Haikal Ahmad, also known as Blue Horizon, has emerged as a prominent figure in the trance music scene, particularly in Malaysia. His style transcends various sub-genres including trance, progressive techno, and big room music, showcasing his versatility and skill as a producer.
Throughout his career, spanning over a decade, Haikal Ahmad has been deeply influenced by the trance mainstream scene. However, between 2022 and 2024, he began to refine his style, infusing it with commercial elements while maintaining his roots in trance music. This evolution led to the development of a unique sound characterized by a blend of trance, techno, energy, and festival sounds, earning him recognition and acclaim worldwide.
Haikal Ahmad's journey in the trance music industry has been marked by numerous milestones. In 2020, he made significant debuts in the trance music scene, signing with major record labels and consistently charting on the top 100 charts on global distribution platforms. His talent and dedication have garnered support from renowned artists such as Armin Van Buuren, Jordan Suckley, Andrew Rayel, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Sneijder, RAM, and John Askew, among others.
With eight years of experience as a nightclub performer and DJ, Haikal Ahmad is known for delivering unforgettable sets. He has graced the stages of prestigious venues in Malaysia, including Zouk Club, sharing the spotlight with leading artists in the industry.
Beyond Malaysia, Haikal Ahmad's influence extends to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore, where he has performed at various events and festivals. Notably, he recently showcased his talent at Subculture Bangkok alongside renowned artists John O'Callaghan, Astroid, and John Askew.
Haikal Ahmad's commitment to production precision and his passion for creating intense musical moments have solidified his reputation as one of the brightest music producers in Asia, representing Malaysia on the global trance music stage. His journey continues to inspire aspiring artists and fans alike, as he remains dedicated to pushing boundaries and shaping the future of trance music in the region and beyond.
In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic dance music, few artists manage to seamlessly blend raw energy with profound emotion. Haikal Ahmad stands out as one of those rare talents whose sound continues to mature and inspire. With his latest track "Release Yourself" on FSOE, he invites listeners into a deeply personal journey marked by growth, resilience, and artistic evolution. In this exclusive interview, Haikal opens up about the technical intricacies of his production process, the emotional backdrop of his music, and his vision for the future. Join us as we delve into the story behind "Release Yourself" and uncover the layers that define his unique sound.
Dimitris: Could you share the background story behind your track "Release Yourself" on FSOE?
Haikal Ahmad: Over time my sound has shifted from pure energy to a mix of power and emotion. Release Yourself is special because I wrote it while battling anxiety, the bassline drives, but the melodies carry healing and hope. It’s that balance of dancefloor energy and deeper emotion that shows my evolution as an artist.
Dimitris: How does your new track reflect the evolution of your sound since you first started producing music?
Haikal Ahmad: When I first started producing, my focus was on big energy and heavy drops. Over time, I’ve grown to blend that with more emotional depth. Release Yourself reflects that shift and it still has the driving power for the dancefloor, but the melodies and atmosphere carry a message of healing and hope. It shows how my sound has matured from just energy to something more meaningful.
Dimitris: What specific sound design choices in this track highlight your growth as an artist?
Haikal Ahmad: The bassline was designed to be tighter and more driving than in my earlier tracks, giving the foundation real energy. The leads are layered supersaws but shaped with more warmth and space, so they feel emotional instead of just powerful. And the plucks in the breakdown carry the melodic theme in a more delicate the way that contrast shows how I’ve grown in creating both impact and emotion in the same track.
Dimitris: Which synthesizers, plugins, or software did you rely on most for crafting the core sounds of this track?
Haikal Ahmad: For Release Yourself, I relied heavily on Serum for the basses since it gave me the precision and punch I needed for the low end. The main leads were built in Spire because I love its bright and powerful tone for supersaws, which really drive the uplifting energy. And the plucks came from Diva, which has that warm, organic character that added a more emotional, human touch to the breakdown. Together, those synths gave me the balance of drive, clarity, and emotion I was aiming for.
Dimitris: How do you integrate hardware synthesizers or drum machines with your software setup during production?
Haikal Ahmad: I mostly work in the box, but I like to layer hardware drum machine samples with my software drums to give them more character.
Dimitris: Can you walk us through your process for designing the lead melody or bassline—what tools, both hardware and software, did you use?
Haikal Ahmad: For the bassline, I started in Serum — I designed a driving patch with layered oscillators and added distortion and sidechain compression to make it punch through. For the lead melody, I used Spire because its supersaws have that bright, emotional tone I wanted. I layered a few variations, added reverb and delay for depth, then automated filters to give it movement. I don’t use much hardware for melodies, but I did process everything through my software chain to glue it together and give it that wide, uplifting feel.
Dimitris: How has your use of effects processing—whether through analog gear or digital plugins—evolved, and how did it shape the atmosphere of this track?
