Hardstyle is a unique subgenre of EDM that originated out of a mixture of melodic European Trance Music and hardcore banging Gabba, primarily out of Germany in the early 2000s. Given the diversity of most EDM, this is very welcome to listen to and enjoy, especially today, as it is an interesting diversion from more straight-ahead genres of House, Techno, and Pop styled R&B. Blutonium Boy was one of the first to dive into (or cash into, depending on your view) the Hardstyle scene back in the early 2000s. Although he is not a widely known or popular EDM or Hardstyle artist, he is crucial to the emergence of this genre. Hence, this compilation, one of many in a series of compilations delivered as a retrospective glimpse into the genre itself. This is volume five of this compilation series, consisting of 16 tracks and running for nearly an hour and a half, and features multiple artists on this compilation. Let’s jump in and take a listen to this compilation, and we shall hope it is interesting to hear.

1. Intro – EOH 5 begins with some fade-in of distorted and processed vocals, followed by some random percussion and a deep vocal introduction to the album.

2. Holding Out For A Hero – Technoboy Remix is by Blutonium Boy with Bonnie Tyler. It launches into some hard and synchronised beats and sounds. Nonetheless, it has a simple yet exciting banging introduction to this album. Some high-frequency melodies enter, and this tune sounds terrifically awesome in the process. Drum rolls enter, and this absolute banger of a track launches into action. This is definitely music for the body, less so for the mind. Having said that, it is ridiculously good to listen to, with steep and sharp musical progressions. Nonetheless, it is a winner. A loud and percussive tune at hand, but it sounds absolutely awesome. It leads into a breakdown with digital vocals, Trance-based progressions and sounds sweet. All in all, a magical listen with a combination of loud, heavy beats and Trance music-based melodies. This is clever and ingenious sort of music in a way, and deserves more credit and appreciation from its fan base out there. Nonetheless, this is an amazing five-minute-long track that sounds ridiculously cool. A breakdown returns, followed by crushing beats and futuristic percussive sounds that matter. You will be headbanging along to this tune, that is for sure. It winds down with the lone beats, just sounding top. All in all, a really sweet tune to listen to. Top.

3. The Devil Inside – Blutonium Boy Remix is originally by Audionator. It begins with some straightforward and melodic lines to get you started. Some subtle changes occur, leading into the next section. Some down-pitched vocals enter, and this tune gets kicking away very nicely indeed. An extraordinarily cool, groovy and blood-pumping tune that is designed to be blasted at full volume and to annoy everyone in your local neighbourhood. It is punchy, percussive and powerful music. Soon enough, some digital synth lines emerge near the midsection of the tune, alongside some super down-pitched vocals to match. This is extremely energetic listening, and no doubt the pill poppers in Europe, particularly Ibiza, will value this tune. It sounds absolutely monstrous sonically. This sounds fairly melodic in a minor key way, but is a percussive banger as well. If you love Trance Music but want something more of a punch in the face, this release is the way to go. This has some serious sonic sounds that will take you by surprise. A genuinely good listen. It wraps up with repeated cyber melodies and beats galore. It slowly fades out the elements of the tune right at the finish.

4. Ravens – Original Mix is by Axess One & Om3ga. It begins with some straightforward and some distorted vocals. It quickly launches into a cool tune with a spacey breakdown and a bunch of other interesting sounds to match it all. This compilation delivers some surprises. This tune builds up to an ecstatic sounding tune at hand with some high-end melodies and percussive beats galore. It breaks down into a cybertronic melodic tune, with some deep, dark vocals about ravens themselves. This has some majesty and character to it. Towards the midsection, it breaks down into a superb melodic progression, and sounds mindblowingly great to hear. This sounds unique and powerful, without loud amplified guitars or vocals, in its own way. A thunderous tune to listen to, time and time again. Worth it if you love loud music to go nuts to under the influence. Soon enough, a completely different melodic section and set of beats emerge towards the end, which sounds outstanding. If you want to hear supercharged music to go, this is it. An awesome, loud and punchy tune that will instantly grab your attention. Worth it for a five and a half minute long tune. It wraps up with warped beats and textures. Top.

