Out Now On Intonenation Axiom Nishikushi - Bring It All Back

Debuted by Armin van Buuren on "A State Of Trance" 985.

Underground Japanese trance hotshot Nishikushi has delivered what has to be the most uplifting trance tune of the year, with Bring It All Back. Early support by Armin van Burren, Ruben de Ronde, JES, Johan Gielen, Alex M.O.R.P.H, and Ori Uplift. 

If you can remember a time before lockdowns, masks, and distancing. And if you can remember what life felt like without these restrictions, then this is your anthem.

Bring It All Back is a non-stop rollercoaster packed with shameless euphoric energy. Every beat screams hope, oozes positivity, and shines with optimism. Blessed with an infectious melody and an undeniable uplifting power, this is the soundtrack to our inevitable dancefloor reconciliation. Nishikushi has given the feeling of freedom a melody and a rhythm that will captivate your imagination, and take you back to a time when we were able to move as one in dance. 

Because this too shall pass, and when it does, we'll be waiting with Bring It All Back!

INTONENATION PRESENTS: MEET THE ARTIST SERIES - SPECTRAL

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In this week’s MEET THE ARTIST series we introduce Israeli producer Spectral. Fostering a passion for Trance, DJing and production from his early teens, with early influence from Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk and Scooter, Spectral joined forces with Chris SX for the massive release on Intonenation Axiom "The Angelcy".

Listen/Download: https://intonenation.complete.me/theangelcy

How did you start making music, and what were your early inspirations?

I fell in love with electronic music when I was about 11 years old. I was my class's resident DJ, switching cassettes when we wanted to have dance-offs outside. My gateway DJ was Scooter, but my hands-down idol was Ferry Corsten. Once I heard 'Out Of The Blue', I just knew this kind of music would have me locked for life.

Could you describe your sound, and what makes it unique?

Melodies first and foremost. I have a hard time composing something that does not revolve around the melody and the harmonies. They need to have a soul and need to be unmistakable. Right now I'm infusing my original tracks with Psy-Trance elements, particularly the unmistakable kick/sub combo. I think the hard edge, coupled with the powerful lead synths, reflects my 'I want it all' personality and fits me.

How did you get started in the business, and what was your first landmark moment?

My break-in to high profile releases came at a very late stage of my production. Production was way in the background for me for over 15 years, when an old friend reminded me of something he really liked that I made back in 2003. It reignited my confidence and made me commit. I start taking things more seriously and judge my music by sound quality and appeal, sought out colleagues, and good instructors. It took another year and a few good words to land me my first signed release with Redux Recordings!

My landmark moment is so far easy to pick: The first time I saw a video of my music played to a live crowd. My current absolute idol. Sean Tyas, played my track 'Reborn' at Luminosity Beach Festival 2019 and I can't describe the feeling I got from that.

Which do you prefer, producing in the studio or DJ’ing?

I have not DJed for quite a while and really focused on making music the past two years. Making music is my #1 love. But I miss a crowd, I miss the feeling and hope to rekindle the Jockey flame soon.

What’s next for Chris SX/Spectral?

Chris and I are not done and will be delivering more music together. I may have 1 or 2 more releases by the end of 2020 but will have lots more in 2021. I have never had more unsigned and in-progress works as I do right now, with quite a few collaborations with other producers and amazing vocalists. I'm going to branch out and put out a few prog-housey tunes as an outlet to my laidback side, but for my core work: I intend to keep taking my sound to harder, faster regions while maintaining my heavy, melodic, emotional signature.

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INTONENATION PRESENTS: MEET THE ARTIST SERIES - AAMOS

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In this week’s MEET THE ARTIST series we are excited to introduce Aamos. A Finnish trance producer whose latest collaboration with Miikka Leinonen “rEvolver” has brought back the feel-good, danceable aspect that trance has for too long been missing.

Listen/download: https://intonenation.complete.me/revolver

How did you start making music, and what were your early inspirations?

When i started producing it was 2011 and I was very shy and nervous high-school kid, who wanted to be noticed somehow. I downloaded a Cracked FL studio and started practicing. Trance (and especially progressive trance) was a genre I was interested in. It had emotional feel, massive atmospheres, very polished sound and groovy. It felt right genre to me at that point.

Could you describe your sound, and what makes it unique?

I would describe my sound very detailed and polished. I love making electro house inspired intros/outros, emotional breakdowns and melodic drop with lots of grooviness. I also tend to add some textures and small details on my project that you are not able to hear, but definitely feel when they are not out there.

How did you get started in the business, and what was your first landmark moment?

