Yeah for me you just cant beat the Melodies of the Old Skool Hard Trance. The best Era for me is between 98 and 2003. Not into the older stuff as it is too fast.

Think of the Melodies in these tunes - Prototype 'Sound Piercing'
Marino Stephano 'Invaders' Composure 'Universal Action'

I could go on and on...Labels such as Fog, Harem and Drizzly etc leading the way. A prime example of this sound is the amazing mix in which Mr EG produced called ‘Brainstorm.’

Now dont get me wrong i still love some of todays stuff but it just cant beat the Atmosphere of the older sound. Also agree with Ally, he is spot on in what he says about todays stuff being all about the Kick and Bass. Im Sick off hearing that fat off-beat bassline with a Scot Project Kick. Whereas the older stuff was all about the sick melody what sends a shiver down your spine!

When I mentioned my fav era was all the way up to 2003... (Maybe too new for some of you men I know) …this is because tunes such as - Hennes & Cold ‘Second Trip,’ S.H.O.K.K ‘Folie a Deux,’ S.H.O.K.K ‘Isnt It All a Little Strange,’ Warmduscher ‘10 Kleine Bassdrums,’ Scot Project ‘Future Is Now,’ etc etc cannot be forgotten. This was all around the 2000/2001/2002 mark. Again the High Point of Hard Trance for me and just as good as the sounds of the mighty Brainstorm.

Nowadays for me the scene needs much more innovation and a change of direction from producers instead of the same old fat kick and in your face off-beat bassline. There is simply not enough producers changing things. The only producers what are innovating for me are Scot Project, Kamui and Bas & Ram. Im really loving Scot Projects techier sound, its fresh and full marks to him. Kamui for me are the best around at the moment - again loving their Tech/Trance crossover stuff. ‘Victory’ was a true anthem!
Now more on the Melodic scale are Bas & Ram, and although sometimes they go for the Fat kick and off-beat bassline (Speed Of Light) their stuff is absolutely top class and I can also say fresh for that matter. They are definitely developing their own sound. ‘Speed Of Light’ was out of this world, the melody In that is one of the best, if not the best I have heard in recent times! So full marks to them aswell.
For me those producers are the only ones to be really pushing the scene forward.

Finally as for me being an up and coming DJ it is hard is work when you are only buying a small amount of new stuff . How are you suppose to push your sound and get gigs when you are mostly only buying older material/classics because you dislike alot of todays 'same old' sound??
This does concern me a little!