Trance2MoveU

Artist: Zed Reactor Title: Interplanetary Entity Label: Ezel Ebed Records Date: November, 2011 1. Horus 2. Dna Blocking Agents 3. Message from space 4. Bellatrix 5. Hades Of Gates 6. Beyond Galaxies 7. Phobos Two 8. Dark Nebula 9. Zedess *Doof doof doof* What was that? *Doof Doof Doof* No...it can't be... *Doof Doof Doof!* It's the return of Nitzho! As of late I've immersed myself in all music goa. Artifact303 Back To Space was brilliant. New E-Mantra album Pathfinder was another colossal win. So what have we here? From the people that brought you the compilations Spiritual Rising and Elixir of Life comes their first artist album. This is George Antonopoulos from Greece. Like you couldn't look at that name and figure it out. Says here that he makes Nitzho with a darker edge. What's not to like? Well, I guess if you detest Nitzhonot then you probably won't like it. But I must warn you, studies show that if you detest Nitzhonot then you are probably also into bestiality. Just presenting the facts. "Fine, you had your fun. Now where are we with that tuna salad sandwich? And so help me God there better not be any onions on it!" Since Agneton is a better musician than a reviewer, allow me to step in and do some heavy lifting. If I had to describe what this release is in gif form: So you would be thinking to yourself, "What a goofy looking alien. Those eyes are totally fake. They even walk like a stupid puppet. And what's with that voice? I'm suppose to fear this?" And that would be right before he lasered you into dust. Moral of the story? Don't judge a book by its cover. People say Nitzhonot and the first thing that comes to mind is some cheesy sh*t. Don't lie, you were thinking it. Fast bass lines with even more hyper melodies that race up and down ad nauseum... Exhibit A-E for the defense your honor? Your honor if it would please the court I would like to channel my inner Matt Damon? "You like apples? How you like dem apples!?!" Yessir, these are all examples of aggressive and melodic albums that should quell any notion that Nitzho can't equal quality. So George sees the writing on the wall. Greek uplifting is going down quicker than an Italian prime minister on an underage hooker at a bunga bunga party. But he doesn't see this as a negative. He sees opportunity. Opportunity to flex some creative muscle and bring Nitzho to the dark side. So like some crazy scientist he goes to the lab and comes up with this dark and twisted offering. Darker! More twisted than radioactive babies Pedophile Ewoks? O-o-ok...that's...uh, that's a little too far. That the guy from Penn State? But still dark! Horus- "Our computer is picking up a strange signal." Probably the Lohan virus. Really tough to get rid of. Infects not only your hard drive but also sets your genitals aflame. Good luck. Are you sure it's not a typo? I'm just sayin' it's an easy mistake to make, we've all done it. Just switch the r and u and...Ok, Ok...whatever. The first track is a perfect illustration of where his head is at. Yep it's got those faster than fast melodies, but it comes at you with that dark feeling. Sure it has the stereotypical slow downs and speed ups with funny samples, but they're well done. DNA Blocking Agents- "After running tests tomorrow...I must decide the best way of breaking the news to the medical association." Ok so not every at bat can be a home run. Everyone has times where...well... Not his strongest effort with sounds like the blue opera singer from 5th Element. I mean I liked it, but it does come off as pure Nitzho cheddar compared to most of the other tracks, lacking any of the interesting stuff. Message From Space- "Seems almost a message coming from space." This one has nice dark melodies twisted to the nth degree. Rapid fire doof kicks abound and I think Agneton would be in Nitzho heaven. Those leads morph and shine and the break is like a campy 1950's sci-fi movie spaceship landed on a mysterious planet's surface. Fun to be sure. Bellatrix- "All magic and no miracles is against the rules." I really liked this one. It is a combination of Max Headroom vocal manipulation with racing nitzho melodies. There's more of that retro horror modulated leads and he puts all the elements together well. Gates of Hades- "I am the eater of worlds. And children! And You!" I think he is reveling in the cheese. Evil sounding title that may have been so back in the 50's, evil sample that is probably from a 50's movie somewhere. He's got key changes and it's real fast. But that kick is a massive doof doof doof as the synth layers coalesce twisting and spiraling outward. The tone is dark of course and while not as an accomplished mixture of goa as stuff on Sita Records, it's still a good time. Beyond Galaxies- More aggressive as leads switch sounds and he just can't get away from that retro 50's sci-fi vibe. Synths sparkle and come together to make this one quite good. Phobos Two- "Proceed on present speed and trajectory." Another powerful mover with piercing leads sprinkled like confetti over the ever present doof kick. I like what he does with the leads at the break making them sound like a full brass orchestra. It's another different direction he takes Nitzho in so that has to be applauded. One of my faves. Dark Nebula- Those leads are like scrambled eggs. What the f*ck does that mean? I dunno, just came to me. Spacey pads form the framework as the melody races at supersonic speed. At the break a lead that sounds like an electronic frog barks out some tones. But it doesn't sound stupid like when X-Dream did it. Good stuff. Zedessa- And he ends this journey with a midtempo track. Dark and brooding, and he has some more fun by having a sample that speaks his name. C'mon, you know he's laughing his ass off. Good for him. Greece has been in the sh*tter for a while so some harmless fun is just what the dr. ordered. The swaying vocals remind me of a cult serenade just to add to his weirdness. This doesn't take itself too seriously. I think George had a lot of fun with this. And why wouldn't he? He combines Nitzho craziness and quirkiness with darker elements to make something that is different. The more I listened to this the more I liked it. There are loads of sci-fi samples that add to the retro cool factor. While it's not the first thing I would go to for my goa fix, it is playful and nice to have something that is so outside the box while still getting some goa crack that addicts like myself require. Recommended. If you like to have fun. since you seem to like 1950s era schlock films Right back at ya! P.S. Just to go along with the dark theme of the album...that chick is probably dead. http://www.psyshop.c.../eer1cd004.html http://www.beatspace...ity/detail.aspx http://www.goastore....b6ee8a4630076c6 Mdk

You are of course welcome. Need to check out your latest stuff. Mdk

While nobody can argue taste, perhaps you're over thinking things. I believe this is Arcana 2.0 with stronger melodies and deep atmospheric storytelling. And it's f*cking awesome at that. Like you said, he is going to make what he wants to make but since Suntrip has been top dog for a while, the "in" thing that people seem to want is "darker" goa trance. It seems that if you don't make that type of goa, then you what you are making is sunshiney fluff and that it is a disappointment. Emmanuel has his style and it's easily recognizable on everything he does. Personally I find his melodies darker than your average goa. Never once do I listen to his music and say "wow, now that is some cheesy cotton candy." Not to single you out Penzoline, but only because you replied, it seems that instead of listening to the music and appreciating it for what it is, we are always pointing to what it isn't. As if that je ne sais quoi that we imagine it to lack prevents the music from being good. Mdk

His Orange EP was how psytrance is done. I am really looking forward to this. Mdk

Spelled the artist name wrong in the title. I've had a hard time with it also. Mdk

