The end of an era and the beginning of another. Here's the story of the tracks that kicked off n-Somnia's retirement and the ones that ended it.
Note: None of the remixes from "The Awakening" singles (and eventually "n-TheMix") will be mentioned in this series.
#1 - TOY STORE (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
This song was a part of my momentary comeback from a hiatus between 2003 and 2004. Other songs included in this comeback were "Starlifter" (more info on this track below) and "Desert Scorn" (see the first episode of "Song Stories" for info on this one). This track got its title from a download package of loops and samples I found in 2004, called "Toyz". Although I didn't use all of the loops from the pack in this song, the main ones were. I think the rest (along with a second pack) helped create "Desert Scorn", if I'm not mistaken. Before the 2007 compilation, this track wasn't available on any album, single or EP.
#2 - STARLIFTER (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
From the same comeback session that brought us "Toy Store", this song was also not on any release until 2007. The original title for this song was "Military Airlift". "Starlifter" was favoured as it is more memorable, and because it's the name of a cargo plane - the C-141. The main loop at the beginning was created as far back as 1999.
#3 - ELIMINATOR (2006 REVISITED MIX) (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
After announcing n-Somnia's retirement in 2006, I decided to do a farewell batch of remixes for the song that started it all in 2002. This mix was, in a way, a kind of re-recorded version of the original with some differences.
#4 - ELIMINATOR (INDUSTRIAL REMIX) (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
This remix from the retirement era takes the song in a different direction, especially near the end when the tempo changes. Probably my favourite remix since the 2000 mix of "Red Alert".
#5 - THE AWAKENING (from "The Awakening")
The title and opening track to the album that brought n-Somnia out of retirement. It was actually one of the last tracks to be made for the album, and was intended to be a basic intro to help the listener get ready for what was to follow. There is a sample that plays throughout the track that was reused in the closing track, "Atomic Refugee". Sort of coming full circle.
#6 - REVOLT! (from "The Awakening")
The first single from the album and a great way to make a comeback after a 5-year absence. This was made with a nightclub scene in mind. If I ever do become a DJ of that nature, I will be playing this song. That is my promise to you! The title of the song preaches revolution. Nuff said.
#7 - DANCE OF THE ELECTRONS (from "The Awakening")
The name comes from a documentary I was watching about nuclear stuff. Probably Chernobyl or something. A lot of this album references the 1986 incident. One of the interviewees said something about 'dancing electrons'. Sounds like a title. Some parts of the music were inspired by Depeche Mode's "Lie to Me".
#8 - RAINFOREST (from "The Awakening")
This is actually one of my personal Top 5 n-Somnia tracks, if I were to ever create a list. There's something about the keyboard loops I used that I still find captivating even today.
#9 - BIO-ROBOTS (from "The Awakening")
Here's me trying to do a little Drum & Bass. I think it worked. The title was inspired by the same Chernobyl documentary I was watching around this time. Where actual robots failed to achieve their goal when trying to cleanup the nuclear plant, a specialised team in protective suits stepped in. Also known as Liquidators.
#10 - THE IMPLODING TEARDROP (from "The Awakening")
The title was just me trying to be clever and poetic. Did it work? The softest song on the album, it's the calm of the storm, though somewhat melancholic as well.
#11 - PLAGUE 99 (from "The Awakening")
A random title I came up with in 1997 during the Swede era, though the song is nothing like I would've imagined back then. This one is a hard-hitting track, especially those drums. The kick drum was manually programmed by yours truly, inspired by early 80's New Order.
#12 - ATOMIC REFUGEE (from "The Awakening")
Unfortunately, through war or accidents, there are the civilians that such events have an impact on. The ones who have to immediately abandon their homes to avoid further contamination - the atomic refugees. As mentioned earlier, this song uses a sound clip you can hear in the album's opening track. It's also the longest track clocking in at 9 minutes exactly.
BONUS TRACKS
#1 - CHRYSALIS
A B-side from the "Revolt!" single, this would be considered an early, unfinished version of what would become a song called "Crystals & Gems" (more on this later). The track as it is here had been sitting on the computer for a few years, waiting for me to come up with something to go with it. This was all I had at the time.
#2 - LOVE PARADE (MY HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR HOUSE IS MINE)
Created around the same time as the album, but released as a stand-alone promo single in between "Revolt!" and "Rainforest". The title is a reference and a nod to the music festival in Europe, "Loveparade". As it samples a vocal track from another artist's song, this one was released as a free download to avoid any law suits. Not surprisingly, it is the most downloaded n-Somnia to date.
#3 - CRUISE ZONE
The second track from the "Bio-Robots" single. I felt it was good enough to be the second A-side. Also, it was because this song had a music video. Fun fact: The video was filmed before the song even existed. Basically, the song was made for it afterwards.
