DeathPosture

NB: I’m reviewing the Metropolis Records version of this album – but as it identical with the Universal Music Japan version, I’ll post in this thread…This album is already available in Japan, and will be available in the rest of the on October 26th 2004…--- Juno Reactor - Labyrinth Artist: Juno Reactor Title: Labyrinth Format: CD (jewel case) Label: Metropolis Records (USA) Cat. #: MET 346 Distribution: Metropolis Distribution Date: 29 September 2004 (Universal Music/Japan) 26 October 2004 (worldwide) Track listing: 01. 06’02” Conquistador I 02. 05’06” Conquistador II 03. 04’00” Giant 04. 05’00” War Dogs 05. 04’45” Mona Lisa Overdrive 06. 06’35” Zwara 07. 06’10” Mutant Message 08. 07’07” Angels and Men 09. 09’06” Navras Review: Mors stupebit et natura cum resurget creatura huic ergo parce deus Only a true musical master would dare putting up big fat renditions from the Catholic Requiem in the booklet of a new album… And especially when it translates into: ‘Death and nature shall stand amazed when creation rises. Spare them, O God’ … Risky, pretentious business - but that’s exactly what Ben Watkins pulls through off this, the 6th studio album… And yes, he can pull it off! Though it’s been 4 years since the release of Shango, we’ve been fortunate enough to have plenty of Juno Reactor material released in the waiting time: The was the excellent Hotaka single, the techno-influenced remix EP Masters of the Universe, the retrospective ‘best of’ album: Odessey, the tribal Zwara EP and of course the impressive tracks on the Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions and The Animatrix OSTs… But nevertheless, hoards of people have been waiting for this album – and finally it’s out… Let me take you thru the tracks… #01: The first part of Conquistador is a pretty laid back, chilled piece of music and works as a long intro to Conquistador II… The track itself revolves around beautiful, organic, downbeat pieces: Acoustic Mexican guitar played by Eduardo Niebla – soothing vocals by Taz Alexander – and for the second part of the track a mixed selection of percussion by Greg Ellis and Nick Burton… They steadily increase the tempo, building and building – it’s simply brilliant - and towards the ‘end’ you can cut through the tension with a knife… And then, BAM! #02: That long build-up is finally rewarded as we mix seamlessly into Conquistador II which immediately unleashes the unmistakable full-power Juno Reactor sound… A couple more guys are added on percussion: Risenga Makondo and Mabi Thobejane… So it’s 4 guys on percussion now, kicking the shit of those drums, congas, tablas, steel drums and whatnots… Also Niebla returns with his guitar and we get some ethno-tribal chants similar to those found on Shango… Actually this is just as good as Shango was – or Bible Of Dreams for that matter… The production by Watkins & Burton is flawless, and I cannot help myself from being totally sucked in by this track… It’s perfect! #03: “Inside… inside… inside!” … Watkins is now joined by Victor Indrizzo on live drums and Diane Charlemagne on vocals… This track is more experimental, and has already been dubbed the ‘drum n bass track’ by JR fans… Focus revolved around Ms. Charlemagne’s voice in different pitch levels and the brutal, cut-up live drums… It’s definitely different from the norm, but seen in a Juno Reactor perspective, it’s just another border-crossing experiment… And not a bad one either… Through my first listens, I had reservations with this track, but it has slowly grown on me… Nice! #04: War Dogs is more ‘standard’ Juno Reactor… By that I mean, big fat orchestral sounds, huge percussion arrangements and ethno vocals – something along the lines of the tracks on the Matrix soundtracks…Niebla is back on acoustic guitars and some dude called Budgie is on drums – and he also co-produced the track with Watkins… This tune has a ‘Spanish-hacienda-lazy-afternoon-siesta-feel’ and I like that – it’s good, but too short! #05: Alright, this is the track from the highway chase sequence in Matrix Reloaded, and what an absolutely fucking brilliant track this is… It’s fast paced, intense world beat party music with emphasis on the brilliant percussion and the female vocals by Taz Alexander… Produced in co-operation with Don Davies… I dig this track – good enough for a Zion rave, I’m sure… #06: “Zwara... Zwara... Zwara..!.” This is the Sleepwalker track! Released in Japan in 2003 as a single only – again, this is typical JR style… A massive sound-spectre consisting of multilayered tribal percussion, ethnic vocals (even screaming at times) and big orchestral background pads… And of course the sweet taiko-drum action performed by Gocoo and Greg Hunter on bass… A brilliant combination, creating a brilliant track! #07: Mutant Message starts of with a computerized voice speaking in German, then some deep, polished bassline played brilliantly by the master himself: Youth … And of course the very simple, yet astonishing piano-line… Added later on are much more percussion and plush effects from around the world – great stuff indeed… The pace in this track isn’t exactly slow, just slower than its predecessors… I really like the sharp contrast outlined between Youth’s bass and the piano… Amazing! #08: “Why are you so afraid of the face of God?” That’s the question Taz pops with her beautiful voice on this chilled track… This is ambient – Juno Reactor style with Thobejane percussion and sonic forager by Morel… And Watkins & Friends are skilled in more than just the art of upbeat world beats – this is a sweet, sweet down tempo tune… Very organic, harmonic and simply amazing! #09: Last track is Navras which was also featured in Matrix Reloaded during the credits… It’s big and pompous… Carmina-Burana-like choral singing by various singers, single vocal by Azam Ali, percussion by Thobejane & Greg Ellis, Raja Ram-like flute by Deepak Ram and big orchestral arrangements by Don Davies… What a cool atmosphere created here – and it works even without the fancy Hollywood FX… It’s Juno at large - how can you go wrong? This is simply amazing… Holy phuck – what a ride… My expectations for this album were sky high, and I’m glad to say that they were met – even excelled. This is a really, really good album – we’ve come to expect a masterpiece every time that Watkins & Co. grace us with a release, and thankfully they do not let us down here… This album can be characterized by its versatile and flawless production and sound – and by the constant evolution, experimentation and crossing of musical boundaries. It’s just damn good music. Period. If you liked Bible of Dreams and Shango, you will like this… If you liked the Hotoka and Zwara singles, you will like this… If you liked the Juno Reactor music from the Matrix movies, you will like this… If you like high-quality, genre-crossing dance music, you’ll like this… To put it short – you’ll like this! Trust me! Highly recommended! Favourites: 1(!), 2(!!!), 5, 6(!), 7(!!), 8, 9(!) DeathPosture External links: Juno Reactor: http://www.reactorleak.com Metropolis Records: http://www.metropolis-records.com Metropolis Records Mail Order: http://www.industrial-music.com/product.php?prodnum=MET+346 GUP Shop: http://ns0.boing.net/gup.net.au/shop/produ...products_id=988 --- Should be available @ Psyshop, Saiko Sounds, Chaos and more online shops shortly…