Artist: E-Mantra Title: Pathfinder Label: Suntrip Records Date: November, 2011 1. Pathfinder 2. Metamorphic Resonance 3. Dansul Ielelor (Neurosect Edit 2011) 4. Valley of the kings 5. Above the skies 6. Distant Signals 7. Afterglow 8. Approaching Nibiru (Eleusyn rmx) 9. Deep Descent 10. If there is nothing Gesundheit. You know, in 2011 our cup truly runneth over. If you love goa trance as the majority of us do, then you cannot help but be pleased with this years output. The dust has just begun to settle from Artifact303's Back to Space and the label that has resurrected melodic goa trance has delivered another release from a titan of the genre. Romanian Emmanuel Carpus is responsible for the absolutely stellar space exploration goa trance epic Arcana in 2009 and aims to pick up where he left off. Questions abound of course since he is the reigning king of goa at the moment. Did his style evolve? And if so, what shape did he take? Will we all like it? Will there still be people that complain? Pathfinder- "If intelligent life could evolve here on Earth, then why not elsewhere? We'll be the first generation alive to find out." The beginning breathes like something alive and this track could very well have been on Arcana. Filtered leads spiral through space as the layering increases. It's a meteor shower with chunks of melody that break up as it hits an alien atmosphere. Shimmering and sparkling with some light touches that you could actually reach out and hold. Metamorphic Resonance- The space vibe continues with more bubbling synths and warm layers. There is a feeling of great distance and mammoth size with tracks like this. As if light speed wasn't fast enough. Churning and turning over as nameless moons pass by in silent watch. Welcome to deep trance. Population...all of us. Dansul Ielelor (Neurosect Edit 2011)- Here is the first remix of a track that was on Arcana and it isn't long before that recognizable melody appears. But only briefly. I look up and 5 minutes have bone by in the blink of an eye. Sharp 303's snap in the friction of space as one lead tumbles over another. All in a race to reach the planet's surface. Delicious. Valley of the Kings- While not a Nitzhogoa track per se, this is as close as Emanuel gets. The kick says nitzho, but the melodies sparkle with goa energy. Leads twist and ricochet off each other in his most powerful showing yet. His signature dark and drifting style is present with loads of layers. It doesn't get more outer space than this. Above the Skies- Clearly we have crossed a line into a more aggressive style as this one comes out swinging. Leads crawl from dark places like tendrils from some unknown beast. His breaks are short and only there to change the direction of the track. The leads blur and shimmer like a mirage as they stike and then fade. Wow. Distant Signals- What sets this track apart is the length of the break as the intensity builds. The leads continue to echo and even seem more tactile with sharper attack rates. It plows straight ahead like a comet with numerous off shoots. Afterglow- Melodic droplets stir the surface of a vast body of water. This is a lighter track with its feet firmly planted in deep trance as much as goa. The drifting continues with a 303 sparkle and bite. Layers increase as the track moves on. There is a mystery about this one as if unearthing a tomb from long ago. Approaching Nibiru (Eleusyn Remix)- This is the 2nd track from Arcana to be remixed. Floaty and distant like watching a pitched battle from a safe vantage point. It's short, but has powerful arpeggios that act as guide rails with a screaming 303 in protest. Deep Descent- Here is where this album separates itself from Arcana. No stranger to downtempo, Emmanuel brings a slow, pensive feel to this outer space jaunt. Astronauts converse as mystical synths uncoil. Warm pads reveal a massive horizon or maybe the rubble of a destroyed civilization. The winds of change are blowing my friend as this melancholy tune fades away. If There is Nothing- The 2nd downtempo track has a wonderful alien ambiance as whatever remains from the destroyed civilization crawls its way to the surface. It's cold and futuristic with a post apocalyptic timbre, as a bubbling lead slowly meanders through the wreckage. The first thing I want to say is that there is not one single 303 ripping stormer of a goa trance track here. If you want that go check out the Portamento album. But that's not what Emmanuel does. His tracks can be likened to a massive oak tree. The trunk is the solid foundation and as you climb farther up the tree melodies spiral and branch off in a myriad of directions. If you continue to venture further onto a branch, there are a massive amount of twigs you can follow. But the trunk is the solid foundation. His sound is truly entrancing and not focused on Arabic or Indian melodies we often see in goa trance. Nope, he is all about the farthest reaches of space and a mystical component. Like layers? There are tons of them here. It's like climbing into satin sheets the way leads and synth juxtapose for position. So smooth. The production sounds marvelous even on my sh*tty headphones. And on top of that he ends his album with two very nice downtempo tracks. You know, I suppose it's normal to become spoiled as time goes by. The technology helps make the music better, the sound quality improves, and we even become jaded by cover art. Reading the thread in the Label Announcements section you'll see people complaining about him sounding like Astral, the cover art sucks...yadda yadda yadda. I suppose I could've written the same descriptions for the first eight track. They all have the space vibe in his dark melodic style that will carry you away. If you loved the dark, drifting style of Arcana then you should love this. There are more melodies of a darker tone and atmosphere, but they are just as hypnotic with an insane amount of storytelling. The two downtempo tracks are a treat and a great way to end the album. It is my opinion that this is just as groundbreaking and awesome as his first album. Congrats to E-Mantra and Suntrip. Long Live the King! http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4676 http://www.beatspace...er+/detail.aspx http://www.psyshop.c.../sut1cd023.html Mdk

I was right there with you. I've been listening to it for quite some time, but couldn't put my thoughts together. It's such a great release with almost no flaws that it's difficult to describe. Finally just put it on and let the review write itself. Mdk

Artist: Artifact303 Title: Back To Space Label: Suntrip Records Date: May 2009 1. Magnetic Fields 2. Trancemission 3. They will communicate 4. For a better world 5. Tropical Sunset 6. Mysterious Fantasy 7. Beyond Lightspeed 8. Close Encounter 9. Delirium Remember that telescope that your Nana and Papa gave you for your thirteenth birthday? You do know that it ain't just for peeping into the window of that hot chick across the street with the big, big titties, right? Look, look, look...she's bendin' over! Penzoline wrote an awesome review so no need in rehashing the particulars. If you have a vivid imagination and a willingness to travel (damn bag fees) than this is an album that will take you past huge galaxies and through nebulae of limitless color. If the definition of our music is "to put into trance" than this is the illustration that Wikipedia would use. The comparisons to Astral Projection cannot be helped. And hey if you want to equate his music to a project responsible for some of the greatest goa trance ever created, I'm sure he would be ok with that. Who wouldn't want to hear that they f*ck like a porn star? The sound is as big as all outside with leads that intertwine and leave trails of color in their wake. Back To Space is a perfect title because your feet won't touch the ground until it's over. This is melodic fire in zero gravity as wave after wave scorches through you. It surrounds and caresses, with warm layers that bubble and undulate. It's drenched in storytelling detail and not jus another full on neo-goa clone. Magnetic Fields bristles with cosmic energy and lush atmospherics as it switches directions more often than a NYC cab driver. There are also introspective moments like the almost joyous Tropical Sunset placed smack dab in the middle of the album. Some say that it kills the flow, but I disagree. I think it enhances it and serves as a signpost informing you not to get comfortable. The 2nd half of the album shows that he can also blister you with a melodic assault that won't have you questioning his power. Mysterious Fantasy deluges the listener with a relentless acid shower in a kaleidoscope of hues. Beyond Lightspeed is an aggressive beast that builds, becoming more massive with eah passing measure. Besides, how can you not like a track with a Spaceballs sample in it? You can't. Unless you're a dick. Give Rick Moranis a break, it was the last movie he did where he could look in and the mirror and not feel shame. Close Encounters is another awesome track that brings back fond memories of Etnica and Crop Circles with it's delicious acid arpeggios and laser light focus. We're fortunate to have so many goa trance releases that seem to get better and better with each effort. The artists are really exploring their creativity and providing us with powerful music that can also evoke passionate feelings. Whether you like it dark or tribal, floating sunshine or deep space, goa trance is f*cking awesome these days. Congrats to Zsolt and Suntrip because this is a landmark in not just goa trance, but psychedelic music. One of the best. Ever. My apologies for anyone I send into an epileptic seizure with this gif. Psyshop Beatspace Saiko Sounds Goa Store Mdk

Artist: Astropilot Title: Emptiness EP Label: Sun Station Records Date: November, 2011 1. Emptiness 2. Emptiness (Flucturion 2.0 Remix) 3. Emptiness (Dream Stalker Air Mix) Russian label Sun Station Records releases a free EP by Dmitry V. Red'ko who at least for 2010 has been extremely prolific, dropping 4 albums in that year alone. Tells me that he had a lot of material stored up. My favorite was Solar Walk as he crafted some really beautiful ambient. He is known for his downtempo goodness, but this is a progressive track along with two remixes of the same track. Let's see how it goes. Emptiness- It's the type of progressive that is full steam ahead without any changes in it's foundation, but the effects give it depth. The break is really spacey with choirs, cold electronic computer blinking, but it's really short. Makes me feel like I'm alone in outer space and nobody is coming to rescue me. Emptiness (Flucturion 2.0 Remix)- Same style of progressive with different effects. It actually seems a little bit more alive. Sparkles more. It pulsates and shimmers in a more understated tone. Liked it a little better. Emptiness (Dream Stalker Air Mix)- "Our bodies are given life from the mist of nothingness." Ah, but Dmitry saved the best for last. The sample adds a futuristic and mystical air as it chugs along with bass sweeps. The break is reflected sunshine on chrome on a winter's day slowly bringing warmth where there was none. It bubbles and whines with more outer space samples and liquid sounds as it coasts to a conclusion. This is a nice little EP and an example of how remixes are supposed to be different than the original, yet still maintain some of the character of that original track. It's churning progressive that sounds very good loud and is easy to get lost in. Is it the best progressive I've heard? No, of course not. But it ain't bad at all. Couple that with the price (zero. zilch, nada) and you've got nothing to lose. http://www.ektoplazm...pilot-emptiness Mdk

Artist: Deliriant Title: Miracle Cure Label: Nexus Media Date: August, 2011 1. Edge of the Universe 2. Miracle Cure 3. Anti-God 4. Chronic 5. Face It 6. Peaches (Deliriant Remix) - Pitch Hikers, Shane Renew 7. One Sound Fits All 8. Final Thought 9. Recollection A little to the left...a little more...ok, one step right....perfect! Smile! This is what it feels like to have let this slip under the radar. Kind of a poor choice of words, because whoever was driving that tank obviously wasn't watching the radar. Maybe it was me. Between the new baby and this being the hiking season I haven't really been paying too much attention to music. Who am I kidding, I haven't been able to do much hiking at all. Be that as it may I will attempt to get my sleep deprived brain a new injection of music. This is Shane Renew, another South African that can bring the power in that twilight style that I love. His first album Chemistry...c'mon. I just wanna....C'mon mother f*cker let me rename the link...Damn this updated and obviously smoother running board! Damn you to hell! Actually, that's minor...I really like the new setup here. As I was saying, Chemistry (link below) was astoundingly awesome and if you haven't heard it I urge you to purchase a copy. http://www.psynews.o...__fromsearch__1 Wow, look at that old review. So sparse and...vacant. No pictures or nothin'. Anyway, this was mastered by sHiFt so it's got that going for it. Also, it is a digital only release as far as I can tell, so they apparently got tired of paying Joe Blow and Jill whoever the f*ck for CD costs, printing, and all that crap. I know some people love having the physical release, but let's be honest where are you gonna put it hippie? Something comes in means something goes out and we all know you're not gonna get rid of your bong. Yes, yes, we know you want a Kindle that plays music. Well they have that, it's called an mp3 player. Now you don't have to cart around all your Lil' Wayne Cd's. F*cker releases one every other week. Edge of the Universe- "This is Earth. Silicon and oxygen based with a metallic core. It teems with life and rotates once every 24 hours while orbiting a star called the sun every 365 days. Let us travel now at the speed of light departing from our home star on a trip across the cosmos toward the edge of the known universe. Our imaginary journey begins when we prepare to launce into space at the speed of 186,000 miles per second." With a crunchy beat and acid splatter the journey is underway. It's gutteral and feels like he just made Chemistry part two. Very groovy with dancing leads that combine in a bouncing melody. The break is also crystal clear bringing a bubbling synth to the front. Not storytelling rich, but it'll make you want to shake your ass in a co-worker's face. "Yeah! Yeah, can you smell that? I had tacos for lunch!" Miracle Cure- It sounds very futuristic and has me believing there is a miracle cure for all maladies. "WHAT THE F*CK IS WRONG WITH YOUR FACE!!!" So...maybe not a cure, but definitely some type of banishment. I see people in white coats with beakers full of colorful liquid and the whole environment is sterile. Sparkling leads ricochet off each other as lasers fire with reckless abandon. The acid starts flying with impunity and it was pretty good with a futuristic break. Not bad. Anti-God- Toxic chemicals drip from metallic surfaces and a lead peeks out from the darkness, giving you just a taste. It begins slowly but at 4 minutes the synths take over and the groove kicks in. Acid lines flash brilliantly and the track ends on a strong note. Chronic- I'm not about to review a track twice. You ain't payin' me. So here is what I wrote for the same track on the Secret Transmission compilation. "So how long before we find the answer to the question we all really want to understand." I thought this was ground that was covered. Three licks. Three licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop. This is Shane Renew from South Africa with a track that is also on his 2nd studio album Miracle Cure. It's got some bounce as lasers fire from places of concealment. The lead is spacey and fat as he fades into a break but he then brings the acid back for a thorough soaking. Face It- "Thank you ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be with you today." With a rolling synth arpeggio the dark mood continues. Thick acid leads are painted with a broad brush and true to form the climax gets uber groovy, but I just wasn't feeling this one. It's good, don't get me wrong, but in a way I also found it empty. Peaches (Deliriant Remix)- This was a great Pitch Hikers track off their Twilight Zone album. It bubbles but let's face it with that ominous synth you really can't go wrong. Would really like to know what the f*ck that has to do with peaches. You have scratchy synths, a f*ckton of acid and some pretty good groove going on. What Deliriant track would be complete without some lasers, am I right? Loved it. The only thing it needs is a midget firing a machine gun. Ahhh...lovely. One Sound Fits All- This is an alien lurking within the hidden corners of the spacecraft. This is you thinking you heard something, but can't locate it. It shows up as a blip on your heat scanner, but it's constantly shifting. Several times you thought you pinpointed its position only to find nothing. By the time you do find it, it's too late. It's large hulking mass is right behind you, ready to give you an acid soaking you won't soon forget. A good night time stomper this is. Final Thought- More dark feelings emanate from this track and the first break makes me think of that scene in Alien where the creature slowly drops behind the unsuspecting victim. I really need to watch that movie again. The acid starts to fly like spittle from a hungry predator as the climax has a nice bit of groove to it as the arpeggiated lead spirals off into space. Not bad. Dark, acid heavy twilight stuff! Recollection- Final track and it has a moderately paced swagger, like a firefight for all the marbles. Scratchy leads and acid blasts are the main course as they dance nimbly between artillery rounds. It's dark and introspective as more acid skitters away. Great way to close. In the end this is exactly what you would expect from Deliriant. Acid heavy stomping psytrance. All of the tracks have a dark vibe and are very danceable. If you loved Chemistry then you will love this also. Congrats again to the crew at Nexus Media. http://www.junodownl...ure/1786925-02/ http://www.beatport....cle-cure/392792 Mdk

Holy hairy nuts! He's a f*cking pimp! Mdk

I like the dark color and the green. There is a certain amount of pop which is easier on the eyes. Good job. Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Ease Division 4 Label: Spiral Trax Date: May, 2011 1. Treebeard Speaks His Mind - VONOOM 2. Melting Touch - KLIMENT 3. The Last OCB - KRUSSELDORF 4. Wide awake - ESCAPE VELOCITY 5. Plasmaland - SIEBZEHN 6. The Purrts Of Navarone - ILLUMINUS 7. As Summer Gave Way To Autumn - KUKAN DUB LAGAN 8. Ffly By - TOR.MA 9. Water Cooler - KRUSSELDORF Spiral Trax is a Swedish label that closed up shop in 2006 when its distributor folded only to be reborn and taken over by Germany. Some big names have come through this label...Human Blue, Logic Bomb, Hux Flux. So there is nothing to be ashamed about if you've been taken over by Germany. I mean it happened to Austria, France, Italy and Poland and that worked out pretty well...right? I mean, you say Germany to me in the 40's and I'm thinking this guy. Sure he ran a camp for POW's, but they looked well fed and every week it seemed like there was a lot of laughs. He's such a lovable character I'm sure the whole country of Germany was just like him. Oh. That was there? Wow. That is no way to run a label. Sure it was a "hostile takeover" but this is business, it happens all the time. It's not like they made giant robots whose sole intent was to crush the Fatherland. Ho.Lee.Crap. Those motherf*ckers. What a terrible slice of history. All we can do is hope that it is never repeated and that a continent doesn't fall prey to a charismatic yet insane individual. IT'S THE END OF DAYS! HE'S BROUGHT BACK ZOMBIE GARY COLEMAN AND A KILLER 1980'S TRANS-AM! Treebeard Speaks His Mind- Michael Sundo drops a serious dubby tune for your ears. That bass will rattle a few windows in Kennebunkport this summer I betcha. Simpsons reference? Anybody? The slow piano chords provide stability as bubbly sweeps rain down like afternoon sunshine. He slides a squirty lead in there near the end for a pretty good track. Nod your head goodness I would say. Melting Touch- Haven't heard a whole bunch from Mr. Dichev, but what I have had the privelidge to hear was pretty damn good. He's got twinkly synths that make like sparklers on the 4th of July as a deep bass hums below. Cloud surfing melodies spiral throughout, and the clip clop of percussion makes me think of open meadows. Kinda like the cover. It's got it all really...piano, soft vocals, dreamy melodies. It's like being high and adrift without having to hit the pipe. Only one thing missing... Hey! How you doin'? What? Kids, no...no *pushes kids into pool* Those are my brother's kids! The Last OCB- R.I.P. Dirty. You were...different. What? Oh. OH! OCB. I'm sure Simon will be thrilled to have his name linked to a fool that showed up in a limo to collect food stamps. This is Simon Heath aka Atrium Carceri (which is one of my all time favorite dark ambient projects) With a deliberate melody and deep bass this track has a frenzied percussive style. You know, like the bpm would say 170 but it's a downtempo joint. Floating melodies combine with some earthy almost forest sounds. Can a track be relaxing yet also feel a little rushed? That's how this one made me feel. Mind Wide Awake- Oooh, juicy percussion! Like I stepped in a puddle. The pads are of course dreamy and the bass drop is a nice warped style. Shimmering leads reflect like chrome in the sun and the break beat hits me just right. And then right in the middle of the track he slows it all down. It's an extended break that brings forth what seems like an arbitrary melody before the beat shifts. Kinda weird transition, but I liked it. Plasmaland- Remember how Michael Jackson in the Billie Jean video stepped on a square and it would light up? That's how this makes me feel, though instead of squares it's clouds. And the view down is...breathtaking. If I were any more relaxed I would be comatose. Thankfully he throws a little soft percussion my way and it highlights how detailed and spacey this track is. So what are you gonna do when he speeds things up at a drum n bass pace? Know what I did? Just smiled. Purrts of Navarone- "And when I got started with psychedelics it was because I was...uhh, interested in a mystical experience." At first when I thought this was going to be an ambient piece I was on board. But after the Shpongle-esqe quirkiness and weird sounds I was turned off. This doesn't seem to fit in with what I have heard so far. It's not that the pace is quicker, but I found the chanting and sounds rather intrusive. On it's own it's fine, but put with these tracks just doesn't do itself any favors. As Summer Gave Way To Autumn- I've heard this before. Piano chord arpeggio and rastafarian sample telling me to choose one. But where? Bah...I can't think of it. Maybe I heard it whilst I was asleep and thought I heard it somewhere else. At least where back to the relaxing pace even though I don't care for the lead and its distorted, detuned self. Come to think of it, the piano is obtrusive as well. Yeah, I don't like this. And being almost 10 minutes long it'll take 2 weeks to get through it. Is it good? Eh. Fly by-You got your sitar appreciation ears ready? Good, you'll need 'em. The breakbeat lends an air of funk to it and the electronics give it a mystical vibe. Not bad. "Hot dog hot dog yes sir no sir!" Water Cooler- With a jazzy feel the funky drummer comes out to play. The emphasis is on real world instruments in a let's get everyone in the room and jam. What? Nah, f*ck the sheet music, follow my lead. Gimme a c, a bouncy c! Weird. I like the Ease Division Series as the number gets highger. 1st one not so much. The 2nd was better and the 3rd was really good. With the 4th one I think we have reached a plateau. It started off pretty good but then kinda lost its way. Lots of dub, some ambient, reggae...so there's plenty of different genre's to stick your teeth into, but it didn't blow me away. There were a couple of really good tracks so it might be worth checking out. http://www.psyshop.c.../spt1cd032.html http://www.beatspace...n+4/detail.aspx http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4416 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Straight Forward Vol. 2 Label: Spintwist Records Date: May, 2009 1. SSH - MORTEN GRANAU 2. Galaxy Traveler (Neelix rmx) - FELGUK 3. Shockwaves - MIDIMAL 4. Sun Spot - LISH 5. Straight Forward - AQUALIZE 6. Prophecy (Zyce and Flegma rmx) - LIQUID SOUL 7. Controlled Emotions (Audiomatic rmx) - AUDIOMATIC AND VAISHIYAS 8. All 4 You - DAY.DIN AND DJ FABIO 9. Dreamless - PHAXE AND TIME IN MOTION 10. Perimeter - ORGANIX Spintwist is a Gernan label that makes progressive trance in the slowly evolving style. Where Iono and TesseracT Studio major in melody and atmosphere, I think this label took a few courses at the community college in groove. Not saying it's bad, just different. Their focus is not on tons of layers but in making you dance I guess. Still, their resume of releases is impressive on both the CD and the digital side. Ssh- Never heard of him, but what a nice groove to start the compilation. I'm sitting on my deck in the afternoon sun with a view of the mountain in my backyard and this just feels right. Toe tapping, head nodding, melody makes the November sun feel extra toasty. The break has oscillating waves of ligh that conbine with churning synths. When the 2nd break arrives it's blue sky as far as the eye can see as sampled voices get chopped up in staccato moments. Right now? Perfect. Galaxy Traveler (Neelix Remix)- Space pads and long whooshes open things up with more sliced voices and sound stabs. You can really hear the slap bass and speaking of slapping, someone hit the sequencer, it's skipping. That sample is irritating, but happily it is overtaken. IIRC, Neelix had a habit of including petulant samples in his work. And then over using them. Meh. Shockwaves- Let's not make any shockwaves, I've got 2 kids sleeping at the same time. Do you know how difficult that can be? This is Christian Merkis from Switzerland who recently released his 2nd album In Pursuit of Happiness this summer. Rest assured this boring track won't wake anybody with a lot of up and down bass work. It's the same crap until the break mercifully arrives at 5 minutes. Which is nice and littered with echoing sounds, but he shoulda stopped there because he jumped right back to the pre-break pablum. Reminded me of a blind date my mom set me up on... Yeah, we're still not speaking. I just don't think this is proper attire to go to the movies. *Gag* I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Sun Spot- Lior Maimon and Shay Tiab released one of my favorite albums ever with Free Fall in 2005. Whooshes, oscillating synths, and bass sweeps give this some massive scope. But what I will always remember about this track is the effect that sounds like a phone is ringing off in the distance. I was lookin' all over for that thing. It chugs along nicely right into a deep space break where a thick lead taps out a chunky melody. Good stuff. Straight Forward- This is Vladislav Koumpatidis & Koinis Anastasios and I usually like most of their work. This one has shimmery leads with a chunky bass line. Kinda eerie vibe with the chopped up synth coming and going. Good I suppose. Prophecy (Zyce & Flegma Remix)- I've been on these two projects nuts like a speedo but that's because they consistently produce music of the highest quality. Their trademark effects are there, echoing beautifully through all the layers. It's a slow crawl as it takes its time. The break has a bit of a break beat rhythm to it and the effects don't stop. Once again their tracks are deep and only appreciated on numerous listens. Was this before or after Revenge of the Nerds? In later sequels he became the nerds's friend. Sellout. Controlled Emotions (Audiomatic Remix)- I've had Benjamin's latest album on my desk for weeks but my wife had to go and have a baby so I've been kinda busy. And this track is a little busy. It has more layers than I'm accustomed from this label and seems to be in a hurry. I haven't heard the original so I can't comment on whether it's better or even different. I can tell you that the sample isn't winning me over but the music ain't half bad. But I defy you to find one thing in this track that will make you want to play it again. It's like all these tracks are the hot chicks friends at the club only the hot chick stayed at home to study. Hey...sweet cheeks. Book's upside down. Now stop wasting that mouth on that skinny pencil. All For You- Yeah I didn't like this at all. Forget the chopped up vocal sample in the middle of the track even though that was annoying enough. It's just straight boring. They throw a token melody in at the very end like that should satisfy you. When I wan't some steak, don't give me a dog biscuit. And by the way, why did it take two of you to produce this boring mess? Dreamless- Love the work from these two projects and I have reviewed a bunch of their stuff. Go ahead, look it up. I'll wait. It's catchy and their work in the break is seamless. Twinkling synths echo far into the distance as they add layers. Believe me the filter knob is getting a workout as they twist that lead. It's positive and has plenty of sunshine but lost a little oomph towards the end. Very enjoyable for an afternoon at the beach though. Perimeter- Get it? They put it at the end of the...perimeter? Sigh. This is Daan Van Hamersveld & Pim Van Horssen and just a shot in the dark, but I bet they're Dutch. Haven't heard much from them. The first 4 and half minutes are are about as vanilla as it gets, but the last bit has a quirky groove to it. Oscillating synths, whooshes and a delicate melody that sparkles. Other than that it won't stay with me after the period at the end of the sentence. I think to call this anything other than a disappointment would be wrong. Too many mediocre tracks that outweigh the nice ones. For my money, get the first one and the Zyce & Flegma remix and be done with it. http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/spn/spn1cd025.html Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Southern Breeze Label: Echoes Records Date: May, 2011 1. Inter - KARL JOHAN 2. Supernova (Magitman rmx) - WEEKEND HEROES 3. It's Tech No - SAVE THE ROBOT 4. Necessary Activity (Fiord rmx) - ANDREA BERTOLINI AND LISH 5. Greatest Peace - GLITTER 6. Call Me (Victor Ruiz rmx) - D-NOX AND BECKERS 7. Dengue Express - ERIC ENTRENA AND SOMETHING GOOD 8. Mantra (Roy Rosenfeld rmx) - LUIGI ROCCA 9. All Nighter - GUY MANTZUR AND STEPHAN BAZBAZ Somehow this ended up in my pile of stuff to listen to. I can't explain it. Based in Israel, Echoes Records is owned by the guy who did the compiling and the promo says it is a massive release which is deep and pumping. Look, I've been doing this long enough to know when I'm being fed a line and this line is larger than the coke that went up Rick James nose. Inter- Let me be the first to tell you that this track will not blow anyone off the dancefloor. And I don't think it's supposed to. It's intro progressive house to the core with little evolution. Sounds get added as the measures tick by rising to a fever pitch. Let's see where they're going with this... Supernova (Magitman Remix)- This is Igal Magitman aka Etic with a remix. It's another progressive house joing with not a whole lot going on. If it was a chick at the club and they were getting ready to close I suppose I would take her home. Wait...how drunk am I? Cause while she has a slight funky side I would bet this librarian might have to work in the morning. Damnit, why are the lights so low in the club? This is not what my mind saw. It's Tech No- This is Alien Project + Quadra and no matter what theorem you use it all adds up to mediocrity. Seems like they have changed their style since their earlier albums. I would say this is a step in the right direction. The track itself has a funky sway to it with a popcorn lead. Nothing here is going to make you redefine the genre, but it has its charm. Necessary Activity (Fiord Remix)- The Strom brothers remix a Lish track with a lulling, pulsating effect. If you're looking for change and variation that ship has sailed. The first 4 minutes set the stage for a nice bridge, but then it's right back to what got you here. The suspense grows as the track seems to climb a never ending set of stairs. Meh. Picture going to work and killing company time on high speed internet and then having to come home to watch porn on dial up. Yeah, that sucks. Greatest Peace- This guy? He's still making music? Wasn't he diddling children or something like that? Probably not the same guy. All these tracks follow the same pattern, what the hell. Slightly groovy with not much change and a build up. Man this was boring. If I wanted to be bored I would ask my wife how her day went. Dont uh...don't tell her I said that, ok? Call Me (Victor Ruiz Remix)- Wow, you know how cool repetitive samples are? Good God this is going from bad to worse. Call you? If I see you in a crosswalk I'm gonna try and hit you. Quit jay walkin motherf*cker! Dengue Express- See if you name your project Something Good it gives ammunition to bored critics like me to poke fun at. It's a high standard that can be hard to attain. Still, this had some funky qualities to it. If only it wasn't so annoying. Whatever momentum it had was lost quickly along the way. F*ck me if I had a white flag I would wave it. Mantra (Roy Rosenfeld Remix)- This project might as well be my mail carrier because I have no idea who any of the participants are. The sample talks about...you know, I wasn't really paying that much attention. I was busy marveling at the save that goalkeeper made. I wonder if his country had that forward killed before he got off the plane. All Nighter- You sonofabitch. You made me wade through all that sewage for the best track? It's groovy with a casual style. I didn't wet myself over it, but compared to the rest it is a fountain of melody. You can hear the melody from the Bee Gees classic all housed up. But at this point I'm ready to go. If you are a fan of this type of progressive house I apologize. Not for what I'm about to say because I don't care if I offend you. I want to apologize for the record label making you waste your money on this crap. There is nothing interesting about this release. It's the same sh*t over and over with little to no melody or any twists or turns which may keep the listener from chucking it out the car window. Feel that breeze? Yeah, Echoes Records just farted in your face. http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/ech/ech1cd013.html Mdk

Artist: Wiz of Oz Title: Emerald City Acid Party EP Label: Acid Chemical Plant Records Date: October, 2011 1. Fuck that mainstream shit and start banging your head 2. Acid Snowflakes 3. Alice in Technoland "To the living...let now the dead...come alive." So I came across this in the Label section and since it was from Acid Chemical I felt I should give it a look. Then I saw the name. Oswald Pfeiffer. None other than PharaOm, aka Baron Samdi and now...Wiz of Oz. Makes sense doesn't it? Filipe has 43 aliases and if you're gonna release something under his label might as well do it under a different name. While I was less than impressed with the Baron's effort the stuff from PharaOm always left me with a smile. This is supposedly acid trance and if you pressed me I couldn't tell you what the f*ck that means. Got some goa sounds and it seems more raw than the ultra melodic goa we hear these days. The first track is the best with a slow saunter that has some major attitude. The bubbling 303 is a hallmark of this sound and you get over 7 minutes of it. Really entrancing with a break that you can almost feel curl around you. Couple that with the greatest track title ever and it's really win win. I also love the title of the second track as you can just picture it. It starts out with that 303 growl that snaps at you like a dog while a small percussive element knocks in the background. Not bad, but could've used a little more bubbling, a little more meat on the bone. The final track is the fastest and also the shortest. It seems like this was a sketchpad with a few ideas, but unfinished. First off this is free so check it out, there is nothing to lose. 2nd, if this is the definition of acid trance, then I like it. As I mentioned it is less layered and intricate than goa, but still has some of those elements. More groove oriented. The first track was tops for me as it had it all. The rest...I could take them or leave them. Good stuff Oswald, I would be interested in hearing more stuff like the first track from you. http://acprecords.ba...y-acid-party-ep Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Secret Transmission Label: Nexus Media Date: September, 2011 1. Delete Me - Pitch Hikers 2. Chronic - Deliriant 3. Blind Submission - Algorhythm 4. Crystalline Glass - Sidhartha Vs. Photonic 5. Reef Break - sHifT Vs. Tickets 6. Timewave - Khopat Vs. Tryon 7. Gees Fees - Biorhythm 8. The Worm - Sub-Zero 9. Devils Playground - Mantis Vs. Dr. Throb Oftentimes life comes down to choices. At some point you have put down the toys and get some age appropriate material. Say goodbye to Alien Project and introduce yourself Nexus Media. This is a digital only release from Twilight masters who have quite the impressive resume. I have all their releases and they are excellent. Pure power, melody and a depth that is hard to come by in psytrance these days. Sometimes you look at a tracklist like that and can be a little skeptical. Not with this label. South African to the bone. Delete Me- This is Chris Hoy (sHifT) and Liam Gibbs (Slug) both owners of the Nexus Media label. The amount of crushing hits between the two of them is too numerous to count so this seems like a good pairing. They released two studio albums (Twilight Zone & Sting) which were true to the twilight sound. Metallic synths and globs of acid scrape the wall until the break gives you a, ummm...break. The next lead you hear is a staccato one and then the track begins to fill out. Acid, screaming leads, and intensity follow. Nice opener, but just a taste of what's to come. Chronic- "So how long before we find the answer to the question we all really want to understand." I thought this was ground that was covered. Three licks. Three licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop. This is Shane Renew from South Africa with a track that is also on his 2nd studio album Miracle Cure. It's got some bounce as lasers fire from places of concealment. The lead is spacey and fat as he fades into a break but he then brings the acid back for a thorough soaking. Blind Submission- No clue who this is and you know maybe if Nexus Media would update their site more than once a year this wouldn't happen. Get with the f*cking program. Cause I gotta tell ya, I like this track. Robotic effects and twisted synths swirl in an unholy dance that should make Azax remember how this is done. Acid flies like it's from rapid fire bazooka and man it's nasty. Not as nasty as that girl who gave you herpes though. Remember her? Thought no one could see you didn't ya? Yeah, you're gonna need more than penicillin. Crystalline Glass- We all know the music of Nuno but Photonic is much more elusive. Well this is a great team because the acid is raining down like a typhoon as the bass line thunders across the track. Not only is the acid great but the lead brings the funk down from heaven in relentless waves. Intense and beautiful like twilight music should be. Really powerful psychedelic stuff. Reef Break- Joseph Summs and Chris Hoy combine for an electronic tour de force that is both powerful and gets caught in your throat like a chicken bone. It has techno vibes and a dark groove with its fair share of acid. Echoing synths create a nice eerie atmosphere and the climax is stacked with layers like my new bookcase. Ikea...where you can find some f*cked up sh*t. Timewave- Vasco Pedrosa and Telmo Pereira drop a screamer into your lap. Those leads are ear piercingly good and the whole thing is Exorcist movie dark. Evil washes couple with alien noises as acid erupts like an infants diarhea and trust me...I would know. Awesome stuff and we are getting back to where twilight belongs. Hey if you see my grandpa send him home will ya? I dunno...just tell him they got 5 flat screens and they're all showing Matlock. Gees Fees- Best.Track.Ever.From.Biorhythm.Period. Do I need a period after the word period? It's squelchy good with racing arpeggios and growling bass. So thick as leads snake their way about and the layers pile on. I didn't think this duo had it in them, but they proved me wrong. The lasers blast from all directions as the acid takes over. The final bit is armageddon that you will love. This is a track you dream of. I haven't had a dream this good since... Down goes Bieber! Down goes Bieber! The Worm- How delightfully alien to begin and this is where the compilation takes a slight turn towards the more...dark areas of the mind. It shimmers with an analog fatness that echoes into those darker areas where worms like to tunnel. The lead itself is unremarkable however and I feel this is an introduction to a new artist. Nothing more, nothing less. Devil's Playground- "Won't you stay and play with me? I'm having a tea party." Final track and it's the darkest one. Bubbling cauldrons of synthetics spill over into the dark underground prison. The bass line is really deep, and with the effects this could be the Devil's timeshare. I mean, other than the one he has in Orlando. Man, he really loves Epcot. More shimmering synths slide on rivers of fire and with the sample it sounds quite evil. The track has a great conclusion with a pad to add layers. Great ending. There you go. Nexus Media continues to be the leader in twilight psytrance. Intense, blistering, atmospheric...f*ck choose your own adjective. All of that and it makes you want to dance too. You really can't beat it. Like that chick that used to sit next to me in Calculus with the really short skirt... they got all the answers to your psytrance needs. http://www.beatport....smission/675085 Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Manga Vol. 3 Label: Yabai Records Date: September, 2011 1. A long time ago - Phatmatix 2. U.F.O - B-55 3. Clean page panic - Damage and Orca 4. Dude Rude - Bliss Vs. Brave 5. The Moment - A-Team 6. Freaky Boyz - Mesmerizer 7. A man on acid - Azax Vs. Bliss 8. Dangerous - Brain Hunters 9. Final Line - Toxic There are certain labels that you follow without question. For me, it's Suntrip for goa trance, Iono and TesseracT Studio for progressive, Ultimae for chill, and Timecode, Nexus Media, and 3D Vision for the twilight genre. Oh and don't forget Yabai Records. This label is responsible for some of the best twilight compilations as well as the stuff from Frozen Ghost, Phatmatix, and the Manga series. You know that whatever they release it's going to be quality. Well, the last Damage album sucked sweaty goat dick but even God made the platipus. I mean, not to question his unquestionable authority, but....what the f*ck was that? So yeah, Yabai has earned some credibility from me. Think of it like this. Know how in the US the bunny tries to steal the Trix cereal but he is always thwarted? Well Yabai has been a label with such strong releases it's a different story here. "That's my motherf*ckin' Trix!" Therefore it was with great happiness that I heard of the 3rd installment of the Manga series was on the way. Here come the people who know how to get the job done with dark, atmospheric, twilight music. Except this sucks. Good early but then the wheels came off. Let me show you how I got there. A Long Time Ago- It seems like a long time ago that we have heard from Stephane Rault. His two studio albums Sorcery and The Divine Comedy are benchmarks for me in the twilight genre. Fast, atmospheric, and melodically dark. Here he is channeling his inner French Renaissance with classical strings mixed with electronica. It's groovy no question and he uses great sounds to maximal effect. The break is an evolving entity as he twists voices and the end shines with an even funkier groove. I enjoyed it once I got past it not being a dark symphonic tale and took it for what it was. A good time. UFO- This Japanese duo have been twilight music staples and fixtures on Yabai compilations. They bring a rumbling bass line and loud effects with which to melt your brain. It's pretty layered with tons of sounds giving the track some thickness. No real melody to focus on, but that's all right as it's a driving straight ahead track. Clear Page Panic- "I'm gonna ask you a bunch of questions...and I want to have them answered immediately." Firstly, where does harmless office fun end and sexual harassment begin, eh governator? "No Herman Cain, No! No! Very bad!" The acid work is superb and this relentless track will have them dancing in the streets for sure. It's a pure power track that is the unquestionable gem of the compilation. Dude Rude- Hey a Bliss sighting! Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed your vacation from making quality music and are ready to get back to work. I mean, did you hear Looney Bin? I haven't seen someone fall that fast since Tiger Woods bagged all those hoes. I believe Brave is an alias of B-55. This is a quirky track that is full-on all the way. Build up? Yes, of course. Cornball sample? Absolutely. And right about here the tide started to turn. Guess he's still on vacation. The Moment- "And this is the moment the entire world has been waiting for." Yep. The McRib is back. You know they have a McRib locator so you can go online to find it. I'll give you a hint f*cknuts it's at McDonalds. I know, I know...they're hard to find. So much wrong here, where should I start? First, there is only one A-Team. B.A. Baracus would be turning over in his grave. If he were dead. I think I saw him pimping a gold chain on QVC. Poor name choice aside, this one had some good musical moments with a screaming lead and a nice break, but all of that was undone with the painful build-ups and guitar. Freaky Boyz- Let's leave the "z's" to the hardcore gangsters like N.W.A. And Chris Brown. Yeah, that'll help album sales. Yabai I don't know if you've had some layoffs due to the poor economy, but clearly the quality control guy needs some more re-certification. This doesn't even sound like stuff you would release. Full-on, build up. I was listening to this around Halloween and well... Look at him...he's in such pain. Why would you do this? A Man On Acid- Let's not even get into the discussion of how far Azax has fallen. Common knowledge that I feel has been well documented. But since you continue to align yourself with psytrance poison Bliss you only have yourself to blame. Think of a bland scoop of vanilla ice cream, in a plain white bowl, served in a purely white room with white furniture. Now repeat it for the rest of your life and you will have this track. Dangerous- Brain Hunters is Alfonso Zambrano and I think he tried to set the build-up record in one track. If you keep building up, the track never reaches its peak. Musically there were some strong bits but not enough to combat the avalanche of crap that rained down from up high. Finish Line- And then we have this. The only thing Toxic is his music as he fell off the psytrance wagon and got run over by all the oncoming traffic long ago. I'ts intense, I'll give him that. I also like the kick drum + guitar + cymbal stab. But the problem with beating a horse to death is that you're left in the middle of nowhere with no f*cking way to get home. The sample is screaming at you, the build ups were excoriating, and...for God's sake I'm thinking about taking up those chicks on their threesome offer... "No...No! Look what you drove me to!!!!! Damn you! Damn you to Hell!!!!" Oh Yabai, I expect so much more from you. Generic and incredibly annoying full-on loaded with painful build-ups without any of the dark, storytelling atmosphere that you're known for. What happened that you would ruin this once proud series of psytrance? Are you mad at me? Was it something I did? Tell me what it is and I'll change it. Look...I still like this label and think they can come back from this. But like the beginning of the Lion King you never got to see... Oops. http://www.psyshop.c.../yab1cd021.html http://www.beatspace...l+3/detail.aspx http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4577 Mdk

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Artist: Various Title: Rajanga Label: Rajas Records Date: July, 2011 1. The story of Milky Way - INNERSELF 2. Analog Shaman - JIKOOHA 3. A message of hope - HAMASE 4. Osteospermum - DIMORPHOTHECA 5. Time and space - NOISE GUST 6. Don Don - FATAL DISCORD 7. Disco Lsd - MIRACLE'S 8. Infaernal endless feeling (Comebackkid) - HISHIRYO 9. Tsukiakari - EVIL FAIRY So the question I'm asking is "Does goa trance increase sales?" Because, looking at that tracklist, the first two have no f*cking business being there if they don't. Think of the first two tracks as a kidnapped white chick and the rest a black midget kidnapper that is holding her against her will. How absurdly arbitrary. Really? Think so? "Oh no you don't! Get the f*ck back in that box b*tch! You're ready to ship" And that's also the reason I had to hear it. This is the first release from Rajas Records and it is clearly a darkpsy compilation with two goa tracks to start. Were they afterthoughts or did someone lose a bet? The Story of Milky Way- "Let us travel now at the speed of light. Departing from our star on a trip across the cosmos toward the edge of the known universe." Sounds great, but can we stop by my house so I can pick up my toothbrush and this months Penthouse Forum? What? I get it for the articles. This is Kristijan Petkovski with an opening goa track. His EP Revenge of the Sun didn't thrill me, but this is miles better. Someone's been practicing! It's very spacey with juicy leads almost forest like. He's not going to pummel you with tons of layers, but the ones he does use are very effective. The track thickens with twisting synths that are quite appealing. Tasty! Analog Shaman- This is Jun Iwai & Masakazu Shimodi and I'm so excited, they friended me on Facebook! *Squeal!* Only thing is, everything they post is in Japanese so on my screen it just looks like jibberish. That's cool and so is their style of goa trance. It bubbles and sparkles while it pounds the laziness out of you. The melody at the break is odd but that's just how they roll. Not clones that's for sure, and you find yourself either loving it or hating it. I love it. The whole track reeks of diving into a pool of psychedelia and because I forgot the ol water wings, it's sink or swim baby! Message of Hope- Hamase? You mean like the terrorist organization? Actually no, this is Satoshi Hamase and he is even older than I am! It's a dark type of track with a rolling bass line and spooky effects and atonal melodies. Darkpsy without the child sacrifice and devil worship. Not a big fan as it comes off as rather boring so my message to him is to make a better track. Osteospernum- No clue who this is, but we have definitely ventured into darkpsy territory. I would recognize that bass line anywhere. Like the sounds of screaming torture? Me neither as this is just evil effects over that bass line. Melody? Forget it. This is Pinhead's soundtrack. Time and Space- "You're not listening to me. There are other things that need to be taken into account here." Just so you don't think I hate all darkpsy (I don't) this one appealed to me. It's much faster and the effects enhance the frantic nature of the track. This is Kagetoshi Nakamura and his vibe seems more on the organic forest side of things. It's scary for sure, as he layers the effects in an auditory nightmare. Hell, it almost seems as he brings some melody to the darkness. But let's be clear... there won't be a Vibe Tribe sighting here. This track bubbles and evolves into different phrases so it's not just effects over the same bass line. *Looks askew at Dimorphotheca* Don Don- Fatal Discord is Masayoshi Suzuki and he also veers towards the dark forest type of thing. Computer effects, screeches, rapid twinkling tones...you know the drill. Like the previous track the effects are varied so it's much more interesting to my ears. Bubbling and intense. Disco LSD- I think you would have to be on LSD to think this was disco. It's fast and the effects race up and down like a politician's poll numbers. What must the dancefloor look like with music this intense and chaotic. In my mind it's all vampires in a mosh pit. Yeah, that sounds about right. Infaernal Endless Feeling (Comebackkid)-French darkspy? I think it's just darkpsy that makes fun of you. Well it wins the loudness war in any event. What f*cking noise. I know art and taste is subjective and thank God it is. But at what point do we come to our senses and realize not all turds can be diamonds? Friends don't let friends drive while listening to darkpsy. Tsukiakari- The only thing I took away from this track was the children's choir. I suppose the Hamase track was the bridge, but this is a Japanese darkpsy compilation. Make no mistake. The first two tracks were actually pretty good, so it's my hope that they don't get lost in the shuffle. The rest have plenty of evil effects and high tempo anger to satisfy fans of the dark genre. Not much for darkpsy, I did enjoy the track construction of Noise Gust and Fatal Discord but what the f*ck was the Hishyiro track all about? Want my advice? Take the two goa tracks, get the f*ck on your bicycle and get the hell out of here. http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/raj/raj1cd001.html http://www.beatspace.com/6390/Rajas+Records/Various/Rajanga/detail.aspx http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4576 Mdk

Artist: Sonic Crime Title: Live & Dead Label: Monstruo.ink Crew & Undervoice Records Date: November, 2011 1. The End Is Yet To Come 2. Too Far 3. Schizo Gliufd 4. When & Then This is Nick Piliouris from Greece. The only reason I'm giving it a listen is the cover. And I'm bored. The End Is Yet To Come- Breakbeat, drum n bass, jungle, tribal...did I miss anything? The melody is a slow afternoon bit of sunshine electric piano against a beat. Not much there though. Too Far- Groovy electronics sound sharp with glitch spread all over this thing. The laughing effect is nice and this may be the most melodic track here. Easily my favorite. Schizo Gliufd- Entropy. Electronic sounds that seem to be at war with each other. Very cyber intensive with a slow, plodding beat. It changes frequently and let's face it at 10 minutes it needs to. The melody and drum n bass bit at 2 minutes was pretty cool and it makes a return later in the track. Still, 10 minutes is a long time brother. It's like he got some new beat software and tried hard to work them all into one track. When & Then- Boom! That bass drum is thundrous! With plenty of glitchy effects and varied rhythms this is really interesting. Plenty of breakbeat madness. The middle of the track has me reaching for my microphone wanting to spit a few verses. But then I remember I can't rap and just listen. It's dirty and juicy with several turns. Not the first thing I would reach for, but it's nice to break away from the everyday. "Cruising down the street in my 64"...stop. Just...stop. Loads of different beats and glitchy sounds which make for a nice change of pace. One can't listen to the same stuff over and over, right? That being said, this is great for a few minutes and then I'm looking to see what's in the fridge. http://www.ektoplazm...crime-live-dead Mdk

