Awakenings ADE 2018
SHDW & Obscure Shape
Look at the absolute state of the techno tourists queuing up at ADE, clutching lukewarm Heinekens and dressed entirely in matte black like they are attending a funeral for a kick drum. It is the classic Berghain queue cosplay, right down to the aggressive jaw swinging and the bloke desperately trying to Shazam an unreleased white label. The cavernous warehouse is dripping with sweat, illuminated only by blinding strobes that threaten to trigger mass hysteria. For the true nerds dissecting the SHDW & Obscure Shape Awakenings ADE 2018 tracklist, this SHDW & Obscure Shape live set is a masterclass in relentless energy.
Clocking in at a breathless 139.7 BPM average, the lads mercilessly batter the soundsystem through a web of 12A and 5A Camelot keys. The mixing style is purely aggressive, layering industrial percussion over driving basslines without a single second to breathe. Crate diggers will be absolutely having it over the track selection, which pulls no punches. You have got proper heavy hitters like 'Different Prospective' by Michele Garavini sitting alongside pure madness like 'Avalanches Of Compromise' by Mehen & Hadone, but nothing prepares you for the sheer audacity of slipping Darude's 'Sandstorm' into a Techno set.
Absolute scenes. The journey is a mad one, kicking off with the opening track 'Unknown - Unknown' to immediately set a shadowy tone. It peaks in a glorious frenzy of rolling bass and closes out beautifully with the closing track, the Dirty Harry & Costa Pantazis Remix of 'Overcharge' by T-Factor & Criostasis. Sorted.