These lists are impossible to make... I could list 30 in each category - but I'll try... Ambient: The Infinity Project / Hallucinogen / Total Eclipse - Welcome To All Extraterrestrials Goa: Planet B.E.N. - Ant Invasion Morning: Transwave - Land Of Freedom [Remix] Full-on: Shiva Sidpao - Shiva Devotional Progressive: Holy Ghost - Zombie Assassin Other: Zodiac Youth - Cartographers Of The Universe Just plain evil: The Delta - Thing [Album Version] DeathPosture

V/A – Psionic Storm Artist: Various Title: Psionic Storm Format: CD (jewel case) Label: Digital Psionics (Australia) Cat. #: DPSICD 10 Distribution: Wirikuta (Europe), Cisco (Japan) Date: 21 September 2004 Track listing: 01. 07’33” Safi Connection - Mars 02. 08’10” Rastaliens – System Shock 03. 08’09” Tube - Fantazy 04. 07’51” Phyx – Sonic Sorcerer 05. 07’39” Space Tribe And Psywalker – Gathering of the Tribes 06. 06’54” Bon – Brainstorm 07. 08’00” Scorb – Scorby Snacks 08. 08’15” Xatrik And Phyx – Rodeo Boogie 09. 07’49” Dark Nebula And Scatterbrain – Dream State 10. 08’24” Shift – 8th Blade Review: Mental arithmetic’s: Psytrancer’s Digest! Any release bearing the Digital Psionics name, has fast become a strong indication of high-quality psytrance… I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last 4 releases out of Byron Bay, and a look at the track list of this 10th instalment evokes high hopes for another successful listening experience. Let me take you thru the tracks… #01: First up is good old prince of paranoia -Mishel Bitton aka Safi Connection. This is a fast-paced opener indeed – packed with raging, spiralling acid-twirls, hints of tribal mayhem and strange pitched-up voice samples… It’s crazy full on… It’s unmistakable Safi – though a tad too hectic for my taste… #02: “…This is one hell of a trip…” Next up are the German duo Rastaliens (Knobloch & Kassel) with their ‘System Shock’… This is an interesting piece of music… It’s riddled with flaring acid-riffs and psychedelic FX… Constantly building, driving and evolving, this acid-driven tune is guaranteed to get your ass wiggling and your synapses trembling with every climax it produces… I’m no full-on buff, but when it’s done as good as this is, I have to surrender! This track is watertight! =D #03: Tube is a new artist from Israel – well, at least this is my first encounter with Mr. Eichenbaum’s work… The track itself opens with the kinda predictable sample “fantasies” (repeated a bunch of times)… And then a weird, kinda stiff bassline accompanied by a digital kick drum and assorted percussion and bleeps… The first part of the track is actually kinda predictable, but it gets better as the pace quickens as the tune progresses… The build-up/climax parts are also pretty nice – full on power… But overall, I get a feeling of ‘good, but not great – old wine on new bottles…’… Not bad for an upcoming artist though… #04: South African Phyx (Ian Summs) has been very productive on various compilations this year… I was particularly impressed with his brilliant acid track on the Ketuh compilation ‘Sonic Pantomime’… This continues in the same vein, though with a fucked up annoying sound that you’ll either love or hate… It’s a high-pitched cut-through-bone bizarre sound, which is present throughout the track… It doesn’t steal all the focus though – we also get some trademark Phyx-acid lines, contrasting naïve melodies and steady bassline… Again, this is just a little too hectic for me… It has more than a few joyous moments though… Ok track… #05: Ahh – good old Olli ‘Space Tribe’ Wisdom in collaboration with DP label boss Luke Psywalker… Space Tribe is Space Tribe – and after 8 albums we’re all pretty familiar with his style… Happy, fluffy melodic full on packed with voice-samples… Personally I like his style – especially the older