Trance2MoveU

Artist: Prometheus Title: Spike Label: Twisted Records Date: October, 2010 1. Fast Train 2. Triplets 3. Blue Tubes 4. 2010 5. DarkStar 6. Rush 7. Rhythm, Circuit, Echo 8. Taylors Machine 9. Colt 10. Datcha Prometheus is Benji Vaughan, half of the Younger Brother project. He has released 2 albums prior to this one that have met with some high praise. According to the promos on Psyshop, he is choosing a new direction in his music. I liked Corridor of Mirrors as well as Robot-O-Chan so I'm a little disappointed, but I understand that an artist has to grow and evolve. Twisted is a label that has put out some of the biggest albums in our lovely little genre. Founded by Simon Holtom and Simon Posford (Godford to some) You've got Hallucinogen's Twisted and Deranger, Shpongle's Tales of the Inexpressible, Doof's Let's Turn On...need I say more. This is a label that is drenched in quality music and sound production. Fast Train- With a synthesized voice about the future a nimble bass dances below some floaty pads. One lead flutters and is replaced by another. Chopped up synths give the track some pace and it then switches direction. The last bit has a rave-like quality and punctuates the groove. Not bad. Triplets- The track rises with far away pads as percussion taps out the rhythm. The key changes sound nice as metallic shuffling and synth stabs ride shotgun with the beat. The break is pad heavy with a spacey, wide open feeling. When it re surges it is crunchy without a lot of variation. Not bad again. Blue Tubes- Slow synth sounds march as a bass sound bubbles underneath. The kick is punchy with a single note arpeggiated lead. Electro sounds and percussion push this almost to Detroit techno styles. It is a slower tempo and I find myself interested in finding where he is going to go next. The synths warble and blast into a crescendo as it eventually calms down and fades into pensive strings. Interesting. 2010- Abrasive leads, insistent kick drum, and another rambling bass would define this track. The bass and kick drum are so loud together that the higher melody has to be loud just to be heard. It's a nice melody, but with the insistent synth stab being repeated it gets a little annoying. Also the bass doesn't give this track any feeling, it just throws itself at you. I didn't care for the arrangement. DarkStar- This track begins with a lot of vocal manipulation a la Infected Mushroom with a funky bass. The beat is heavy and the melody is catchy as hell as I catch myself bouncing. New leads come in but continue pounding out the groove. I feel it goes on too long though, but the last third does bring the power. The final lead soars above the grungyness of the beat. Not bad. Rush- An entire minute of preamble later and another progressive beat kicks in with someone saying, "Come out and show you." I would say this is more on the house side of things, and it is groovy. Synths arrive a little later to give the track a larger feeling, perfect for a party. This is like something I would find from David Guetta. Without Akon. That ain't bad, right? Rhythm, Circuit, Echo- Now we have a deep progressive groove going with robotic voices reciting the title. You'll hear that again and as the break arrives a slight melody gives the track some depth. The rhythm is smooth and scaled back with air horns, and when another break arrives far away sounds give the track another direction. Not bad, but there is way better progressive trance out there. Taylors Machine- Once you get through the unnecessary beginning, the breakbeat thumps and the melody sounds like Depeche Mode. Close your eyes, this could be off the Black Celebration album. One of their interludes they like to do between tracks. It's not terrible, but it isn't that interesting either. Colt- With a very loud ringing bass a light guitar melody weeps sadly along with some twinkling sounds. The bass puts me off immediately as it is overly dominant. A shame because the other instruments sound nice, but they are drowned out. I could do without this one. Datcha- This final track is a very emotional and pensive piano concerto. It is accompanied by some strings and effects as it puts a melancholy stamp at the end of the album. Supremely beautiful tale that drips of sadness as it floats with the ease of a spirit. I didn't know he had it in him. Great, relaxing ending and clearly the best thing on this disc. This definitely had a little bit of everything didn't it? Now normally when I read the promos that show up on the vendors's site, I take it with a grain of salt. There is usually a lot of hyperbole written. This time however a lot the points I was going to make are included with the album description. There is no question his style has changed as there is a definite electro/techno feel to this album. It is very cold with little warmth to be found. Also it is a little on the noisy side and I find his trance to be rather unremarkable now. As far as psytrance goes, I don't think there is anything psychedelic to be found here. What I would love for him to do is release an downtempo album because tracks like Datcha show he has a gift for creating emotional ambient. I am happy that he is exploring new avenues in music, but I believe I will wait until he finds his new direction. This was ok, but nothing to get excited about. Psyshop Beatspace Mdk

