Trance2MoveU

I would say that I don't have a favorite. There are so many that I love, picking wouldn't make sense. One day it could be I.F.O, the next day, Train to Chroma City. But these haven't gotten any mentions yet: Zirrex- Lost In Time Dreamweaver- Lord of Illusions Xervana- Samples From a Virtual Life Ominus- Ominus Ra- To Sirius Asia 2001- Psykedelia Mdk

Man, I loved both of them. That high powered, acid laden trance is just what the Dr. ordered for me. I cannot get enough of it. I do notice however, that they throw in one or two disposable experimental tracks. As if they are testing the waters to see what we will tolerate. For me, Electric Space Phenomenon - Deep Purple Haze. Ugh. Sensory Overload - I like it! I didn't like it. :wank: Mdk

Maybe it is because I missed the whole Goa era the first time around, but the more "new" goa releases the better. Just a quick perusal of my collection, look at all the new artists throwing their hat into the ring of sunshine: Aerosis Afgin Artha Artifakt303 Cell Cosmo Circle Ethereal Filteria GoAsia Infinite Dimensions Intriga Khetzal Liquid Flow Lost Buddha Merr0w Mindsphere Nolax Ra Radical Distortion Sine Die Travma Vox Ypsilon5 (ok, it's been awhile) That's a good amount of artists providing good music for us to enjoy in a scene that is supposedly dead. Now add in the compilations like: Apsara Blissful Moments Golden Vibes I, II, III Human Hyperactivation Jelly Marbles Opus Iridium Positive Alchemists Vol. 1 Pure Planet Vol. 1, Vol. 2 Purple Energy Vol. 1, Vol. 2 Pyramidal Trancendence Twist Dreams I'm pretty happy. I think goa trancers are in the category of what have you done for me lately, as we always want more. But maybe that is people in general. Mdk

It's not that I didn't like it, it's just that I expected more. Maybe that is my fault for having the bar set so high. I thought it was an ok album just nothing spectacular. And as far as reviewing too many albums, meh, maybe. The reason I started doing it full force, was that it allowed me to listen to the music with a greater focus, and also the reviews section was dying. Since Death Posture left, there has been a real void. I just tried to jump start it a bit. Mdk

Artist: Wizack Twizack Title: Dead End Label: Namaha Records Release: June, 2008 1. Intro (0:36) 2. Welcome To Knutby (7:38) 3. Intelligent (7:58) 4. Multi Pressure (7:11) 5. Lucky Strike (7:15) 6. Hide The Gold (7:21) 7. Reduced Signal (7:14) 8. Purple Haze (6:48) 9. The Explorer (7:54) 10. Stereo Sushi (7:32) 11. Razors And Ice cream (7:26) Wizack Twizack is Tommy Axelsson from Sweden. He released his debut Behind the Trees in 2005 and I can remember thinking this guy has a vivid imagination. I think it would be fair to say his music tends to be towards the darker side of trance as he has released a lot of tracks on plenty of compilations. I always found his tracks to be very deep and look forward to hearing this disc. The cover is pretty cool. A rainbow bridge (Norse mythology the Bifrost bridge leads from Midgard (land of mortals) to Asgard (home of the Gods)) leads to an unknown planet which is a dead end. I like it. So let's see what the tracks say. Intro- This is just that, an intro. A synthesized voice (like the one from the zombies in the movie Evil Dead) speaks of drugs, I believe, and it sounds pretty evil. Welcome To Knutby- The piano melody moves with speed over the machine gun bass line. That evil voice comes back, and I still can't make out what it says. The track rises and falls as effects give me a feeling of uncertainty. The melody is warped and keeps the tone dark. A twisted lead spills over, as the another synth joins in to continue the ride. As the piano melody returns, yet another lead chimes in and while it isn't in the same key, it adds to the creepiness of the track. Pretty cool. Intelligent- "Most science fiction of the day predicted a future that was more civilized and more intelligent. But as time went on, things seemed to be heading in the opposite direction. A dumbing down. How did this happen? Evolution does not necessary reward intelligence." Cool sample heralds the bass line and is that a goa type melody? I think so. So I venture from the forest and into the sunshine. But something is wrong. The sun burns my skin, as leads wrap themselves around me, cutting and tightening with each movement. I manage to escape briefly, and retreat into the forest. More synths chase me deeper into the thicket, and I am still on edge. A minor key lead straight from the darkest forest toys with me as the sunshine is now a distant melody. I would call this twilight psy with a hint of goa. Great track! Multi Pressure- Wailing winds float forlornly over a hyper and aggressive bass line that spawns a nimble lead. Other distorted leads join in, trying to pull me down. Groove factor high, I am bombarded with sticky acid. The break is an illusion as a wildly twisting lead whips with a frenzy, and is backed up by supporting synths. The percussive element adds to the funkiness and I am bouncing! As the track rises, another piano melody tries to cut through the thick, distorted synth line. Very psychedelic, as the track takes an even more ominous tone as it ends. Great track! Lucky Strike- "Outside the village there is a swamp. A vast area of blue green mudfields. There are rumors that say the bayou is full of strange beings that hide in the mudpools. People call them the Swamp People because they never leave the swamplands." In no time I am assaulted by acidic leads and a thunderous kick. Very groovy with quick, imaginative breaks. more leads jump in to add to my growing taste for evil. The leads become so sticky, so hot, that I cannot get near. The track speeds up right into a sample about the swamp people. Nobody ever sees them, but sometimes you can hear them gathering by the shore. This track descends into a dark themed madness but remains groovy. Good track! Hide The Gold- Whirling leads whiz past my ears as the kick hammers forward. Dark, with a sample about the dark arts. Hmmm, I have heard that in a track before. As a female chants for release, alien leads swarm, covering all aspects of light. A lead near the end gets mangled, as the aliens return. This is pure power with no hope for escape. Pretty good track! Reduced Signal- "I don't know. Most people want to die in their sleep I suppose. Never know what happened. I prefer to know in advance." The distorted voice sample walks above the hammering bass line as a metallic lead rages onward. It is soon joined by more ear piercing, scratchy leads. At the break, the beat drops out, but then kinda rises as it seems to get filtered. The madness continues making this a very dark track. Kinda boring for me, with no real melody to focus on. Purple Haze- Marijuana theme song! The dark bass line thumps underneath a far away voice that comes in and out. When the leads come in (and there are many) it gets kinda crazy. Then the melody fights forward and takes control with effects flying all over the place. Good groove at this point, that's for sure. Pretty good track! The Explorer - It is now time to explore with LSD. The beat pumps with scratchy leads making a racket in the background. Another voice sample that is distorted, and the track races on at a very high speed. A very imaginative "quick break" gets me back into the action with a funky lead. The effects sound good with slight splashes of acid here and there. More powerful dark music is what this is. Stereo Sushi- Effects usher in a bass line as breathy synths exhale, laser washes moving blissfully over the track. Radio frequency effects twist as leads rip all around. Acid, buckets and buckets of acid, are dumped liberally over me, as lasers fire to finish the job. In the background, very faintly you can hear what sounds like machinery being mangled. Even more creepy sounds add to the rhythm and melody making this track so powerful. Great track! Razors and Ice Cream- Now normally I would say this combination doesn't mix. This track builds power with more metallic leads and another aggressive bass line. It is true insanity, with acid and leads all vying for the same airspace. The track really takes off after the 2 minute mark a a sinister melody begins to take shape. No chance to catch your breath, with very inventive psuedo breaks as the beat continues to hammer. Another lead shifts to the forefront and Tommy ends with probably the most powerful song on the disc. Awesome track! Conclusion: This is a dark and very deep release. With great groove and an innumerable amount of sounds this disc powers its way through you mind. What I've always liked about Tommy's music is that even though it is dark and extremely psychedelic, it stays away from the pitfalls of a lot of dark music that makes it inaccessible to a lot of folks. This disc has melody and a groove that constantly changes. It never becomes monotonous or so loud and abrasive that you have to turn it off. There are a lot of layers to his tracks that give all of them a full feeling. Although only a couple blew me away, this is the type of release that gets better with repeated listens. I will be the first to admit, you have to be in the mood for this type of music. But once you are ready to take the plunge it will treat you to a very nice trip. Well done. 8.2/10 Mdk

Artist: Sine Die Title: Life Hack Label: Hadra Records Release: May, 2008 1. Life Hack (7:13) 2. Secrets (8:09) 3. Eclipse (7:36) 4. Elevate (8:20) 5. Vision (7:45) 6. Killer Instinct (8:25) 7. Goa Dra (7:34) 8. Deep Space Logic (7:25) 9. Away (5:38) Sine Die (aka Noda) is Yohan Lasorsa and has produced some absolutely cracker tracks on compilations such as Pyramidal Trancendence and Positive Alchemists Vol. 3. French label Hadra records is responsible for some of the best full-on today with great releases like the Hadracadabra series, Fantasia, and Sunrise. According to the marketing blurb, this is touted as goa meeting today's psytrance. This effort was mastered by Mr. Silicon Sound so that already reeks of quality. I'm in. Now I don't know what Sine Die means but the internet tells me it is "Adjournment without definitely fixing a day for reconvening." I hope that I offer a great review so that Yohan may chime in and offer some explanations. The cover is interesting. Very colorful and split in half. One side is a very beautiful landscape and the other had a DNA molecule running down a computer like environment. Life representing the outdoors and all it entails and hack for the other side. Let's get to it! Life Hack- Wow, although I have never been to goa, immediately I am transported to what I think it would be like. Huge pads and a bouncing bass line combine with peek a boo leads to keep me wary. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a goa melody. The buildup is massive as the lead rips, right into the break. Very imaginative buildup, and a plethora of leads to keep your head ringing. What a great start! :posford: Secrets- Thick pads grow in my ears as synths creep out from their hiding places. The layering is very well done with zero wasted "airspace." The bass line is simple but works well to form the backbone of the track while synths full of melody arc skyward. The transition into the break is smooth and as the track rises out of it, yet another lead melody scrambles to be heard. The combination of sounds brings a smile to my face as this becomes a very rich tapestry. The tempo changes at around 6:30, but only briefly as another lead closes the track. Beautiful! Eclipse- The lead here snakes its way over the bass line as more synths grab hold to ride its coattails. The break has a soft pad, with a smooth melody rippling from beneath the sea. It is twisted and turned, and races at light speed across the track. The underlying synth reminds of the good old goa days, filling out the track. Another tempo change with bouncy rhythm, as the track rises and brings the lead with it. That melody leeps me dancing like no one is watching. :posford: Elevate- A Choir pad rains upon a slowly evolving lead as a synthesized voice adds mystery. The lead dances, as glassy tones ring with echoes. Another lead germinates beneath the soil of Mother Earth, slowly gaining momentum amidst a very cool break beat. As those tones recede into the background, another lead vies for supremacy, right into a peaceful calm. More synths maintain the delicate structure of this track and it's like eating a wonderful chocolate cake that is full of layers of delectable icing. Marvellous! :clapping: Vision - Rich pads conceal an active lead that is soon joined by another synth. The lead is filtered, squeezing the maximum sound out of it as if it were an almost empty tube of toothpaste. Lasers guide me down the rabbit hole, where the beat becomes slightly muted as more synths cling to me. The lead comes twisting out of the break lashing me with its cat o nine tails of melody and doesn't let go until the track is finished. Tasty! Killer Instinct- An echoing voice reminds me of Mortal Kombat, (I don't know if that is the game the samples come from) opens the door as I score a triple combo. Yeah bitches! If it says finish him, I think I will pee myself. Ooh did you see that, I scored a master combo! Although this has samples from the video game the track underneath is quite good. The synths are thick and rich, as the cautious melody keeps me alert. As I slide my quarter in the game continues. Lasers rain down on me in a sticky shower, as a dangerous goa melody has me spinning. Cool track! Goa Dra- I don't know what Dra is, but I am willing to sit at the masters feet and learn. A thick pad holds the key to the growly voice whose commands I cannot know. It isn't long until I succumb, and am touched by the soothing goa sunshine. A bouncy melody is guided by lasers, which keep me from getting too close to the sun. The next lead shows me many things, the alpha and omega as my head spins with its mind-numbing melody. Layers upon layers, so thick I cannot free myself from its warm embrace and I do not care to. Wow. Brilliant! :posford: Deep Space Logic:- My crew is attempting a very risky landing. Floating through space, I am reminded of just how dangerous this is. Leads have me twisting and turning during my descent. An asteroid narrowly misses the aercraft, and I have to re-engage. Helio-centric leads blanket me with melodic goodness, as the track bounces along. Evasive maneuvers overload the system, but there is no turning back. The horizon comes into focus as the auxiliary systems kick in. As the pressure becomes unstable the system shuts down and I am left adrift. Great track! Away- "So what are you? Meaning what exactly? Are you a robot..or an alien. Because everyone in the world is one or the other. Robots do what they're told, stick with the herd. Aliens...on the other hand...do their own thing." Soft melodic pads expose a ambient bass line as smooth percussion gives way to an evolving synth. Soothing plucked stings add to the melody as I float above myself. Twinkling tones have me looking to the ethereal plane, and I realize what I have been shown, but there is so much more to see. I now understand Sine Die. This downtempo track was beautiful. :clapping: Conclusion: This sucks. Absolutely craptacular. And by craptacular I mean it's freakin' awesome! One of the most melodic efforts I have ever heard. There is nothing cheesy here, as he his layers show a level of mastery rarely seen. The complexity is readily apparent as the melodies soar and thanks to Johannes's mastering, this is like polished diamond. Psyphop was true to its word, as the goa vibe is all over this disc. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Hadra Records has another quality feather in its cap. If you like layers upon layers dripping with melody with a wink back to the good old days of goa, do not hesitate to pick up this gem. 9.5/10 Mdk

