Everybody loves a bit of “doof doof” and Black is the perfect album to deliver it from none other than the Australian king of Hardstyle, Nik Fish. This album is a 2 disc compilation which Fish describes as “slick, sexy, hard, mysterious, adventurous, happy, dark, sad, moody, uplifting”. After listening to both discs, it’s obvious why Nik Fish is such a legend and has never failed to deliver to his audience.

His mention of “moody” and “uplifting” is a perfect description for the journey of Hardstyle you are taken on. Each CD starts off quite dark and moody and ends with a sound that can only be described as uplifting and light.

The track selection is almost artwork in itself with some tracks having titles that evoke imagery, so that the listener really feels the track. Disc one has “Shark Infested Waters” by Dr Willis and Dark by Design which is so dark and moody that you can almost smell the fear of being surround by sharks.

It’s not often that a song will send shivers up my spine but two of them managed it on Disc Two. “La La Song” by Zushi with its haunting lyrics and also “Fairyland” by Francesco Zeta, which is actually an Enya song called “Boadicea”.

I have to make mention of the track “Downunder” by Showtek. The lyrics which speak of a “sunburnt country” remind me of the patriotic song “I Love a Sunburnt Country” with a hardstyle twist. Love it!

There is no denying that Nik Fish has mixed a winner with Black. This is one album you must listen to if you love your harder beats. It’s for the music lover who wants to experience over 2 hours of moody yet driving sounds in a way that only Australia’s most successful hardened DJ and performer can deliver.

For comments on this review, check out:
http://www.teknoscape.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=44520

Tracklisting:

DISK 1
1. INTRO
2. DARK BY DESIGN & DR WILLIS - SHARK INFESTED WATERS (DR WILLIS 2009 UPDATE MIX)
3. COHESTIVE - PILL ABUSE (LOUK MIX)
4. DJ CHOOSE PRES. POWERSWEEP - ADD MORE BALLS
5. LUNA - UNLOCKED
6. CHRIS & MATT KIDD - CONTROL (BLUTONIUM BOY VS DJ NEO RMIX)
7. BRIAN M VS MCBUNN - REWIND
8. SOUTHSTYLERS - JAZEEKER! (JOHNNY QUAIL'S REMIX)
9. TECHNOBOY - NEXT DIMENSIONAL WORLD
10. COONE - UNITE (DEEPAK REMIX)
11. FLARUP - HARDSTYLE AMBASSADORS (BLUTONIUM BOY REMIX)
12. PAVO VS BLUTONIUM BOY - ECHOES 2009 (BLUTONIUM BOY REMIX)
13. DJ PHIL TY - MIAMI BELCH (POLITE MIX)
14. THE KGB'S - YERBA DIABOLIKA (TBY MIX)
15. TUNEBOY - I WILL GROWL
16. TECHNOBOY - RAGE (A HARDSTYLE SONG)

DISK 2
1. INTRO
2. SHOWTEK - DOWNUNDER
3. DARK OSCILLATORS - TRAPPED (SOLAIO MIX)
4. WILLIAMS SYNDROME - THUNDER
5. ZUSHI - LA LA SONG (SHOWTEK REMIX)
6. LUNA & THE DUTCH MASTER - THE SCENE
7. PROJECT ONE - THE WORLD IS YOURS
8. DUTCH MASTER - GET DOWN
9. D'STYLERZ - JUST A FREAK
10. ZANY & NOISECONTROLLERS - DELOMELANCUM
11. IVAN CARSTEN - UNEXPECTED (TUNEBOY REMIX)
12. FRANCESCO ZETA - FAIRYLAND
13. ZUSHI - ARABICA
14. THE PITCHER - SERENITY
15. ABYSS & JUDGE - RAPTURE