stuff… On this track Luke contributes with darker, more wicked input which helps shape a no less than super-nice tune… The production is flawless, and the harmonies are just right… Smashing track! #06: Bon was also featured on one of the early Digital Psionics compilations called “Psionic Tonic” from 2001 – but since then I’ve not heard anything from this Italian duo… But what a comeback! Pretty fucking awesome tune here… It has epic-like qualities ~ floating joyous melodies, driving groove and crunchy ripping acid-lines… It’s a beaut! Go Bon! #07: Andy Connor from the UK brings a very intense track… Oil drums, digital drops and electronic farts, synth-action and well-developed percussion… It’s hectic, and on the verge of becoming too hectic at times, but luckily it never crosses that line… Reminds me of some of the tracks of the Schizm compilation released on Gi’iwa earlier this year… I liked that compilation a lot, and I really dig this track as well… Nice track! #08: South African Xatrik released his debut album ‘Project A’ on D.P. 3 months ago, and I dubbed the style on that album ‘multi-layered, crazy-ass, in-yer-face, twisted, highly psychedelic trance…’ in my review and we get more of that in this track where Xatrik collaborates with the above mentioned Phyx … As usual we get a lot of compression, filtering and sonic sound manipulation… I really dig the acid belches and overall craziness of this track… Sweet! #09: “If you close your eyes you go into a sort of dream state…” As on Psionic Earth we’re treated to another collaboration between two of Australia’s psy-heavyweights… Scatterbrain’s album Infernal Angel is still among my fav’e albums released in 2003… Anyway, this track has a very cool voice sample and some very cool, twisted moments… I mean, just listen to the bit from 1’55 to 2’10 – I’ll be damned if that’s not the most hardcore shit I’ve heard in a long time… Full power, psychedelic mayhem… Nuff said - brand spanking amazing! #10: Last track is by South African Chris Hoy aka Shift… Supposedly this is the chill-out track, though chilling out is done Shift-style which means crispy digital kicks, acid melodies, subtle psy-breaks and moody floating background pads… So I guess it’s not really chilling, but more experimental, well-produced psy-trance… Tasty! When was the last time Digital Psionics let you down? I rest my case! Once again they deliver a kick-ass compilation, packed to the rim with hard-hitting, fast-paced, twisted and highly psychedelic tunes… A couple of the tracks are beyond my comprehension – they’re simply too hectic for my taste, but they are easily outnumbered by the vast pool of high-quality psytrance featured here… If you liked their previous releases, this one will not let you down… It’s pure dance-floor fuel and the quality is above average… I will not hesitate to give this a big fat triple fums up in my coolbook! Recommended! Favourites: 2, 5(!), 6(!), 7, 8, 9(!!), DeathPosture External links: Digital Psionics: http://www.digitalpsionics.com Wirikuta: http://www.wirikuta.at/web66/product_detai...howDetail=60012 Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/dps/dps1cd010.html (Audio samples available!) Saiko Sounds: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=4281 Juno Records: http://www.juno.co.uk/IP/IF157415-01.htm Trance Shop: http://www.trance-shop.com/de/catalog/prod...roducts_id=4138 Chaos Unlimited: http://www.chaosunlimited.co.uk/cgi-bin/pr....asp?LR=DPSCD10

That's virually impossible to answer... I own them all (only a copy of MOTY though), and they are all pretty much outstanding... I can't choose just one... DP

Oh yes, Touch-Ups is a great album indeed... I'm sure you can get in touch with Etay Harari via Homsy @ Trancelucent Production... http://www.trancelucent.com DeathPosture