Artist: Kode Six Title: Kold Fuzion Label: Vision Records Release: June 2008 1. Provenance 2. Delirium (Kode Six Rmx) 3. Data Shift 4. Excess Energy 5. Electro Motive 6. Katalysis 7. Kold Fuzion 8. Firebird (Kode Six Rmx) 9. Silver 10. Tekno Fiend 11. Librium I recently received this and have been looking forward to hearing this disc. Kode Six are Francois Bureau & Kalan Bird from Montreal in Canada. Ahh, my neighbors to the north! Vision Records is the label that brought us the lovely Dark Side of the Mind compilation earlier this year. This duo also has a track on the Bio-Magnetic Therapy compilation that was not bad. The cover has a futuristic feel with a fractal like mechanism separating a city and a desert. Well, let's see what we've got. Provenance- This is an intro trip-hop track that has quite the beat to it. Chopped up samples groove with the kick, but I cannot understand most of the sample except "but that's not what happened here." Very short, but my interest is peaked. Delirium (Kode Six Rmx)- This is their take on the NRS track from the Symptoms of Compliance compilation. Now I had to go and listen to the original to see what the boys did to make it different. I'm a believer that if you remix a track, it should sound very different and just have the basic melody present in the original. And here we have the simple melody from the original to start, as a deep bass line takes over. I can feel the track rising, as leads dance between my ears. The lasers fire of warning shots and deep explosions erupt. The end is where I can see more separation between the two tracks, as more leads combine, but to be honest, I think they took a relatively boring track and updated it, making it less boring without creating anything new. Data Shift- Another deep rolling bass line with slight bursts of lasers and wash type leads. The break shines with a chopped up voice sample, and I feel like something is brewing. The track runs out of gas, but just briefly, as the bass continues to hit. A low lead mimics the bass and then a metallic one takes its place singing its sad tale of woe. A distorted voice sample ramps up the creepy factor as more leads join the fray adding a groove that makes me nod my head. Good track! :clapping: Excess Energy - "At the beginning of the 21st century, the Umbrella Corporation has become the largest commercial entity in the United States. 9 out of every 10 homes contain its products. Its political and financial influence is felt everywhere. In public it is the world's leading supplier of computer technology, medical products, and health care. Unknown even to its own employees, its massive profits are generated by military technology, genetic experimentation, and viral weaponry." Now that's a sample! Resident Evil if I remember correctly. As the track devolves, the bass line hits, and it sounds like the previous one. I don't care, it makes me feel funky inside. At the break, a lead struggles from the earth, as the track gains momentum and once it arrives look out! Wheeeeee! Now this is what I was looking for, a heavy kick, funky bass line and screaming leads. Not a bad track but that rising lead is used too much. Electro Motive- With this track there is not a lot of buildup before the bass line asserts dominance. The leads are washes, rushes, and a nimble arpeggio. There is that rising lead again. The break gives me a spooky feeling with delayed sounds and a sinister lead. It grows more bold, venturing to a clearing. With the bass line giving it support, it becomes brave and a whirling dervish full of power and passion. Nice way to evolve! Great track! :posford: Katalysis- This is another short one; an interlude if you will. See that I used a semi-colon. Don't know if I was supposed to though. There is a garbled speech talking about passing moments and choosing another path. Who cares? Kold Fuzion- Title track, time to shine! The bass line rolls angrily as cold sounding alerts hum in the background. It takes on a character of its own, moving this way and that. Nice touch, adds to the tension. The groove is thick with sweat, as an eerie pad holds my feet in place. The lead snakes around my esophagus and I'm struggling to breathe as it takes me higher into the twilight sky. It releases me, as I get pelted with gobs of acid. The track has its way with me, upping the funkiness off the chart. The lead rears back as it gets ready to strike, and as quickly as it arrived it is gone. Great track! :posford: Firebird (Kode Six Rmx)- This is a remix of the Rabdom L track off the Analogue compilation. Now I have to listen to that one! Ok, I'm back. Wow that was a ripping track. You boys got your work cut out for you. The bass line seems seems a little thicker than the original as more lasers spring from all sides. But, damnit, there is that rising lead again. And again. Please make it stop. Moving on, I hear the twinkling melody and there are nice leads to keep me occupied. I don't know that this was an improvement, but it was still a good track. Silver- I am greeted by a guitar sounding noise and then the bass takes my ticket and I am on my way. The quasi break brings a scream, and then the leads take over. The guitar-lead comes back but there really isn't anything special about this one. Tekno Fiend- This one starts with a high pitched voice speaking "Tekno Magic" amidst a chorus of lasers. Not my style, but I did appreciate the bass line notes and the lead syncing. Aside from that, meh. I think this could be classified more as club trance, and that was probably what they were going for. Librium- A deep, rich bass line rumbles forward as heavenly pads try to bring me to the light. The break has nice effects, and the leads sound great. I hear a "Heroes" sample from the Dr., but I don't feel any emotion behind it. The track just kinda goes, but again, nothing ground breaking. Conclusion: I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. This wasn't a terrible release by any stretch. I guess you would call this twilight psy, and it is pretty groovy. You can tell these guys have a boatload of talent. Although the bass lines get a little samey, and I feel they could fill out there tracks with more layers, it is still pretty damn infectious. If there is one big thing I would criticize it's the rising lead heading toward a climax. It is used too often in several tracks and becomes predictable. In the Excess Energy track, it was used at least 6-8 times. Do something else to bring us to a break or a climax. While this was an ok album, I can't classify it as essential. I think once they hone their craft and mature as artists their 2nd album will be something to watch. 7.0/10 Mdk

Artist: Gappeq (Jiri Tomasek) Title: Speaker Seeker Label: Wirikuta Recordings Release: December, 2007 1. Speaker Seeker (8:54) 2. Vox Machina Magica (7:28) 3. The Torque (8:30) 4. Xenian Waltz (7:14) 5. Grotesque (8:23) 6. Something About Manta Rays (7:35) 7. Mobius Strip (9:21) 8. Mare Vaporum (7:16) 9. Rumpus Oath (8:08) Gappeq is Jiri Tomasek from the Czech Republic. He has released several tracks, mostly with Ketuh records (love that label). I have heard some of his tracks and they tend towards the darker side of trance. The cover art is interesting, but I'm not quite sure what it is. It seems futuristic, perhaps a view of a city or a high-tech assembly line. Let's see what this sonic alchemist is brewing. Speaker Seeker - Title track right out of the box. You better come strong with this one, buddy. Lush pads bely an industrial percussion set. At 1.5 minutes the track picks up speed and I hear a bass line common in a lot of darkpsy. I love the break which brings a return of the pads and more percussion. Very imaginative. With a change in tempo, Jiri further adds to the feeling of isolation with great effects. The track turns into a jumble of futuristic noise, and then pops right back into a full-on bass line. Not a lot of melody here, but it was well put together. Pretty good start! :clapping: Vox Machina Magica- A slow hip-hop bass line combined with a crunchy sound and awesome effects start me off. Great mixture of textures right here. The bass line growls and leads spray all over it. This is dark, no question about it, but it is more along the lines of twilight, and that suits me just fine. My mind never wanders, and that is good, because with the atmosphere Jiri presents here, you don't know what will be creeping up behind you. The scope of this track is huge, even without a lot of melody, and the groove keeps my head nodding. Great track! :posford: The Torque - The reckoning is coming. A wall of dread de-evolves right before my ears, as the captains of industry hammer away at a very growly bass line. A far away string floats magically in the distance and synths bombard my ears from all sides. More percussive goodness at the break and I feel very isolated right now. This is what I imagine being in the world of Quake would be like. Very atmospheric and dark, with great sound production. Man that was good! :clapping: Xenian Waltz- More percussive loops that are different than anything I have heard before. There is an undercurrent of melody to start, but it isn't that apparent. The pads give the track some grandeur, as the bass line rolls. The leads are of the wash type, and effects are everywhere. If you're looking for melody, look elsewhere because it ain't here. This is a dark track that pounds straight forward, but is beautiful in it's storytelling. Pretty good track. Grotesque- "I've been talking to Charlotte. Who..who's Charlotte? I think she's a girl. Can she talk? She's different. She's mechanical." With a track name like this, how do you think this will play out. Thick, rising soundscapes gives way to a galloping bass line as a child's wind-up figurine casts a bizarre melody over my ears. A squelchy lead bounces with purpose, and the break drops a very spooky sample (the first I've heard on the album). More dark madness ensues with the thundering bass line and effects out the wazoo. Pretty good track. Something About Manta Rays- Yeah there is something about them isn't there? I'm hit with a wave of searing industrial noise, and fall right into a bass line. The groove here is bouncy, and the effects are all over. The break is short lived, as this is quite the noisy track. Downright scary actually. Before I know it, it is almost over. There wasn't a whole lot going on here, but it was very powerful. Good track! Mobius Strip- Another minor key melody starts slowly with a GREAT orchestral sound! It isn't long before the effects madness arrives, and then is quickly joined by the bass line. So many effects, this sounds like really pixie-like forest trance. But the pixies are evil, and will cut your heart out. A squirty lead rises with the track and is replaced by another lead. Once again, no real sustainable melodies to speak of but I don't think there is supposed to be. This is like a soundtrack for trying to escape an evil being by running through a centuries old forest in Transylvania. Decent track! Mare Vaporum- Industrial percussion with strings drop me right onto the bass line, which I have heard before. Like the last track. There are so many sounds thrown at me here, but it isn't unfocused. More percussive elements and a voice from the abyss which is unintelligible. This is a dark track in every sense of the word. And it is rammed down my throat. I could pass on this one, but the dark lovers will eat this up. Rumpus Oath- With an intake of breath and a flangerized sound, percussion bangs on the door. What a feeling to start, as the room seems to be closing in on me. The breakdown at 2:25 was very inventive, maintaining the sense of...the supernatural. The layers of sound here are mind boggling, from the highs to the lows. It's a dark groove, with a sample that is so twisted, it cannot be understood. The evil bubbles throughout this track and it reminds me that sometimes there are no happy endings. :posford: Conclusion:- Now I normally don't like dark psytrance. But this is so hauntingly beautiful that it begs a listen. Especially the first 4-5 tracks. There is not a lot of melody here, so if that is not your bag, you probably won't like this. I liked it. I thought that his sounds were fresh, and the way he put a track together made me feel as if I was on alien world. It was also great that this music didn't rely on repetitive samples to sustain the tracks. Also, no cheesy kick or snare rolls to get to the break. There is a feeling of desperation and despair throughout this disc, as well as no "empty" space. Now who wants to be depressed, but I imagine this would be great for a hike in the woods. While it can sound samey in places, it was still an enjoyable ride. If there was one thing I would make better, it would be to maybe not rely on the same bass lines and to not overstuff the track with sounds, as sometimes it can get a little too busy. I tell you what I would like to see...this artist make a dark ambient album. I think it would be outstanding. Highly recommended! 8.0/10 Mdk