5. Resurrection – Original Mix is by Interwybez. It begins with some straightforward 4/4 beats and launches into another banging monster of a tune, the likes of which would be enough to scare kids away. A really adventurous listen at hand. It breaks down into an ethereal section of music. It follows into a sweet digital melody that sounds nice to hear. Other sounds emerge, as this gradually builds up into the monster under the bed banging track that this is. A fantastic tune overall, and something that deserves to be heard by all EDM fans. This may seem simple and repetitive to others, however. A really dynamic and powerful piece of music that comes to surprise the listener along the way. The second half has Trance-style sounds and progressions, before launching back into the main track at hand. This is a sensational listen throughout, and yes, it is a little repetitive, but it maintains its punchy music appeal throughout. An adventurous, loud and bouncing track that is perfect for one hitting the gym hard. Yet another solidly good listen, and it is definitely a good tune, even if it is fairly repetitive to listen to.

6. Dancing For Love – Original Hardstyle Mix is by Blutonium Boy. It sounds quirky and interesting with the melodies at the start, matched with 4/4 banging beats that are great to sink your teeth into. This quickly launches into an anthemic track. This is music for the body that will get you moving, in the right situation. A seriously awesome and powerful track to listen to. Soon enough, it launches into an even harder-sounding tune with bouncing beats and well-crafted textures. A breakdown follows, which sounds sweet and anthemic throughout. This is definitely one of the standout tracks from this compilation of loud, percussive heavy tracks. It continues into a breakdown in the midsection, which sounds elevating and exciting. A pulsating and energetic tune, this has no spoken vocal samples or singing, but it makes up for it with brilliant melodies and surreal yet punchy sounds and textures. An awesome tune to hear. This gradually slows down in the second half, reaching an interesting halt, before instantly beginning again. A top listen. If you need a single track to listen to from this album, this is it. An enjoyable piece to hear, even if this is DJ mix-style music that the mainstream of music listeners will avoid.

7. A New Beginning – Original Version is by Raw Editors. It begins with some interesting digital, laser-like melodies, handclaps, and other 4/4 textures thrown into the mix. This quickly breaks down and launches into a very Trance Music-oriented piece. This could easily be played in a film of some sort. Melodies and textures build up before the usual banging sonic beats return to surprise you. Some vocals that are semi-rapped enter, and this launches into an absolute mayhem of listening throughout. A wonderful listen throughout, although many may see this music as one-dimensional. The depth, explorational and imagination of these pounding winners is undeniably there. In any case, a breakdown towards the middle occurs, before the loud, heavy beats return. This is a loud mixture of the most aggressive, percussive and interesting pounding sounds that one could only dream of. This one is a little lengthy, but it is still okay to sit through. In the second half, various different sounds and progressions occur. If this music indeed has a flaw, it is less imaginative than some other genres of Electronic Music in the past. No matter, this is really quite enjoyable listening. Towards the end, this gradually winds down nicely and sounds very much worth staying for the journey. This wraps up with some digital loops and a quick finish of hi-hats.

8. S.l.e.t. – Hilversum Mix is by Ezteq. It launches into some dark and heavily percussive beats, and enters into a frenzy of sonic textures that sound like a bomb being dropped: explosive. It quickly launches into a rather awful tune at hand. The listening throughout is not that good for this genre of music. If you need to skip ahead at any point in this release, you may want to do so here. This has some sampled screamed vocals throughout, and this is nothing to be proud of. This ruins an otherwise good compilation. Sadly, this is a sour point of this compilation. It samples a lady having an orgasm, followed by some rather stupid German being spoken. It launches into a terrible melodic section. Next time, Blutonium Boy, choose some better tracks on this compilation. A terrible sounding piece of Hardstyle. Hopefully, this is a single poor moment from this compilation. Sadly, it does drag it down. The music continues to change throughout, and is honestly a real drag to listen to. Not much else needs to be stated at this point, but seriously, this track does not work out well. A terrible listen, and hopefully, what comes after is better than this. The outro is absolutely horrible.