Krüger & Coyle – Randy Expander Artist: Krüger & Coyle (Germany/UK) Title: Randy Expander Format: CD (jewel case) Label: ACDC (Sweden) Cat. #: ACDCD 002 Distribution: Cosmophilia Date: 13 August 2004 Track listing: 01. 06’58” Butz & Slutz 02. 07’58” Fit Bint Valley 03. 08’45” The Witness (Randy Expansion Mix) 04. 08’38” Prock Rock 05. 08’00” Rubbalove 06. 07’04” Hatz Are Turning (Barely Legal Mix) 07. 06’55” Jungle Muff (Umpa Mix) 08. 07’15” Kiwi Rider 09. 09’02” Saiko Booty 10. 08’08” Beachspliff Review: House music with a twist… Sebastian Krüger shouldn’t need much introduction… He’s the very productive German progressive trance producer behind critically acclaimed acts such as Tarsis, SBK and Disco Slickers. Greg Coyle is the man behind London Sewer Tour, and whilst he was A&R @ Transient, he conceived the Mashed Mellow Grooves series… So it’s a couple of heavy-weights releasing their much delayed debut album on Swedish proggy psy-house label ACDC… Let’s see what they’ve got in stock for us… Let me take you thru the tracks… #01: A phat, crispy house groove fills the sound spectre on this track… And after a couple of minutes you know just what to expect from this album… A rich, tribal-like bassline alongside an impressive percussion range – and it’s just sounds so damn hypnotizing… Remember that 2001 Bus-track by Guss Till called ‘Straylight Dub’? That track incorporated the sound of vocalist Cozzie having multiple orgasms – and on ‘Butz & Slutz’ K&C incorporates a similar effect… Some horny girl is having her way with either herself or some lucky bastard… Damn, this track rules! Sluts - shake those butts! =D #02: “On a hot summer night...” K&C venture a bit deeper now, and this has a slightly more corrosive edge… It’s still as bouncy and groovy as ever though… Multi-layered percussion, subtle synths, dreamy lyrics and well-placed twisted bits and pieces… Well-polished and as tasty as ever… Autumn is already upon us, but with tunes like this, memories of the sun clad beaches will fade much slower… Nice track! #03: Time to dig even deeper now… The original version of this track was released on ACDC in 2003 and remixed by Marc O’Tool… I’ve never heard it, but I can tell you that this ‘Randy Expander Mix’ is a HUUUGE track… You better have some decent sound equipment or proper headphones when playing this ‘cause it’s nothing less than massive… A hard-hitting bassline accompanied by one of the phattest grooves I’ve heard since FREq’s ‘Strange Attractors’ album… The native chanting and the strident melody just add to the overall feeling of joy when listening to this bombshell of a track! Amazing track! #04: Space-funk!... This is a spacier, techier approach towards psyhouse… The crunchy house-bottom as the basis structure and floating atmospheric pads to set the right mood… More tribal percussion and enthusiastic voice samples repeating “…ecstatic…” And yeah, ecstatic is a good word to describe this tune… Rich, fun and euphoric… I like it, but there are parts that are just a little too Ministry-Of-Sound’esque for my taste… Decent track! #05: Kick-ass! That horny girl from track #1 is back – and she’s brought a shitload of drums and percussion with her… And an archetypical house-bass… This track was already released on an Automatic Records 12”, so perhaps you know it already… This is pretty straightforward progressive beach house trance… I like the naïve melody that carries this track, but other than that, this is too clubby for me… Decent track! #06: K&C venture off the beaten club-pad into electro-clash territory, on this strange little tune… They are definitely narrowing their appeal now – which is a good thing I think – this track incorporates unimaginable samples… Like a well-known, catchy pop-guitar bridge (Pink Floyd?)… Interesting track! #07: So, when was the last time you heard a Kim Wilde sample in a progressive trance track? “Friday night and everyone’s moving…” … Or how about some elephantastic, trance-inducing synth-lines? Or a children’s choir? Sounds bizarre, but it works! This was also released as a 12” by Automatic Records in 2003, so there’s a chance you’ve heard it… This is the ‘Umpa Mix’ though… Whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean… I don’t know, but I do know that this oddball track is very tasty! Fums up! #08: Along with ‘Fit Bint Valley’, this track was released as the 12” forerunner of this album… And this is a great representation for the overall sound of the album… Funky, slamming, groovy, funky, shake-your-ass proggy trance – served on an Ibiza beach with a wedge of psy… Perfect for dancing, and perfect for home listening… Great stuff! #09: “Go ahead George, light it up!” … This is the K&C remix of Saiko Pod’s classic ‘Magnetic Force’…Maaaagnetic Foooooooorce! (Damn, I wish they’d kept the voice sample…but sadly, they didn’t…) This re-worked version is less progressive than the original, but easily as funky… Beach-house grooves with an epic, uplifting nature… I like the original better though! Ok track! #10: And here at the end off all things – it’s time for a spliff! This is a deeeeep, parts dubby, parts tribal little house number… Percussion based and with long drifting pads in the background… Good, but not great… Puff-puff-giiive! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… IMO 2004 has been the best year for progressive trance… Ever! I mean, with amazing albums from Son Kite, Kooler, FREq, Buzzmonx, Etic, Atmos and now Krüger & Coyle, there is now end to the joy I’ve felt with this proggy gems… And yes, this is another really, really nice progressive psy-house album… Take the best from FREq – mait it with Son Kite – and have it fool around with Buzzmonx and Kooler… And you’re left with Randy Expander… Not quite psy – not quite house… A bastard child somewhere in between… Despite a couple of not-so-great track, the good tracks on here really are the crème de la crème of psychoactive progressive trance… I don’t really like the cover-art – and vinyl-junkies would probably complain about half the tracks already being released… But for CD-only-people like me, this is a welcomed chance to own them all on one CD… As with most of the above mentioned albums, purists should be alert – this will definitely not fly with the most hardened psy-heads or isra-addicts… But for fans of genre-bending, cross-over, high quality music, I will not hesitate to recommend this! Favourites: 1(!!), 2, 3(!!), 7(!), 8, DeathPosture External links: ACDC: http://www.spiraltrax.com/acdc/ Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/acd/acd1cd002.html (Audio samples available!) Saiko Sounds: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=4086 Chaos Unlimited: http://www.chaosunlimited.co.uk/cgi-bin/pr....asp?LR=acdcd02 Wirikuta: http://www.wirikuta.at/web66/product_detai...howDetail=60532