Title: Collapsed Generations Artist: Various Label: Spectral Records Release: February, 2008 1. Menog vs. Shift - Evil People (9:07) 2. Khopat - We Will Fly (7:24) 3. Lost & Found - Sin Stereo Remix (8:18) 4. Menog - Kinhos's Hallucination (Tryambaka Remix) (8:50) 5. Delysid - Decoder (7:19) 6. Menog vs. Fiuzz - Collapsed Generations (9:28) 7. Audialize - Kinesis (7:58) 8. Hypnoxock - This Is A Chapapote (7:49) 9. Chilled C'Quence - Levels Of Rythms (7:18) This is a label on the rise for sure. Releases include: Menog Reborn, Brethren's The Price of Prophecy (which has been reviewed), and the great Feel The Force. These are all high powered, energy full psytrance. The tracklist is impressive, as I can recognize most if not all the artists. This was compiled and mastered by Menog. So I am hoping for a continuing quality. The cover is.. well, it looks like...you know, I don't know what it is, but I do like it. The brown shade gives it that down and dirty appearance. Let's get to it! Menog vs. Shift - Evil People- "Are there two kinds of people? The good ones and the bad?" This sample (which is much longer than what I typed) starts the track (and I can't wait for it to be over. I don't want my music lecturing me. ) and then uncertain pads drape over percussive elements. I would even go so far as to say the beginning of the track has a tech-trance feel to it. The track finally kicks in at the 4 minute mark with a nasty lead. It is very squirmy, and is joined by some acid. The groove at this point is good and what I have been waiting for. However, the sample continues to lecture me, and at this point I know I won't be listening to this track again. I hope that isn't a sign of what's to come from two of my favorite artists. :wank: Khopat - We Will Fly- Vasco strikes again, with soft, reaching pads. The beat drops with a sweet groove, and I am airborne. Squelchy leads guide me through the clouds as another melody appears ever so briefly. Another twinkling sound shows up at the last break and I can feel the track building. I felt the end could have been filled out more, but nonetheless, it's still a pretty good track. Lost & Found - Sin Stereo mix- It seems I have been reviewing a lot of Gerhard's music lately and I don't mind. He has done a lot of good work. Short percussive blasts leave me with an industrial feel, as a lead shoots skyward. The whole track starts rising, right into a break and then full steam ahead! The lead darts back and forth as yet another swims beneath it. I feel he is playing with me, not revealing too much. "I..am..Mother Nature." Yep, he building something here, and when the acid kicks in, I know I am in for a ride. The last 2 and a half minutes of this track are fantastic. Great track! :posford: Menog - Kinho's Hallucination (Tryambaka RMX)- Tryambaka (Tiago Pimentel) released his album The Colour of Time and quite the album it was. Review will come later. Here he takes a crack at a Menog track. The beat is front and center and quickly dissolves into a funky-ass groove! Acid blasts soon follow and leave me very sticky. The break descends into isolation, with a lead that is searching. The groove returns and delivers another short lived break. Lasers aplenty and I feel the distress in this track. The leads in combination give off a gargled sound and it becomes a little to much for me. Good track though. Delysid - Decoder- Satiny pads herald the coming of a portamento lead, as it twists and turns above the bass line. There are some lasers which fly about, but I feel the lead just labors through this track. There are no highs or lows, just meh. I don't feel any energy in this track at all. The break comes and it's just more of the same for me. I'll pass. Menog Vs. Fiuzz - Collapsed Generations- "Today...you're task is a simple one. The Gods, as a token of appreciation, may someday reward you with great earth changing powers." This track starts with some quirky percussion and epic don't-know-what-is-around-the-corner pads. The lead is atonal and that adds to my nervousness. The break has the sample above and the pads return. The track feels very large. That lead returns with added melody and combined with he groove makes me tap my toe. Pretty good track! Audialize - Kinesis- I really liked Audialize's Last album Starship Earth, and always look forward to his tracks. This is very metallic sounding with leads that rise and an undercurrent of dread. The lead at 3 minutes snakes its way around the deep bass line, At the break, I hear unintelligible voices and another lead with portamento. A sliced up choir joins the lead for a short time, and after almost 6 minutes, I get my first taste of acid. It's thick and it dominates the track. The track fades into nothingness at its end. Decent track. Hypnoxock - This is a Chapapote - "Past experience can never predict the future." I don't know who this is, and don't even know how to pronounce it. With all the effects happening here, it feels cold and unfriendly. The sounds gel together very well, and the leads sound great. Some are thick, some dance lithely above the bass line. The groove is plentiful, and the break has some nice break-beat action. When all the leads come together in the last 2 minutes, it is a great trip. Great track! Chilled C'Quence - Levels Of Rythms- Now I didn't expect to see these two on this compilation! This is Pedro Matias & Fernando Rodrigues from Portugal and they specialize in Ambient and Downbeat. This is an electro track to my ears. Rich, soaring pads balanced out by low sounds. Those low sounds are huge! Some lightly dancing tones drift overhead, as a voice tells us about life. Pretty cool, but I still don't know how it fits here. Conclusion:- I don't really know what to make of this disc. If you look at the tracklist, you must think this is going to crush dance floors and give us some great tracks. And it might. But for me, I felt like I didn't get the artist's best effort with the exception of Lost and Found's track. I was pleasantly surprised by the Khopat and Hypnoxock track. Aside from those, this compilation left me fairly indifferent. Please don't misunderstand me, I don't think any of these tracks are terrible. Perhaps I had just set the bar too high in my own mind based on what these artists have done in the past. Shame on me. 7.4/10 Mdk

Title: Twilight Vision Artist: Various Label: Noize Conspiracy Records Release: March, 2008 1. Delysid - Spartan Law (8:05) 2. Winter Demon & Phatmatix - Off LiMitS (7:01) 3. Lost & Found vs. Rabdom L - Ultimatum (8:02) 4. Iron Madness - Illegality Actions (7:15) 5. Khopat vs. Technodrome - Take Control (7:58) 6. Toxic - Waves Of Dawn (Delysid Rmx) (6:51) 7. Lost & Found - Jetblack (7:32) 8. Brain Hunters - Strange Fragments (6:37) 9. Damage - Techno Children (Zion Linguist RMX) (7:07) Noize Conspiracy records has given us League of Shadows and Endangered Species compilations as well as Delysid's album, Noize Infection. While I wasn't a fan of the Delysid release, I have been very pleased with their compilation work. This label specializes in high energy lead driven psytrance. This was compiled by Mike Noize, and while I'm on the subject, i really dislike the way Discogs has chosen to list compilations. Instead of using various artists (which it is) it is now being listed by the compiler. Sometimes you're not going to know who compiled what compilation, but you will usually know the name of the compilation. *Gets down from soapbox* Now on to the cover. It is of a child staring off into the deep sunset, perhaps seeing something that only he can see. I dig it. A lot. So let us go see what he sees. Delysid - Spartan Law- "No retreat...no surrender. That...is Spartan Law. And by Spartan Law we will stand and fight. And die. Spartans! Prepare for glory! A new age has begun. An age of freedom. And all will know that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it." As I previously mentioned, I am not a fan of Delysid's music, as it all sounds the same to my ears. But here they are starting off the compilation. Here they tackle on of the biggest movies (300), with that rousing soliloquy. The leads are sharp with a machine gun bass line. While I like the samples (and the movie) it seems as if they are just thrown together without concern as to the flow of the track. The break at 4:30 is very powerful however, with the Persian threatening Leonidus. Another thing I didn't care for was the kick rolls. God that is frustrating. 3 in less than 30 seconds. To me that is just laziness. This track is over! Winter Demon & Phatmatix - Off LiMitS - Stephane teams up with Nimrod Dvir as hell is defined amidst scary pads and dungeon like percussion. As the bass line churns the pads of uncertainty paint a picture of no escape. A gurgling lead climbs out of its pit forming the foundation for another twisted lead. The break builds the tension as that twisted lead comes back for more. It's not a bad track, but I have heard Stepane build better for sure. Lost & Found vs. Rabdom L - Ultimatum- Gerhard has struck gold on almost everything he has touched and as a member of Twisted System, Craig Hudson needs no introduction. The groove starts out very bounce worthy, with shots of acid aimed directly at my skull. An underlying demon spews forth hot breath during the break as lasers work to clear the air. A new lead dominates the track filling me with the urge to dance. The next break erupts into acid mayhem shortly after it arrives. Very cool stuff! Excellent track! :posford: Iron Madness - Illegality Actions- I never gave Iron Madness a try because I thought he was too dark for me. I see now that I have wrongly judged a book by its cover. His track also begins with a 300 sample (did you guys all get together and have a matinée?). The bass riff is grimy as it is joined by a lick of acid. As another hot lead crawls out of the break, a precarious melody emerges to join even more 300 samples. The groove continues to grow as I find myself tapping my toe. Pretty good track! Khopat vs. Technodrome - Take Control- Vasco Pedrosa and the 2 Shays are taking control. An alert siren ushers in a bass line as a voice tells me to take control. The track is a give and take, with starts and stops. At 2:46 the track begins its power surge. The leads are cutting, brimming over with menace. I think it would work better if it wasn't interrupted so frequently. However, out of the break another synth joins the acid parade amidst a tension filled sample that works quite nicely. Pretty good track as well. Toxic - Waves Of Dawn (Delysid Rmx)- Delysid has a go at a track from Toxic off their album Sabotage. Some "wash" leads swirl around a pretty straight forward bass line. More leads are thrust into the fray which fill out the melody. More metallic melody appears out of a short break and fit very well with the rising synths. Not a bad track at all. Lost & Found - Jetblack- "But I mean, what is your opinion on how safe this thing is? I can imagine no way in which this thing would be considered anywhere remotely close to safe. All I know is that I spent 6 hours in there and I'm still alive." Gerhard brings us Jetblack. An ominous pad conceals the above sample as I jump from wreckage of my spaceship. I climb into the groove buggy with lasers laying down some cover fire. The aliens weaponry is considerable, with sticky acid blasts which pin me down. I take cover from the onslaught, but only briefly. I'm on the run again, pursued by even more creatures straight from the blackest pits. I seem to have lost them, as they fire wildly without knowing where I am. Finding a groove cycle, I gun the accelerator and leap from the cliff, fleeing from my pursuers. Acid cannons blast the ground around me, as Jetblack aercraft release concussion grenades to halt my progress. As my cycle leaps away, I realize...I didn't escape at all. Best track on the disc! :posford: Brain Hunters - Strange Fragments- "Where am I??? What the fuck is this shit???" I'm newly surrounded as sirens approach. I drop the cycle in another gear as I try to out maneuver my pursuit. This is insane. I'm hit as I tumble to the ground. Can't stop now, I've gotta keep going. I fire lasers to give me some much needed cover, as I see a huge beast, weaving between my laser fire. It's black with leathery wings, and has hate in its eyes. Claws reach, and scratch my protective suit. My skin buns with acid hot fire, as I am caught and taken away. Pretty good track! Damage - Techno Children (Zion Linguist RMX) - "Do you know where your teenager is at 5 o clock in the morning? The after hours club? Some say they coming looking for drugs, dirty dancing, and pounding techno music." Rising and falling pads force my eyes open to see that I am in some sort of arena. Grotesque humanoid creatures begin to circle me. I reach for my weapon, but grab nothing but air. I notice a crowd screaming for blood. I lunge for the closest "thing", and twist its neck, snapping it. As it falls I grab its sword and disembowel the next closest. Scary pads and chopped up strings become the soundtrack to my final days. I am bitten on the shoulder as talons in the form of a grungy lead spill my blood. The last thing I see are those eyes. Red, uncaring things. This track had a horror vibe to it, so I thought I would end my review in this way. Nothing special, but I was on a roll. Conclusion: This was a pretty good compilation. Obviously for me the Lost & Found tracks were the stars. He is getting better and better all the time. Album anyone? An honorable mention goes out to Iron Madness who opened my eyes a bit. This is a "twilight" type of trance (wow, really?) and does it's job very well. The leads are awesome and for the most part I liked the flow of the disc. This is a label that seems to be on the rise with several great releases. I would recommend this. 8.2/10 Mdk

