What do you still have to gain if you have made it to number 1 DJ in the world, if ten million people listen to your weekly radio show and you can also play at the inauguration party of King Willem-Alexander? Armin van Buuren now has it all 'in da pocket'. His album Intense is the reflection of a man at the height of his ability. At this crossroads in his career he is more than ever taking his own
… path. Just like on Mirage (2010), this fifth studio album sounds less trance, but that is more than compensated with new collaborations. In Sound Of The Drums we hear singer Laura Jansen. The title track pays homage to the classical violin (thanks to violinist Miri Ben-Ari). No wonder this song was ideal for a live performance with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra during the royal inauguration. This may take some getting used to for genuine trance lovers, but such outings seem to be the trend for the future. In any case, Van Buuren is very convinced of his new approach: 'This is my record, this is what I stand for and you have to make do with this.' (JWvR)more