"Amo R" was my earlier alias. After 2 Years of producing I won a remix contest (but thankfully that remix never got officially released). That made me more self confident and I started shooting my tracks to labels until i got my very first release back in 2013. It was quite bad to be honest, but still another label A&R contacted me and told me he liked my work and wanted me to make remix for him. After that I got multiple releases on different labels and my tracks, remixes and collabs got supported by many big artists, such as Armin van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Above&Beyond etc.

Which do you prefer, producing in the studio or DJ’ing?

Simple answer: I love doing both! But originally i’m a producer.

What’s next for Aamos and Miikka Leinonen? 

No plans yet. We are not a duo and I’m kinda quitting full time Trance producing and starting a more popular House based duo with friend of mine who moved to the same studio room. However, I’m not completely quitting my alias and I’m occasionally still concentrating on my own trance work. I’m also always open to trance remixes, producer&mixing help and most importantly trance gigs in the future!

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Out Now On Intonenation Axiom Aamos vs. Miikka Leinonen - rEvolver

Continuing Intonenation Axiom’s run of notable collaborations is Finnish trance cohorts Aamos & Miikka Leinonen, setting their sights high with a new progressive offering called rEvolver. This dynamic duo has brought back the feel-good, danceable aspect that trance has for too long been missing. rEvolver is as rhythmic as it is melodic, as impulsive as it is informed, and it can’t wait to liberate. Centered around a massive, infectious melodic drop that will animate even the most reluctant party people, rEvolver looks set to bring its own unique redemption to trance fans everywhere.  So pull the trigger now with rEvolver, and see if you can’t feel the freedom!

INTONENATION PRESENTS: MEET THE ARTIST SERIES - CHRIS SX

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In this week’s MEET THE ARTIST series we are excited to introduce CHRIS SX. A German trance prodigy Chris SX and Israeli dance phenomenon Spectral join forces for the massive release on Intonenation Axiom The Angelcy.

Listen/Download: https://intonenation.complete.me/theangelcy

How did you start making music, and what were your early inspirations?

I played drums from a young age and started deejaying as a teenager. To introduce my own taste of music into my mixes, I started to do mash-ups and bootlegs followed by my own productions.

Could you describe your sound, and what makes it unique?

The faster bpm is where my heart lies of course - strong, intensive beats and big melodies. But I'm not a prisoner of styles. I always love to add a fresh new taste to my tracks.

How did you get started in the business, and what was your first landmark moment?

I already had some releases under different aliases before starting as Chris SX. But then it went off. My first release was already the 5 years anniversary “Hymn” for the German club event Trance.Mission which brought me in the Beatport charts. But the next track "Sands Beach" topped everything. All Major Deejays played the track including Armin in A State of Trance, which was totally unexpected and made me a little bit proud.

Which do you prefer, producing in the studio or DJ’ing?

Hard question because I love both. Why not say produce live on stage. Would love to do some live stuff like Giuseppe Ottaviani or Activa and John Askew doing it right now. Overall it would be cool to get more on stage time again. The Trance Scene here in Germany and the neighboring countries degreases year by year resulting in less gigs.

What’s next for Chris SX?

I have another tune with Spectral in progress and several tracks and remixes which are planed to get released in the second half of 2020. So there is a lot coming.

Out Now In Intonenation Axiom Chris.SX & SPECTRAL "The Angelcy"

Fools rush in, or so the saying goes. But when German trance prodigy Chris SX, and Israeli dance phenomenon Spectral join forces, no one needs to fear anything. Dropping an almighty collaboration, blessed with intention and power, The Angelcy rises from a deep hypnotic place. Layers of hi-energy synths grow from a sacred vocal breakdown, repeating the hook like a holy mantra. As the buildup peaks at what seems like a supernatural climax, the groove returns, and the drop descends upon us like a religious experience. May peace be with you this night. But if by chance it isn’t, you can only pray that the sound you are hearing is The Angelcy.

New Massive Elypsis Remix Of JES & Dan Thompson Out Now On Intonenation Axiom

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Listen/Download: https://intonenation.complete.me/herewithmeremix

JES drops a truly international collaboration, with an inspired remix from Australian melodic groover Elypsis, for her song Here With Me, with the UK’s trance overlord Dan Thompson. Following up on from the success of the original release, Elypsis finds a new twist in the fabric of “Here With Me”, transforming it with a spacious groove, floating bass, and subtly infectious synth hooks. Placing JES’ sublime vocals and songwriting front and the center, Elypsis layers supporting swathes of warm textures to create the perfect chilled out vibe. Resting in that hard to define space between cool and commercial, this new mix seems sure to find its way onto mainstream dance radio and terrace sets this summer. So join JES for a truly zen experience and know that when she sings “Here With Me”, that’s exactly where you’ll be.