Title: Ministry of Chaos Artist: Various Label: Yabai Release: January, 2008 1. Digital Talk - Acid Test (8:12) 2. Outer Signal - Focus Pokus (7:17) 3. Multistate - Roberta Sparrow Remix (8:09) 4. Phyx - Fall Of Babylon (Lost & Found Remix) (8:46) 5. Twisted System - Necessary Evil (8:06) 6. Phatmatix - Malediction (8:48) 7. Mindcore - Ministry Of Chaos (8:45) 8. Materia - Help Me (Khopat Remix) (6:30) 9. Principles Of Flight - Inferno (8:08) This is a compilation by the Japanese label Yabai. They have given us several floor stomping records including Frozen Ghost's Edible Technique, Samurai, and the Phatmatix Disc Sorcery. This was compiled by Mindcore who is Digital Talk and Phatmatix. The cover is of a futuristic city, which reminds me of Blade Runner. I like it and look forward to diving into this one. Let's get to it! Acid Test - Digital Talk- "They..collect data and run tests. All kinds of tests. Testing..chemical..biological...visual, brain activity, most of it I don't understand." Julien and Luc are at it again, with yet another release. The percussive start to this track is very imaginative. The bass shoots in and out with effects lurking in the background. The bass line is palpable, I can feel it. The lead is like a thin wash, deftly carving up the track like it was Thanksgiving turkey. Maximal groove with plenty of sounds to keep me focused. At the break when that bass slides in on its descent, is just wicked. I didn't like the end of the break where the track goes on a run. After the break, some funkiness ensues, with a lead that goes up and down the scale. Pretty good track! Focus Pokus - Outer Signal - "Just what is LSD and what does it do?" Gil Stoler & Lior Yosha have released some quality tracks on numerous labels. This one starts off with a chopped up sample talking about the effects of LSD. Stop me if you have heard that one before. The track starts ripping at around 3 minutes with a solid groove and spiderweb thin synths that trickle just out of reach. The last part of the track descends into a noisy albeit very groovy rhythm. Pretty good track, but some of the build-ups out of the break could've been better. Roberta Sparrow Rmx - Multistate- Gerhard Olivier & Greg Hamber (Lost & Found + Xatrik) remix a track off their 2006 album Collaborating With Machines. Like I said before, it takes balls to do a remix of a track that already kicked ass. Sparkling synths fall against a backdrop of an emerging bass line. Industrial percussive elements abound, short and sweet, setting the tone. The break shows the power of a wailing electric guitar with feedback. It is strangely melodic with a sadness of a life lost. The crunch of the guitar stabs drape menacingly over the nimble synths. When the beat fully drops it is aural bliss. :posford: Such madness is perfect, a heavy beat with great effects. Superb track! :clapping: Fall Of Babylon (Lost & Found Rmx) - Phyx- Gerhard remixes one of Ian's tracks and it starts of with an ominous pad and plunges into a bass line with intent. The computer effects are a nice touch, as this is probably not a good time in the world. Great groove with acid stabs promising more to come. It's sticky and it's hot here, the lead sears the ears moving from corner to corner. This is most definitely not a good time for the world as minor-key melodies scream of what has been lost. The breaks are telling and the rhythms and leads coming out of them make me stand up and get out of the way. Awesome track! :posford: Necessary Evil - Twisten System- "You call me evil...but unfortunately for you...I'm a necessary evil." Shift + Phyx +Rabdom L mean business. And sometimes doing the dirty work is a necessary evil. Futuristic echoes bounce of a bass line, as leads tease the soul. In typical Twisted System style, I am confronted with an insurmountable wall of melodic noise. As metallic lead begets metallic lead, the cilia on my ears, begin to smoke. The synth arpeggio out of the sweet break rambles on a mission, fighting against the rising tide of acid. A battle, fortunately, lost in the very first few seconds. Very sweet track! :clapping: Malediction - Phatmatix- "We haven't much time." Stephane has yet to disappoint me with any track he has released. He has been on a lot of comps, and his album Sorcery, is a classic for me. A scary tone is set, as someone...tries to escape their bonds. A lead gurgles it's final gasp, making it count. It weaves from front to back, battling with another lead for supremacy. All the while a renegade bass line watches it all. As another lead screams to be heard, the tempo is abruptly changed. It is short lived, and soon enough I am back on the path to madness. Shots are fired during the break, as the lead that would not be denied returns. The lasers force all to duck for cover as this track has power and is not afraid to use it. Damaging! :posford: Ministry of Chaos - Mindcore- "What the fuck is that?!?" Mindcore are Digital Talk and Phatmatix (I can't think of a better partnership). With a child screaming against an eerie pad I am immersed in a future like world. The groove grows, I begin to become aware as computer effects bounce of a lead that follows me. Playfully at first, but then joined by its brethren, much like a cat toys with the mouse. When the large cat arrives, it goes for the jugular. The others step aside as I flee, finding sanctuary in the break. With the respite ever so brief, I am forced to continue the journey. Claws rake, blood is spilled. I take the opportunity to retaliate and hurt the beast. The lead regroups and continues pursuit. I am soon overwhelmed by more madness and realize escape is impossible. Oh yeah, this one's a keeper. :posford: :clapping: :posford: Help Me (Khopat Rmx) - Materia- Delicate tones soothe, but only for a short while. The tormentor from Portugal has other ideas. The tones lull me into a false state of security, as the leads threaten to smother. The track stops and starts, making me think it's weakening. The sample grows tiresome, but the beat is heavy with rhythm. There are some wash like leads keeping pace, as the tones continue to mock me. Not a bad track at all, although not as good as some of its predecessors. Inferno - Principles of Flight- Pierre Delort & Remy Maurin bring us this track. The melancholy strings weep for the loss of something. As they trail off gently, the beat kicks in. There are various percussive pops and a sticky lead that lingers right into the break. Another sad melody hangs back, barely there amongst all the effects flying about. Wailing pads make me apprehensive, but the beat shows me the way. The break confirms that I am no longer in Kansas. Very frightening. The track is not bad. Not the hyper trance from before, but more of the "day after" the carnage kind of track. Conclusion:- This was a great compilation. There was some great power trance with top notch production. One of the things I particularly liked was that the artists for the most part did not rely on the cliched kick or snare rolls when coming in and out of a break. To me, that shows imagination. This label has consistently put out some great discs. These artists know how to reallt set a mood and immerse the listener in their world. I look forward to Macao. 8.9/10

Title: Planet X Artist: Abomination Label: 3D Vision Release: March, 2008 1. No Comission (6:51) 2. Faceoff (7:10) 3. Medejin (7:46) 4. Hunt Again (7:32) 5. Vortex (7:45) 6. Exploding Man (7:55) 7. Planet X (8:52) 8. Fallen Rmx (7:43) 9. Jekyll And Hyde (7:10) 10. Distorting Substance (8:06) This is Saar Davidov & Eyal Gershon with their 2nd studio album. Their first, Enemy Within was packed with dance floor bombs. They have released a lot of tracks on different compilations. The cover art looks like a flaming meteor hurtling towards another planet. I guess that's ok. Let's get to it! No Comission- "The laws of physics as best we know them, don't forbid us from traveling back into the past. And when the laws of physics don't forbid something, and...we want to do it, then we usually end up doing it." The metallic synths take control against a wobbly bass. The bass is thick, and their trademark stuttering of the track is in full swing. This one is all out power and there is nothing ambiguous about that. Nice track! Faceoff- "You wanna hit me? Go for it." The bass line takes center stage here as synths sit patiently in the background as the track rises. The groove is infectious, and the leads now move to the forefront. "I had to think about what I wanted...and what I needed. And now...I don't know who I'm supposed to be." The acid that comes in later is sticky sweet. Again, another power track that is less concerned with making comples synth structures and more about punching you int he face. And that can be good sometimes. Good track! Madejin- Pads lay the foundation as spindly synths frolic above. The grumbly lead comes out to play, giving way to a frisky bass line. More power trance with metallic leads, one after the other each trying to outdo the other. This is very good twilight music. There is a sense of foreboding while not losing the very potent dance element! Great track! :posford: Hunt Again - "How far does it go down? All the way to the pyramid. I'm telling you there is no machine in the world that can get to that depth in 24 hours." These guys made a track called The Hunt on Midnight Storm II which was an absolute cracker. The familiar melody comes in immediately. Fat kicks, scathing leads, and lasers characterize this trip. The samples are well placed and the beat is strong. It takes a lot of stones to revisit a track that was already blistering, I'll tell you. This is loud, fast and it takes no prisoners. More please! :clapping: Vortex- "You ever feel there is something wrong with the universe? Yeah sure. Well...you're right. Things like this shouldn't happen." Glassy pads shimmer as leads dance seductively over the hi-hat. The metallic leads are back, but they are not alone. The bass is heavy and this track blows through you like a hurricane. The pads keep the ominous feel as more synths flicker about the track. Power.Full. Great track! :posford: Exploding Man - "That man...with the glowing hands...he's the exploding man!" This is a collaboration with Regev (Azax Syndrom), so I'm curious to see how this turns out. The screaming string sets the tone while very sticky bass rumbles. Leads bob and weave as the track rises, and then other leads jump into the fray to thicken the track. I didn't really like the drum and kick rolls, but they were brief so with all the other insanity going on, a minor quibble. Wow. This is crushing my skull. :posford: Planet X - "At the end of time...a moment will come...and the moment will pass. Man will be gone. There will be nothing to show that we were ever here...but stardust." Title track, so as I am fond of saying, time to step up. More minor key pads drop out to reveal a bouncy bass line. The synth arpeggio flutters down the tunnel, as pads greet it with caution. A scrambling lead tries to crawl from the depths, infecting all who dare to listen. The pads lightly tread on the surface of this planet, not wanting to fall through as the above sample is uttered. A different lead becomes the alpha lead and lays waste to all it surveys. Again, the only problem I have with this track is the build up that is way to...clich'e. Good track though! Fallen (Rmx)- Obviously this is a remix of the track from their first album. Oooh those pads are so sweet! The percussion allows the base to pound right to the forefront. When the beat drops on the word Fallen, it is bliss. The leads set the tone, they do their thing and the rough percussion grounds out the bottom end. There is a lot going on in this track, but the beat remains very heavy with some glitch thrown in there. But, once again, the kick rolls take what would've been a stellar track and turn it into just a very good track. Stop it. Use your imagination and come up with something better to make a bridge. Others do it, you can too. Jeckyll and Hyde- "The woman sitting opposite you is Kathryn Rymar. She's a psychiatric nurse with experience in...related areas. She is fully apprised of the situation and yes she can be trusted. If you approve, she's coming to work for us. For both of us. She won't take sides. Please consider it. We can't go on the way we've been going. In the event she decides to release you from the chair, the cameras are on. You know the rules." Very cool sample which makes me feel nervous. Leads pop in and out, with plenty of other sounds to widen the track. The groove is catchy, with me bobbing my head as the lead screeches above. The break brings another sample while another lead stays the course. You can feel the track growing, as the melody gets stronger, and then BAM! right into another break. The leads trade places and bloody hell this one hits hard! Very good track! :posford: Distorting Substance- "Excuse me sir...stop what you are doing at once!" Wow, what a ride it has been so far. I like this electro/glitch start. The bass is thunderous, and you can feel it in your chest. When the bass line comes in, it rambles, creating a nice feel. Funky laser to stab transfer! One lead starts then is quickly joined by another and then a third creating havoc on the ears. The break has a techno feel with sample manipulation. Some parts of this track were good, and some were slightly annoying. Conclusion:- Whew. There is no confusing this with the elaborate concept albums like U-recken or Mr. Peculiar. You know what you are going to get when you put this on, and it doesn't deviate from the formula. And that is good, because it works. This is music that kicks you in the nuts, robs you, and then sleeps with your girlfriend. Pure power with very fat kicks, heavy bass and searing leads. These guys are good at what they do. IF I could improve it at all it would be to get rid of those kcik drum rolls to a climax. Some may say that it sounds the same, and to that I would say, when you're dancing around like a maniac, are you really looking for deep complexities? I thought not. Awesome ride. This was a worthy sequel to Enemy Within. 9.2/10 Mdk