9. Cheese Factory – Audionator Hardstyle Mix is by Audionator. It begins more modestly with some excellent beats and textures. It launches into a more traditional Hardstyle tune that sounds like a massive improvement on what came before it all. This builds up some sonic momentum throughout, and shifts into a wacky tune with some neat textural variations throughout it all. A sample of a lady welcoming one to the cheese factory is itself rather bizarre. Still, this is another straightforward banger that is repetitive, but highly enjoyable throughout. It’s very cool, mind you, even if this music lacks intellectualism. A breakdown occurs, repeating the vocal samples and stating the different types of cheese available at the cheese factory. An Atari 2600 styled sample is present, followed by some more typical Trance Music styled sounds. A different listening experience, this is like a postmodern video game soundtrack to a super retro video game (Avoid The Noid comes to mind), and it sounds very dynamic throughout. All in all, a massive improvement on the track before it. This sounds gargantuan and impressive to listen to. The EDM equivalent of beating the boxing bag with all your aggression at the gym, this is solidly good. Decent to hear, and although this isn’t boring, it could have been edited lengthwise. Different though.

10. Universe – Original Mix is by Interwybez. It is a longer piece of music, at six and a half minutes in length. It begins with some simple banging 4/4 beats, and launches gradually into a repetitive but layered tune. This eventually progresses into a more traditional-sounding EDM tune with some interesting sounds to match. Progressing into a melodic banger of a track, this sounds very good for what it is, even if it takes a while to get you going. It breaks down into a piece with a female voice stating Nostadamus’s introduction to his famous Centuries book (written hundreds of years ago) in English. An awesome listen in some ways, this eventually has some awful melodies enter. This is really only suitable to listen to if you are under the influence. It eventually enters the main section of music at hand. A pounding listen, but it could be a lot better. Also, the length of this tune indicates that quantity over quality is a process of these tracks. This does wear out its appeal for a bit. Eventually, more Nostradamus quotations are spoken, followed by more of the same music. Nostradamus is worth reading into, as is Baba Vanga, that is, if you love futuristic prophecies. This is a good listen but far from great. It continues to progress to a rapid peak of drum rolls and the same repetitive melody. There emerges a prophecy about the future of mankind by Nostadamus, which actually seems to mention the 1917 Russian Revolution, if you listen to this. The sounds and beats continue on in a drag, before this gradually finishes. It could have been edited to improve the listening at hand.

11. Holding Out For A Hero – Blutonium Boy & Audionator Mix is by Blutonium Boy with Bonnie Tyler. It begins with some rather unique textures and some beats to match. Eventually, this launches into a rather awkward-sounding piece, but is still good enough to headbang along to. The melody patches gradually build up, and the female vocals sampled do not match this music by Bonnie Tyler. This is a good take on other types of music, but has little appeal or long-term value all the same. This launches into a heavy and pounding tune that really sounds average. The quality of this compilation is mixed. Some tracks sound amazing, there are some average listens and some appalling ones. This one is only average and is a bad mixture of sampled singing that does not match the Hardstyle format. A different listen, but nothing special to listen to. This is not what one really wants to hear as a Hardstyle banger. It sounds like an attempt to break apart a different genre of music in a bad way. In any case, it wraps up with more digital sounds, but this is not a pleasant listen. A pounding tune, but clearly a case of quantity over quality. Not really good overall.

12. I Love Mu Sic – Original Mix is by Tornadozzer. It sounds remarkably different from the rest of the album, and is better for it. The music is somewhat more interesting. Some banging beats emerge, and this tune progresses on nicely. A good example of where this compilation gets it right. A sampled, distorted repeats the track title, and some thunderous beats emerge. A really punchy banger, even if this is ruined by the vocal sample a bit. It does sound better beat-wise, however. A very good, but not great listening experience. This is the sound of music to take hard drugs to, along the lines of speed or ecstasy. It breaks down into a rather loud set of melodic textures that aren’t that great. The beats return, and this gradually reconstructs into a repetitive yet crunchy listen. This continues on for more than it should as well. Some gentle editing would have benefited this compilation of Hardstyle quite a bit. It continues on into oblivion in the second half, with some predictable progressions about it all. This is not really a memorable track. After some time, the appeal of this mix-up of songs wears thin. In any case, this gradually winds up after nearly six minutes, but it could have been better.

