is about the costume.

Although I was not physically present last Saturday, my mind was with the community. I was also listening to my NO2 sets especially the mix he did for Anjunabeats Worldwide 04. I didn't feel that I missed out on anything because for me it was a daily thing listening to both of these artists. The only thing I may have missed, perhaps, was sharing the experience with my trance buddies. But we did catch up after the event and continued to bask in the momentum that the it created, so it was still all good.

Below are a few snaps I grabbed from some friends. Credits are given to respective photo owners:

 The Black Hole crowd with the manananggal as the center (photo courtesy of Jason Tomas)

with the Cha sisterhood (photo courtesy of Jay Miraballes)

How was your experience???