Title: Deeper Into Man Artist: U-recken Label: Dooflex Release: April, 2008 1. Let It Rain (8:25) 2. Elements (7:42) 3. D.I.M (8:28) 4. Eye Of The Beholder (8:23) 5. The Lucid Dream (8:17) 6. Blue Planetary Hand (7:18) 7. Whale Song (7:40) 8. Heart-Quest (7:57) 9. Absolute (8:55) 10. As The Flower Withers (4:28) This is Yaniv Ben-Ari releasing his 2nd album. I missed out on his first Aquatic Serenade, because the cover screamed terrible to me. Just goes to show you, you can't judge a book by it's cover. This is being released by the Dooflex label in Israel who have brought you Enemies and Allies and Soul Anatomy. There was a lot of hype surrounding this release and I want to see if it was warranted. Let's talk cover. Infinitely better than the 1st album, with giant hands pushing the DJ into the sky. It gives me the Matrix feel when Neo looks out and sees all the fields of humans. The factories in the background are billowing smoke, creating a dark cloudscape. This tells me that the music is not going to be a happy love fest. Good. Let's get to it! Let It Rain- As thunder rolls, as soft, forlorn violin cries out. Plucked strings, ever so delicate twinkle over a deliberate bass line. You can immediately tell that this man knows how to build a track. Synth lines dance tentatively to a break and speak of love lost. A bouncing lead captivates your ears as the pads float heavenward. When the dainty percussion arrives it melds with all aspects of the track. At the last break a synth struggles to be heard and then a new lead sets the stage. Everything is brought to bear at the end, synths joining strings in a wonderful, startlingly melancholy track. What have I stumbled into? Elements- "Earth, Air, Fire Water!" After a brief warm-up the bass line commands, as glass like synths and ominous pads roll on. The lead gurgles and dodges, as the pad in the background keeps you on your toes. I look up and the track is over. Where did the time go? D.I.M. - "Deeper into Man. The magical world of the ones that live in the ocean. The world of man...separated. Through the centuries their world and all the inhabitants in it...stopped trying. The world of man became...violent. War upon war played out.." The synth line here crosses back and forth as if not sure it should show itself. At the break, sounds trickle into nothingness. A sad lead with portamento mopes along until it's replaced by yet another lead. You would think this sadness would drag the track down, but it it exactly the opposite. As the track recovers from the break, piano melodies sing of a gentler time. The sad lead returns for those who would forget. Eye of the Beholder- "Well done William. Very well done. C'mon Randolph, we're going to be late!" Sounds from another world close in upon a relentless bass line. Pads and leads clear way for a soft voice singing "Better have somebody to love. Better have somebody to hold onto." In another track this would sound very cheesy, but not here. It fits. Creatures skitter from the darkness and give way to shining leads. "Meta essence is the life force of wonderland. That of your enemies is especially potent. Collect what you can. Use it wisely." This track has so many moods that fit together like a lock and key. Out.Freaking.Standing. Somebody watched some old Eddie Murphy movies The Lucid Dream- "Cryonization. A journey of re-awakening after the preservation of the human body at extremely low temperatures. I don't think God would disapprove." punchy percussive lead hovers over a chopped up voice and rumbling bass line. Wide pads open up a new world as synth lines dance a dance of purpose. Eerie chimes herald the above sample to the next. "What if there was a mistake. What if the dream became a nightmare." The samples are awesome, and transport you into the situation of Mr. U-recken's wishing. More synths fly above as the track rises towards its final climax. Damn. Just damn. Blue Planetary Hand- "Where are you from? The blue world. Ever feel like pins and needles? Do you feel an awakening? It is not you. It's like...you really ..shouldn't be here. Why am I not stuttering? What?" The lead skips across your brow, brazen in its movement. The bass line is its backbone, giving it the strength to dangle just out of reach. Pads delineate boundaries, that evaporate with new structure. When the melody comes in at around 4 minutes, prepare to be swept off your feet. The piano is soft, even caressing in its spiderweb complexity. Whale Song- The jungle swallows synth stabs as strings struggle to be freed. Whale cries fill the air as the break arrives. Delicate synth touches defy the pads and show a possibility of breaking through the clouds. Jungle sounds return amidst a slight break-beat and synth wash. I would say this was the weakest track on the album, and that is saying something. It is still beautiful. Heart-Quest- "I love you daddy. Can you teach me to run faster, because all the kids in my class run faster than me. Look. k-keep you knees up. Like that. See you're a natural runner. Gotta keep running!" A woman's song is foreign to me as it is chopped, giving way to a groove that is underneath sparkling leads. The break allows us to appreciate the beauty of her song before being launched right back into the fray. The lead swirls around you, leaving you spinning. I can't tell up from down until it drops me to the Earth. Pads flow freely allowing the sample to show its face. The sing voice returns only to be supplanted by several leads, none of which are overbearing. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Absolute- "The more you begin to investigate. What we think we understand, where we came from, what we think we're doing. The more you begin to see we've been lied to. Lied to by every institution. What makes you think for one minute that the religious institution is the only one that's never been touched? The religious institutions in this world.. are put there by the same people who gave you your government, your corrupt education who set up you international baking cartels. Because our masters don't give a damn about you or your family. All they care about is what they have always cared about and that's controlling the whole damn world." As a male voice sings about facing the truth, the track continues to unfold. Leads tumble over the bass line as an innocent piano melody chimes from above. It brings hope, or at least the promise of it. Perhaps an awakening of sorts. "One bank. One army. One center of power. And if we have learned anything from history, it is that power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. " Heavenly leads from an angry God rain down in blow after blow as the powers that be futilely attempt to stay their execution at the hands of the one true force. As the Flower Withers- "Welcome to the world of man. So beautiful, so strong, so eager." Tribal drums announce glassy pads and a crying violin. Plucked strings and a piano melody intertwine with a synth line, hearkening back to better times. Singing brings us to the break, where maybe, just maybe... it is not too late for us. Conclusion:- Ho. Lee. Crap! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a classic on our hands. This guy has deftly twisted and combined sounds to create an atmosphere that is so hauntingly beautiful that one cannot ignore. This is a melancholy album that is gorgeous at the same time. The flow is fantastic and he drops in and out of breaks with the command of an fighter pilot. Do not sleep on this release as it is destined to be a blueprint of how large in scale psytrance can be. The only other release that reminds me of this is Mr. Peculiar's Infinite Evolution. Do yourself a favor and get this immediately. 10/10

Title: Midnight Storm III Artist: Various Label: Nexus Media Release: May, 2008 1. Absolum - Hadracadabra (Shift Remix) (8:53) 2. Shift - Synesthesia (7:48) 3. Lost and Found - Octane (6:52) 4. Multistate - Nefarious (Shift Remix) (8:34) 5. Hydraglyph - To Lie And Wait (8:10) 6. Mantis - Self Deception (8:32) 7. Twisted System - Use Of Weapons (7:30) 8. Ctrl Alt Del vs Shift - Twists And Turns And 3rd Degree Burns (7:10) 9. Deliriant - Fusion (7:25) 10. Slug - Zombie (7:03) Boom. This is the 3rd installment of the Midnight Storm series. The previous two have been outstanding forays into the hyper intensity that is South African psytrance. I make no apologies for saying that this is my absolute favorite type of psy. It is very energetic with "minor key" atmosphere that forces you to get out of your seat and dance like nobody is watching. Well, for me anyway. I suppose you would call this twilight full-on, but I think it goes beyond labels as it takes from many different genres. I cannot explain why I like the cover, I just do. The track list is a who's who of pumping night trance so let's check it out! Absolum - Hadracadabra (Shift Remix)-- "This one is an example of go home and do it again." This is Chris Hoy's remix of Christof Drouillet's track Hadracadabra. I recall that track being a very good one. Right out of the gate we have a strong beat with related percussion. A nice touch is the shifting of the bass line. I'm already moving, when the lead sweeps in and plays a game of tag. The acid is dirty, and I feel I have gotten it all over me. This will never come out. The sample from Men in Black brings a smile to my face, as the track continues to crush with a new lead. Absolutely bestial! Shift - Synesthesia- Chris's latest track here with a quiet synth worming it's way forward. Before you can say cool, the bass line is here and you can already feel the dread. Chris knows how to direct a track, it is a formula he has used with great success. This is no exception. The lead screams to be heard above the heavy beat, as new leads pop up. Out of that 2nd break is an undeniable groove. Suck it up and feel the goodness! Quality! Lost and Found - Octane- This is Gerhard Olivier and I have really become a fan of his music. His tracks Ultimatum and Jet Black on Twilight Vision were outstanding. This one jumps right into the beat with some cool percussion. The lasers give it a spacey feel as the track rises into the first break. The leads swarm over me and guide me this way and that. I'm out of my seat moving to this, when he brings the next break. And boom, we are right into the aggressive groove. Full power all the way. Super! Multistate - Nefarious (Shift Remix)- "Hey, now we're even!" This is a track by Multistate (Lost & Found and Xatrik) given Chris Hoy's special touch. Once again there is no delay getting to the bass heavy beat. The lead mimics the bass as lasers flit about. When another lead comes in it dominates. Nice filtering brings the track ever higher. Jeez, does this guy ever make a crappy track. I haven't heard it yet. The next break brings another lead and the sounds combine to form a juicy melange. Sweet! Hydraglyph - To Lie And Wait - Andrew Morgan & Mark Ackermann have released 2 good albums and scores of compilation tracks. This one growls, with screaming leads from above. They shimmer, as lots of background sounds fill out the track. When the beat gets going again, there are plenty of effects to keep your ears company. This one becomes a very powerful wall of sound. Where as the other tracks were quite intricate, this one was pound you in the face with a sledgehammer. Very nice! Mantis - Self Deception- The only other track from this guy (guys?) is on the Future Cuts compilation. It seems like Mantis has taken a page from his fellow South Africans in that he has the same heavy bass and industrial leads. The sample is computer generated and long winded. I don't care for it, even though I an sure it is relevant. It just goes on too long. The bass line just creeps up on you, like it's stalking you as the leads weave their way around your cerebellum. Another winner. Twisted System - Use Of Weapons- Shift + Phyx + Rabdom L = P.O.W.E.R. With a short outburst, we then get a scratchy sound as it makes its way. The lead bobs up and down amongst more leads as the beat plows forward. The scratchy lead returns and at the end of the track, there is so much going on, that you have to marvel at the detail. Great track! Ctrl Alt Del vs Shift - Twists And Turns And 3rd Degree Burns- "They told me...and uh...that you had gone totally insane." Chris Teams up with whoever this is and brings us swirling leads with a metallic feel. The beat brings a cool melody that slams into the break with percussion. If possible, the beat comes back with an even richer sound, and as with most sHift tracks, they really fill out in the end. Super, super job! Deliriant - Fusion- We are being introduced to the new breed of South African artists I see. This one starts slowly but at the 2:15 mark we get a sense of groove that infects. Nasty lead. Add new lead and simmer. Sprinkle of laser for effect and get baked. This was a very groovy track and a great start for this individual. We will be watching you. Slug - Zombie- Bringing up the rear is Mr. Slug whose 3rd album is on the way if you are to believe the Nexus Media site. The sample speaks of zombies in New Haven. This track starts to grow with very acidic leads before it hits a short break. Pads float by, get filtered, and reveal some percussion. When the lasers dance with the bass line, it is infectious. The lead above holds time, and gives way to another that goes from one side to the other in my headphones. Very good track! Conclusion:- Sold. As long as this series is made, I will buy each and every installment. It is that good. The producers are very competent, and know how to build and flesh out a track. The beats are heavy, the acid is plentiful and every track makes me want to dance. If you are a fan of South African psytrance, then this is a can't miss blind buy. There is no way I can pick a favorite, they are all good. If the 2nd generation of S.A. artists is as good as the 1st, we are in for a treat. Keep it up Nexus Media. 9.5/10