Artist: Electrypnose Title: Sweet Sadness Label: Suntrip Records Date: September, 2010 01. A5sention 02. Histoire d'Histoires 03. A Part Of Myself Is Somewhere Else 04. Sady 05. Triste Gaîté 06. A Wasp At The Fairies 07. Out There 08. Triste Vie 09. Perle De Vie 10. Dramatic Orchestra 11. El Cornio (Second Chapter) 12. Peurs Et Pleurs What can be said about Suntrip that hasn't been written a thousand times? The label has resurrected the goa trance scene with artists that make driving and powerfully melodic compositions. This is their 20th release and have decided to throw you a curve. With this album they bring you a downtempo treat. While I think this is nice for the customer, make no mistake it is also quite the savvy business move. What better way to expand your market and increase sales than to get into other genres. Lest you think that this is their first foray into the world of ambient recall the Opus Iridium which was a groundbreaking double album consisting of half goa trance and half ambient. The guys at Suntrip always make a professional product and have a reputation of being very listener friendly and giving the people what they want. Electrypnose is the incredibly versatile Vince Le Barde who has been releasing various types of music for a long time. Subliminal Melancholies in 2006 was a brilliant ambient offering but he has also released several albums of psytrance and Darkpsy. A5sention- The start is like a needle of a record player at the end of a record as pads float over a single deep bass note. It's deep cold as if I were on a deserted spacecraft. A soft synth melody repeats itself lightly as the bass hits again and again. The track gets warmer with this melody as I reboot the power supply and get life support functions back online. Slowly the computers flicker and the air becomes breathable as a hi-hat flutters. Super space ambient track! Histoire d'Histoires- As I sit myself at the control station I delve into the ships log. Soft, ice cold pads tell of a sad journey as computer twinklings dazzle and leads wail a lament. Outer space synths reach farther to the stars and are underlined by a deep bass that tell me this really happened. The crew invited a passenger on board that...wasn't what he seemed. This track is wrought with regret but beautifully so. Epic sounding. A Part Of Myself Is Somewhere Else- Alien skitterings scatter amidst hopeful pads as I am surrounded by the hum of cold machinery. Without a beat the track picks up speed with no discernible bottom end. A glitchy quality permeates the entire track until the kick arrives late. This seems like it would've been a good interlude...maybe it is. Sounds pretty abstract and very floaty. Sady- A cautious melody weaves through a breakbeat while space sounds swirl all around. They are all placed perfectly as the track bounces along. Crystals sparkle with a slight percussion as the bass continues its measured path. More leads fire delicate strands of acid as the track takes a sharper turn towards the dark. Super! Triste Gaîté- Electric pianos dance the dance of the melancholy as a bass sound rumbles underneath. Shortly this quickens to a mid tempo pace entering the realm of progressive. Guitar sounding wails frame the track as the break arrives with more atmospheric rushes. Something is building, that much is evident and it is taking its sweet time. Gradually growing into a shriek and then back into the beat. Pretty emotional track with great sounds again. A Wasp At The Fairies- More ambient twinklings soar high above a distorted breakbeat until that beat becomes clearer. A nice interlude but I don't sense what he is trying to accomplish. It doesn't seem to fit where it was placed. I still liked it though perhaps it needed to be longer to allow its evolution. Out There- Starting with digital noise until a pad rises from the chaos and more twinkling greets the ears. The track then switches focus as a very Ultimae (think Cell Hanging Masses) beat comes out accompanied by even more high pitched synth sounds. I don't see why that beginning had to even be there...whatever. This becomes quite funky and beautiful with a feeling of regret. Then it switches again with a sad piano melody. Again this was pretty, but didn't have a direction. It sounded like he had several ideas that he tried to tie together. Triste Vie- A soft piano melody starts out with a sense of sadness but also hints of a brighter day. At 1:45 it becomes more electric with a sadder overtone as pads swirl. The piano returns with some delay and it sounds great with some glitchy atmosphere. Not bad. Perle De Vie- With yet another forlorn piano melody to begin, a breakbeat enters and then another melody arrives. The key change is a little odd. Like Tim Burton odd, but I can't get a sense of where it was going. It becomes heavily modulated and fades away, allowing the piano to return. It really is beautiful and reminds me of the Ring soundtrack. Jungle sounds and whooshes appear and then float away. Electronic leads join with the piano and the melody sounds very spacious. Very good track. Dramatic Orchestra- Orchestral strings sound so smooth and fluid and then the electronics begin. Bouncing synths echo off one another transporting me back into space. The strings return and give the track a tension, as if we are up against a deadline. It's very beautiful and haunting at the same time. With this track he is masterful at fading in different sounds. With ease he transitions to electronic bubbling while losing none of the feeling that the strings brought. Awesome! El Cornio (Second Chapter)- Downtempo glitchyness as sounds ping like a submarine at a slow crawl. I find it very cold deep in the ocean, but also very visceral as the sounds are so damn clear. The echoing is quite entrancing and takes you deeper and deeper into his world. The drumbeat increases in tempo as strings usher in a new melody. Very eerie. When the piano comes in it is positively scary. Super f#$%ing track! Peurs et Pleurs- This is a haunted house track if I ever heard it. Metallic scrapings, deep low pad and echoing eerieness. The piano melody continues to do what it has done throughout and a beat effortlessly assumes shape. Brilliantly done. It's slow and steady, designed to be creepy. Short though it was, it was a nice ending. First off as someone mentioned earlier in the thread, it sounds very electronic. Very little warmth. Also this could very well be the soundtrack to video games like Silent Hill, good call Jon Coco. There were parts that were very beautiful and emotive, allowing a story to unfold but at the same time, there were a few areas that seemed disjointed or connected haphazardly. It's no secret that Vince is supremely talented, but maybe this album needed a theme or a more rigorous structure. Obviously all the tracks have a melancholy tone and some of them deliver a little brightness as well. At first I thought he was trying to have it both ways. The cold, digital feeling of sadness with the cheesy, almost Yanni-esque warmth that happiness could bring. But with more listens his genius came to light. The title of the album is Sweet Sadness and that is exactly what you get. Mostly melancholy tracks with some brighter areas. Every track is haunting and his talent at mixing sounds is ever present. To say I wasn't expecting this from Suntrip would be an understatement. Highly Recommended. Mdk

Sounds like a plan. Looking forward to see what goes on here. Love it on this forum. Check it many times a day. Mars as one of your last acts of administration, could you please remove the posts in the inappropriate forums by the member Gebriel and his promo Mitchell Crapton shit? It really is very annoying and he dropped it in almost all of the forum. Thanks, Mdk

Check out the Kiriyama album Reach Escape Velocity if you want living, breathing music. It has been reviewed twice here. Mdk

Artist: Digital Talk Title: Audio Extremists Label: Hadra Records Date: November, 2010 1. No Limit 2. Binding Hours 3. Audio Extremists 4. The Ultimate (Live Version) 5. Distorted Reality 6. Mental Universe (vs Mad Maxx) 7. Evading In 8. Meltdown 9. Exit Digital Talk are Frenchmen Julien Fougea and Luc Achintre and this is their 2nd release after what was a debut filled with promise for the future. New Age Surf in 2004 were cranking up the groovy twilight psy tunes and while I thought that album had flaws, I saw that they could take this type of psy to another level. Through extensive compilation work their flair for rhythm and melodic darkness was readily apparent. Hadra Records is no stranger to good music as their releases have included the wonderful Sine Die Life Hack, the successful Hadracadabra series, as well as a few other compilations that brought the heat. Before I get started, um...the cover. WTF? I need to hit them up on Facebook so they can explain that one to me. No Limit- "You beings are eons away from discovering light travel. You travel at the speed of light? Oh no, we can travel many times