Yeah, I agree!

Woow - sweet man... Those were some special times indeed... What name did you play under then? I mean - how would you be listed on the flyers? Or weren't you listed as you mentioned in another thread? As you, my memory is a bit shady - but YES, I have a wall full of flyers from back then, so I'll see if I can take a pic of them sometime... Unfortunately I do not have a digi-cam nor a scanner... But I'll work something out... I also have a black hoodie from Club Nuclear and I actually wore it yesterday... Very retro... ;o) About the organizer... Could it be Holger you mean? Kinda Indian/Asian looking... Or perhaps Keez? He was more mulatto-looking though... I've lost memory of a lot of stuff from back then (I wonder why... *sS* ) so perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me... Pics from back then would be awesome... Do you have them in digital format? DeathPosture

My psychedelic adventure started back in 1995/1996 when I had my first experience @ the classic (now defunct) Aalborg-based psy-club Club Nuclear ... I started frequenting that club whilst taking an interest in the music also... I slided slowly into electric music, and my first love was "rave/acid/clubtrance" - from there I slowly slided further on into psy-trance... My first purchase was either Man With No Name - Moment Of Truth or one of the Destination Goa compilations... I vividly remember all the parties @ Club Nuclear and later on Candy Club in Aalborg's famous bar-street Jomfru Ane Gade... On of my fondest party-memories from back then was Koxbox in a big abandoned warehouse on the harbour of Aalborg back in 1997... Happy days... I haven't been a serios record collector that long though... Since 1999 or something like that... And I'll never get tired of this scene... Never! ;o) DeathPosture

My review here: http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=21046 DeathPosture

