In Athens, in the 1990’s, there was a big trend towards this music and the use
of Ecstasy. Big parties were organized in the suburbs with the support of famous
music producers; these were taking place in big warehouses or in big parks, always
organized secretly, as the organizers were afraid of the police. The organizers were
giving flyers and informing only people who were reliable and always the day before
the party or the day of the party. I remember in my school, two of the people of my
close environment, who were two years older than me, were well connected with such
organizers and were receiving flyers almost every week. They told me only once to
go. The experience was unbelievable!

This party was taking place in big park in a suburb, North of Athens in the
summer of 1995. When we arrived there after midnight, there were already many
people in a strange code of clothing; I was casually dressed. In one side of the park,
there was a big kiosk where people could get water or Lucozade( energy drink). It was
strange for me to see that no other refreshments or alcohol were available there, but
only water and this energy drink. There was also a big platform which looked like a
stage to me, in the front. There were big speakers next to the stage and on every side
of the area that the party would take place. I cannot still understand how they were
provided with so much electric power. I noticed though that there were many
containers with electric equipment on the back side of the stage. There were big
screens over the stage projecting mushrooms in different colors flying in the air,
graphics in every color and several words jumping flashing on the screen.
I found this magic! But that was only the beginning. Suddenly, I felt the earth
shaking and then I understood that the speakers were producing a repetitive bass
sound. I knew that piece; Skyline by Resistance D, found in the Harthouse Album
which was released that same year. The audience started moving. I could not count
how many people were there precisely, but I presume there were over 500 people
there. My friends disappeared for a while and they returned after 30 minutes with a
more loving attitude that I found strange. One of them tried to speak to my ear and he
said that if I wanted an E, I could go with him. I said that I did not want one and that I
would just drink Lucozade. I was now sure that most of the people there were on E
and I was curious to find out where exactly the dealing was taking place. I wandered
for a while in the crowd which seemed to be in a state of trance; some people were
kissing, others were hugging each others and they were bouncing their bodies in to the
rhythm of the music. There were two DJ’s on stage with very big decks. I could see
them from far away, waving at people. I went next to the kiosk where I saw many
people gathered. I saw one guy with shaved hair putting something in the hand of
another guy. The latter opened his mouth and put the palm in his mouth, as to swallow
the pill. Then he drank water and he left.

I understood that some people there did not come to dance, but actually take
drugs in order to have fun. I did not like that. I returned back to where my friends
were. They seemed a lot different now. My friend took my hand and she started
jumping. She was smiling and she told me to “cheer up”. Her palm was sweaty.
That’s one of the effects that Ecstasy has. Almost everybody was dancing for hours. I
was very tired and I wanted to go. But I could not leave without my friends. At
around 5 am, the DJ played another piece from the same album I mentioned earlier;
Taking Place in you by Eternal Basement and Michael Kohlbecker. The robot lights
starting flashing with green and purple colors. The screen was showing graphs of
bodies flying towards one another. I let myself free to the power of the music, this
rhythm. The earth was vibrating from the speakers and one could see the trees that
surrounded the people changing all kinds of colors. I suddenly felt that I was outside
of my own body; like I was watching myself from a distance. It was very strange
experience. For four hours after the party had ended , almost everybody was asleep on
the grass.