Title: Synthetic Vision Artist: Killer Buds Label: Beyond Logic Records Release: April, 2008 1. Classic Chronic (7:38) 2. Uninvited (8:29) 3. Future Anarchy (9:11) 4. Acid Rain (7:37) 5. Synthetic Vision (7:16) 6. Psychotic Dreams (7:23) 7. Copies Of People (7:42) 8. Killer Flux (6:57) 9. Backup System (7:37) 10. Neurominder (8:28) I cannot think of a psytrance album that I was as excited to hear as this one. Killer Buds are Marcelo Espindola & Tarcisio Mainardi and their first studio release was Interfiber Skunk. It was a great CD and since then their compilation work has been stellar. Superman from A Little Lunacy? Behind U from Global Alliance? Everything is a Copy from In Crypto? Everyone a dance floor bomb. Let's talk cover. Not bad, me thinks, I like the swirly effect they have. But let's get to the meat. Classic Chronic- Ok, here we go with the drug references, but I am not to surprised. Right off the bat, you can hear their acidic sound. The radio frequency effects make their presence felt and the bass line is front and center. When the synth washes and leads come in, it is pretty melodic. A little more on the light side than I am used to them, but a good track none the less. You can hear the "Conan" (I don't know what it is really called, but it is the big theatrical production form the 1982 film) song here but it is not too cheesy. We are off to a good start. Uninvited- Eerie feeling with this one. There are samples of sirens, effect manipulation to make the track stutter and rise, and of course acid licks. The track takes a while to get going, but once it does, it is typical Killer Buds acidity! Not bad, peoples! Future Anarchy-- More acidic madness and squirty leads. I couldn't understand the sample, but it appeared to be well placed. Not a big fan of the short key change, however. Decent track, but so far I'm waiting for the roof to be blown off. Acid Rain- Wow, I bet you can't guess what sounds you will hear in this track? We start with some computer like sounds and it isn't long before the acid is upon you. The groove is nice, giving a look over your shoulder feel. I like how all the components of the tracks are there, but more importantly, the ancillary sounds that give this track a full sound. Sweet. :posford: Synthetic Vision- Title track ladies, so this is where they have to step up. We start off with a firm groove and we transition into the break with a lot going on. When we come out of the 2nd break, we are in full melodic acid mode! Bouncy bouncy! There is acid everywhere! I am not cleaning this up. There is a slowing of the tempo to catch your breath, but it doesn't last long. Best track so far! :clapping: Psychotic Dreams- "Son if a bitch. He kept smiling that damn smile. Made me watch. He made me watch!" Thumping bass line with a smattering of leads that stick to the bottom of your shoe. Acid leads the way (again!) with a doom like melody. The synth leads then bring the madness and we slide right into the soothing break. Well, soothing until you hear that appropriate scary sample. Awesome track! :posford: Copies of People- "The antigen can't survive without a living host. However we may be able to salvage some viable basic protein analogs that will save us time in reculturing the antigen..." Wow, take a breath after that one. We start with more synths that take no prisoners. Give me more, all I can take and then some. The break continues the otherworldly vibe. Well done. As the synths fade against an angry bass line. When that sample hits and the synth mimics the bass line, pure bliss homey! Hi. Track? Meet repeat. :posford: Killer Flux- "Aeon Flux is now considered a fugitive. She has betrayed the resistance and must be considered a threat." Holy crap this shit is good. You've struck a nerve my friends. A rumbling bass line barely audible growls underneath spacey synths and percussion. As the bass and acid mingle, new leads appear to fight for dominance. The acid is sticky, sticky sweet, and I am turned in all directions at once. The use of sounds to set the mood is brilliant as I am overwhelmed by this track. Magic! :posford: Backup System- Tired yet? Me neither. Right back at it with scary melodies. There is great work with effects here. I like the start stop stutter of the track. It's not long, and doesn't kill the flow, just adds to the chaos. This is a futuristic ride that while not as fantastic as the previous 3-4 tracks, still has merit. Neurominder- "Now just listen for a moment. Listen to the sounds around you." Last one, let's see how they finish. Quick start with chopped up samples. The insanity is pumped up to a maximal level here right into the break. You can feel the track rising just over the horizon, but it doesn't give it all to you yet. The tempo change flushes out the story, saying someone is a receiver. Bam! I know that movie. Stir of Echoes with Kevin Bacon. You know that only 8% of the population is hypnotizable. When the track glides into the finish line, we are met with acidic euphoria and great effects. Bravo you magnificent bastards! :posford: Conclusion:- Wow. Just wow. After a kinda slow start, this disc repeatedly bludgeons you in the face. There is so much acid and power that any fan of their previous effort will adore this disc. The sounds may sound a bit samey in the foreground, but the sounds and effects used toenhance the track are marvelous! Their sample placement is perfect to my ears. Not overbearing. I cannot say enough good things about this record, one of the best I have heard in a while. Do yourself a favor. If you are a fan of high powered psytrance, get online and order this. You will not be disappointed. 9.0/10

Title: The Price of Prophecy Artist: Brethren Label: Spectral Records Release: May, 2008 1. Interval (2:21) 2. Spartan Soul (6:00) 3. Two Thones (8:42) 4. Dark Arts (8:23) 5. Chaos Regeneration (8:28) 6. Ultimatum (8:11) 7. Sirens (7:36) 8. Betrayal Of Sound (8:42) 9. Allende (8:31) This is the 2nd album by the brothers based in South Africa Phyx and Tickets. Phyx released his album Kiss the Blade in 2006 and Tickets released his album Time Lapse, also in 2006. Both were high power, South African hyper trance that I love so much. As the duo Brethren, their last album Legend of Cane also released in 2006, was a smash. :posford: The hype machine has said they have added a classical edge to their music so here is to hoping these 2 can keep up their winning ways. The cover, as you can see has a very medieval, alchemy like feel to it. Pretty cool. Interval- This is an interlude, pretty corny if you ask me, :wank: but it sets the tone of what's to come. I get the feeling as if I am about to witness a great ritual or a sacrifice. Musically it is disposable as it is very short, with um...not that much music. Spartan Soul- This track picks up right where the interlude left off. That tension is maintained, as leads flick in and out of earshot. You can hear some brass, plucked instruments in the background giving that classical feel. Kinda like Talpa. Nothing really elaborate here, but it seems as if they are setting the table. Two Thrones - We start off with an ominous piano hinting that war is afoot. At 2:40, acid licks the back of your neck, but you turn around and no one is there. The synth arpeggio assaults your senses, as the piano returns, perhaps informing you of a poor choice. Classical strings are present above a gurgling synth as the track fills out. Pretty good track! Dark Arts - "Life...and death. Space...and time. Fate...and chance. These are the forces of the universe. Tonight ladies and gentlemen I present you a man who has unlocked these mysteries. From the furthest corners of the world where the dark arts still hold sway." A minor key melody tinkles across a flangerized lead as the previous statement is uttered. The bass combines with a dirty synth creating a juicy groove. Leads whip across the track, as if in an attack and then a parry. The dust settles and the tinkling melody is back. The lead that follows bruises the ear with a frenetic pace as the track puts it all together at the end. Great track! :clapping: Chaos Regeneration- "They say that man only uses a tenth of his brain power. Another percent and we may actually be worthy of God's..." The Heroes sample is followed by a rambling piano and various effects. A chopped up synth rises out of the break with alien sounds skittering by. When the wobbly lead comes in we are well into the track. The piano returns during the 2nd break, and the influence of Talpa here is palpable. Pretty good track! Ultimatum - More delicate tinkling over orchestral sounds. As the bass churns and metallic leads chime, synths blast you with wariness. The melody is careful. It draws you out as it pumps. The orchestral samples fit well in this track giving you just the amount of historical feel. I enjoyed this. :posford: Sirens- The beginning of this track has someone making noise with their mouth, and it comes of like old cheddar. The rolling synth that follows takes over, and then we get a "goaish" melody which sounds really good. A bottled lead peaks in from the background and keeps the mood tense. All the synhs combine at the end and produce a super groove! Nice flow to this one. Betrayal Of Sound- More orchestral samples and large drums. The brass is there along with the strings and it feels like a soundtrack. The beat is heavy with stabs jostling for position. Halfway through the groove is tight and keeps my head bouncing. Once again the end of the track is outstanding Brethren production with phat beats and head clogging groove. Awesome! Allende V2- This is the 2nd version to Allende from the Wild Spirits Strong Medicine compilation of 2004. That familiar high pitched melody starts off and then gives way to a crawling arpeggio. The melody comes back and evolves into different leads carrying the tune. Pretty good track, but I would have to hear the previous version to tell if it is that different. Conclusion: You can definitely hear the classical edge here. :drama: It works well for me. They still have their powerful sound to go along with it but they also created a feel that runs through the whole album. As I mentioned before Talpa (and definitely The Misted Muppet) must have influenced these guys. I think this is an example of setting the bar so high on their first album though that they were doomed to fall a little short. While not as much of a smash as their Legend of Cane, this is a nice complement to it. It's a good album and way better than a lot of other crap nowadays. Twilight music with a medieval slant. Nice! 8.2/10 Mdk

