Far less often than I would like or plan to do so, I produce music. As I have become busier in other areas of the underground dance scene, the time between tracks also increases. So, following up on my "Breathless" EP for Proton Music in March 2011, I'm extremely proud to now release "Opiate" with remixes from LADS and Michael A.

Heavily influenced by the sounds of Stephan Bodzin, Patrice Baumel and ARTBAT, "Opiate" started life as intro I'd written for another project. It sat on my hard drive waiting to be turned into a full track and I'm indebted to Jamie Stevens for helping me turn it into something I feel is quite special. Driven by a desire to create cascading arpeggio melodies with a deep resonating bassline and driving beat, the result was sculpted into shape with the help of Jamie's exacting eye for detail and encyclopaedic production knowledge.

The first remix comes from German and South African duo, LADS. Luc Angenehm has produced some amazing tracks for Proton Music under his own name before joining forces with Deep Suite. The 2016 "Kaiserkraft" and "Isabel" EP were glorious examples of Angenehm's work before the pair came together to create the stunning "Miss Jean" and "Hagel" EPs in September 2017 and May 2018. Other work for You Plus One and Nie Wieder Schlafen have showcased burgeoning talents while LADS have also been regulars on my Visceral radio show and compilation series. Reworking "Opiate", LADS have created a beautifully delicate and elegant interpretation that focuses on one of the key melodic themes, combined with an untreated vocal cut, to create a sublime remix. Adding a stripped back rhythmic foundation, a new stepped arpeggio sits atop in exquisite synchrony with emotive bassline to create a very special new version.

Belarusian, Michael A, is another artist who has had a very strong relationship with Proton Music since his February 2017 "Bright Hope" debut. "Symbol", "My Style" and "Aura Tears" quickly followed throughout the rest of 2017 and early 2018. As prolific as he is talented, Michael's work has continued to find its way on to a host of stellar imprints that include Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat, Cid Inc.'s Replug and Darin Epsilon's Perspectives Digital, additionally supported by the likes of Nick Warren and Guy J. Over 750 production credits now grace the Belarusian's portfolio as he continues to chart an all-conquering path through the underground dance scene. With a typically melodious approach, the Michael A remix takes "Opiate" on a rip-roaring voyage that harnesses the central arpeggio motif from the original and builds a luxurious and textured new reworking around it. Combining a host of additional production work, a new arpeggio riff can be heard as textured chord progressions, rich bassline and white-noise infused effects sparkle over seven-and-a-half minutes. A sumptuous rolling groove adds further to another sparkling Michael A remix.

Remixes from LADS and Michael A have seen "Opiate" hit a new high.

Directed by Jay Epoch
A&R by James Warren
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren

Opiate

Opiate (Original Mix)

Buy on Beatport

Music is food for the soul ♥
Melodic Techno / Deep House/ Electronic Music / 
DEPECHE MODE ♥ Camouflage, De/Vision, A-ha ♥ 
.
“Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here!” 
― J.K. Rowling

-Without music, life would be a mistake.
 Friedrich Nietzsche

-Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. ♥ 
 Plato

Passion for deep, dark, melancholic and dreamy music :)

Melodic & Progressive

www.blackwands.com

Releases on: 
Sekora / MonoWave / House of Horus / Freegrant Music / This Never Happened / PRGRSSN / ZeroThree / Pattern / As You Are / Addictive Sounds / Immersed / FSOE Parallels / Mood Of Mind 

The style of electronic music championed by Black Wands exists somewhere in the ether between majesty and melancholy. From a spark of inspiration, the Denver producer crafts melodic and progressive house soundscapes that set the mood for an emotional dance floor.

Black Wands has shared the stage with some of the finest artists in his genre, including Le Youth, Sultan + Shepard, Yotto, Cassian, Aname, Nora En Pure, Estiva, Stephan Bodzin, Enamour, Fehrplay, Grum, Jeremy Olander, & Matt Lange. His signature cinematic sound has landed releases with prominent progressive house labels ZeroThree, Monowave, and As You Are. He was also enlisted for an official remix of Le Youth & Sultan + Shepard , which appeared on This Never Happened as part of Le Youth’s “Reminders” Remixed album. Garnering radio plays from the likes of Nora En Pure, Mark Knight, Paul Van Dyk, Sultan + Shepard, Aly & Fila, and Cosmic Gate, Black Wands continues to attract support from high caliber DJs around the world. 

Swelling chord progressions meet with gritty, analogue bass lines in the path he forges for each spellbinding sonic journey. Drawing upon not only post rock and metal but also progressive trance and melodic techno, his background as a singer/songwriter equips him to synthesize his eclectic origins into a singular, cohesive statement. With releases on ZeroThree, This Never Happened, Monowave, As You Are and Future Sound of Egypt , this emerging talent is bringing his sound to life.

Between the driving grooves underscoring each arrangement to the arpeggios soaring up above, every Black Wands track bears instantly recognizable hallmarks. Like a conductor leading an orchestra, his sorcery lies in his expert grasp of composition as he weaves low-end frequencies with poignant high notes in a way that evokes compelling imagery.

The months ahead hold great promise for Black Wands as he looks to release more music than ever before. Follow along as his vision unfolds.

It's been a long time since Valyo fell in love with the electronic music. Always on the road of the artist - his ears heard the sound of Omid 16b, Nick Warren, Dousk, Facundo Mohrr and instantly took a place in his heart. Playing his own style of progressive beats, Valyo is a must be heard!

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