INTONENATION PRESENTS: MEET THE ARTIST SERIES - BEHIND THE SUNSET

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Intonenation is proud to present Behind The Sunset for our MEET THE ARTIST series. After a 6 year break, Behind The Sunset has just dropped a massive single “Change” out now on Intonenation Axiom. “Change” is a magnificent slice of emo based trance that won’t be able to avoid shattering their formerly peaceful existence.

Stream/download here: https://intonenation.complete.me/change

How did you guys meet and start to make music with each other?

We met on a music forum. Each of us led a modest solo career. Even then we were strongly associated with trance music. We remixed a few songs to each other and then decided to create a joint track. It turned out that by joining forces, our music took a new level. Our first single was released physically and digitally on Arnej Music. Then we decided that we would work together under the name Behind The Sunset. Our friendship at that time was only online. Each of us lived in a different city. Music, however, meant that our relationship moved to real life. We are currently musical partners and privately good friends.

Could you describe your sound, and what makes it unique?

Our music is one big chaos. We don't limit ourselves to one style, that's why some of our songs are very different from the others. However, what can be found in each of our songs are emotions. We are big fans of euphoric melodies and deep sounds. Each of our tracks will have a place for a reflective moment, even if the whole song is strongly tech.

How did you get started in the business, and what was your first landmark moment as a group?

As we mentioned earlier, our first single was released on Arnej Music. It was a song called Painting Heaven Together. Shortly after that, we released our second single, Chameleon, which enjoyed great interest from popular DJs. The song was supported by such personalities as Armin van Buuren, Markus Shulz, and Richard Durand. It was a turning point in our careers. We have gained a lot of new fans and interest of music labels.

Which do you prefer, producing in the studio or DJ’ing?

To be honest, we're not experienced DJs, so it's hard to tell what we like more. However, we can confidently say that we love everything that is related to music, so being a DJ is our next step to the fascinating musical world. Let's hope that in the nearest future we will be able to present our DJ skills. Who knows, maybe we'll get an invitation to some guest mix.

What’s next for Behind The Sunset?

In addition to Change, we have another upcoming single. The release date is scheduled for mid-June. The track will be released in Phatbull Records. We are also currently working on some new songs. We are planning to invite vocalists to cooperation. We hope that it will be successful work and new music from BTS will satisfy our current listeners and we will gain new fans.

Intonenation Axiom Releases An Emotional & Epic Track From Behind The Sunset "Change"

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Buy/Stream: https://intonenation.complete.me/change

Behind the Sunset are as mysterious as their name suggests. The reclusive Polish duo has been flying just under the radar of mainstream dance since their last release Actus Secondus. That, however, is about to "Change". Dropping their first single on JES’s new Intonenation Axiom imprint, BTS has conjured up a magnificent slice of emo based trance that won’t be able to avoid shattering their formerly peaceful existence.

Combining a quasi androgynous vocal hook with a sea of deep synths, breakbeats, and 303’s, "Change" brings together a host of clublands favorite styles into one dance floor leveling tornado. Sounding like the perfect collaboration between Above and Beyond, Fatboy Slim, and Underworld, "Change" is set to bring truth and authenticity right into a decade that needs it so very badly. All at once, emotional and epic, personal and expansive, Behind The Sunset have ripped a hole in the fabric of the club scene, a hole that might just lead to somewhere new, somewhere better. Get Behind The Sunset now, and make the "Change".

UNIMI Releases "Between Darkness", An Inspired And Enormous Slice Of Prog-Lifting!

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Listen/Download: https://intonenation.complete.me/darkness

Continuing Intonenation Axiom’s stellar run of releases in 2020 is Between Darkness, an inspired and enormous slice of prog-lifting genius from mysterious Dutch bootleg champion, UNIMI. Combining the sound of progressive trance, with the pure energy of uplifting trance, UNIMI has broken through the final frontier, creating a new genre in the space between progressive and uplifting trance. 

Opening with a hypnotic beat, the epic energy is apparent right from the start. As Between Darkness drops into its first breakdown, the mesmerizing piano theme appears, and grows with layers of synths and snares. When the leads hit, you’ll be reaching for the air as energy grows with electronic wash, after electronic wash. A huge pitch-bending builds cause exactly the right type of anxiety, and you know there’s only one place we can be going. The drop crashes down with a deep sense of satisfaction, bringing order and chaos in equal measure and turning the dance floor into a mosh pit. As the power subsides, the melody lingers on in the air, and the ride begins again.

Between Darkness creates the bridge between progressive and uplifting, and with it, UNIMI has delivered the perfect DJ tool for every peak time set.