We arrived at Afterdark, the new home of Judgement Day at around quarter past 10. There was an okay size queue outside, but nothing startling, well this is Judgement Day @ Afterdark after all and Afterdark never fills up until about 1am. The flyer said there would be more security and stringent searches, HA. Typical Afterdark search, im sure the bouncers think the ravers have leprosy (I ain't complaining). Well after the so-called search we got in at about 10:45 and headed straight up stairs to the hardcore arena. The place was near empty, freezing and someone was playing hard house as a warm up set (typical first hour at Judgement Day). At 11pm Technotrance took over the dex and played a 94-96 bouncy Scottish set, he hammered tons of old Scott Brown tracks and we all lapped it up in a typical stomping fashion. Techotrance's set was drawing to a close, and then I noticed Force, Styles & Mc Junior walk past me. At this point I was getting flashbacks from Slammin Vinyl. My fears of Force & Styles playing Trance disappeared as soon as they dropped their first tune, Scott Brown - Yeah Oh Yeah (evolution 41 flip), I knew now that they would play a nice set with plenty of banging tunes. Track after track oozed with quality production (Scott Brown Mainly), then the tune of all '99 tunes was played, Scott Brown - Elysium, and when the breakdown started I dropped to my knee's and bowed (Chris E Maniac style), everyone seemed to stare at me at that point haha, who cares. Overall Force & Styles played a good set that no one could complain about and it certainly did not empty the dance floor this time. Next up were the Scottish duo of FX & Gemini who upped the pace a bit and played happy hardcore classics from 96 onwards. At this point i decided that I would grace the stage so I could enjoy those trance like dancing (you know, when you dance but don’t think about it or feel it). The crowd loved it, FX & Gemini were simply first class with their blend of happy hardcore, bouncy techno and exceptional scratching skills. Now the DJ I had been waiting for, BRISK the mc shouted. >From his first tune i knew this was going to be a top set. Brisk played the hardest set I have ever heard him play. Started with some really ruff tunes leading to his usual style of happycore that included "flower needs the rain", "Sailaway remix" and "Run to me remix", then it happened again!!, Elysium arggh, I went down to my knee's again rushing as if it was my first rave. Brisk is the don when it comes to mixing and Judgement Day was no exception, Set of the night. Due to Bassy G not being arsed to play(which I find disgusting as someone who wants to play could have), FX & Gemini stepped up again for another round of happy hardcore, but this time with a trancecore edge. Mr Mark EG was on next so this was my cue to sit the set out, as the Dj booth is behind the stage the crowd cannot see the dj and vice versa, Mark EG must not have been acting MAD so his mixing was top and the tunage fast ish, unfortunately I don’t like the stuff he plays and it sounded rather bland and lifeless. It was 5am now and Dj Scott took the wheels of steel to play his usual set of Spanish Hardcore that the Afterdark crew love. I was merrily stomping as usual until a certain tune kicked in. Oh my god, the CHICKEN TUNE, I have waited years for this to be played and its ace. BOK BOK BOK BOK BOOOOOOOOK. The rest of the night flowed along pretty well with each passing minute a raver would disappear, lightweights. At 6.55 there must have been no more than 10 people dancing including me, bah time to go home. It was a nice to see Judgement Day back, unfortunately Afterdark has a reputation for being moody, and to some extent it was moody on this occasion. For me it did not feel like the friendly Judgement Days at the Uni but just another night out at Afterdark. I will continue to support this event as it my home event. Shouts out to Brett, Mark, Assassin, The Berwick couple I always see, The people I when to Helter Skelter with and to all the other people I met and stomped with