NEXT EPISODE - "THE SYSTEM".
Note: None of the remixes from "The Awakening" singles (and eventually "n-TheMix") will be mentioned in this series.
#1 - TOY STORE (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
This song was a part of my momentary comeback from a hiatus between 2003 and 2004. Other songs included in this comeback were "Starlifter" (more info on this track below) and "Desert Scorn" (see the first episode of "Song Stories" for info on this one). This track got its title from a download package of loops and samples I found in 2004, called "Toyz". Although I didn't use all of the loops from the pack in this song, the main ones were. I think the rest (along with a second pack) helped create "Desert Scorn", if I'm not mistaken. Before the 2007 compilation, this track wasn't available on any album, single or EP.
#2 - STARLIFTER (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
From the same comeback session that brought us "Toy Store", this song was also not on any release until 2007. The original title for this song was "Military Airlift". "Starlifter" was favoured as it is more memorable, and because it's the name of a cargo plane - the C-141. The main loop at the beginning was created as far back as 1999.
#3 - ELIMINATOR (2006 REVISITED MIX) (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
After announcing n-Somnia's retirement in 2006, I decided to do a farewell batch of remixes for the song that started it all in 2002. This mix was, in a way, a kind of re-recorded version of the original with some differences.
#4 - ELIMINATOR (INDUSTRIAL REMIX) (from the "n-Somnia" compilation)
This remix from the retirement era takes the song in a different direction, especially near the end when the tempo changes. Probably my favourite remix since the 2000 mix of "Red Alert".
#5 - THE AWAKENING (from "The Awakening")
The title and opening track to the album that brought n-Somnia out of retirement. It was actually one of the last tracks to be made for the album, and was intended to be a basic intro to help the listener get ready for what was to follow. There is a sample that plays throughout the track that was reused in the closing track, "Atomic Refugee". Sort of coming full circle.
#6 - REVOLT! (from "The Awakening")
The first single from the album and a great way to make a comeback after a 5-year absence. This was made with a nightclub scene in mind. If I ever do become a DJ of that nature, I will be playing this song. That is my promise to you! The title of the song preaches revolution. Nuff said.
#7 - DANCE OF THE ELECTRONS (from "The Awakening")
The name comes from a documentary I was watching about nuclear stuff. Probably Chernobyl or something. A lot of this album references the 1986 incident. One of the interviewees said something about 'dancing electrons'. Sounds like a title. Some parts of the music were inspired by Depeche Mode's "Lie to Me".
#8 - RAINFOREST (from "The Awakening")
This is actually one of my personal Top 5 n-Somnia tracks, if I were to ever create a list. There's something about the keyboard loops I used that I still find captivating even today.
#9 - BIO-ROBOTS (from "The Awakening")
Here's me trying to do a little Drum & Bass. I think it worked. The title was inspired by the same Chernobyl documentary I was watching around this time. Where actual robots failed to achieve their goal when trying to cleanup the nuclear plant, a specialised team in protective suits stepped in. Also known as Liquidators.
#10 - THE IMPLODING TEARDROP (from "The Awakening")
The title was just me trying to be clever and poetic. Did it work? The softest song on the album, it's the calm of the storm, though somewhat melancholic as well.
#11 - PLAGUE 99 (from "The Awakening")
A random title I came up with in 1997 during the Swede era, though the song is nothing like I would've imagined back then. This one is a hard-hitting track, especially those drums. The kick drum was manually programmed by yours truly, inspired by early 80's New Order.
#12 - ATOMIC REFUGEE (from "The Awakening")
Unfortunately, through war or accidents, there are the civilians that such events have an impact on. The ones who have to immediately abandon their homes to avoid further contamination - the atomic refugees. As mentioned earlier, this song uses a sound clip you can hear in the album's opening track. It's also the longest track clocking in at 9 minutes exactly.
BONUS TRACKS
#1 - CHRYSALIS
A B-side from the "Revolt!" single, this would be considered an early, unfinished version of what would become a song called "Crystals & Gems" (more on this later). The track as it is here had been sitting on the computer for a few years, waiting for me to come up with something to go with it. This was all I had at the time.
#2 - LOVE PARADE (MY HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR HOUSE IS MINE)
Created around the same time as the album, but released as a stand-alone promo single in between "Revolt!" and "Rainforest". The title is a reference and a nod to the music festival in Europe, "Loveparade". As it samples a vocal track from another artist's song, this one was released as a free download to avoid any law suits. Not surprisingly, it is the most downloaded n-Somnia to date.
#3 - CRUISE ZONE
The second track from the "Bio-Robots" single. I felt it was good enough to be the second A-side. Also, it was because this song had a music video. Fun fact: The video was filmed before the song even existed. Basically, the song was made for it afterwards.
NEXT EPISODE - "THE SYSTEM".