Watchtower Vol. 1

In 2011, Kevin Energy and Sharkey, arguably the two most notable names in the freeform hardcore scene, separately announced their retirements. The long-running Nu Energy Collective mostly shuttered as well, replaced by the Hard Beats Collective; four labels were formed from Nu Energy's ashes: Stamina Records (run by A.B), A-Tech Music (Arkitech), Emfa Music (S3RL), and Watchtower (Endemic). Additionally, Relentless Digital continues under new ownership and other labels like ReBuild and FINRG are still associated with it. Of these labels, Watchtower is the second to release a physical CD; ReBuild's World Heavyweight Freeform was released in late 2011. Watchtower Vol. 1 was the third actual release from the label, following two free MP3s on the label's SoundCloud. The label doesn't take any profit from downloads, instead giving it to charity. Half of the sales of the CD also go to charity as well.

The album itself contains two CDs, one with ten unmixed tracks and the second containing the ten tracks mixed and the extra track "Zero-G Fire" by Transcend. The track selection is top notch, with four countries represented: Substanced and Proteus from Finland, Aryx from Slovenia, Qygen from America, and the rest from England. The Watchtower DJ's also mix the tracks to perfection from start to finish. I recommend this album for anyone who likes freeform or hard trance. You can buy it now at the label's website.