Ahmed Helmy and Doppenberg return as HEL:BRG with “Open Your Eyes”, a high-impact trance weapon built for the moment when a set needs to shift from anticipation into full release. Released on June 26 via Who’s Afraid Of 138?!, the single lands as a two-track package including the Extended Mix—and arrives after the track had already been featured on the official A State of Trance 2026 compilation mixed by Armin van Buuren.
At 140 bpm, “Open Your Eyes” wastes no time getting to its point. The production is direct, dramatic and emphatically floor-focused: firm drums, a driving low end and an escalating melodic core that feels designed for hands-in-the-air festival moments. Rather than chasing unnecessary complexity, HEL:BRG build their impact through pressure and contrast—allowing the breakdown to create genuine suspense before the main theme returns with even greater force.
The pairing behind the alias is particularly strong. Egyptian DJ and producer Ahmed Helmy has built his name on a powerful blend of euphoric melody, driving basslines and forceful synth work; Armada Music Publishing also highlights his collaborations with Armin van Buuren, his R4VE sound concept and his Futurising Music platform. Meanwhile, Dutch producer Doppenberg has become closely associated with nostalgic trance melodies—an identity he states directly on his official channels, where he also identifies himself as one half of HEL:BRG.
“Open Your Eyes” feels like a convincing synthesis of those identities. Helmy’s intensity gives the track its muscle, while Doppenberg’s melodic sensibility keeps it from becoming simply another high-BPM peak-time tool. The result is polished but never sterile: a record with enough emotional openness to connect beyond the drop, yet enough weight to do real damage in a 138+ set.
Who’s Afraid Of 138?! is the right home for it, too. Armada’s harder trance imprint was born from Armin van Buuren’s famous “Who’s afraid of 138?!” rallying cry and remains focused on faster, louder club music—precisely the territory this release occupies.
⭐️ Rating: 9 / 10
🎧 Perfect for:
- Peak-time uplifting and tech-trance sets
- A late-night festival mainstage surge
- High-energy workouts and runs
- Trance fans craving melody with serious impact
“Open Your Eyes” is not trying to reinvent trance. It is doing something arguably more valuable: delivering the essentials with conviction, melodic personality and the kind of controlled energy that makes a peak-time record memorable long after the final kick fades.
Artist: Ahmed Helmy, Doppenberg, HEL:BRG
Title: Open Your Eyes
Label: Who’s Afraid Of 138?
Release Date: June 26th, 2026
Get your copy here: https://www.beatport.com/de/release/open-your-eyes/7078380
Connect with Ahmed Helmy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahmedhelmymusicDJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahmedhelmymusic
X: https://www.twitter.com/AhmedHelmyMusic
Connect with Doppenberg:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoppenbergMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doppenbergmusic
X: https://www.twitter.com/DoppenbergMusic
Connect with HEL:BRG:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helbrgmusic
Connect with Armada Music:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armadamusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armadamusic
X: https://www.twitter.com/armada
Take a listen to Ahmed Helmy & Doppenberg Pres. HEL:BRG – Open Your Eyes here:
