Trance2MoveU

Artist: Master Margherita Title: The Marginal Rules Label: Blue Hour Sounds Date: May, 2011 1. Agung Part I 2. Atesh (Hoehle rmx) 3. Nepalesio 4. Bugnite 5. Tactile 6. Spy Game (Hoehle rmx) 7. Lisbon Dub 8. Agung Part II Blue Hour Sounds is an up and coming label based in Italy. They are responsible for the Made of Dawn and Garden of Delights compilations as well as a series of EP's based on colors. Not to mention (at least for me) the highly anticipated Ianuaria release Beware of the Fish. I cannot confirm the title is a warning to all Gulf Coast residents after the BP...umm, accident. Nonetheless, their music is a little bit different. Speaking of different... Master Margherita defines what it is to be a little left of center. His music anyway. This is Moreno Antognini's latest release after Mastura and Hippies With Gadgets. Agung Pt. 1- Is there anything more relaxing than the soothing sounds of nature and a soft buddhist chant? Like the slow breaking of dawn comes the increase in loudness and the gentle patter of a rainshower. A mystical melody from ancient times wails, dripping with sadness. It gets a little hallucinatory as he monkeys with the modulation wheel, and where the hell did that guitar come from? All then fades into the steady rain. That...is an opening statement. Atesh (Hoehle Rmx)- The beat crawls slowly as a stringed instrument is plucked with ferocity. The female vocal is rife with delay and then he dubs out. It creeps at a snails pace while he adds a flute to the mix. Seriously, you couldn't purposefully walk this slow. It's enough to make me reach for the bong. You know, the one the wife doesn't know about? Please...you think I like barbecue Pringles? Nepalesio- The great cat purrs softly as this is another crawler. If I didn't know any better I would say he sampled a squeaker fart and then messed with it. For creativity, he gets an A. Picture being in a coffee house with 5 of your closest stoner friends and jamming on the stage. Only it's not open mic night, it's 2:30 in the afternoon. Then realizing none of you whizz bangs hit record on the sequencer. That's what this is. Bugnite- Out of the stoned slumber we come, with a brisker pace. Hippie tablas thump in a funky groove. Well as funky as an unwashed stoner can manage. It's percussion pandemonium! Aside from some synth sounds, the same guys that got kicked out of the coffee shop decided to form a drum circle in the parking lot. No loitering! Tactile- "Tactile, emotional, or sexual?" With a funky breakbeat he takes a page out of the Propellerheads book. Bass and beat combined with sharp stabs and stacatto samples. Did I mention it was funky? The weed must've worn off and his focus was laser sharp. I liked it. Spy Game (Hoehle Rmx)- Holy sh*t did I just step into a James Bond movie? Love the orchestra hits. It's got that cool Puffy trying to be like Frank Sinatra vibe with electric piano and real bass. Jazzy. Feel like rounding up all of my friends and heading to Vegas to drink vodka I can't afford, gamble poorly with money I don't have, and then unfortunately coming home to the beating of my life when my wife realizes I left the kids in the closet with a bunch of kibble for the weekend. It's gonna take a lot more than that sir... Lisbon Dub- So...now where back to being mellow with random sounds? *leans out window and shouts to friends* "Pack it up guys, time to go home!" This is some random sh*t right here. Mid tempo beats, more percussive trickery, and some odd sounds. Did I accidentally drop some LSD and put the wrong disc in? Where the f*ck are my Doritos? Agung Pt. 2- 16 minutes? I bet 7 of that is rain. Holy f*ck I was right. Seven minutes of rain. You lazy cheeba monkey. Is this the part where the stoner tries to tell you that the blue color of the sky is a conspiracy by the government to sell blue paint to artists so they can paint the sky blue? This guy's music is weird and oftentimes all over the place. I swear this whole album is improv. I'm always complaining that there isn't enough evolution and variation in the music, well here it is. This guy is the king. It's like trying to follow a map after I spilled coffee all over it. Who the f*ck knows where we're going? The album opens up with a very spiritual ambient track and then descends into a smokers paradise of slow beats only to pick up with some frenetic percussion work and on the spot jamming. Obviously I don't think he did it in one take, but man did it feel directionless and random. It's different, a mish mash of styles in true experimental fashion. Downtempo, tribal, jazz, dub...sometimes all rolled into one track. I don't know the guy, so I can't tell you if he gets high or not. I can't tell you that after a recording session he might not be able to find his way home from the studio. But what I can tell you is that after not smoking for over 10 years, his music makes me want to get high. http://www.psyshop.c.../bhs1cd004.html http://www.beatspace...les/detail.aspx http://www.saikosoun...ase.asp?id=8758 http://www.goastore....inal-rules.html Mdk

Artist: Paraklang Title: Liquid Jungle Label: None Date: October, 2011 01 - 4 Drops Away (147 BPM) 02 - Particular Mutation (147 BPM) 03 - Second Mind Disaster (146 BPM) 04 - Fast Slide (149 BPM) That is the coolest cover ever. It's a tongue right? A tongue from the Matrix maybe. Volker Wiesmann from the Fatherland is releasing his debut EP . The style is forest/darkpsy/twilight according to the promo. Pretty accurate too. 4 Drops Away- "There's pressure in here." It's bubbly and has the touch of cold machinery all over it. When it gets all glitchy with the hollowed out bass I'm all ears. The break is like a nest of electronic critters swarming hungrily over what was once human. Pretty visceral stuff. A little more variation would've been nice on a track that is over 9 minutes, but it's not bad at all. Particular Motion- This reminds me of some of the stuff from Wild Things Records. Full steam ahead with loads of effects, but not much melody to speak of. But he takes a turn here with a chopped up melody that suits the dark computer style. Can I get a little help with the sample from some of our German speaking folk? It's crazy. Second Mind Disaster- "It is a tradition in American life to respect young people." Since when? With all the old f*cks in congress? This has the familiar scratchy sound you hear in a lot of darkpsy. Squirty sounds litter this thing as it undergoes numerous changes. Fast Slide- More glitchy style with crunchy sounds and effects. It began to pick up steam at the 6 minute mark and reminds me of the sound you get when you blow through a straw. I liked his use of effects and his dark tone. Unfortunately is came off as a little thin. 8 and 9 minute tracks are great if you're telling a story, but they need to be filled in a bit. The computer/android vibe was cool and maybe he just needs a few pads to give it some depth. A memorable melody or two wouldn't hurt either. But what you can easily tell here is that he has talent. The sound is awesome and full on liquid so his mastering is spot on. I hope he releases some more stuff as I would be interested in seeing how he evolves. Thanks for the free music! http://www.ektoplazm.com/2011/paraklang-liquid-jungle Mdk

Artist: Ajanta Title: Perception of Time EP Label: UAF Records Date: September, 2011 01 - Perception Of Time (125 BPM) 02 - Taraka's Forest (145 BPM) 03 - Lunar Garden (115 BPM) Another release from the folks at UAF with cover design by Richpa, mastering by Keamia, and Daan van Heesch the mind behind this short 3 track EP. Perception of Time- "Light can be used to control gravity. And since gravity controls time, then that meant that I can use light to control time." He's got a funky breakbeat thing happening here, with some space pads. The layering of sharp bright tones brings a smiling quality to the track. The lead sounds become more apparent and the whole thing is pretty happy if not very complex Taraka's Forest- Another track that is fairly simple and without much bite. The lead is pretty aggressive as he filters the crap out of it, but it ain't that deep. Lunar Garden- Mid tempo goa trance with a sunshine vibe. It seems a bit more complex than the other two tracks with more sounds. I like the bubbling lead a lot. My favorite of the three. This isn't going to knock your Filteria CDs off the shelf, but it was worth a listen. The more goa trance styles the better I say. This was done in a laid back style with the intent to make you smile rather than knock you over with a wall of melodies. Also it's free so you can't really complain about that. Unless you're a dick. So don't be a dick. http://www.ektoplazm.com/2011/ajanta-perception-of-time Mdk

Artist: Osher Title: Stepping Around EP Label: Blue Tunes Records Date: August, 2011 1. Stepping Around - Osher 2. Exchange (Osher Remix) - Vaishiyas & Audiomatic 3. World of Sound - Osher 4. Pump - Ran and Osher 5. Adventure - Osher & Avshi Look, it's not that simple...I just can't wave my hands and erase the past. If I could the parents of Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber would've never joined in that unholy union. I believe in whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but how much suffering are we going to have to take? Remember Ananda Shake? Their compilation work was usually impressive and their first album had some really good moments. And yes, their tracks Break Dance and Make me Shake may very well go down as some of the worst pieces of music ever, I'm aware of that. Even their 2nd album We Speak Music wasn't a total failure. But once you reached Inside the Sound, you could tell something was stinky in poop town. This was how I had to take The World is Yours.... But then something happened. Osher had an epiphany and took a hard left into the progressive trance genre. He released his debut Twilight and it was as if he had an exorcism. Gone were the inclinations toward cheesy full-on crap, and in were the smooth beats and drifting melodies. It's like when your kid grows up and begins to drive. You knew this day would come, that they would mature, but it still seemed to come out of nowhere. Well now after his debut and another EP, he brings another taste of his new found sound. And it's a continuation of his smooth style. On Stepping Around echoing synth washes wipe away his sins as soft beats soothe the listener. Floating melodies glide through layers of sound as breaks open up possibilities. While some Vaishiyas tracks aren't bad (Action Flaxion was pretty damn cool) the best thing that project has done was to let the masses remix their work. Exchange bubbles and rings with that guitar lead and finds itself becoming a little groovy if a little thin. World of Sound is typical of his drifting and bright style. Plenty of effects and echoing synths to give the track some depth. Not too dark and not too light. Pump has a sample that sounds like that android in Aliens after he got all f*cked up. You know when he was cut in half but still kinda functional? The music is deliberate and futuristic with a pumping beat. Pretty good. The final track Adventure is chock full of synths on delay and shimmering sounds. Like the first rays of the sun as dawn breaks. Bring your sunglasses because this one is very bright. But hey, ain't nothing wrong with a little happy feel good music is there? Loved it. He continues to fight the good fight. Smooth, laid back progressive trance that is spacious and melodic. His finger is on the pulse and this would be a welcome addition into anyone's progressive library. Good job Osher! http://www.beatport.com/release/stepping-around/401688 Mdk

Artist: Logic Bomb Title: The Grid Label: TIP.World Date: December, 2011 1. Checksum 2. Kalibrator 3. Bitter Hitter 4. Sinister Science 5. Sonic Algebra (High Octane Remix) 6. The Grid 7. 4th Dimension 8. Knorrar 9. Frontline MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. I know I did. There is nothing like watching your 2 year old son tear into some wrapping paper to get his gift and then play with his toys for hours. Yeah, I loved Christmas as a kid, but this was 10 times better. But let's not lose sight of the reason for the season. A new Logic Bomb album. Did you like Sonic Algebra? F*ck yeah, damn near only algebra I did like. Has it really been 4 years? Wow. You're old. This is now a duo Johan Krafft and Jonas Pettersson from Sweden who have quite the history in this genre. At it for over a decade, they haven't lost any steam. When most old schoolers come back the results can be, how can I say this politely...disappointing. As I've mentioned before when dealing with this, it is a no win situation for them. Stay true to your roots and people will say you haven't grown or evolved a lick...try something new and you've turned your back on what made you great. And for them to release on TIP Records? Only possibly the greatest label ever in the history of goa trance which I'm sure you could argue. So do they still have it? I mean, Sweden already has beautiful forests, that chef from the muppets, Henrik Lundqvist, hot chicks, the bikini team...No, you know what...f*ck you Logic Bomb. F*ck you. How dare you have so much. Well guess what...they just took it to another level. Checksum- This is a psy-progressive monster that shimmers and shines. Deep beats and warm melodies. It says, here I am...love me. Kalibrator- What began as the smallest snowflake falling from the grey sky soon became the reason your insurance is so high. Ooohhhh...did that just happen? It says no parking during daylight hours dipsh*t. Now however is little Stevie gonna get to badminton practice? The track is full of groove and bursting at the seams with sounds. Steam is picked up as it bumps along, bouncing and bubbling with sharp echoes and thumping percussion. Like a truck that starts slowly, but get the f*ck out of the way when it hits gear 4. Bitter Hitter- "I want you to lie back with the eyeshade on and the headphones...and let the music carry you now." Sparkling synths mask the evil intent as this tumbles forward. Soft tones tap out an outer space melody as the momentum builds. Man it sounds great, who did the mastering Jesus? Once the break hits, these guys prove they haven't lost the goa touch as layers coalesce in a spiraling array. Pretty heavy, hey dude? "Girls back in 45 minutes or Milt cuts your balls off." If you know this movie you're an old f*ck just like me. They don't make 'em like this no more. Sinister Science- Of course they can do full-on. Why would you ask me that? It has nice bass sweeps and a big melody with cool effects so it's not your everyday generic piece of crap. But it's a long track, so did you think they were going to leave it at that? Seriously, you did didn't you? Somehow it morphs into a new direction that takes it's time. So subtle I didn't even realize it. We got storytellers here Marge...storytellers. Not bad at all. Sonic Algebra (high octane remix)- This was my favorite track on their last album so I'm curious to see what they can do to improve on something so good. Ever see one of those supermarket sweeps where you tray and fit as much sh*t into your cart before time runs out? It's like that. Shimmering waves of sound reflect off the ocean and I think I just tripped over a dirty hippie. Fluttering effects, descriptive breaks, and dark melodies provide a gateway into their past lives, as this brings the dark smackdown in a powerful eruption. Bravo gentlemen. The Grid- "I try to picture clusters of information as they move through the computer..where the circuits are like freeways. I kept dreaming of a world I would never see. Then, one day..." Oscillate. Vibrate. Try not to hate. Masturbate. That how it goes? Another full-on track, but they way these guys tell a story it is totally inviting. Not just straight ahead, but taking different approaches with a beautiful melody that is epic in nature. What began as dark transformed into light. And then once you get nice and comfy in your "put everything in its box" snuggie they light that b*tch on fire. With your grandma in it. Poor f*cking dog. I hope he sh*ts on your blanket. 4th Dimension- Oh f*ck there's a 4th dimension now. I just got a 3D TV, you think Best Buy is gonna take that back? Yeah, me neither. As they like to do they pepper you with effects. The layered melody is like a staircase of sound, so fluid yet stable. It's epic trance massive but with Logic Bomb subtleties that showcase their ability to do it a little bit differently. Ahhh, but what was just so sunny and jovial a few seconds ago just pissed all over your outdoor festival as the dark clouds begin to roll in. Nice work. Very nice. Knorrar- "As usual this recording will decompose one minute after the breaking of the seal." Can anyone use better samples and set the mood better than these guys? Anyone? Me likey the undulating tones plunging me into the darkness. More outer space samples as the moelody kicks a hippie with a 604 tatoo. This is how you do dark goa, smooth and with patience. There's more changing of melodies than you can shake a stick at and just like my son's diaper they keep it dark. Nah, just kidding. He's getting good at the whole potty thing. To maintain the vibe with so many changes is a true talent indeed. This track gang rapes all other tracks in the universe...and then makes them toss its salad. Sorry, been watching way too much Lockup. Frontline- Their melodies are so outer space and the sounds they use are spectacular. This one gurgles, making sure all their ducks are in a row. Fullness, the likes of which haven't been seen since Thanksgiving dinner echo in the form of synths and effects across distant nebulae. Warm and inviting this track goes down easier than your sister when I took her to McDonalds. Really? You don't have 4 bucks for a combo meal? What a journey. The guys have still got it. Layers upon layers with ever changing focus. There is no opportunity to become bored with this. The mood can shift from bright to dark and back again all in the same track. As I mentioned their sound is fluid and very ear filling with great melodies and sample use. Normally I think the guys (or girls...girls can be stupid too) who write promos are on a glue sniffing binge, but they may be on to something here. Best album of the year? Maybe. http://www.psyshop.c.../tip1cd907.html http://www.beatspace...rid/detail.aspx http://www.saikosoun...ase.asp?id=8941 http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4721 Mdk

Artist: Erotic Dream Title: Interpret Reality EP Label: Synergetic Records Date: December, 2009 1. Interpret Reality 2. Father and Son (Zyce Remix) 3. Big Red Bus 4. Use Your Imagination 5. She Wants a Wash Machine I got this because of the cover. What can I say, I liked the movie I-Robot. And maybe, just maybe...Will Smith will finally get his. This is Guilherme Felipe Da Silva Filho with a 5 track EP. Interpret Reality- This is some nice progressive with some gentle yet nimble synth touches. The melody at the end provides a nice pleasant groove. Bright and happy without being too heavy. Father and Son (Zyce Remix)- Surprise surprise, Zyce makes an appearance. This guy churns out tracks like I do reviews. It's dreamlike with a galloping bass line and effects that give it a sunshine feel. Synths shine from packed layers and like the previous track it's not overloaded. More like a gentle hug. Loved it. Big Red Bus- I rode the short bus to school as a child. Now before you make with the jokes, mines was...ah, a little different. "Who you tyin' to get crazy with ese, don't you know I'm loco?" It's a fun track with a satanic Alvin calling out the title a few times. The melody reminds me of the uber hit three drives on a vinyl that was everywhere back in the day. More softness that I will term progressive lite. Like Air Supply. Nobody's gonna get hurt and you might even find yourself getting laid. Use Your Imagination- Darkest track yet and I use that term veeeeerrrrrry loosely. More rolling synths with oscillating waves, and our good friend the galloping bass line. Does make me think of the cover and the whole I-Robot situation. Can't we all just get along? She Wants a Wash Machine- I'm sorry, she wants a what? Try getting your wife one of those for your anniversary or birthday. Watch what happens. With one of the strangest track titles this one saunters with an attitude. Mid tempo with a plucky spirit and pumping bass. Even got some breakbeat with electric piano. Groovy with a measured pace...can almost see the clothes spinning in the tub. It builds to a shiny melody and slowly fades away. God, that was a funny movie. Everyone either knew that guy or unfortunately was that guy. Like I said, progressive lite with great effects and soft melodies. Delicately placed synths and harmless like the poor schmuck stuck in the friend zone. This was easily accessible and won't bog you down. Let's say you were listening to death metal all afternoon and you feel like you're losing control, well this EP of sunshine will bring you back with it's not too complex appeal. http://www.beatport.com/release/interpret-reality/208259 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: The Floater Remixes Label: Iono Music Date: July, 2011 1. Floater - Ritmo & Rocky 2. Floater (Motion Drive Remix) 3. Floater (Andrea Bertolini Remix) 4. Floater (TimeDrained Remix) Iono Music is to progressive what Charmin is to toilet paper. There's plenty of choices out there, but only one you would want to wipe your...hmmm. Not where I wanted to go with that. How about Iono is to progressive what Hershey's is to chocolate. But the vast majority of you are European so you probably wipe your ass with Hershey's. Ok, ok...Iono is to progressive what Jean Claude Van Damme is to horrible acting. There, I think that is something we can all agree on. Floater- "One man's loss...is just another man's gain." When you put these two guys together this is exactly what you would expect they would come up with. Really pumping progressive trance with all the bells and whistles. Thumping kick? Yep, like the nuns that used to whack my knuckles for saying the f-word. Whooshes? More than you can imagine. Masterful break work? You know it. It's a churning and pumping track that leaves the cheese at the door. Good work gentlemen. Floater (Motion Drive Remix)- Philip Guillaume from the land of chocolate and precision time pieces throws his hat into the ring with an oscillating bass that will rattle some windows let me tell ya. And he does a remix right, keeping the stuff that makes it memorable and adding his own housey feel. Just when I thought he was letting it go a little long he slides that break in there and comes out the back end with some call and response synths. A groovy piece of sunshine is what this is. Floater (Andrea Bertolini Remix)- Damnit I fall for it everytime. But Andrea is a girl's name! Anything else is like telling me the sky is pink. If you thought the previous track had a house beat, then let me introduce you to this. It swells like a sprained ankle complete with delicate keystrokes and sunshine smiles. The melody is so overwhelmingly positive that you cannot help but get caught up in the dancing frenzy. The intensity builds as he delivers wave after wave of melody that totally transformed the original. Absolutely f*cking nailed it. Floater (TimeDrained Remix)- The track from Rasmus Tue Jørgensen has some darker textures from the outset. His break is also pretty sweet with echoes from the original in the background. But he brings in a new melody that meshes very well and this is just quality progressive trance. Hard to top the immediate high from the previous track though. This was an awesome EP that shows you how remixes should be done. All of the tracks had parts of the original in it, but were different enough to make them interesting. Great progressive trance and house with Mr. Bertolini stealing the show with an absolute blast of sunshine. Highly recommended. http://www.beatport.com/release/the-floater-remixes/397196 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Dead By Dawn EP Label: Terror Lab Industries Date: December, 2011 1. Dead By Dawn - Zinx Vs. Wired 2. Bad Boy - Damage 3. V:48 - Critical Mass 4. Deadly Sector - Zinx From the label that holds your ears hostage at the butt end of a Kalashnikov, Terror Lab Industries delivers some more hyper energy twilight shenanigans. Obviously the first thing we need to discuss is the cover. Like it or hate it, I'm guessing it's a statement against the masses who follow generic trance like zombies. Or...this is truly the end of days and the zombie apocalypse is clearly upon us. Either way, get your guns and canned food rations and head for the bunker. Dead by Dawn- "Hey man is this where the party's at?" Love the futuristic cyber heavy feel in this one. Licks of acid flash like the tongue of a snake as he molds sounds into percussive elements that produce some funky rhythms. The leads form a dark melody as this thing grinds it out. The final bit is a swirling array of acid that will twist you and even though I'm not a fan of the extended buildup, this is still a punishing track. I mean, the title should tell you that, right? Bad Boy- F*cking autotune. Really, f*cking autotune? If I wanted to listen to Akon I'd punch myself in the nuts. It's this pop crap that infects otherwise great psytrance that makes me want to tear what's left of my hair out. Cause other than that stupid sample, the track itself is a funky bit of nasty. It's got a good beat with dark blasts, but enough with the samples. The breakbeat is a nice touch and it allows me to roll through Crenshaw without getting a second look in my 6-4, but the rest is a commercial mess. Lots of starts and stops and a buildup that makes me want to blast zombies, but it's kind of a guilty pleasure. Until I roll up on some homies that actually do some wicked gangster sh*t, but at that point it wouldn't really matter. V:48- "Well I've always had an attraction for extreme personalities." I think I'm gonna be sick. Atrocious samples, too many buildups, and yeah it's got some acid. But in a more not cool way. Five minutes in and I still have more than 4 to go? Be positive, be positive...the break was cool and I did like the last part of the track. This could've been a monster, but you've got to wade through too much poo to get there. Deadly Sector- Zinx closes this EP with a great track full of acid and cyber nastiness that reminds of his Rampage EP. It's dark with electrical energy like a live wire. Synths shimmer in a blinding array as acid flies. Pretty potent stuff that had my head bobbing at the end. The Zinx tracks are the best of the bunch I think. It's dark, melodic and pretty damn powerful. So far this label has yet to put all the pieces together in a blockbuster compilation, but they have the ingredients. Bears watching. http://www.beatport.com/release/dead-by-dawn/840095 Mdk

Artist: Keamia Title: Catastrophe EP Label: Astronautic Records Date: February, 2011 1. The Devil 2. Disobedient 3. Catastrophe This is Shahin Babazadeh and if you look at his Discogs picture you would think that his scenes in the Matrix ended up on the cutting room floor. He has been pretty prolific releasing several EP's on Ektoplazm for free. Talented too, as he did the artwork and his own mastering for this release. A different turn for him, he is leaning more towards the darker side of full-on as the track titles will testify. The Devil- Something wicked this way comes....but then it devolves into generic full-on with sound effect screams. The laziest move? The final 2 and a half minutes are virtually the same. I can see a minute, but 2 and a half. Cmon man if you're gonna pull that sh*t, knock 2 minutes off the track time. Obviously not integral to your story. Disobedient-The tempo has quickened and he's working on a pretty good groove. The lead was pretty good before he switched to another one. It's really running at a quick pace but it's also running on fumes because there ain't a whole lot here. Full-on that's not close to being full. Catastrophe- "We have destroyed your planet." No you didn't, just full-on. I don't think I can fit this hunk of cheese through the door. It's really fast again and I'll be honest the groove has potential as his sparkly synths filter in. This is clearly his best effort of the EP as it gets pretty hectic towards the end. Not bad. The best thing I can say is that this is free. The sound quality is good so he obviously can master pretty well. I also liked the artwork. The music? Well...3 out of 4 ain't bad right? The arrangements are wafer thin and sound amateurish. Nothing complex or deep to be found here and sounds like stuff he was messing around with that isn't close to being finished. The only thing dark were the track titles. Still better than anything I can produce. Well, I mean other than my beatbox. http://www.ektoplazm...mia-catastrophe Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Peakological Label: Peak Records Date: November, 2011 1. Zero Point (Intro) - AJJA AND TANINA 2. Dose The Caterpillar - ILLEGAL SENSATIONS (PARASENSE, ILLEGAL MACHINES) 3. Dr. Feelgood - SOUTHWILD 4. Chunky Business - PSYMMETRIX AND SATYA 5. When it is! (Illegal Machines rmx) - REV 6. But Why? - AJJA AND APEX 7. Dr. Strange (rmx) - SYNTHETIK CHAOS AND MONS 8. That's Egg - AJJA AND APEX 9. Morphogenetic Ascent - EVP 10. Lunar Scum - VERTICAL 11. Mental Disease - KYKEON AND KARASH 12. The Core (Outro) - MASTER MARGHERITA Peak Records is the first Swiss psytrance label. I don't know if that is important or not. If you're Swiss, I suppose it is, but just as a label they have been doing some pretty good things. Their comps play on their name, (i.e. Peaking Goddess, Peak-o-Path...) and have a pretty varied style. Recently they have been dipping their toe in chillier waters so that can only be good news. I've heard of a lot of the artists here without hearing their music. One thing I do like is that cover. Zero Point- "Awake to zero point. Be the center...be the periphery. Dissolve in the waters of simplicity. Let the sound of the universe unfold. Experience the absence of all magnitude. Be the fringe. Be the core. Awake...to zero point." I'm not sure, but I think I might've just been recruited into Al-Qaeda. Dose the Caterpillar- "What are you doing?" "Dosing the caterpillar." "Dosing...as in LSD?" "A very special blend." "I see." With a nod towards Absolom, everyone's favorite herb smoking caterpillar, the metallic synths scrape over a running bass line as juicy effects ramble up and down. And...that's pretty much it. Not bad for an opener. After the um, opener I mean. Dr. Feelgood- "See if I say I have a dream some night that I'm with some strange woman I've never met or I'm...you know living in some place I've never seen before. See that's just a momentary glimpse into this other reality that was all created back there at the bus station." What the f*ck is going on at that bus station? More metallic synth sounds can be found here, but there is also some more layering to enjoy. Not a lot more mind you and of course you want to stay at the bus station...That's where all the hookers are you pervert. Pretty psychedelic. Even so, wear a condom. Or three... That is a hot mess... Chunky Business- Good groove on this one and damn if this isn't the comp of the metallic sound. Center stage in every track. These artists seem to really like that preset. Some nice percussive shenanigans and a scratchy lead join a cacophony of effects. Chunky Business? The soup is chunkier. When It Is ! (Illegal Machines Rmx)- "Brain says, "Uh-oh!" Something special. Nice and cool when you return from your hot trip." Man alive that's a pretty deep bass line ya got there. Thank you, all the better to rumble with. Hmmm...weatherman didn't call for a sparkly acid shower. And me without my parapluie. All of the metal synth sounds are beginning to leave a bad taste in my mouth, but the samples are off the wall enough to keep me coming back for more. But Why?- This is some bubbly sh*t. Thumping too. Probably the most psychedelic yet. But if you came here looking for the melodies you might as well be a black man looking for the klan rally. Dr. Strange- Wow where have I heard this before...Wait...I got it. The first 6 tracks. Normally any track with a Beasties sample is money, but the timing is off on this one, like they tried to shoehorn it in. Ever see Say Yes to the Dress? Sometimes no matter how hard you try to stuff the heifer in there the end result is all f*cked up. I think you're doing it wrong. That's Egg- I suppose there is a little goofy Suomi in us all. And that's not a bad thing. Along with a little drive there is some forestry wickedness up in here. Psychedelically delicious but like the rest of the tracks it's all metallic sounds and effects. Morphogenetic Ascent- "All of nature is evolution." I've been teasing EVP and the Wild Things Records crew for a long time about leaving melodies out of their music so what do they do? Give me the psychedellic finger. Rolling, whirring, insane synths scream throughout this track. Good sample manipulation of course, but I think they left the melodies in their other pants. Lunar Scum- Fuller, funkier, and it has a pumping aggresiveness that kinda stands out. Kinda. Mental Disease- Bass line + effects + haphazard noise = well allthat crap I just mentioned. But f*ck me in the earhole it's psychedelic to the bone, especially when they get all crazy with the beat. Heavy stuff. The Core- "Be the core..." Ummm...yeah. I can do that. You know there is some chick that had 20 kids. 20. And some network gave here a reality show. Vagina...it's not a clown car. My point? If the tracks in this comp were that family you could tell they were all related. And I mean that in the most incestual way possible. This could've been one long mixed track. The sounds were so similar I wouldn't be able to tell where one begins and one ends. Having said that, every single track has a good kick and a punchy bass line. Makes for a good foundation. I would say they fall into the grey area between twilight full-on and darkpsy. Light on melody, but heavy on psychedelia. Can I recommend it? Depends on what you're after of course. I would've liked it better if there was some (any?) variation between the tracks. http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/pea/pea1cd919.html http://www.beatspace.com/6725/Peak+Records/Various/Peakological+/detail.aspx http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=8918 http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4671 Mdk

Artist: Ex-Gen Title: Genetic Users EP Label: 3D Vision Date: November, 2011 1. Warning - Ex-Gen feat. Khopat 2. Defraction - Ex-Gen feat. Smashed Another EP from one of my favorite labels? This is a Spanish trio who collaborate with Khopat (Portugal) and current 3D producer Smashed on two tracks of wicked twilight energy. 3D vision was formed by Absolum (kick ass) Talamasca (was kick ass) and Nomad (what the f*ck happened to him?) and has produced some of the best high energy psytrance around. They were Nexus Media and Timecode before Nexus Media and Timecode. Before CPU became a transgender making terrible music(have to check the facts on that one) he released Computer Error. Same label that released the greatest and most insane psytrance album of all time, Absolum's Inside the Sphere. If you haven't heard those two, it should be required listening. Warning- "Why do you ask questions to which you already know the answers?" You mean like what do you get when you cross a Spanish trio with a Portuguese artist? True twilight madness! True to the style of 3D Vision, it rages with a futuristic cyber style and bestial bass line. The attention to detail is nice, but it is the acid eruption that steals the show. Leads that scrape across the brain and make the body want to dance rain down like hellfire. The break allows for a refocusing of energy as the pressure builds and the lasers fire at will. F*cking dominant. This must be what it's like live. Defraction- "Well I don't see how that's possible." Oh it's possible. Almost 9 and a half minutes of possible. More hi-tech shenanigans with the acid flying and the asses wigglin! Just a brutal assault on the braincells. Keep it coming! After the first break a very scientific feel emerges as it gurgles and rises. Ever been in a pressure cooker? This must be what it's like when the top blows off. Punishing. "Every human being left has become mutant or sterile or a combination." We call that the China directive. The power in this pig just keeps bubbling and is threatening to blow the roof off this motherf*cker. Yep, there is goes. This collaboration has the power to move the savage beast. F*ck a duck that was intense. Intense with a side of awesome! Super high energy with a superb danceable quality. This harkens back to the days when psytance didn't give a f*ck. Hearing this has me drooling for his debut. Congratulations 3D Vision and Ex-Gen on a fantastic EP. Sorry for all the cursing, but...f*ck. http://www.beatport.com/release/genetic-users/831229 Mdk

Artist: Frost-RAVEN Title: Deep In Blue Label: Elephant Head Records Date: July, 2011 01 - The Big Nothing 02 - Mission 03 - The Void 04 - Nebula 05 - Hunter 06 - Ka'thas 07 - Infected Trench 08 - Solar Wind 09 - Zenite Nest 10 - Ne'nemis This is Dustin Musser from the US with an ocean themed ambient album. The Big Nothing- This is diving and hitting the water in slow motion. Marvelling at depth of the limitless ocean as the sun streams below in sparkling rays. A totally relaxing piece of ambient that strays into the unknown as bubbles rise to the surface. Mission- Large sweeps twist around ocean currents opening up the wonders that the sea floor can show you. Creatures never before witnessed twirl and propel themselves over the brightly lit coral. There is motion with the synth as it shines. The Void- As you dive deeper, the sense of isolation must be what one feels in space. Nothing but blue in all directions as the constant hum of the air tank bellows. But instead of fear, it's admiration you're feeling as the cold caresses the body. The faraway synth comes closer like a school of fish and just as quickly it's gone. Nebula- The huge scope of the ocean is felt here with booming kicks and slowly evolving synths moving in the same slow motion as a swimmer in the deep blue. There is something mystical in the ocean and the pads drive that point home. Awesome. Hunter- All the tracks have shocased the infinite power and area of the ocean, the colors and creatures hidden and sometimes not so hidden within. This track is darker, from the point of view of the top of the food chain in hot pursuit of it's next meal. Don't want to rush it and spook dinner...take it slow. The constant clanking sounds like a motor and now I see that this hunter was after a man in a boat that had gotten careless. Ka'Thas- The beast stirs as it roars its ancient call...It's getting closer. Infected Trench- Can a trench be infected? The ominous sweep it pleasing and the water effect had me checking to see if my feet were in water. So f*cking vivid. The water is all around stretching for miles and miles. Solar Wind- More slow moving booms and oscillating waves of sound as a melody treads water. Highlighting the unknown, there is a respect you must have for the staggering power of the ocean. The beat gets louder and louder and while not one of my favorites he gets his point across. Zenite Nest- Echoing sounds travel well in this medium as they fade into the distance. How can one say so much with so little? Ne'nemis- Sounds of a man made craft sputter across the surface as it swims to a cacophony of noise. A little too harsh for me, as it took me out of the deep blue. Is there any style this guy can't do? Now this is an album to get lost in. The atmosphere is totally captured and you feel as if you are swimming in the bluest of oceans. Almost able to reach out and touch the vastness it portrays. That's the key in a themed album, making it so vivid and lush that it provides an escape. And this one does. The ending shook me out of my dream state, but other than that this was pretty impressive. And for free no less. I'm with Penzo on this one, a full album that flows in a dark ambient style presenting the awesome scope of the ocean would be well received I think. He definitely has the talent to do it. Awesome. P.S. The download from Ekto seems to be different than from Spectral Onyx. Missing Glass Caves, The Murky Forest, The Sunken Bardge, and The Wondrous Blue. http://www.ektoplazm...en-deep-in-blue Mdk

Artist: Twisted Reaction Title: Lotus EP Label: Nexus Media Date: September, 2011 1. Overdrive 2. New Generation of Science 3. One Day Certain labels earn respect. Nexus Media from South Africa is one of them. Run by Chris Hoy (sHifT) and Liam Gibbs (Slug) they have consistently released some of the best twilight music out there since 2004. Ever heard of the Midnight Storm series? It's like the bible for twilight music. Fast, atmospheric, and rock your socks off groovy. Best. Ever. This is Edvin Alperavitch from Israel with a 3 track EP. Let's see what he can do. Overdrive- "That is going to leave a stain." No more so than this track. Oh boy, a buildup in the beginning is never a good sign. Not a fan of the lead sound as it gets strangled to within an inch of its life. This was pretty generic, slightly cheesy in places, and definitely not something I expect from Nexus Media. New Generation of Science- "Welcome, to the new generation of science." Love the ambient beginning, love it. Totally sets the atmosphere. The bass ain't bad either as this dark rumbler puts its feet on the ground. Now this is what I'm talkin' bout! The break has a crunchy guitar that fits well with the futuristic feel but the biggest surprise comes when he gets all groovy on you at the end. While not as epic as a lot of Nexus Media's music, this is still a good piece of twilight. Nice work! One Day- Oh crap. The Martin Luther King sample almost guarantees death for a track. Got nothin' against Mr. the King, but I have yet to hear a good track to come from his speech. There is a lot of starting and stopping with a techno feel. Then the sample gets cut up a bit and this doesn't bode well. More stops and starts and it has all the makings of glow stick cheese that the kiddie trancers should eat up. Well you can probably tell that this was a disappointment. If you are going to get this, I recommend the 2nd track as the rest just didn't hold up to the standards of this label. I'm not mad Nexus Media, just a little sad. You can do better than this. http://www.beatport....lotus-ep/683482 Mdk

Artist: Zen Mechanics Title: Re:Modified Label: Neurobiotic Records Date: February, 2011 1. Holy Cities (Ace Ventura Rmx) 2. Psychotropical Nights (Sonic Species Rmx) 3. Off the Grid (Burn in Noise Rmx) 4. Hallucination Generation (Loud Rmx) 5. Modified (Headroom Rmx) 6. Voodoo Bytes (Earthling Rmx) 7. CBR (S-Range Rmx) 8. Mecha (Dickster Rmx) 9. Immerse (Liftshift Rmx) F*ck. Another remix album? What are we Hollywood now, can't come up with original tracks gotta remake everything? Did you know they are remaking Footloose? Footloose. Kevin Bacon must be turning over in his grave. What?...oh. I'm just getting word that he's not dead. Just his career! His car, just his...get it? His career. Please tip your waitress. See, this is what happens when you have non-paid interns as your fact checkers. Why the hell do I keep you around? Oh. Carry on. Looks like two pigs fighting under a sheet. My main gripe with a remix album is that I feel the need to go back and listen to the original to see how the remix is different. That takes time. With a newborn that f*cking eats every 2 hours it might take me 6 weeks to review this pig. Nonetheless, I tread on because Wouter would want it that way. His Zen Mechanics project strikes the perfect balance between psy and progressive combining the driving and melodic elements both have to offer. Holy Cities from 2008 was quite good so I look forward to seeing what other projects do to his good tracks. Most of the remixes are from that album and I wonder why they chose already good tracks to remix? Wouldn't it make more sense to take a crappy one and make it better? If you already start with something good how good a remixer are you....just riding Wouter's coattails. Unless...all these projects think his music sucks. Hmmm...I would look into that. But I see your genius Wouter....keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Holy Cities (Ace Ventura Rmx)- Great. 9 and a half minutes. Did you not read my intro? I'm beginning to think that you don't care. No I'm not crying, I just have something in my eye! I'll be in my trailer! *Storms off weeping.* The original was an exercise in slow evolution combined with a driving beat that I really enjoyed. It combined futuristic visuals with a reverance for ancient cultures in a droning march. Yoni Oshrat blew onto the scene with the awesome Rebirth in 2007 and he keeps it so close to the original that I am hard pressed to differentiate the two. Little changes here and there, but quit piggy backing. The track itself is good, but as a remix not so much. If I wanted to hear the original I would listen to the original. Psychotropical Nights (Sonic Species Rmx)- "We were in the jungle. We had access to too much money. Too much equipment. And little by little we went insane." British artists Sonic Species apparently don't care about my time either because this b*tch is over 9 minutes as well. The original was on the Universo Paralello compilation and these guys just thought it would be a great idea to add a minute to an already long tracks. Dicks. Nah, just kidding. If you got a story to tell you don't rip out a few chapters because some reader is a lazy f*ck. I think this track has more effects making it a deeper listen. Other than that it once again sounds very similar to the original in a full-on copycat way. Not terrible at all, but neither is the Fruit Loops gay Wal-Mart equivalent Fruity Spins. Doesn't mean I want to eat it. Off the Grid (Burn In Noise Rmx)- With so many changes in direction it's going to be a challenge to improve on this one. A valiant effort was made with a synth that ran up and down over 8 bars as another lead powered it's way in. Alas, once again, too similar to the original so if you could please step this way. Yes, yes, don't dawdle. Come right over here and face the corner. That's it. Think about what you did or didn't do and maybe you can come out of the corner in a few minutes. Hallucination Generation (Loud Rmx)- "Come join the world of the hipsters." Nah, what was once a group of unshowered hippies has morphed into a bunch of obnoxious iPhone douchebags that hang around the local Starbucks like they were giving away tall lattes loaded with irony. The original was basically a full-on track, but he made it much deeper with effects and his technique of having a synth wipe everything out just to rebuild. That said, not one of my faves by him. The track is called Hallucination Generation, but all Loud makes me want to do is take a nap. What a snoozefest. Modified (Headroom Rmx)- "Would you like to be modified?" The original had a cool Blade Runner high tech android quality with leads that whipped you around. Headroom's take is a thumping futuristic version that seems more clinical with less human interference. Robotic machinations with equal parts cybernetics and slowly oscillating leads. Darker, as if the war between humans and machines was already over, and we're dealing with the aftermath. Loved it. Voodoo Bytes (Earthling Rmx)- The effects make it again, creating a nice outer space atmosphere. The break is solid and the whole thing has an exploratory value even if it is full-onish. It reaches its zenith near the end bringing some impressive power. CBR (S-Range Rmx)- "Time and space is defined as a consensual hallucination." Progressive project S-range throws a groovy lead out there, but...gone is all the stuff that made the original fun to follow. Sigh. Mecha (Dickster Rmx)- Dick Trevor broke out his sci-fi stick and repeatedly whipped the original track with great effects that couldn't tumble over each other fast enough. It was like chicks at a wedding dress sale. He seemed to soup up the 303 giving it some extra oomph, realizing that it should dominate. Good call because it made a difference. Immerse (Liftshift Rmx)- This was another futuristic track with a bunch of effects that was a good psy/prog hybrid more focused on atmosphere than melody. Liftshift adds a punchier bass and a nice warm break. He creates a low tech approach that still has that future sound with the effects. I went from being bored to really digging into this one. Smooth progressive I would say. I am now going to give a conflicting conclusion. On its own this was a good listen and I enjoyed it. Some really good stuff here. But, I'm not gonna lie. To say I was disappointed with this would be like saying I was sad when my dog died. Ouch, ok, that's a little harsh. Here's my point. Adding or subtracting a synth does not a good remix make. I was always under the assumption that you take a part of the track you find memorable and then change everything else to make it almost unrecognizable. Be unique, be creative. Most of the tracks here were fine, but failed as remixes, being just full-on watered down dopplegangers without any interest or color. Imagine hopping on some Kenyan's back for the last 100 yards while he ran a marathon and then saying you ran a marathon. No you didn't. And now the Kenyan has back problems. Holy f*ck I just used dopplegangers in a sentence. So I suppose you could listen to this and like it, but it really makes you appreciate how good Wouter is at constructing a track. Kinda gives creedence to my theory of keeping the competition and your enemies closer. Well played sir. http://www.beatspace.com/6096/Neurobiotic+Records/ZEN+MECHANICS/ReModified/detail.aspx http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/neu/neu1cd031.html http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4299 Mdk

Artist: zerO One Title: remiXed Label: Waveform Date: October, 2011 1- pOssibilites (01 remix) 6:19 2- trust (bluetech's trinary mix) 6:25 3- hell (01 remix) 5:23 4- memOry (01 pensive mix) 4:16 5- rObOts (01 cOnspiracy mix) 4:59 6- reality (01 remix) 5:56 7- transfOrmatiOn/bu_ist (phutureprimitive mix) 6:51 8- Ok (01 remix) 4:59 9- mind (01 lOst in thOught mix)7:03 10- dreams (01 remix) 6:09 11- space (magic sOund fabric mix) 4:37 12- bu_ist (01 remix) 5:44 13- fight (01 remix) 3:32 I don't know much about this project, but somehow it ended up on my desk. See that cover....it's got a lot of blenders on it. You know, cause it's remixed. This is Kevin Dooley who apparently is at war with his caps lock button. StOp It MoThErF*cKeR...see how annoying that is? It's his fourth studio album and he decided to remix past tracks with some help from Magic Sound Fabric, Bluetech, and Phutureprimative. I want to say that with all the 01's on the track names that this was made 10 years ago. I want to say that, but that wouldn't be true. It's binary language that all you computer geeks study while I'm out banging the cheerleader. Of course now I'm serving you fast food while you pull up to my drive thru in a Lexus. Let's see a small breakdown of the tracks... -pOssibilities was a boring techno breakbeat something or other. -the Bluetech remix had a bad ass saunter with shimmering pads and knock on wood percussion. I also wasn't a fan of the melody near the end, but the rest of the track was good enough to balance it out. Winner winner chicken dinner. -hell "Hell is cooling off." Did you make that bass line with a Casio? It sounds like it. And did you just hit me with a saxophone? Ok, ok...let's focus on the positives...next track. -memOry- "This is a memory." Can we put this rumbly bass in the last track? It sounds very Depeche Mode from their early work. Dark and metallic sounding synths and the kick really does remind me of Fly on the Windscreen stuff. I liked it. -rObOts- I see that title and I see two boobs. But I like boobs. It's soft and floaty and he goes all Jan Hammer on you like he's penning a soundtrack for Miami Vice. -reality- "I'm from another reality." I can't tell whether this is dark or light as it does both. I do enjoy the breakbeats going on and he likes to switch drumkits which keeps it interesting. A nice bit of techno and electro mashed together in sweaty robot passion. -The Phutureprimative remix combines two tracks in a sandwich of awesome. It's spacey, it's darkish, and it has a nice beat. The synths are good and the guitar actually makes the track more appealing. When's the last time you could say that? But my favorite part was the beat with the chant snippet...hit me just right. -Ok- "I'm ok." No you're not. You got a lot of f*cking problems. Let's start with a loungey breakbeat track with forgettable sounds. -mind- Spooky electronica all the way through loaded with glitchy effects. It walked a slow road to goodness. -dreams- Again he switches drum kits like I change underwear. Or like I would change if I did laundry regularly. His choice of leads is good and damnit if he doesn't know how to wield a funky beat. -Space- Liked it a lot, with its space feel. Very cold and clinical, with his sidecar of funky breakbeat rhythms. -bu_ist- I haven't heard a bass booming like that since I wandered into East L.A. Slow and meticulous, this bounces nicely. I would've preferred maybe some darker themed leads, make it not so happy I guess. -fight- I think he listened to a lot of Depeche Mode because this is right out of their playbook. The change near the end in direction was nice and warming I liked this better than Lemmi, but you have to be in the mood for it. It's electro, breakbeat (lots of it), and sometimes it works and sometimes it comes off cheesy. Also, I haven't ever heard one of his tracks so I had no expectations. He has talent, and I think it shines when he veers towards the dark side. A dark, space ambient album from him would be good I think. Either way....there's nothing to fight about, right kid? http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/wav/wav1cd801.html http://www.beatport.com/release/remixed/397552 Mdk

Artist: Zyce Title: Nine Gates EP Label: Synergetic Records Date: November, 2011 1. Nine 2. Gates The Serbian wunderkind is back with a two track EP. Nine- Holy crap this guy seems to come out with an EP each week. It's more progressive goodness with a slow rumbling feel as percussion rattles about. Kind of on the minimal side with a low tech approach, but he drops a nice break with echoing synths that vibrate in the warm sunshine. It's nice, but I'm used to much more descriptive work from him. Gates- This has a bit more detail in it but it still strikes me as a little boring. I'm generation X, I don't have time to notice all the subtleties in music. I want it and I want it now. Once again though, he dominates a break and it feels good like a fleece blanket. But when he comes out of that break, there are little in the way of surprises. Good, but not as lush as I'm used to. This was nice, but as I mentioned it was the kind of on the low tech side. Minimal layers, but those that were there were enjoyable. He has made deeper and richer stuff so I will only recommend this if less is more is your cup of tea. http://www.beatport.com/release/nine-gates/827232 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Hunab Ku Label: Tzolkin Records. Productions. Who the f*ck knows. Date: October, 2011 1. Red Hour - Xatrik 2. Mind Disastour - A-Mush 3. Destroy the objective - Frozen Ghost feat. Selective Hearing 4. Salvia Divinorum - System Sequence 5. Addiction - X-Avenger Vs. Z-Cat 6. Funk You - Stereopanic 7. Altered State - Cntl Z3ta 8. El Senor Mino - Ignition 9. Bafana (Live mix) - Sytomic Pffft. Mayans. What the hell do they know? If they're so smart how come they went extinct like the dinosaurs? All that's left are those f*cking ruins in Mexico. And we know what kind of living hell that is. Why would you trust a race that built their civilization in such humidity? Center of the Universe? C'mon. I would like to think if they were that enlightened the center of the universe would be a little easier to get to. End of the world in 2012 you say? Whatever. Make Diddy put out a good record, then I'll be impressed. I think the rule is if you can't get your arms around it, you take it back to its stall. Nonetheless, Hunab Ku means center of the Universe in Mayan speak and that's the title of this compilation. Tzolkin is a label with 3 releases to its credit and they rock it in full twilight style. Guess what their first compilation was called? Tzolkin. I know, I know. All jokes aside (whatever) that was pretty damn good so it is with confidence that I put this on and give it a go. Also, FYI it is dedicated to one of the compilers Pirzink who apparently has been taken from this world too soon. Thought that was a nice gesture. So I hope he is reading this from heaven (whatever your definition may be) and gets a chuckle out of it. Red Hour- Is there anyone that is more consistent in high quality twilight than Greg Hamber from South Africa? This guy delivers more than Dominoes and has been in the game for a long time now. His style is fast, cyber intensive, and extremely dance friendly. This is no exception. 50 caliber acid blasts fire at will and as the assault grows the track becomes a whirlwhind of power. Oh yeah...it's got some teeth. Mind Disastour- "The security in this office park is a joke. Last year I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day with a rifle that shoots potatoes at 60 lbs per square inch." Well what the hell are you waiting for brotha? French Fry party!!!! This is another acid heavy beat down that is rhythmic as f*ck. Pure acid deluge over a rambling bass line. Some may say that it lacks any depth, but if I wanted depth I would jump in a pool. I just want some kick ass twilight psytrance and this was on point. Destroy The Object- "This missle crisis was the last straw. We almost blew ourselves up. Now we invited you here in good faith...to sort this thing out." Barry, now normally I love your music. I do. Sin For Dinner? Edible Techniques? Out of the Mouth (which you gave away)? Hell, the Bonestorm track is the most awesome of tracks in the history of awesome. Brilliant. Your style is sample laden hyper stuff with good grooves, but this one was a little too much for me. Always 100 miles an hour, this one hits like a mack truck and is really...loud. Abrasive, and I mean more so than normal. Maybe I'm getting older or I need to put the big girl panties on, but this one hurt my head. Salvia Divinorum- "This is one of the most interesting new psychedelics in the world. This is Salvia Divinorum, and it is definitely one of the plants that will shape the next few decades of the millenium." I reviewed his free EP A.R.G. from Ektoplazm and he seems like an up and coming twilight act. Reminds me of Xatrik to be honest. Acid lines flying all over the place with a nice groove and well placed samples. He went to the twilight cookbook and nailed it. Addiction- "Not everyone can control the addiction....but you can try." Here is a pair of artists that are new to me, like when I had my first child and had to install the child seat. I don't see the problem...look at him...so happy. Those are some nice pads you got workin' there, but something about that sample is tugging at me. Think of it like my Spidey Sense, only I call it my crap detector. Sure, at the outset all is calm with furious acid on display and you would probably be thinking, this ain't so bad. But the sample begins to dominate and the buildups begin. Trouble afoot my friends Funk You- "You can play in the water without getting wet!" Oh that it were true! 8 bit video game sounds give way to the rapid fire bass line and the obligitory acid force feeding. And you are just gonna take it. It's massive and groovy at the same time and there is even a sample that tells you it's funky. Samples never lie. Ever. When the metallic synths get involved all bets are off. Even the buildup was super intense. Just a bull in a china shop that says f*ck China. What? Oh no, no, no...I wasn't talking about you...I meant another China. Altered State- Another unknown act that has some nice acid work, but it didn't stay with me. Not bad, but when you compare it with some of the others here it just doesn't hold up. El Senor Mino- "You just, you know...go in there, like nothing's changed, you hang out, you make a buy, walk out, easy as that." Only 5 minutes? And two of that was probably cursing. The brothers Varela from Portugal know a thing or two about this twilight business. João (aka Zinx) recently released a very blistering EP Rampage that I enjoyed. Another project that has a nice mastery of the acid works and the boogie shoes to go with it. Crunchy and fast paced, just the way I like it. Strap yourself in and hang on. In the South we call that goin' hoggin'! Fafana (Live Mix)- Another unknown to close this bit of business and it doesn't seem to fit. This is a lot fluffier with friendly melodies. How the f*ck did this make it on there? Like a ray of sunshine that escaped the darkness. Or how my plot to kill the Golden child failed. You sonofab*tch! You've won this round. Like their 1st release it was pretty good. Pumping twilight style with a couple of monster tracks peppered among the other very good ones. Nothing was terrible and if you love your acid plentiful, then open wide and say ahhhhh! http://www.psyshop.c.../tzo1cd003.html http://www.beatspace...bku/detail.aspx http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4607 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Binaural Beats Label: TesseracT Studio Date: January, 2011 1. Run Away ELEGANT FLOW FEAT. TISHA 2. Novembar PION 3. Frostwhisper EXTEND 4. Deep Love PROMID 5. Tune In VERTEX 6. Missing Chords ELEGANT FLOW 7. Morning Rain (rmx) FLOAT 8. Devotion THE RIDDLER 9. Streets FLOAT 10. Close to Me BIOLAB AND VERTEX You know when you find something you like, you usually stick with it. It's no secret that the Scots love the drink. And if you had to battle Shattner's ego on the daily I'm sure you'd crawl into a bottle also. What can I tell you Dino...the people love my beatbox And if you've seen this before, you obviously like to drop acid after a few mushrooms. "Hey...you gonna pass that bong or do I need to get a court order?" With our music we are fond of putting things in their box. We like this...we don't like that. TesseracT is a label that not only seems to nurture their artists (no idea though you would have to ask them), but also handles its own mastering, and design. That's a whole lotta bang for your buck. And the quality of their music shows. It's extremely well produced progressive with rich atmosphere and great melodies. Well they take a left turn here. Usually progressive mavens, they give you a taste of house with a little TesseracT flavor. Now normally when I hear house music, I'm praying for an orc in Nazi garb to stab me to death and just like the repetitive music I die over and over again. I mean, sh*t it's because of house that people make fun of psytrance and lump us all together in one big electronic sh*tstorm. But I shan't be closeminded. Even though the titles alone possess more cheese than a Packer game. Let's see what you've got. Run Away- Normally I would run away from house music, but this is so smooth that I warmed up to it. It's that party where you are grown up now. No more sitting around a campfire or tent, the locale is an expansive beach house where every guy is decked out in white linen and the ladies are in flowy dresses. The wind picks up slightly as the sunset is in full swing. It's like a tequilla commercial only you're not drinking to get sh*tfaced, only to get sexier. November- More sunshine and light as the party is in full swing. The house groove rumbles on as synths tap out a simplistic melody. Saying there isn't a lot to this is like saying fat kids love cake. But it's smooth like an ocean breeze with one melody weaving its way around the unchanging one. Frostwhisper- Tite sounds like what a chick would name her cat. I will say this...house music in its basic elements is some groovy sh*t. Deep bass rumbles as this has a Michael Jackson Thriller saunter but instead of trying to scare you, they want to get you on that couch. Echoing synths vibrate over wobbly bass in a groovy pattern and you feel yourself beginning to succumb. Not bad...I give it 4 out of 5 nodding heads. Deep Love- Wow, the first three tracks were obviously the warm up to this big chunky thing. It has the cheesy female vocal where she sounds breathless. What'd you do, run a 10 k before getting in the booth? Still floaty and smooth, but cmon...it is kinda cheesy. Tune In- Fresh of his dominant album Ocean, this guy proves he can still make a very uninteresting track. I don't want to say it was boring, but all the hot chicks left the DJ booth and high tailed it to the insurance seminar. The break at 5 minutes was pretty cool with a growing synth riff, but then it's right back into mediocrity. Missing Chords- The lounge feel returns with electric piano chords more echoing synth stabs. But it also has the cornball staple of house music, the female vocal. What are ya gonna do? House music is infected with this like treadmills attract stupid people. Wow, I wonder what's gonna happen when I step on this moving sidewalk... Morning Rain Rmx- This one sounds deeper with more sounds. Still groovy but there is more to focus on. Maybe too much, because it gets to the point where it sounds a little jumbled. Not bad, but what separates it from the thousands of other tracks in the genre? Not a damn thing. Devotion- Ok Goran, don't let me down. Your recent album Questions was a shining light and a revelation so I expect big things from you. Oscillating synth? Check. Layers of real time instruments? Oh yeah. Jesus, where did you record this Barbados cause that's what I'm feeling right now. I like the break a lot and if you're looking for a soundtrack for that pre-party cocktail on the beach that reeks of sunshine, this is it. Streets- At this point I'm pretty worn out. Who would've thought that would happen with a house compilation? But as most would tell you, it takes a lot out of you to listen to tracks that are a few tomatoes shy of a salad. What? Ok, groovy beat, but what else ya got? That's what I thought. Close To Me- This one had the potential to be the best on the disc, but then had to f*ck it up with that stupid sample that gets cut off. I got something you can feel. Maybe it's me. I just don't care for house music. It seems like this genre produces tracks that tell you everything you want to know in the first 2 minutes. If psychedelic music can be a novel, then this is a pamphlet. There is no tension, no evolution, no...no change that challenges the ear. Look I get it and I've admitted it. House music contains a very wiggle inducing quality, but that only works for so long. This is the same reason a lot of darkpsy doesn't sit well with me because it's just the same over and over. TesseracT I still love you as a label, but if you can't make house music appealing to me, then why would I bother with it? Just goes round and round.... Is this racist? http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/tes/tes1cd006.html http://www.beatspace.com/6085/Tesseractstudio/Various/Binaural+Beats++/detail.aspx http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4257 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Free Frequency Label: TesseracT Studio Date: February, 2011 1. Day of Illusion KLIMENT 2. Basic (Zyce and Spinney Lainey rmx) ZYCE 3. Walk the line FLEGMA AND NERSO VS ZYCE 4. Carbon SIDEFORM VS ZYCE AND FLEGMA 5. Awakening FLEGMA AND NERSO VS MIDDLE MODE 6. Who attacks me ECTIMA 7. Holy Spirit E-CLIP 8. Something Beneath ZYCE AND FLEGMA 9. Flux ZEN MECHANICS VS FLEGMA AND NERSO TesseracT is at it again with another progressive trance compilation this time compiled by DJ Zoi who was apparently responsible for the festival in Greece of the same name. The track list is mouth wateringly good if you are a fan of the effect heavy and melodic soundscapes that these artists usually create. This label has their sh*t together and rarely disappoints. Day of Illusion- This was a long pumping track to open the compilation and while entertaining in spots, I felt it droned on. Highlights? The tribal feel with the flute was unexpected as was the cool breakbeat. The only problem was that those highlights were in the first 3 minutes. So for the last 6 and a half.... Basic (Zyce & Spinney Lainey Remix)- Nikola Kozić shouldn't be a stranger to anyone who enjoys the thick and melodic sound of progressive trance. Spinney Lainey sounds like a made up name but this is who helped with the remix. You got flutes, effects from all over the place, and percussive thumping to guide you through this. The break is a beautiful mix of tones and melodies as the flute soars high and the bass rumbles underneath. It's a good one. Carbon- Holy hell in a hand basket, Zyce is all over this thing. Sideform consists of Drasko Radovanovic and Milos Modrinic and they put in some good work here. Rumbling, crunchy effects and chopped up synths create a bunch of layers to sift through. Good bouncer. Awakening- "What we're doing here is simple. We're waking up. We're waking up out of our dream. You are lost in illusion. You're lost in your dream." Flegma & Nerso again with Jovan Tot and Ivan Jovicic and they deliver sparkly synths and trademark TesseracT echoing sounds fading into the distance. This one is also pretty layer intensive with the same plodding style that is rich in atmosphere. Another good one. Who Attacks Me- "Who attacks me?" I was never a fan of his minimalistic tech style approach, but hey you can't please everyone. There's lions growling in this I guess and it's more of a grumbly rumbler style of progressive trance. Even though I'm not a fan, I can appreciate it. Holy Spirit- This guy. Yep, this guy is responsible for the best progressive trance disc of 2011 with Shuma. Book it. Write it down. Put it in your cell phone. He opens with a nice spooky intro and his bass line is about a 8.9 on the richter scale. It's the darkest track yet with a synth line that screeches like i just dropkicked a cat for a score. Power baby, and near the end it changes tempo for a spell. That's the only part I didn't like. Just didn't seem to fit, but he gets back to being a rock star for a whale of an end. Leggos...what can't they do? Something Beneath- Apparently Nerso went on a beer run, so these two decided to make a track on their own. Snooze you lose buddy...shoulda had more in the fridge on standby I guess. It's walking with a big stick around the 2 minute mark and he won't let go of it. Attitude as synth riffs continue to echo and swirl. A searching melody spirals out of the rumbly bass not being too complicated. Loved it. Flux- I guess this duo got tired of Zyce hogging all the spotlight and substituted him for Zen Mechanics. His latest has been sitting on my desk for weeks. Really need to get to that. If you guessed that this would be deluged with effects then you get a cookie. Well, some cookie dough, I didn't have time to throw it into the oven. Whoa, whoa, whoa...go to the mens room if you're gonna do that! "C'mon, c'mon!!!" If that was all there was then it would be no big deal, but these guys bring the big beat that rattles the walls if you get me. Very rhythmic as it thunders into the break of long twisted sweeps. I really like the bass sound that rips across the air but like previous tracks before it has so much going for it that you have to hear it. Superb. Walk The Line- Nikola joins forces with heavyweights Dalibor Delić & Dragan Matić to create a track that has a mellow feeling about it. It's groovy and evolves slowly, but the melodies don't get uppity until halfway through. There is a chunky quality to the beat and that makes it more danceable and I think it's more of a sit on a beach chair with a beer in your hand type of track. Normally I would think it weak, but their effect placement is spot on thickening things up. Ok, show of hands...who thought there would be a Johnny Cash sample in there? Anyone? Great compilation. Full of power (well as powerful as progressive trance gets) and melody with oodles of effects to paint a picture. No bad tracks to be found so this comes highly recommended. http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/tes/tes1cd005.html http://www.beatspace.com/6090/Tesseractstudio/Various/Free+Frequency++/detail.aspx http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4260 Mdk

Goa Raume 1 and 2 But how bout some love for the new generation? Erta Ale Future Architecture Energy Waves Nitz-Ho-Goa Protozoa Temple of Chaos Alternative Colurs Opus Iridium Human Hyperactivation Twist Dreams Mdk

Artist: Zinx Title: Rampage EP Label: Terror Lab Industries Date: September, 2011 1. 911 2. Solid System 3. Rampage 4. Hazardous 5. Annihilation (Zinx Remix) - NRS Vs. Bolt 6. My Terror Bitch (Zinx Remix) - Terror Sekt My one experience with this label was the very heavy Extreme Noise Terror Vol. 2 compilation. Dark and intense that really had me wanting a nap after it was all over. And a hug from mommy. Twilight hyper trance is a good way to describe it. It wouldn't surprise me if this label was into other hardcore sh*t like snuff films or porn. What? They have a compilation called snuff? Get the f*ck outta here. This is João Varela from Portugal so expect that Portuguese sound and intensity. *In no way do I purport to know what this label is into. This review is purely for entertainment purposes only. -The lawyers 911- I heard pendejo and some gunfire. What do ya expect, the label pic has a Kalashnikov on it. The track itself has a chunky, duh duh chicka-chicka-chicka waaaooow quality to it. Very metallic sounding with leads that scrape across a chalkboard. Intense isn't a strong enough word for this hyper trance that sh*ts on light speed and takes it to ludicrous. I think João had a lot of fun chopping this thing up in numerous ways. This is like someone on cocaine needing some speed to get out of bed. Solid System- This has a science fiction feel with a few buildups and a very heavy bass line. More hyperactivity that makes me want to dance. This is steel on steel futuristic stuff with a cloak of darkness. Nah, a cloak implies it's hiding something and that is not the case here. It's a balls to the wall right hand uppercut. That poor soul's nickname was "The Fridge" which is apropos because the whole in his face could hold all sorts of vegetables. Rampage- "This song is just like you when you get the giggles. It's great to feel this way. And it's great to hear funny music." This track has a very big chip on it's shoulder and it dares you to knock it off. Intense twilight that still remembers that this is dance music. Very groovy with samples that make you feel a wee bit scared. The lasers eventually take over as they should and this is a serious song. There's more acid here than in your orange juice and probably equally nutritious. Great stuff. Hazardous- "Let the games begin." I keep going back to the cover and feel like I'm in the Matrix. Only the ending isn't a happy one. Poizon lends a hand here with some metallic machine gun fire. The effects make this an alien affair and they are on some old Timecode shit! The sample near the end was a little juvenile, but let it go, the rest is worth it. It's just downright evil with power and I haven't seen this much vile hatred since I ran afoul of my co-worker. "Oh no you didn't. Motherf*cker did you just eat the last piece of cake?" Annihilation (Zinx Remix)- "Harmful and wrong." This is a remix of a track from the A Violent Reaction compilation. It's chunky and clunky to start with lasers and squirty leads but becomes a pretty good stomper. Not a lot to say about it really. My Terror Bitch (Zinx Remix)- "I'll show you f*cking nasty." And he does. Shortest track on the EP, but good things come in small packages. Oh f*ck...this makes Penn State look like Sesame Street. Lasers and acid combine for an unrelenting barrage of blister. Metallic darkpsy squelches and groovy bass line manipulation make this one of my favorite tracks. It's a mover that totally rocks. Dark and twisted but fun as hell. Hi there, I'm the repeat button. Like acid? Good, you're gonna get a sh*tload of it. Like your trance to tell a story? Too f*cking bad, if you are in it's way you're roadkill. This is four on the floor left lane driving hyper stuff that laughs at the idea of ending it with a downtempo track. All the tracks are good with a few being exceptional. if you're in the mood for some intense and fast twilight psy, look no further. This is the droid you are looking for. http://www.beatport....mpage-ep/673020 Mdk

Artist: Doc Von Ooze Title: In Vitro EP Label: Acid Chemical Plant Records Date: November, 2011 1 - In Vitro 2 - Hexon Fluid 3 - Nucleu 3 4 - Jerking Knobs (Microsurgery mix) 5 - Dehli Revenge Old school. Everyone seems to want it. So...what is it? What the f*ck is a MarioKart? "All I ask is that you don't get mad at me...when you have to purchase mad d-batteries." I missed the first go round of goa trance because I was all decked out in flannel riding the grunge nottakeashowerpalooza. This is an EP release from Filipe Santos that is so old school when you open the CD case there is a f*cking 45 in it. Ask your parents. Or google it, isn't that what all the cool kids are doing these days? So it doesn't come with a 45, but you get what I mean. It is of course offered digitally, but the nice treat for old schoolers is that if you buy the CD (like me) not only do you have the physical product in your hand and support the scene, but it's cheaper. So, is it worth it? You bet your Boney Arse it is. 3 dollars American gets you more old school than the poppin' and lockin' of Rerun. It cost me more to have it shipped. How the f*ck do you beat that? You don't. There is more goa and acid passion in this than anything else out there. You get 5 tracks of ripping 303's and acid lines. Bringing back memories of Transwave and Etnica, you could actually believe this was made without a computer, just racks of synths one track at a time. It comes out storming with the swirling 303's and kick drums of yesteryear, and I can almost feel the beaches of goa. Nucleu3 shows his passion for the acid side of things with nice gurgling synths that mesh well with the classic storming goa sound. The tracks just ooze (I didn't do that on purpose) quality with sharp attack leads and sparkling melodies. Dehli Revenge bubbles and just twists its way to awesomeness with its dark tenor and squelchy brilliance. What a fantastic EP. Just fantastic and that's not hyperbole. I strongly recommend this EP so that you can come worship at the temple of the 303. Physical CD: http://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00ZCNM4N&pp=1 Digital copy: http://acprecords.bandcamp.com/album/in-vitro-ep http://www.amazon.com/In-Vitro-EP/dp/B0064XX7XY/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320940955&sr=301-1 http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/doc-von-ooze/id478899796?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Mdk

New Alien Jesus album. Mdk

2011 has surely been a great year for goa. Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Antimateria Label: Nuuktal Records Date: March, 2011 1. Into Coma - DURS 2. There is more inside - EROTIC DREAM 3. Smooth by (Sideform rmx) - VERTEX 4. Deeper - STRATIL 5. S.S. Ishimura - F-ZERO 6. Many Questions - PROTOACTIVE 7. Morning Sensations - ECHOACTIVE AND SYNCHRONEYES 8. Technical Elements - OJOS AND F-ZERO Mexico scares the crap out of me. I've never been there, but my government would have me believe that you should you choose to go there, make sure you say your final goodbyes to your family. You know...just in case. So much negative press surrounds Mexico. Questionable tourism bureau illegal border crossing pet peer pressure Stripper vampires I mean, it's like the final frontier out there. A lawless and ungodly land. But perhaps there is a ray of hope. Nuuktal Records delivers a compilation with an impressive lineup. Artists that have produced some very impressive tracks. They offer it on CD and digitally, but if you get the CD you get an extra track. Into Coma- This is Jesus and far be it from me to question the almighty, but I wouldn't name my track Into Coma when it's so boring. Nothing exceptional except the funky wood block percussion. Groovy for that fact, but rather weak track in all other aspects. Wish he woulda banged on that wood some more. So... a few hail mary's? We good? There is More Inside- "Thousands of years... philosophers and poets have told mankind... that there is more...inside." Don't know much about this project, but this track has a little bounce to it. It's not very detailed by any means, but there is a groovy appeal to it, especially after the quasi break. A little above average. Smooth By (Sideform Remix)- Vertex had one of the best progressive albums out this year with Ocean and now one of his tracks gets the remix treatment from Sideform. It's moderately paced with a very mack daddy groove. Synth leads dance over echoing effects and a very large kick. The break has some chopped up synths and the end finishes strong with some nice rushes and more up in the clouds leads. Good stuff. He's on some old Dukes of Hazard smoothness! Deeper- This seems more grumbly, organic if you will. The bass is pretty fat and there are plenty of effects to thicken it up. Foresty even. I like that there wasn't one particular melody that you could hang on to, but lots of little ones. Pretty ominous and very good. S.S. Ishimura- "Unable to comply. Password required for access." The compiler himself delivers a track that picks up effects as it goes along. But there still isn't much going on. This doesn't get the blood pumping. It's not bad, but it does leave me feeling empty. Many Questions- "I have many questions." Me too. Like, when is it over? Did you save the good track for another compilation? Did you set out to make a boring track? Cause...ya did. Morning Sensations- Synchroneyes...get it? Clever. This is futuristic with chopped up leads of the bass and alto variety. Nice break that was full of emotion and brought a new lead to the surface. Yep, I liked this one. Technical Elements- This is a chunky track with whizzing effects and chopped up synths coming at you in waves. It wasn't outstanding, but it was solid and kept things interesting. I thought one of the better ones on the compilation. Well, that could've been better. This wasn't close to the best progressive trance out there and I'm afraid can't be considered much more than generic stuff. The promo said "8 tracks that makes your blood starts pumping" Ahhhh....no. A lot of the tracks were the kind that went on without a lot of variation, which made it kinda like background music. Not minimal, but far from detailed storytelling. Average compilation for me. http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4326 http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/nuu/nuu1cd002.html http://www.beatspace.com/6160/Nuuktal+Records/Various/Antimateria++/detail.aspx Mdk