Title: Something To Fit Artist: Various Label: Materia Records Release: May 2008 1. Save The World - Puzzle Vs. MadMaxx (8:02) 2. Seed the Future - Heroes (Aka Puzzle & DJ Pin) (6:41) 3. Expanding Consciousness - Kali (6:31) 4. Personal Beach - Puzzle Vs. Mekkanikka (6:33) 5. Powerful Reality (Vibraddict remix) - Sirius Isness (7:40) 6. Beam of Light - Tempo Shrine (Aka Cortex & Shake the Snake) (8:10) 7. Check The Beat - Dizzy Mind (7:22) 8. Galaxy Rider - Puzzle Vs. Ultramind (7:12) 9. Bong of Destiny - Puzzle & Cyrus the Virus Vs. Jimbo (7:17) 10. It's a Dream - Speedball (7:39) This is the 7th release from Spanish label Materia Records. They have been responsible for some very powerful comps such as Goodfellas, Robosapiens, and Ultimate Energy. Now let's look at the cover. Yikes. That is really ugly and if you look it says that this is mounted by Puzzle. O kaaay. Let's hope that the tracks inside are not indicative of the atrocious cover art. Save The World - Puzzle Vs. MadMaxx- Here is the boys from Puzzle and 1/2 of Sirius Isness (I'm guessing it's Max). The track has a (you guessed it) pumping full-on bass line. The melody skates in chorus with the beat right into the break. The rhythm picks up and bounces right along. I got a very floaty feeling with this track. Pretty good start! Seed the Future - Heroes (Aka Puzzle & DJ Pin)- Puzzle again with a friend. With the swarming bass drop we are launched into some chopped up synths. I really like the fluttering synth that starts as background, but soon plays a more promising role. The metallic lead is soaked in reverb, and has a nice delay to it. The dancing acid lead is whimsical and gives this track the thumbs up for me! :posford: Expanding Consciousness - Kali- He goes by one name. And one name only. Manuel. Because he is bad ass. All the bad asses do it. Madonna. Shaq. Prince. And now we have Manuel. All kidding aside, he is responsible for some great quality tracks. I've said it before, but his acidic leads have that "minor key" feel that I love so much. Head nodding? Check. Toe tapping? You betcha. The break has a gurgling metallic sprinkle that rises amidst all the acid flying around. Great work bad ass! :posford: Personal Beach - Puzzle Vs. Mekkanikka- These two guys have been very prolific. We have a nice groove laid down with some very syrupy bass. Nice. When the lead floats in from above we have a key change which didn't suit me at all. The break has a synthesized voice and a kick roll. The sample was very clubby and I just couldn't take any more. Average track at best. Best. Powerful Reality (Vibraddict remix) - Sirius Isness- I still haven't heard Vibraddict's album, but I plan to. This one starts with a slight break-beat feel to it with a club trance vibe. The slippery leads that follow hold the groove well, but I didn't really care for the transition into the break. Different tastes I suppose. I think Max is headed (if he isn't already there) for the commercial side of trance. Good for him. Not for me. Beam of Light - Tempo Shrine (Aka Cortex & Shake the Snake)- Cortex's album was a good ride, but I have no idea who the other character is. I hear guitar, and instantly the hackles on the back of my neck stand up. There are some dissonant tones and a reappearance of the guitar. The guitar doesn't sound bad though, not like those cheesy synthesized ones. It is also kept to a minimum thankfully but it doesn't redeem the track. Check The Beat - Dizzy Mind- With the pitched hi voice, this has club trance written all over it. All I hear is the bass line over the very loud hi-hat. It has that...groove to it. I don't care for it. :wank: Galaxy Rider - Puzzle Vs. Ultramind- Puzzle again with...whoever that is. Immediately the bass line takes center stage with some key changes. The layers are nice, as leads seem to sneak to the front while others fade to the back. At the 4 min. mark we really get going, with a nice groove. Good track! Bong of Destiny - Puzzle & Cyrus the Virus Vs. Jimbo- Now who doesn't believe they currently use the bong of destiny? Sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth, but not in this case. This is a well produced full-on track. There isn't any wasted space and the melody is smooth. Nice mover. :clapping: It's a Dream - Speedball - This psytrance duo from Spain recently had a track on Materia's last comp Big Bang. This one starts out with a pounding beat and a quirky lead. It's a little stop start but it works well here, constantly building energy. What breaks the flow is the voice saying "Be quiet." And then a pause. This happens again with a similar effect later in the track. The music is good, but with the drum rolls and the climaxes and typical club trance cliche's it really is a lot to take. Conclusion:- This CD is a far cry from their other quality productions. As you can tell I am not a club trance guy. It seems that this compilation was more set for the clubs than home listening to my ears. That is not to say that it is all bad. Or bad at all. The tracks sound great, as you can tell they are very well produced. I liked most of these but none of them were mind blowing for me. If I had to pick some fav's... 2, 3, 8, 9. 7.9/10 Mdk

Title: Something To Fit Artist: Various Label: Materia Records Release: May 2008 1. Save The World - Puzzle Vs. MadMaxx (8:02) 2. Seed the Future - Heroes (Aka Puzzle & DJ Pin) (6:41) 3. Expanding Consciousness - Kali (6:31) 4. Personal Beach - Puzzle Vs. Mekkanikka (6:33) 5. Powerful Reality (Vibraddict remix) - Sirius Isness (7:40) 6. Beam of Light - Tempo Shrine (Aka Cortex & Shake the Snake) (8:10) 7. Check The Beat - Dizzy Mind (7:22) 8. Galaxy Rider - Puzzle Vs. Ultramind (7:12) 9. Bong of Destiny - Puzzle & Cyrus the Virus Vs. Jimbo (7:17) 10. It's a Dream - Speedball (7:39) This is the 7th release from Spanish label Materia Records. They have been responsible for some very powerful comps such as Goodfellas, Robosapiens, and Ultimate Energy. Now let's look at the cover. Yikes. That is really ugly and if you look it says that this is mounted by Puzzle. O kaaay. Let's hope that the tracks inside are not indicative of the atrocious cover art. Save The World - Puzzle Vs. MadMaxx- Here is the boys from Puzzle and 1/2 of Sirius Isness (I'm guessing it's Max). The track has a (you guessed it) pumping full-on bass line. The melody skates in chorus with the beat right into the break. The rhythm picks up and bounces right along. I got a very floaty feeling with this track. Pretty good start! Seed the Future - Heroes (Aka Puzzle & DJ Pin)- Puzzle again with a friend. With the swarming bass drop we are launched into some chopped up synths. I really like the fluttering synth that starts as background, but soon plays a more promising role. The metallic lead is soaked in reverb, and has a nice delay to it. The dancing acid lead is whimsical and gives this track the thumbs up for me! :posford: Expanding Consciousness - Kali- He goes by one name. And one name only. Manuel. Because he is bad ass. All the bad asses do it. Madonna. Shaq. Prince. And now we have Manuel. All kidding aside, he is responsible for some great quality tracks. I've said it before, but his acidic leads have that "minor key" feel that I love so much. Head nodding? Check. Toe tapping? You betcha. The break has a gurgling metallic sprinkle that rises amidst all the acid flying around. Great work bad ass! :posford: Personal Beach - Puzzle Vs. Mekkanikka- These two guys have been very prolific. We have a nice groove laid down with some very syrupy bass. Nice. When the lead floats in from above we have a key change which didn't suit me at all. The break has a synthesized voice and a kick roll. The sample was very clubby and I just couldn't take any more. Average track at best. Best. Powerful Reality (Vibraddict remix) - Sirius Isness- I still haven't heard Vibraddict's album, but I plan to. This one starts with a slight break-beat feel to it with a club trance vibe. The slippery leads that follow hold the groove well, but I didn't really care for the transition into the break. Different tastes I suppose. I think Max is headed (if he isn't already there) for the commercial side of trance. Good for him. Not for me. Beam of Light - Tempo Shrine (Aka Cortex & Shake the Snake)- Cortex's album was a good ride, but I have no idea who the other character is. I hear guitar, and instantly the hackles on the back of my neck stand up. There are some dissonant tones and a reappearance of the guitar. The guitar doesn't sound bad though, not like those cheesy synthesized ones. It is also kept to a minimum thankfully but it doesn't redeem the track. Check The Beat - Dizzy Mind- With the pitched hi voice, this has club trance written all over it. All I hear is the bass line over the very loud hi-hat. It has that...groove to it. I don't care for it. :wank: Galaxy Rider - Puzzle Vs. Ultramind- Puzzle again with...whoever that is. Immediately the bass line takes center stage with some key changes. The layers are nice, as leads seem to sneak to the front while others fade to the back. At the 4 min. mark we really get going, with a nice groove. Good track! Bong of Destiny - Puzzle & Cyrus the Virus Vs. Jimbo- Now who doesn't believe they currently use the bong of destiny? Sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth, but not in this case. This is a well produced full-on track. There isn't any wasted space and the melody is smooth. Nice mover. :clapping: It's a Dream - Speedball - This psytrance duo from Spain recently had a track on Materia's last comp Big Bang. This one starts out with a pounding beat and a quirky lead. It's a little stop start but it works well here, constantly building energy. What breaks the flow is the voice saying "Be quiet." And then a pause. This happens again with a similar effect later in the track. The music is good, but with the drum rolls and the climaxes and typical club trance cliche's it really is a lot to take. Conclusion:- This CD is a far cry from their other quality productions. As you can tell I am not a club trance guy. It seems that this compilation was more set for the clubs than home listening to my ears. That is not to say that it is all bad. Or bad at all. The tracks sound great, as you can tell they are very well produced. I liked most of these but none of them were mind blowing for me. If I had to pick some fav's... 2, 3, 8, 9. 7.9/10 Mdk

Title: Psionic Entity Artist: Various Label: Digital Psionics Release: May, 2008 1. Human Nature - Abomination (7:08) 2. Imaginations End - UFO & Xatrik (7:12) 3. F-Five - Manifold (7:41) 4. Aleda - Concept (8:30) 5. Harder - Digital Talk (8:10) 6. Rogue Star - Slug (6:23) 7. Make or Quake - Electrypnose (8:09) 8. Face the Music - Kluster (10:20) 9. Multiple Realities - Scatterbrain (7:38) This is the latest installment in the Psionic series. This label has produced numerous albums solely intended for the dance floor. I'm not quite sure what the cover art is, but it does evoke the idea of energy. The track list looks quite tasty so let's get to it! Human Nature - Abomination - Hot on the heels of their 2nd album release Planet X Saar Davidov & Eyal Gershon bring us a sample from the TV show "Heroes." As the synth climbs, it joins the thunderous bass and causes my head to nod. That beat travels all the way through the track and loses none of its grooviness! Delicious! :posford: Imaginations End - UFO & Xatrik- I really liked Xatrik's last disc Inside Information and felt it should've gotten more recognition than it did. Here he is with UFO (too lazy to go through all the UFO listings at Discogs) and they offer a pretty good groove. The break slows only momentarily and we are right back into the beat. The sample sounds cool, but as the guy has an accent, I cannot really understand him. Pretty good track. F-Five - Manifold- "I'm a neuroscientist! I'm kosher! I don't sleep with strange men!" Holy crap, look who crawled out from the abyss! I've been waiting on a 2nd album from you my friend. A nice slow start with a relentless bass and effects and then I am told I am full of crap by the sample. 3.5 minutes in we start picking up groove points as more synths join the party. At the break the track catabolizes and then builds itself up. Pretty good track! Aleda - Concept- Here is another guy that can do no wrong for me. I loved his two albums, and I don't think I've heard a bad track from this guy. He continues the streak, creating "dark full-on" with an ominous atmosphere. The slight lead at the 4:15 mark screams help me. Time signature change right into the break. While not as heavy duty as his usual, he still manages to create an eerie feeling with this one. Me diggs it! :clapping: Harder - Digital Talk - Julien and Luc are back with something...harder. The sample is stuttered which provides a really cool effect. I am bouncing to this. I've noticed that these 2 have the ability to make a lot out of few sounds. The sounds that are here are used to maximal effect. Very impressive. Metallic leads, lasers, and a nice groove. You know, a 2nd album from you guys wouldn't hurt. Great track! Rogue Star - Slug - Liam is all over the place and has released all kinds of tracks. With some thick bass and sweet leads the track really stomps. Just when you get used to one lead dominating, uh-uh he switches it up on you...like a Rogue Star. That doesn't really fit, but I put it there anyway. The end of the track is very powerful. Groovy track! Make or Quake - Electrypnose- Talk about lots of tracks, this guy could fill an external drive with all of his. Vince has made darkpsy albums as well as ambient tracks and all in between. This starts of with some delicate "plucked" synths. The bass is unique with a pull me type of feel. Funk.EE! The soft synths bring an ethereal quality that balances out the bass line. Good track. Face the Music - Kluster - Over 10 minutes!?! Wow, better pack a lunch. Michael Petterson brings his brand of psy to the table with a driving bass and various whirs and bleeps. The groove here is dirty, like and oil spill and the wailing lead puts you into a dream like state. As you listen to it, you hear the lesser lead crawling underneath, evoking a hopeless feeling. Hear me when I say this, you don't feel the 10 minutes go by. Nice! Multiple Realities - Scatterbrain - "Welcome to Oblivion." I wasn't a big fan of his album "Infernal Angel", but maybe I just need to give it another spin. This one was one of the slower tracks on the album but still provided the wary feeling. Good synth leads and mechanical sounds. Not bad at all. Conclusion: I really enjoyed this ride. Digital Psionics to me has always meant quality. If they are releasing full on, it is well produced night time full on. There are no bad tracks here. You can easily tell where there is a shift from twilight full-on to the darker side. It is well done and worth the price. None of the artists fail to disappoint. This is a quality compilation that I am proud to own. Great job Luna and Luke! 8.5/10