Grapes Of Wrath & Meteloids – Tits On Fire Artist: Grapes Of Wrath & Meteloids (Denmark) Title: Tits On Fire Format: CD (digipack) Label: Parvati Records (Denmark) Cat. #: PRVCD 07 Distribution: Wirikuta Date: 23 September 2004 Track listing: 01. 08’04” Grapes Of Wrath – Wackie Mackie 02. 07’22” Meteloids – Face The Haze 03. 07’04” Grapes Of Wrath – Transmitting Raw Data 04. 06’44” Meteloids – 48 Krunchy 05. 07’27” Meteloids – Bubble Skum 06. 07’47” Grapes Of Wrath – 9V 500MA 07. 08’22” Grapes Of Wrath – More Me 08. 07’26” Meteloids – Infected By 3D Review: Thrilling experimental psytrance for real psychonauts of distorted realms! ‘Tits On Fire’ is the 7th release by Danish hyper-psytrance label Parvati Records – and this time it’s a split album. Grapes Of Wrath are Jacob Skouborg (Jaffa) & Morten Wurtz (Monno) from Århus, Denmark and Meteloids are Rølike Jahbo (Jahbo) and Bo Terkelsen (Insane Behavior) also from Århus… Enough chit-chit, let’s check out the burning funbags… Let me take you thru the tracks… #01: [144 BPM] Wackie Mackie is indeed Wacky… It’s harsh and heavy – bitter and twisted – sour and pissed off… You guessed it, as legend has it, this is among the darkest, spookiest most twisted psytrance money can buy… A demented melody haunts this track from start to finish – alongside some filtered electronic farts and a sinister bassline… Unfortunately not much else happens here – I could’ve wished for more variation in this track… But this definitely work wonders for all the Duracell-bunnies on the dance floor… Decent track! #02: [148 BPM] And now it’s time to face the haze… This track slowly builds – adding FX and after a couple of minutes it’s full blown with twisted synths, acid riffs and cut-up voice samples… It still has a ‘lazy feel’ to it – although it’s running @ 148 bpm… I like how stereo FX are used on most of the flaring acid riffs – guaranteed to mess with shroomy heads… Nice little track! #03: [147 BPM] A nice floating, organic intro is brutally interrupted by a pounding bassline – taking no prisoners… Soon we’re treated to some GOW-goodies: Digital drops and acid belches catapulting through the airwaves fucking with your brain… ‘Raw’ is a fitting description actually – whereas ‘Sushi’ would be totally wrong… Booyakasha! #04: [148 BPM] Imagine being 48 and crunchy… A shocking scenario indeed… Thx for the reminder Meteloids… This track has one of the phattest grooves I’ve heard in this kind of trance – Dark, gritty, raw, and brutal – uncooked, untreated, crude – but extremely trance inducing… This simply blows my damn socks off… Nuff said! Stellar track! #05: [148 BPM] Remember the Texas Faggott track “Back To Mad” with the bizarre Backstreet Boys-like sample? This track uses a similar idea in the intro… Funny… Also the weird human-laugh-turns-into-a-crow sample is a funny idea… This track gallops away at 148 miles pr. hour, but maintains a ‘bouncy feel’ throughout… At times it is as though too much is going on at the same time, which can be a bit confusing ~ mental overload… But most of the time it just rocks! #06: [148 BPM] And now for the track about a 9 Volts regulated 500mA plug-in mains adaptor! A cryptic track-title like that is exactly what you’d expect from an album with pix on the cover of 4 guys puffing on a dirt bong… More acid-driven mental distortion music… Hints of tribal percussion interlaced with crazy undecipherable voice samples… GOW does what GOW does best on this track: A massive wall of fast-paced, murky night trance… Enjoyable! #07: [146 BPM] More GOW… “I’ve been having these hallucinations … having these delusions … All I know is it feels like my skull is splitting in half!” … Yikes – sounds like you’ve been tripping once too many mate… Another full-blown track in the vain of the predecessors… Canny, twisted, deeply psychedelic night-trance… I like how the digital acid-lines almost sound organic here… Massive track! #08: [147 BPM] Meteloids muster up their last strengths on this final track to put an end to this boobs-ablaze trip… This is multilayered, complex party-music for trancers, dancers, romancers and dope fiends! All kinds of acid lines, synths, bleeps and blips forms bizarre bits of melodies, helps create a twisted tune – complete with spooky voice samples and overall madness… Well done! What a great year it has been for this kind of music… The dust has hardly settled from the last Parvati instalment ‘Psychedelically Yours 2’ which was very popular with the masses – and I’m sure this will be so too… Judging by the hype it has already received in various internet forums, I’m pretty sure that the many fans of dark, twisted, underground horror-trance will eat this one raw… Personally I’ve pretty much surrendered to this album… It has a higher good/bad track ratio than Psychedelically Yours 2 – which already had a pretty good ratio… That being said, there are still flaws on this album… A few tracks suffer from ‘stand-still-syndrom’ for certain amounts of time – which works well on the dance floor, but for home listening it can get tedious at times… But hey, you know what you’re getting into when you’re putting on a Parvati release… Highly energetic, sensory challenging, hard-hitting, nightmarish, acid-driven, underground night-trance… Recommended for all fans of the above mentioned style… Enjoy! =D Favourites: 2, 4 (!!), 5, 7 DeathPosture External links: Meteloids: http://www.meteloids.com/ Parvati Records: http://www.parvati-records.com/ Wirikuta: http://www.wirikuta.at/web66/product_detai...howDetail=60575 Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/pav/pav1cd007.html (Audio samples available!) Saiko Sounds: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=4284

Sounds like Leila K - Open Sesame DP

Yeah I know, I wanted to hotlink my own, that's why I asked... Ah well, I'll live... ;o) DP

How do you link to an offsite image? I only see the possibility to upload from your local drive? DP

Good luck finding it Psytones... I've been on the look-out for it for several years without any luck... It pops up occasionally on Ebay, but I don't want to spend ridiculous amounts on it... DeathPosture