Artist: N.I.O. Title: Search For Insights Label: EDR (EDR? Don't they fill prescriptions and sh*t?) Date: November, 2011 1. My Domain 2. Mental As Anything 3. Search For Insight 4. Just Around the Corner This is New Intelligent Organism, a side project of Israeli psytrance producer Crownick, aka Gilad Arama. No clue who that is, but what I do know is that it was mastered by Space Cat. So he's got that going for him. I'm a sucker for short track times and slow bpm's so I figured I would give this a go. Don't cost nothin'. My Domain- Imagine early Depeche Mode dreary lyrics and with breakbeats. You know back when only that skater kid in high school with the funny haircut listened to them? Is it any good? I would say the best thing about this track is that it was only 4 minutes long. I mean the lyric told me to stay away, why didn't I listen? Mental As Anything- If I was directing this video there would be a piano on the beach as the waves lap against the shore. Why? Because under no circumstance does a f*cking piano belong there. It's like when advertisers have a product they label red, but it's blue with no red anywhere. The melody is dark and sad but I have to say Depeche Mode did it with Mephisto back in the early 90's. Not bad at all especially if you're in the mood for nostalgia or are thinking about cutting yourself. I liked it Search For Insight- Ok, ok...he gets a little funky here. The breakbeat and spooky melody work well together and then window rattling bass takes over. The leads change while the percussion is a hammering on doors kinda thing with a long sample near the end about how we've lost something no matter how technologically advanced we become. Maybe. But we can also cure syphilis. Technology 1, What we've lost...who gives a f*ck. Just Around the Corner- Slow, with a marching slave vibe. The melodies are again dark as they layer, and I do like the middle of the track breakbeat. Other than that...meh. I liked it. Kinda. The melodies were indeed dark and spooky with great atmosphere creation. Most of the breakbeat was awesome and kept it interesting with a heavy techno vibe. What I think is lacking is some subtlety. Everything was just thrown in without any growth or evolving. It was loud without any changes in volume. Still they say a full album is on the way and I would be interested in hearing it. http://www.ektoplazm.com/section/free-music Mdk

Artist: Hypnoxock Title: Logic Evolution Label: Trance Lab Records Date: April, 2011 1. Magnetic Beats (feat Green Beats) 2. Camouflage 3. Viped 1 4. Reflex 5. Logic Evolution 6. Dimensio Desconeguda 7. Next World 8. Emotions 9. Science Fiction (feat. Green Beats) This one slipped right by me, but I'm glad I finally caught it. Hypnoxock are Victor Solsona and Pedro Quijada and they have a very varied style. Their debut album was called Synthetic Resurrection back in 2009 and was a twilight stomper to say the least. Since then, they have released a few EP's (Acid Return Remixes and Tales of the Mind...review links below) and we have seen them tackle progressive trance as well as some downtempo all with good results. So what does this digital only release have in store? Let us find out shall we? http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?/topic/61995-hypnoxock-acid-return-remixes-ep/page__hl__hypnoxock__fromsearch__1 http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?/topic/60399-hypnoxock-tales-of-the-mind-ep/page__hl__hypnoxock__fromsearch__1 Magnetic Beats- I hear an acoustic guitar amid some bubbling electronica and it feels like a new day is dawning. This is a grab your coffee and bagel while you look out at the sea moment. The breakbeat slides in with some funky percussive work and I'm checking to make sure I didn't hit the wrong track. This doesn't sound like their old stuff, but it isn't bad at all. Just caught me off guard. Sounds in the break echo and I swear I can reach out and touch them. It almost sounds too commercial to be from a psytrance artist, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Camouflage- Switching styles they bring a more progressive groove on this one. Echoing effects sound good and the melody chimes in at close to four minutes. Very trancey to be sure in the Van Dyk fold. The floaty break is pretty tasty as they deliver something on the lighter side of trance. And damn if it isn't danceable. Been workin' on a few new moves lately. Oh yeah, it's a ladykiller. Viped 1- Love the dark opening, very cold and foreboding atmosphere. It has minimal touches but instead of detracting from the track these heighten the sense of isolation. As they like to do a 303 growls to life right into a break continuing the dark presence. The ending melody is very tasty indeed. This wasn't a stormer but a very feral atmospheric romp that showed its teeth. Bravo gentlemen. The Reflex- The dark theme continues with progressive sensibilities. Effects rocket from the shadows putting one on edge. Another wide open space break as you view the planet from 6 miles up. They do more with less here as the bass line is simple, but the effect work is delicious. Only drawback? Why so f*cking short? Logic Evolution- The cold electronics continue and like the rest this sounds very futuristic. More work without overloading the ear with effects that make the track. There is a difference between a track being nothing but effects and having those effects enhance the track. These guys are doing it right. It's a scaled down sound but it involves the listener and tells a great tale. Dimensio' Desconeguda- Simple as simple gets. Not much happening in the beginning yet I'm still drawn in by the good effect work. I didn't care up until the 5 minute mark, but they slid a sinister little melody in there at the end. For my money though it didn't really go anywhere thus earning the coveted weakest track on the album. Next World- Another rather long track with a minimalist approach. The break at 5 minutes was awesome, but it was the first time that I really noticed anything about the track. Before that it was rather boring, just like the last one. These have definitely erred on the lighter side of trance. Emotions- "You have five seconds to terminate this tape." Ahhh, back to where their bread was buttered. Great opening effects showing some mystical properties. The lead is a deep and dark techo inspired stalking springing forth from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. When the arpeggio gets here it fits right in with all the layers as the light tones echo off the ships hull. Science Fiction- The outro represents a gurgling mass of computer hums and flashing LED's with no one to bear witness. Shimmering synths float within an empty ship. A melancholic flute laments events of the past or celebrates the power of the deity. Pretty good. This was very interesting. Whereas Synthetic Resurrection was a sledgehammer, this is a filet knife. The former was all power and melody, this relies heavily on lush atmosphere. If I didn't know any better I would say it was from an entirely different project. Whether they have any interest in making twilight music or not, this duo have shown that they are fully capable of switching genres with great results. As I mentioned before the sound is low tech or scaled back with more enphasis on storytelling than making your ass wiggle. Most of the tracks were well done with twists to keep it fresh with only a few that wandered aimlessly about. Nice work. http://www.psyshop.com/shop/Downloads/tlb/tlb1dw003.html http://www.beatspace.com/6200/Trance+Lab+Records/HYPNOXOCK/Logic+Evolution/detail.aspx http://www.beatport.com/release/logic-evolution/364610 Mdk

