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Thrillseekers
» Synaesthesia 2004
Reviewed by Ian Betts
/ Submitted 30-07-04 11:01
Label: Adjusted
Format: 12" Vinyl
Genre: Trance
Steve Helstrip has been at the forefront of the UK trance scene since the halcyon days of 1998/1999, producing under various guises such as En Motion, Insigma and Rapid Eye for labels like ATCR, Incentive and Nebula. He has saved some of his best work for his 'Thrillseekers' solo project, the most famous of which has been the seminal "Synaesthesia". First debuted in 1998 on the much missed Neo Records, the orignal track took some time to come to prominence, but thanks to an appearance on one of the early Gatcrasher CDs and championing by Paul Van Dyk it was soon a bona fide trance anthem, and with good reason.
With the recent demise of Neo, the rights to the track have reverted back to Steve and he has been planning this re-release package for his newly formed Adjusted Records. There are 3 new remixes from some of trance's current big-hitters, plus a re-edit of one of the more popular mixes form the original release.
Ferry Corsten Remix
This remix is quite dissapointing for me, feels like a 'Ferry by numbers' production with not much thought or effort having been put in  Doesn't really add anything to the original and is nondescriptly bland for the most part.
Pulser Remix
This is a slightly better attempt from occaisional collaborator Andy Perring, he has used the main riff to added effect and created something new with the track, although for me it's still not a patch on the original.
Mesh Remix
Without a doubt this is the best of the new remixes - loads of energy (very Super-8 like), great builds, the main riff has great power and the whole track just feels like the proper big room tune that it is. Some great ideas have been used to good effect and the remix pays enough reverence to the original whilst still bringing it up-to-date.
En-Motion 2004 Re-Edit
You'll be hard pushed to tell this apart form the 1998 original, but then that's no bad thing! This is the definitive version of a veritable classic which still gives you that goosebump moment when the main riff kicks in.
Overall this is a good yet unexceptional re-release package, there will be those who will say that the original will never be bettered (and nor should you try) but for me the Mesh mix will be a favourite for the next few months and for those who missed it first time round the En-Motion re-edit is essential.
Rating: 
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If you would like to submit your track for review, please email Ian at ian@ianbetts.com
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Shaun on 30th Jul 2004 11:18.27
Agree about the Corsten remix - very average. Cant beat the original!
From: Jurrane on 30th Jul 2004 13:03.52
If the Mesh remix is even half as good as 2003's 'Purple Haze', we could be looking at one of the tunes of the year. Can't wait to hear!
From: dave_irvine on 5th Aug 2004 09:33.02
corsten could have done better with his remix, def seems like he did it in 5 mins. loving both mesh and pulser mixes.
first labell release was vandit (sorry)
From: Mongoose on 10th Aug 2004 10:23.43
None of the 2004 remixes are that good, all of them are average. The Ferry Corsten remix sounds as if it wasn't mastered. The Pulser remix could do with a touch of energy (although this mix is better produced of the 4). The Mesh mix sounds like a parallel of confusion and the en-motion re edit should have been called the "remastered" mix. You would have thought that Ferry could have done something with this classic but no, maybe he did rush it.
More remixes are always welcome, but this set of remixes has really been disappointing. Anyway, if there ever was a perfect remix in terms of tune and production then it would be the PVD remix of this classic – a remix which most likely will never be superseded.
It could have been worse though, the remixes could have included Sheryl Deane. Maybe they are learning? 
From: Ian Betts on 13th Aug 2004 09:20.19
Dave - the original release was definitely on Neo. PVD re-released it on Vandit a couple of years later with the vocal mixes and his own remix.
Zi - the PVD mix is nowehere near as good as the original En-Motion mix!
From: Pete M on 16th Aug 2004 19:07.01
I do like Ferry's mix actually. It might be unoriginal but I like it.
From: Oliver Leighs on 18th Aug 2004 13:17.57
Wow - Ferry bashing.....  I was quite impressed with his mix.... predictable but good. The jury's still out on the Mesh mix... but I havent heard it out yet tho....
From: Mongoose on 24th Aug 2004 09:38.49
Ian, its a matter of taste at the end of the day. The en-motion mix is very good but I think it lacks character.
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