Armin Van Buuren - Shivers/Serenity
Nebula UK
Catalogue Number: N/A
Well what we have here is the latest production from massive DJ and trance producer Armin Van Buuren.
This has already seen a release overseas on import vinyl but Nebula have snapped this up for UK
release with another track from Armin, Serenity which joins the mixes on this promo CD-R. For the
purposes of this review, I'm going to skip past the Radio Edit of Shivers as it's basically a
cut-down version of the Rising Star Mix.
Rising Star Mix
This begins with a typical Armin percussion and bassline to get things moving. However, any enjoyment
is very short-lived as the vocals begin and I can only describe these as very commercial and to be
quite honest that's being kind. A typical epic breakdown and synth riff can't escape the fact that
the vocals in this are bad, hideously bad. Not for me I'm afraid.
Tribal Feel Mix
This starts out in quite a minimal almost progressive trance style with a tough kick and minimal
percussion with bassline but it really doesn't build much at all. The vocal again comes in and
ruins the whole occasion but I have to say this remix sounds more like an amateur production than
something which one of the best trance producers would put their name to - it really is that bad.
Even an instrumental mix of this won't save it.
Birth Of An Angel
Now this turns out to be an instrumental mix of Shivers but under a different name. Why the different
name is a total mystery but there you go. This starts off with a typical Armin style kick and
bassline before mellow pads layer over the top. Lush arpeggiated synth lines build the tune
which is quite mellow in style and more suited to an early peaktime set. The breakdown comes
with a mellow synth line and epic pad layers but I have to say the whole chord progression on
this doesn't really have a hook to get me interested. It's nice and all but nothing more than
average, another case of style over substance.
Serenity
Now this just goes to prove the saying that every cloud has a silver lining. Just when I thought
this whole package could get no worse, I put this on. This begins with a tough kick and percussion
and from the word go sounds more like a Ferry Corsten or Tiesto production than Armin. A dark acidy
distorted bassline and bleeping synth line puts this firmly in peaktime trancer territory. A haunting
piano melody comes in as the snares roll to the drop. Then oh my god what a drop it is as a gorgeous
synth line in an almost classical style comes in before monstrous layers of pads and strings lift the
emotion to the max. More surprising as a dark distorted synth comes in from the background and the kick
pounds back in hard as the synths continue their classical style. This more than makes up for Shivers
in one fail swoop and this is the one I've I've played this to massive feedback on my Risefm and ETN
shows already.
In summary, I'm surprised Nebula are running with Shivers as the main track because in my opinion it
has to be the worst thing Armin has ever released. Just when I thought he could stoop no lower with
the rubbish that was 'Burnt With Desire' he tops it with this pile of commercial drivel. The
instrumental is ok but nothing more than an average trancer either. Luckily however, Serenity saves
the whole package with an epic classical style trancer which is right up my street. Let's hope this
sees a vinyl release and not just the remixes of Shivers instead which would be a disgrace.
View comments here
Shivers : 
Serenity : 
Review by Yaz
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