V/A – Sonic Pantomime Cover-art: ^Clickable thumbnails^ Artist: Various Title: Sonic Pantomime Format: CD (jewel case) Label: Ketuh Records (Portugal) Cat. #: KTHCD005 Distribution: Wirikuta Date: 23 August 2004 Track listing: 01. 07’15” Gappeq – 3bk1 02. 08’06” Killer Buds – Fungus in My Banza 03. 09’20” N3XU5 – Evolution (Remix) 04. 07’47” Triskell – Concept (Remix) 05. 07’50” Phyx – Sub Zero (Remix) 06. 06’58” Gappeq – Genetically Dirty 07. 08’14” Lemurians – Who Shot The DJ? 08. 07’44” Rastaliens – Jungle Explosion 09. 06’49” Spectra aka Shrink – Tribal Dance Review: An entranced pantomime – induced by sound, guided by vision! Portuguese/Austrian label Ketuh is out with their fifth release… This time another compilation compiled by label guru P_Mac with the help of DJ TV from the Czech Republic… I got a taste for Ketuh releases with KTHCD004 “Suspended Reality” which had handful of really great tracks, and I’m hoping this one will too… Let me take you thru the tracks… #01: First up is Gappeq from the Czech Republic with a hard-hitting, evil track composed of spacey, metallic, electro sounds, badass basslines and some really cool, sharp acid riffs that’ll haunt you for a while… I like the orchestral composition this track has… It’s been called ‘deep and futuristic’ and that’s a fitting description… Nice track! #02: Next up is Ketuh regulars Killer Buds from Brazil… And they have fungus in their banza – whateverthehellthatis!? A promising intro indeed, but I’m slightly disappointed by the ‘standard bassline’ that is present throughout the track though… The Buds make up for it though, with some very tasty, yet sick side orders – The synth work is indeed impressive here and I’m a sucker for nicely done build-ups and stomping climaxes… And in that sense, this track delivers – in fact, for the second part of this track, you almost forget about the copy-paste bassline as your senses are bombarded with a phat wall of psychedelic madness… Sweet! ;o) #03: And now, for the holy trinity of remixes… Portuguese N3xu5 kicks off with the well-know Professor Xavier quote from X-Men: “Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. […] This process is slow, normally taking thousands of years. But every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward” … The quote itself is cut-up and parts of it are repeated… The track itself has a lot of power, lurking below the surface waiting to be unleashed, but it is not before after the 5 minute mark that we are truly exposed to the blasting sound of N3XU5 – after the ‘fake ending’ the track takes a slightly different direction – with the emphasis on flaring, yet subtle acid-riffs and synth melodies… Not bad at all! #04: Parts of this track annoys the hell out of me… Like the distorted ‘what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-my-stereo?-intro’ and I’m not sure what to make of that screechy acid line and the bizarre voice-samples… But luckily the annoying parts are only temporary – most of the time, this is some funky ass-wiggling stuff… But I could’ve done without the weird parts – decent track! #05: And now: The heartbeat track! Phyx from South Africa which delivers a tribal stomper seasoned with aciiiiiid…Especially for the second half of the track… Rolling, pointy acid-riffs that cuts through air… Very hypnotizing this one – it builds and builds, all the way through - I dig it! Brilliant! #06: Second instalment from Gappeq calms things down again… The title may be Genetically Dirty, but in fact this track is digitally clean… Well – compared to the rougher/more gritty sound of the previous 5 tracks at least… I like the sterile approach – and especially the well-structured nifty little melodies made up by simple bleeps… Nice percussion work too for the last couple of minutes… A different track, but interesting nonetheless… #07: Shiva Space Technology regulars Lemurians makes a surprise appearance here, with the urgent question; “Who shot the DJ?” … This strays off their usual path, being darker and has an eerie, haunting atmosphere… Crisp production, razor-sharp synths and an overall phat groove… Nice track! #08: We stay in Germany, this time to the sound of Rastaliens, who treats us to a wicked tune with their trademark, tribal Rasta-sound… The percussion arrangements are impressive as always, and the ‘Panjabi MC - Mundian To Bach Ke’ part actually sounds cool with some psy-elements to back it up… Straightforward tribal and melodic morning trance here – Tasty! #09: My first encounter with Shrink was on the last Ketuh compilation “Suspended Reality” – which was very nice tune taking into consideration it was their debut… And this track by the Portuguese duo is even better… This is morning trance, with floating, almost epic melodies lain on top of foundation of rich, funky basslines and groovy percussion… Well-polished, and a very nice ending to this compilation… Overall, this is a nice compilation… The not-so-good tracks are outweighed by the good tracks… I’m not sure whether I like it as much as I like “Suspended Reality” but it’s a damn close race… Depending on your point of view, the lack of cohesion between tracks (stylewise) could either be a problem or a refreshing approach – I’m inclined to the latter, but I’m guessing that some of the hard-core Ørebro-goons will complain about the ‘missing’ flow… I’m not complaining though, as I like my trance in all shapes and sizes… ;o) If you like your psytrance with a dark and oddball twist – and the occasional acid riff and stomping night-time bassline … Well, then you’ll most likely like this compilation… Check it out while we wait for the next Ketuh compilation “Peacemaker”which should be hitting the airwaves in October! Favourites: 1(!), 2, 3, 5(!!), 7 DeathPosture External links: Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/kth/kth1cd005.html (Audio samples available!) Saiko Sounds: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=4098 Chaos Unlimited: http://www.chaosunlimited.co.uk/cgi-bin/pr....asp?LR=kthcd05 Wirikuta: http://www.wirikuta.at/web66/product_detai...howDetail=49863 Juno Records: http://www.juno.co.uk/IP/IF156527-01.htm

Impressive... Just like Erez from IM was really, really young when he started producing... DP

Ha ha ha!