Artist: Portamento Title: The Portal Label: Cronomi Records Date: September, 2011 1. White Dwarf 2. 48 Hours 3. The Portal 4. Monkshroom 5. Injected Spawn 6. Biosphere 7. Vitamin E 8. A Grain Of Sand 9. Controlled Experiment So I'm washing my car yesterday cause I hit a deer and this guy walks by giving me the ol stinkeye. "Hey! Hey, Kumar see something ya like!?! Why don't you take a picture it'll last longer!" Jeez, freaking lookiloo... Anyway while I was washing my car I couldn't wait to listen to this album. This is Jesper Hahn from...no, lemme alone. He is from....NO! I said no I'm not doing it so stop bothering me. You're not going to let it go are you? HAHNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! I listened to the samples of a few tracks and quickly came to the realization that I didn't want to walk through this portal. Hell no, I wanted to backflip into this motherf*cker. Cronomi Records fresh off the success of the phenomenal Erta Ale compilation bring you Jesper's debut. Penzoline did an excellent review of the technical stuff, but after spending some time with this album I thought I would add my own 2 cents. White Dwarf- The aliens have officially landed as acidic droplets sparkle in their footsteps forcing you to keep your distance. It comes in waves like a stong set in advance of a hurricane. The layers are thick yet very clear and there is a good balance of the highs and the lows. The whole track reeks of quality and has plenty of chapters to keep it fresh. After a thorough evaluation with the latest equipment this track has balls. 48 Hours- "You have 48 hours. That is the length of time it needs to adapt itself to our living conditions." With a deep thumping beat and scratchy synths the aliens are let loose! It growls and sneers, but at 2:15 a 303 like an Indiana Jones whip flashes across the skin only it has spikes on it. And it's on fire. The detail is razor sharp as that lead rumbles and chirps. Just when you think it hits it's peak like a horny teenager on spring break, a new batch of squirty effects usher in some more power. When the 303 returns it's time to hit the floor. After captaining the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup in 94, Mark Messier finds the dancing title most elusive of all. The Portal- "We don't select our destinations by what peaks our interest." Well, then you're are a sh*tty travel agency. If I want to go to Spain, don't send me to Kosovo b*tch. The kick is almost Nitzho in nature, but there is no mistaking that shimmering bubbling of a goa trance melody. Soon that is joined by an acidic tomahawk missile and we are at groove level 4. Synths pile on top of synths yet you can follow them all as if they were working solo. Super great sound as one lead melody gently fades into an other. Monkshroom- More alien sounds...man if this is on the other side of the Portal we might want to close that motherf*cker. Racing synths that don't seem to be in a particular hurry crawl up the walls and all over the ceiling. The beat is driving and this is to goa trance what God Save the Machine was to psytrance. There is a growl to this one as well almost like it's daring you to listen to it. Great stuff. "You got mushrooms and extra cheese on that pie right?" Injected Spawn- The very title sounds so very...very...I dunno Yeah, alien. Dark times call for dark music. This is practically Greece's soundtrack right about now. So many layers creating a lush atmosphere it's hard to fathom. Couple that with a great bounce and we have another winner. There are so many sounds swirling about and a break that really hammers home the isolated and alone feeling. *Puts finger to earpiece* What's that? We actually have footage of the alien race waiting to enslave mankind? Roll it! God help us. Biosphere- We're safe in the biosphere right? RIGHT? Wrong. More growling synths as well as a bass sound that makes a squishy sound like a footprint in the mud. Aw f*ck...those were new boots. Shimmering acid lines cascade over each other like I can see each quantum of sunlight. But there ain't no sunshine and smiley faces here as the sinister intentions bubble over the surface. The break offers a measure of peace and solace but you know that is short lived. This is another danceable tune that soars into the sky with a action packed climax. Marvellous. Vitamin E- So...is vitamin E the only thing that will prevent the human race from becoming incubating systems? If so, where can we find an abundant supply? A-ha! Found a goldmine! Jackpot! Warped sounds with slow attack rates filter down while the aliens land their spaceship in a barren field. Outer space goa to its maximum. Very little rest here as it pulsates and adds new synths that scrape the firmament. Acidelicious! A Grain of Sand- Yep. Just as I feared. This is where the probing begins. Nothing left to do but bend over and take one for the planet I say. He's really mastered the transition from lead to lead as it's seamless. It's fast paced as leads swirl and scream at the same time in this aggressive acidic firefight. The break seethes with life and before you know it you're right back into the fray. Get your oven mits on, this one's a hot potato. Controlled Experiment- Bubbling, snapping, ladies and gents this is as downtempo as it gets. Crystal clear 303's, scratchy bass, this ones a builder with a f*cking addictive melody that I was dancing to 4 hours after I put this away. The melodies are spiritual with juicy textures and you get swept up in its rapture. The track breathes...I mean, the track actually breathes! If this is what alien probing is like than sign me up, cause I am feeling no pain. I don't know what those rednecks complain about. Outerspace goa this f*cking fantastic demands a dance that's out of this world. Lush. Atmospheric. Supremely melodic. There aren't enough adjectives to describe how awesome this is. Every sound is clear as hell and the layers....omigod the layers! We have reached the pinnacle my friends as a new benchmark has been set. Congratulations Jesper and congratulations Cronomi. You are the Ying to Suntrip's Yang. Out.F*cking.Standing. If you don't buy this...you're dead to me. http://www.psyshop.c.../crm1cd005.html http://www.beatspace...al+/detail.aspx http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4582 Mdk

Artist: Persistent Aura Title: Grand Julian Label: Sita Records Date: October, 2011 1. Creative Processing Unit (Feat. Rama) 2. Attractor 3. Colliding Galaxies 4. Concrescence 5. Iztam-Yeh (Feat. Agneton) 6. Hypnosis 7. Whitehead's Ontology 8. Figs Past Easter 9. Hurricane When I heard that there was going to be a Persistent Aura album I was excited Ummm, a little less.... Calm down Jake, I haven't seen you this excited since Prince of Persia. Yeah good idea, take an Arabic character and give the role to a white man. No wonder the world thinks we are at war with the brown people. While not as excited as Jake, it was still something to look forward to. This is Ewoud Vandenberghen from Belgium and his EP The Great Timestream Bifrucation (review here http://www.psynews.o...__fromsearch__1) was awesome and since it was being released by Sita then you know that quality was imminent. This is a label that doesn't get the credit it is due with releases like Nitz-O-Goa, Protozoa, and of course Goalien's Psychedelic Dilemma. Creative Processing Unit- Ever run a marathon? No? F*ck it, me neither that''s really far. But I have run so much that when it was over I felt like I would drop from exhaustion. That's what this track does. It's Nitzhogoa with arpeggios going up and down at a rapid pace with several layers. And at almost 10 minutes that's really heavy with very little break. The melodies change thankfully and the break at 5 minutes has some really snakey synth work reminiscent of some old Colorbox stuff. Then the 2nd break reminds me of the Rama track Illumination which is a great thing. Ewoud and Filipe put you through your paces here, so only step to this if you are aurally fit. Attractor- Where the first track was an introduction to the Nitzhogoa style this is an assault to your private parts. The lead screams and the bass line thumps as new layers creep in like a pedophile on school property. Synths swirl in true goa fashion with some Nitzho touches but never does it become a cheesefest. Far from it as it brings the groove as well. Lead melodies shower down like, well... Yeah Ewoud, make it rain in this motherf*cker! Wait a sec...hold up. Little Asian kids are making it rain now? Don't you have advanced calculus homework to do? He gets everything that can be got out of those leads, squeezing them like your girlfriend does the tube of toothpaste to get that last bit. And then leaves the tube empty on the sink without telling anyone. Thanks a lot b*tch! Colliding Galaxies- As I write this I look at the clock and see that it's 4:20. And realize how wonderful it would be to step back into the past, fire one up and listen to this while watching the clouds. Dancing leads jump around like the floor is electrified, climbing up that melodic beanstalk. The break is an electronic pause with no reduction in speed. And damn if he doesn't bring the shimmery lead stuff like he was standing on a cliff and pissing on you. 5 minutes. I just want 5 f*cking minutes to take a leak. I'm sure Gotham won't collapse if another jaywalker goes unpunished. Get Green Lantern to do it, his movie bombed I'm sure he's not busy. Concresence- Is that even a word? Screw it, if it is I know I won't be able to work that b*tch into conversation. The bouncy lead has springs in its shoes leaping all over the place and you tell me how that isn't infectious. He's really good at starting with a single lead, doubling it, and then adding more layers. Sounds very good and supremely danceable. The synth trills are insane...yes, I said trills. Higher education not working for you? Bookfight! Iztam-Yeh- (Yiddish for "Give me you're f*cking money! And the watch, and I'll take you're bitche's necklace too!") "The big record corporations ar not at all in touch with real tastes and real creativity in the music business. They recycle garbage that they support with massive public relations programs at the same time that real creativity is alive and well and thriving..." What you have just witnessed was undercover video of a board meeting at Capitol Records where the topic was: Ke$ha. That's right f*cking Ke$ha. How we sold a million copies and forced you suckers to buy it. With a big fat Nitzho kick it gets all sparkly lead up in here as Elias lends a hand on this track. It rages with intensity as they do they're layering thing and it gives the track a nice fullness. This is an all out blaster that strikes that perfect balance between goa and nitzho. Super stuff. Hypnosis- The laser kick is a dead giveaway that Nitzho has entered the building. The melodies swirl amid space like effects and then the arpeggio rides up and down like a roller coaster. It's got that shimmer that Transwave was known for, as he sneaks a lighter melody underneath. The break is awesome giving the leads a "wah-wah" kinda guitar effect. It's not a 4 on the floor stomper but more of a subliminal type track, you know....hypnotic. Whitehead's Ontology- Like chants? Sunshine melodies that aren't really...friendly? Yeah, me too. Not one minute in and I was auditioning for So You Think You Can Dance.. I think I really have a shot this year. I mean right off the bat the lead grabs you and throws you onto the floor. If you aint dancing to this you're too busy getting laid. Which I...um, guess is better. But this is right up there. The bass line is AK-47 machine gun rapid as the synth bobs and weaves. Hear that? Yep another undercurrent he likes to put in there to further propel the track. It then of course takes over and acts as a bridge to the next melodic output. Fantastic. Side note, I would love to know how artist's choose the names of their tracks. Figs Past Easter- "The myth is an idea that, while widely believed is false. In a deeper sense, in the religious sense a myth serves as an orienting, mobilizing story for a people. The focus is not on the story's relation to reality but on its function. A story cannot function unless it is believed to be true in the community or the nation." Are you...can you do that, is that a rule? Is it ok to have figs past Easter? Cause I'm looking at an empty pack of Fig Newtons I just demolished and I'm not feeling that good right about now. More Nitzho melodies dance as swirling effects wobble like the tuning of a radio back when the radio had a tuning knob. The lead is very shiny and more so when it is joined by its friend. Another very dance friendly track and I found a gif that syncs to it perfectly. I.am.hypnotized. While not as epic or powerful as some, it still is pleasing to the ear. Hurricane- This is called ending with a boom. Analog synths race past like an Indy 500 driver as Ewoud twists the knobs to perfection. While some of the elements have nitzho influences, this is pure balls to the wall goa trance. Leads climb, nah, they soar leaving motion trails in their wake. The swagger on this track is unmistakeably powerful as sticky synths leave little pools of fire wherever they touch. Muy Bien hecho, good for you for making the final track a punch in the face. F*ck downtempo. Ooooh, orange juice. If you love well done goa trance this is for you. If you love goa trance with nitzho touches and elements, then this is for you. He walks the razor's edge of goa and nitzho creating something that is intensely melodic while at the same time urging you to dance. Very psychedelic and a triumph for the genre. Highly recommended. http://www.psyshop.c.../sia1cd004.html http://www.beatspace...ian/detail.aspx http://www.goastore....67f1930375c0e4e Mdk