Basscon Records Unveils Fifth Installment of ‘Devotions’ Compilation Series

Basscon Records returns for Devotions: Chapter V to spotlight a new wave of hard techno and hard dance artists like Protokseed, Maddo, and CUTDWN.

As the winter season comes to a close, it’s finally time to prep for the start of festival season where the warm sun and lively beats soundtrack the days and hypnotic frequencies rule the night. Basscon Records is playing its part by cranking up the heat with the next installment of their ever-growing compilation series, Devotions: Chapter V.

Aiming to highlight rising talent, the Devotions series has always balanced new ideas with excellent quality, and the latest chapter is no different. This time, however, there’s a twist. Basscon Records dipped its toes into hard techno on Devotions: Chapter IV, but it fully immersed itself in the fifth edition by including four hard techno tunes that account for 50% of the compilation.

First, fans are treated to unique sounds from Omny Lab label boss Protokseed on “Breaking Point.” This is a well-deserved spot on Basscon Records, as his groundbreaking record label played a key role in giving the hard-techno-meets-hardstyle movement its initial push.

CUTDWN joins the roster with “Heavy Handed Carnage,” a proper banger from the Carnage Merchant himself. What CUTDWN lacks in experience, he makes up for with banging ideas that will soon be on festival speakers worldwide.

Seasoned veteran Rebekah stuns with “Toxic,” a perfect example of her evolution from traditional hard techno to the current iteration with hardstyle elements. Clawz rounds out the hard techno portion with an emotional record in “Anything For You.” Heavenly vocals and bright melodies complement the track’s distorted elements, displaying Clawz’s wide range of production knowledge.

Dutch talent Spearbreak delivers the first traditional track from the harder styles with “Party Girl.” This record is ultimately a classic raw tune that checks every box with a brutal first drop, anticlimax in the second drop, and a godly climax with melodies from Hard Dance Heaven. Div Eadie and Thieves of Dreams then team up with Kicksu for “This Ain’t Goodbye,” a euphoric hardstyle record with powerful synths, hard kicks, and uplifting vocals.

Mighty Spiritz delivers a touch of the French flavor on “Destruction,” a track that emphasizes experimental rawstyle kicks and maximum distortion. Maddo brings the happy hardcore vibes to end the compilation on on a high note with his new track, “Like It’s 94.” With the compilation’s focus on distortion and pummeling beats, this record highlights a much-needed side of hard dance, proving that the genre is beautiful in its own right.

Devotions: Chapter V is a good follow-up to the previous edition. I nonetheless can’t help but feel that there was a forced focus on hard techno since Basscon is going all-in on the genre thanks to its rise in popularity.

There’s no denying that the featured artists are making waves, but I’m still left wondering if the focus on hard techno is organic and for the culture, or if it’s purely a function of the movement’s trending momentum. It’s ultimately not my favorite edition, but it does remain true to the spirit of Devotions, which is to showcase experimental music that typically doesn’t fit the cookie-cutter releases fans are used to.

Listen to Devotions: Chapter V on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow Basscon on social media for more hard dance releases and shows.

Stream Devotions: Chapter V on Spotify:

Devotions: Chapter V – Tracklist:

Protokseed – Breaking Point

CUTDWN – Heavy Handed Carnage

Rebekah – Toxic

Spearbreak – Party Girl

Div Eadie, Thieves of Dreams, Kicksu – This Ain’t Goodbye

Mighty Spiritz – Destruction

Maddo – Like It’s 94

Clawz – Anything For You

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