13. Everything – Vocal Club Mix is by Interwybez. It is six minutes in length. It begins with some predictably banging beats and textures, launching into a piece with more female vocals, as from the earlier tune by Interwybez. It quickly launches into an anthemic banger that has some pounding and decent sounds about it. This is one of the better tracks on the second half of this compilation mix. It sounds like a good exercise of textures throughout. More Nostradamus-style prophecies are spoken by the main lady vocalist as before. This sounds as odd and garbled as many of Nostradamus’s predictions are. This gradually changes into an anthemic section of Trance music-inspired melodies. This is a different take on traditional Hardstyle Music. Still, the six-minute length makes for a rather unenjoyable listen for such a long time. The second half continues this tune, but it definitely could have, sadly, once again, been edited down a bit. A very boring and a drag to listen to by this stage of the compilation. This is nothing new or revolutionary to listen to, either. Mentioning a quote about the theory of Albert Einstein about the discovery of the universe is pretty cool, mind you. This continues to slowly march towards the end, which it eventually does. This is quite a boring listen, to be honest.

14. Collapse Of Creation – Original Mix is by Axess One & Om3ga. It begins with more pounding 4/4 beats, just in case you were expecting something dramatically different. This quickly launches into a very good Hardstyle tune, in actual fact. This builds up to a video game sounding piece, before having a Fear Factory styled down-pitched vocal about the end of humanity. This is one of the better tracks from this release. It sounds upbeat and awesome throughout. A dramatic-sounding piece, which, on its own, is quite great to hear. If more variety is needed in Hardstyle, then that is a selling point to it all. It gradually breaks down into a melodic section of harmonic singing, and some sampled voices about seeing God from a film. Some Trance Music styled melodies emerge, and this continues on its way. An energetic listen, provided that you are off your head on substances. This is very much more of the same to hear, however. A frenetic-sounding tune, but hearing this at home is not ideal. Again, this tune could have been cut down for editing’s sake. Still, it packs a real punch to hear. Different in some approaches, which is good nonetheless. The outro is pretty sick, however.

15. Hardstyle Instructor Is Back – Audionator Nustyle Remix is by Blutonium Boy. It begins with harsh, electronic sounds and enters into a good listen, but not a great one. It eventually launches into some interesting vocal samples that are down-pitched and some suspenseful EDM programming. This continues on nicely, and it sounds massive as a result. This is a good exercise in programming, even though this is nothing special or original overall. This gradually progresses with sounds, samples and textures. This compilation album varies sharply in quality, and by the time of listening to this track, its appeal wears thin. It launches into a quirky and irregular beat section near the middle, which is definitely different to hear, followed by the Blutonium Boy style vocals. This follows into a rather annoying melody, and continues on in a beat-banging way. This is more of the same, however. The second half continues the Hardstyle mentality and predictable sounds and progressions throughout. You get the idea by this point: music for the body, not for the mind. All in all, a good uptempo listen throughout, but definitely not great. Certainly not imaginative, either. A drag of a listen. This wraps up with some predictable beats and sounds.

16. The Devil Inside – Extended 303 Club Mix is by Audionator. It is the last song on this release and is over eight minutes in length. It has some handclaps and simple sounds, leading into a tune that gradually and slowly builds up. Massive beats and sonic textures emerge, and this gradually progresses into a seismic collection of beats, sounds and a vocal sample that is down-pitched. This is nothing exceptionally impressive or good. It launches into an Acid House-style tune patch that we have heard to death by this point. Again, lacking. This music is very draining mentally and emotionally to sit through by this point. A monster of a listen, all the same. Still, this is unnecessary to listen to at this point. There is nothing particularly special or unique about this track at hand. All in all, it is a characteristic tune of Hardstyle. It samples some interesting percussion before launching into pure boredom. If the length of this album wasn’t enough, this track is enough to bore you stupid. This is simply flogging a dead horse by this point. Some awful sounds and samples continue. This is exactly why a lot of EDM is irrelevant today on throwaway DJ mixes, it simply does not sound that good. A very poor listen. Fortunately, you don’t need to listen to this junk. You have been warned. It is horrendous to conclude this compilation with. Just neither original nor good enough. A drag to listen to. The second half tries to prove a point by extending a track that should be three minutes in length out to an eight-minute-long listen. It gradually marches towards the end with nothing worthwhile or special to listen to. It wraps up with familiar beats and textures, before finally reaching the end of it all. Not good enough.

This compilation is very lacking. Understandably, many fans of banging EDM will enjoy this listening experience. However, many others will not do so. It is an unoriginal, predictable and generally unlistenable affair, unless you are into heavy drug use. Aside from that, this is not really worth it. Don’t bother listening to this release at all. This compilation is a regrettable and forgettable listen.

Enough to make you want to stop listening to EDM.

3/10