This was posted both on IsraTrance and SonicBlend - but I thought I might posts it here as well in case someone was interested... Juno Reactor - Labyrinth coming oct 26 on Metropolis Records http://www.metropolis-records.com/ Tracklisting: 01. Conquistador I 02. Conquistador II mp3 sample 03. Giant 04. Wardogs 05. Mona Lisa Overdrive 06. Zwara mp3 sample 07. Mutant Message 08. Angels and Men 09. Navras Promotional info: For 2004 Metropolis Records is excited to release Juno Reactor's latest album Labyrinth. Featuring elements from rock and world combined with trance style beats and orchestral sounds, Labyrinth explores yet another side of Juno Reactor's unique musical approach. Several tracks demonstrate a mellower and more soothing sound through the use of extraordinary female vocals and the piano, thus diversifying Juno Reactor's already unparalleled sound. Set for release in October, Labyrinth is sure to capture fans worldwide. A couple of familiar tracks from the Matrix OST's... I'm looking forward to this one for sure... ;o) DeathPosture

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=4186 DeathPosture

First and foremost: Pr0fane - your reviews are always a pleasure to read... I'm amazed by your musical insights - you're like an encyclopedia ... ;o) Yes - we are a closed circle of people - and to that extent our reviews are aimed at a very narrow group of people... But actually I consider that a good thing - we can use all our efforts on going deeper into the music, the receivers already know... And personally I like writing to other affecionados... We have common ground, and the same frame of reference... About labels sending promos out to a selected bunch of people - Yes, I am 100% confident it pays off for them - at least when it's good stuff they release... I've had my reviews featured on a bunch of label's sites and also on saikosounds.com - and I consider that a great honour, 'cause as I've mentioned earlier in this thread, I'm by no means a professional reviewer - I'm just your Joe Average, who happens to write a couple of reviews every once and again... My way of contributing to the scene... Isratrance and Psynews are the biggest sites, but there are many others... I also post my reviews on SonicBlend.com, Psy-forum.co.uk, Ektoplazm.com, Par-2.com and Trance.net + a few on Psymag.com DeathPosture

I know what Scott is saying... And we all know, that the fear of all reviewers is loosing their promo-deals... Whenever I receive something bad, I often refrain from reviewing it - or simply give it a bad mark... I can give you several examples of that! But accusing me of hyping bad stuff for the sake of keeping my promo-deal is outrageous, and I find it highly insulting! And quite frankly, I find it very interesting to see, that allegedly we only differ 2 marks out of 10 on the above mentioned reviews... !? Couldn't you at least have found better examples to back your case against me? Come on Lotus - gimme something more that just home-brewed theories... DeathPosture

Well, if that's all you have to say, then I rest my case... But how do you expect me to react when I see my name mentioned in such a context? And when I speak up for myself, all you can say is that you're not convinced? What kind of debate is that? DeathPosture

Really? 2 albums that we both reviewed - but you graded them 2 marks lower than me... Did you see the other reviews that H.U.V.A. Network got? Everyone was pretty impressed and so was I - and I still am... Same goes with the new Aes Dana album, which is an absolute corker... Believe me, when there is something I do not like, I tell it as it so - or choose not to review it at all... But honestly - I reserve the right, to praise stuff I really like... ! And about Etic... Well, I'm sorry that you do not like this album... But I do - when I first played it, I was anticipating the usual boring, standard Israeli full-on, but what I got was an proggy jewel that I thouroughly enjoyed - and my review reflected that... What's wrong with that? You even stated in your own review that maybe some hardcore proggy lovers will enjoy it more than me ... Exactly - that's the way it works with taste! I have no intention of getting on your bad side Lotus - most of time, I value your reviews, but I don't really understand what you're trying to acomplish with this? I admit, that my some of my early reviews are a bit enthusiastic, but I'm still learning - trying to adjust... Please bear in mind, that I'm just your average Joe, that enjoys writing reviews... I'm not affiliated with any labels or shops or distributor... I'm just a dude, who contributes to the scene by writing the odd review now and then... I get many nice comment, and that's the force that drives me and inspires me to write more... As I imagine is the driving force behind your reviews as well? I don't know if you've noticed, but I've completely abandoned my rating system where I used to mark out of 10... I had too many above 5/10 (as a quick search on your reviews reveals that you also have)... Once again, let me stress, that I respect your opinion Lotus - I'm just not sure I follow you? Yes, I recieve promos - but that does not entail a good review... I can give you plenty of examples of that if you want... DeathPosture

Would you care to elaborate on that Lotus? Merci... DP