I see what you are saying but as you can see in my final paragraph, I said that Samy owes me nothing. Also, that I have his first to albums which still get regular play. This is more a letter that I am "disappointed" in the direction his music has taken. I am not bashing him, and if it sounds like I am, perhaps I should rephrase. How many other artists have we discussed that have changed their sound and many were "Disappointed?" I still plan to review his album. Mdk

Title: Through The Eyes of the Ancients Artist: Various Label: Vision Records Release: 2008 1. Lockdown - Twisted System (8:29) 2. Mechanical Witch - NRS Vs. Zion Linguist (7:11) 3. Universal Heart - Dark Nebula (9:28) 4. Score - Winter Demon (6:31) 5. Carnival Madness - Kode Six (7:52) 6. Like and Animal - Zion Linguist (7:17) 7. Schitzofrantic - Dirty Motion (7:36) 8. 2150 AD - Fright Rate (6:59) 9. Ochre Dawn - Optix (6:53) From the label who brought you the awesome Dark Side of the Mind (which I will review a little later) comes their latest effort. There are some big names on this puppy and I can't wait to dive right in. Lockdown - Twisted System- How delicious, a new Twisted System track! The partnership of Shift, Phyx, and Rabdom L have produced numerous bangers along with 2 very fine albums. The wary mood is set right from the get go with the thumping bass and tentative synths, dodging from left to right. There are some distorted 303 sounding synths flung about like a tornado would toss a pick-up truck. The mood is maintained, but alas, I was waiting for the big payoff that never came. Good track, but I think it could've been so much more. Not unlike Phyx's album (which I still really liked). Mechanical Witch - NRS Vs. Zion Linguist- Laurence Sonnenberg and Paul Konrad Wright team up to bring us this madness. I still haven't heard the Zion Linguist album but I plan to. I do. The frenetic synth at 3:45 sounds like a bipolar in need of some prozac stat! To me, this is what a haunted house would sound like if it had a soundtrack. Pretty good track. Universal Heart - Dark Nebula- I never really been a big fan of Richard's music (although I bought all the albums). I think I kept hoping he would take that next step and for me he hasn't yet. This track also starts off with a supernatural feel with a very Talpa-like orchestral backdrop. There are of course some lasers and a serious sample. A synth arpeggio takes center stage and blurs into a wall of noise. This track didn't grab me that much. Score - Winter Demon- Hey buddy, where the hell have you been? I liked your track on the Twilight Vision comp and hope to see more like that. This track doesn't really get going until after 4 minutes, and even then I don't find the synth line that great. Now the one nearer the 5 minute mark is better, and then it all comes together at the end. Good mover, but nothing to write home about. Carnival Madness - Kode Six- Man I cannot wait for this album to come out. This Canadian duo remind me a lot of Front Line Assembly with the way they create a dark sound. Swirling effects make it seem like I am surrounded by creatures not from this world. During the first break, the synth melody is pretty trippy and that is carried through the rest of the track. :posford: I'm not a big fan of the countdown, but I can over look that. Great track! Like and Animal - Zion Linguist- "You look human, but you're not human. Like an animal." 2nd track by Laurence on this comp. The wavering synth drives me up the wall here. I can't get past it. This has migraine written all over it. Thankfully it doesn't last that long, but there ain't much else noteworthy. Best part of this track was the sample. Schitzofrantic - Dirty Motion - These guys are Frozen Ghost and Hiyarant, and had a track on Frozen Ghost's 2nd disc and the Manga compilation. The lead here is pretty frantic and sounds like it is soaked in reverb. The track takes a small respite and then brings that lead back. Pretty good track wuth plenty of craziness, but I felt it could've been filled out more. 2150 AD - Fright Rate- Never heard of 'em. Right off the bat this is DarkPsy complete with terror sample wondering where she is. Very dark with lots of effects but that's about it. Not my favorite. I did like the "My life has value!" sample however. Ochre Dawn - Optix- This is the slowest song on the comp, more in a progressive tempo. It bounces nicely along with a precarious feel. The break is well produced with sounds coming from everywhere, adding to the tension in this track. It will be interesting to see what else this artist pulls out of his hat. Or her hat. I don't know who this is. Conclusion-Well, what can really be said about this comp? A couple of good tracks, but nothing overwhelming. The good tracks aren't super and the not so good tracks aren't terrible. Although slightly disappointed with the TS track, I still thought it was one of the better offerings. The Kode Six effort makes me want to hear more from this team. For the rest....meh. 7/10 Mdk

Title: Visionary System Artists: Various Label: Looney Moon Release: May 2008 1. Insect Slush - Principles of Flight (8:09) 2. Random Access - Digital Talk (8:09) 3. Adrenaline - Phatmatix (8:43) 4. Polar Shift (Illegal Machines Remix) - Psymmetrix (6:42) 5. Not Myself - Konflux (8:11) 6. No Name - B55 (7:25) 7. Acid Mind - Lenz (7:49) 8. Access System - Junesix (8:40) 9. Off My Nut - Killer B (7:44) 10. Neural Connection - Nukleall (7:37) Mars is right. As members, we have fallen down on the job by not providing enough reviews for people. This is mainly an informative site I believe and as such, more quality reviews would give the reader more information as to which releases he or she would choose. I'm as guilty as anyone, so I will try and get the ball rolling this weekend. This is a compilation by Looney Moon. According to Saiko, this is an Italian Label that is providing its first release after mainly throwing parties. There are a couple of well knowns (Phatmatix and Digital Talk) and several lesser knowns. As far as I am concerned, Phatmatix can do no wrong (his album still gets play from me) and Digital Talk is right behind him lately. So let's see what we've got. Insect Slush - Principles of Flight- Pierre Delort & Remy Maurin start us off with the first track. What is Insect Slush? Ew...sounds gross. The kick is heavy and the bass line scramble across the track with various effects smushed into our ears. The break at 4 minutes sounds like dripping water with an army of ant legs on the march! There really isn't any melody to speak of, but you can tell the mood is one of twilight. Nothing special. Random Access - Digital Talk- Julien and Luc are up (hey how 'bout a new album gentlemen?) and the kick is even heavier here. Short lasers fire about and we are firmly into full-on night territory. Throw in some metallic leads along with a wailing sound and here we are. The break creates a nice atmosphere, and is short-lived. This is a groovy thumping track with a very cool "minor key" feeling to it. :posford: BTW, if you have ever looked at the Discogs pic of Digital Talk, one of them looks like he will steal your girlfriend and the other one can't wait to tell you about it! Adrenaline - Phatmatix- Stephane Rault continues the dark vibe with his pounding kick and ominous leads. Lasers trickle about amidst a synth that is intent on punching you in the face. When the acid joins the party, the game is truly on. Very straight forward take no prisoners power psy! Awesome track! :posford: Polar Shift (Illegal Machines Remix) - Psymmetrix - This is a track by Psymmetrix (not a big fan of his album) remixed by Illegal Machines. I had no idea who they were, but it appears they have a few tracks sprinkled about. Samples speak of a subject that has been frozen since 1973....nearly 200 years. So I guess we are in the future. Leads all over the place dancing above a very low bass line. This is very psychedelic especially when the tempo changes near the 4 minute mark. The tempo changes back seamlessly creating a nice groove. Nice Track! :clapping: Not Myself - Konflux - Vasily Myazin hasn't been very productive as of late, but has a track on the Sidewinder compilation. I have been trying to track that one down, so if you guys got an extra one, send it my way! The bass line here scratches it's way underneath an equally scratchy lead. The break brings some light pads before plunging back into the darkness. The 2nd break gives some promise with a robotik sample while the beat gently gurgles. This is a pretty nice dark track with not a lot of melody so if that's your thing, you'll love it. I dug it. No Name - B55- No Name? Really? Isn't that kind of lazy? Leave it to the Japanese to go the extra mile! But seriously, these 2 guys have been on some of the better comps recently so hopes are high. The beat drops like a hammer and come over you like a tsunami. The break allows you to catch your breath, but not for long. There is zero variation in this track however, but if you like your beats straight forward without a lot of bells and whistles...suit up bitch. Acid Mind - Lenz- This guy is head of the Austrian (there is such a thing?) label Leemusic. This track has some "wash" leads like a lot of DarkPsy, and a 1/16th note bass line. Yeah, um...that's all I got. Keep it moving, nothing to see here. Access System - Junesix- No clue who this is, but that's a cool moniker! Although, maybe if you spelled six with a 6... If there was a fight between Junesix and Kode Six, who would win? I digress..this track has a lot of...it really creates some...hmmm. I'm not going to lie to you, there wasn't a whole lot going on with this one. Just some scrapey leads and the usual bass line. Did it really have to go on for almost 9 minutes? Off My Nut - Killer B- Love the title. I think of the Simpsons episode where Chief Wiggum tells Mr. Burns that he has gone off his nut and...ah, you know the rest. Bennie, head of Amoeba records weighs in with this effort. Pretty straight forward (I seem to be saying that a lot for this compilation) with a metallic lead bouncing about a grumbly bass and 4/4 kick. I have the same problem with this track as with the last 3: no highs, no lows, it just is. On or off. Even my boring halogen lamp at home has a dimmer. Neural Connection - Nukleall- wow, we certainly have tailed off since Konflux, haven't we? Whoever this is, they made an appearance on Shotu's album, and I don't remember that either. Squirty leads peak in and out, with a light assortment of lasers. Conclusion: This compilation started of great with some high energy, high power tracks. Unfortunately the momentum was unable to be maintained, with some rather unspectacular efforts near the end. As I mentioned, the weaker tracks really didn't seem like they had any direction and just plodded along. The good tracks were the first 4, maybe 5, and then there was the rest. 7/10. Mdk

I've also been wondering this. Absolum has released a perfect album "Inside The Sphere" :posford: and smattering of tracks on some comps and they have been really good. I would hope that Mr. Absolum has a great influence on Sammy and they form a long lasting partnership like Electric Universe and Space Tribe. Mdk