Purple Haze – Choir 1.0 [Doorn Records]

After the blistering first tastes of his new PURPLE HAZE project on previous singles “Contrast” and “Neiloj,” the mighty SANDER VAN DOORN presents the final taster from his alter ego before he unleashes its debut album on October 9th. “CHOIR 1.0” is here and it’s a monster of a track. This enormous anthem takes the essence of what makes Sander’s music great—melody, emotion, groove, power and atmospherics—and filters it through the refined prism of his new split personality.

A dramatic percussive fill announces the track’s arrival, and immediately the strong melodic content is centre stage, with delicate plucked and digital synthesis arpeggios doing battle with each other and muted chords building a euphoric progression. A bold, pulsing lead lead line cuts through the track to heighten the tension before the arps really let loose. Trance energy filters up for the build, slamming us into gently driving live percussive rhythms, the spine-tingling riffs building and building further.

Yet another synth sound is drafted in for the main break, a vocal choir style synth that gives the track its title and provides a brief respite from the intense musicality of the track. A huge swathe of synths blasts into its way, and after more melodic teasing we’re rewarded with a hugely satisfying drop. No excessive FX and never-ending reverbs: just an impressive variety of strong, rousing melodies ebbing and flowing to varying levels of intensity. It makes for one hell of a four-minute ride.

“CHOIR 1.0” precedes the full-length PURPLE HAZE debut album, which drops to much anticipation on October 9th. On the strength of this and the previous two singles, it’s going to be something truly special.

Buy/stream “Choir 1.0” here.