Label: Maelstrom
Release Date: December 2007
Brazilian bombshell Fabio Stein returns for his annual outing on Maelstrom with the slamming 'Panic Mode'. Having made a name for himself in 2006 with the hard hitting, double A-side 'Tran-4 / State Of Trance' plus support from the likes of Judge Jules and Eddie Halliwell, Panic Mode picks up the tech-trance baton to power Fabio through to 2008.
Original Mix
I don't think I've ever seen a track more aptly named. From the off it's clear Fabio isn't trying to make something the world has never seen before; he was clearly having fun when he made this. While this won't be to everybody's taste, it certainly does what it was made for. Pure, unashamed madness ensues on a record unlike no over I've reviewed so far. There's no technical wizardry on show, quite the opposite in fact. It's a back to basics mix of crazy bleeps and synths that will suit hard dance DJs down to the ground.
Danny Olivera Remix
The press release for this mix states that it 'adds a proggier twist'. Whatever that means in this age of genre-smashing releases. The bass is a little meatier, and unfortunately this mix doesn't really go anywhere (although I guess that's the 'proggier' part). However, I'm sure this will find a spot in a DJ set that needs to change direction.
DJ Jack Warning Remix
This is supposed to be the hardest version of the lot, but because of a very weak bassline it fails to deliver in that category. The elements are there for a very techy, very hard remix but due to the lack of a strong foundation it doesn't work too well. Because of this, this mix can only be really classed as hard-house, only a relatively slow version. I'm sure someone will play it at the speed of sound and fix that though.
Rating:
An interesting release, more of an experiment in fun in the studio than musical genius though.
7/10
Useful links:
Maelstrom Records
Review by Matt Turner