Haikal Ahmad: In the beginning I kept effects processing pretty simple, but over time I’ve learned how much depth it adds. On Release Yourself, I leaned heavily on digital plugins for reverb, delay, and modulation to shape a wide, emotional space. Instead of just making sounds bigger, I used effects more creatively and automating reverb tails, filtering delays, and adding subtle distortion. That approach really shaped the atmosphere of the track, making the breakdown more meditative and the drop more explosive.
Dimitris: Did you experiment with any new sound design techniques, such as granular synthesis, resampling, or analog modulation, in this production?
Haikal Ahmad: Yes, for Release Yourself I experimented a lot with resampling. I took some of the lead layers, bounced them down, and processed them with different effects chains to create fresh textures I couldn’t get from a synth alone.
Dimitris: How do you approach layering sounds to create depth and texture, and what specific methods or hardware did you apply in this track?
Haikal Ahmad: I layered Spire leads for power, Diva plucks with pads for warmth, and combined digital drums with hardware samples for grit. The contrast between clean and textured sounds is what gave Release Yourself its depth and emotion.
Dimitris: When listeners hear this track, what subtle sound design details or hardware-driven elements do you hope they’ll notice that reflect your technical growth as a producer?
Haikal Ahmad: I hope listeners notice the tighter, more driving bass that locks the groove, the warmth in the Diva plucks during the breakdown, and the extra grit from layering hardware drum samples. They’re subtle details, but together they show how I’ve grown in balancing clarity, texture, and emotion in my sound design.
- Future Plans:
Dimitris: Looking ahead, we're curious about your aspirations. What exciting plans and ambitions are on the horizon for you?
Haikal Ahmad: I want to keep pushing my sound further
Dimitris: What are your future plans in terms of new releases, collaborations, or live performances?
Haikal Ahmad: I’ve got more releases on the way, some exciting collabs, and I’m pushing my Hybrid project further and turning it into a full experience with music, visuals, and storytelling for the crowd.
Dimitris: Are there any collaborations you dream of, either with other artists or brands, that you haven’t yet explored?
Haikal Ahmad: Not yet, A lot of collaborations can feel like gatekeeping in this industry. For now, I’m focused on building my own sound and vision so that when the right opportunities come, they’ll be natural and genuine.
Dimitris: What role do you think AI technology plays in the future of electronic music production, and have you experimented with it?
Haikal Ahmad: Not yet
Dimitris: What message would you like to share with your fans and the broader EDM community about your journey and vision?
Haikal Ahmad: As Haikal Ahmad, my journey is about turning struggles into strength through music. With my Hybrid project, I want to create more than sets and gives an experience that inspires, uplifts, and connects people on a deeper level.
- Personal Insights:
To wrap things up, we'd love to get a glimpse into your personal life and philosophy. These insights help us understand the person behind the music.
Dimitris: How do you maintain a balance between your personal life and your music career?
Haikal Ahmad: Balancing personal life with music isn’t easy, but being both a creative designer and an oil & gas business owner has taught me discipline and perspective. The creative industry fuels my inspiration, while the business side keeps me grounded. Together, they help me stay balanced and focused while pursuing my music career with passion.
Dimitris: What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers looking to make their mark in the industry?
Haikal Ahmad: My advice is simple, don’t give up and keep pushing. This industry can feel tough and full of obstacles, but if you stay true to your sound and keep working, your moment will come.
Dimitris: Can you walk us through your DJing process—from track selection to live mixing? How do you curate a set that resonates with different audiences?
Haikal Ahmad: I focus on song selection, mashups, and harmonic mixing to craft a journey. Then I read the crowd and adapt so every set feels unique and connected.
- Balancing Production and Performance:
Dimitris: How do you manage the creative balance between producing new tracks in the studio and preparing for high-energy DJ gigs?
Haikal Ahmad: Producing and DJing balance each other out in the studio is where I experiment and tell stories, while gigs are where I test that energy on the dancefloor. Preparing for high-energy sets keeps me sharp, and producing new tracks keeps the sets fresh.
Dimitris: Does your approach to music production change based on the feedback or experiences you gain from live performances?
Haikal Ahmad: Yes, absolutely. Playing live teaches me what really connects whether it’s a bassline’s impact or a melody’s emotion. I take that feedback back into the studio, so every new track is shaped by real crowd energy and experience.
Closing Statement:
Dimitris: Please tell us your final statement to our readers who will read this interview. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey, insights, and experiences with us. Your thoughtful responses will surely inspire and resonate with fans and fellow artists alike. We truly appreciate your contribution to the electronic music community and look forward to witnessing your continued success!
Haikal Ahmad: Thank you so much for having me. I’m grateful to share my story and vision, and I hope it inspires others to keep pushing forward in their own journeys. I truly appreciate the support from the community, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. :)
Thanks so much to Haikal Ahmad for this very informative interview and his great insights.
Thanks so much to Stuart and Paul at FSOE for organizing this interview.
Download/Stream: https://FSOE.lnk.to/fsep25
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