that speed." This track has a punchy kick and a bouncy bassline intent on getting you to move. This is a formula that will be seen again on this album many times. Various hi-tech sounds flail about as an acid lead is heard. There really isn't a melody to sink your teeth into per se, (a la Hoodwink or Reality Grid) but that's not the purpose here. It's all about groove and it's done pretty well. Binding Hours- The opening strings give this track volume along with computer systems checks and alien reachings. Once again groove is paramount with electronic sounds being used as percussive elements. There is more melody here as the break makes this a tribal cinematic experience. The lasers join in to keep the beat going. Very good track. Audio Extremists- These guys like to lead with a bass line and create atmosphere with metallic effects. They bounce off each other and conjure up a pretty detailed picture. They synths go on a rampage with what seems like malicious intent allowing the track to show its dark side. Far away strings add to the creepiness as the leads grow louder sprouting out of the pitch black. Pretty good track. The Ultimate- Filtered bass leads growl as more metallic sounds echo over the constant bass line. It's very computer centric almost as if we were in The Matrix. The break reorganizes under a punishing beat and after a slightly annoying buildup leads dance rhythmically along. Distorted Reality- That bass bounces front and center again, but damn it's catchy. More electronic machinations cleverly add atmosphere and groove. More lasers and this sounds more...epic. The delays and reverb give this track a lot of depth right into the break. Another spooky lead finishes it off, but I felt it was lacking the power that would've made it a dynamite track. Mental Universe- This one is a growwwwwler! The boys team up with Mad Maxx (who has had some really good tracks BTW.) It bubbles and races as far away spirits tease. A chopped up synth provides the framework as more sounds add to the urgency and the entropy. I liked the breakbeat, it added a funky element, but make no mistake this is an intense cyber assault. Great track, probably my favorite here. Evading in- "The effect is somewhat like looking through a microscope. Suddenly..uh.. you look through a microscope you discover that there is an invisible world around you that you hadn't know about before you did it." Beginning like all the others there is a pounding bass line with a kick and electronic gargling. Simple, yet creepily effective. Tension builds as the leads start to fire wildly and more lasers get the groove going. The break brings a scaled down funky beat which allows a scratchy lead to take over. Pandemonium that ends with a howl. Meltdown- "The presence of even a very low form of life...uh...suggests very strongly that in time an intelligent species will rise. Now this is simply because evolution in its course tries every possible nice, every possible trick which will enhance the survivability of the species." With intermittent techno sounds this starts off more like Scorb or Oood, but it ain't long until the bass line asserts itself. What's amazing is that they use everyting as percussion. Creating funk and rhythm where there was none. The short break is stand-offish, and brings another chaotic lead. It thumps along and maintains the new world order of cybernetic organisms. Exit- Their debut album ended with a glorious downtempo track, but this one is an electro offering that serves up the funk. Echoing stabs punctuate the break as a D-nox & Beckers groove slides forward. The panning of effects is great along with the percussive clarity. Various electronic bleeps and blops give the track some shape and it serves a s a good exit (get it?) track. Nothing spectacular as it kind of runs out of steam. If you would've told me that I'm going to listen to an album that doesn't have any strong melodies, I would imagine it to be thin and very tedious. Not the case here. While the absence of cascading melodies might be a sticking point for some, their ability to manipulate sounds in creating atmosphere cannot be ignored. As I mentioned, every sound is used as a percussive force. This disc has one sole purpose and that is to get people dancing. I imagine it will do that well, as it is loaded with energy and copious amounts of groove. Still, there is a small part of me that is disappointed. Their compilation tracks show an ability to make powerful, deeply dark and emotional songs. Real storytelling journeys. Even with the atmosphere well created something feels as though it is missing to put it over the top. Maybe it's because the groove seems to be the primary focus and the other aspects might have to take a back seat. A minor quibble, I wish it could've been a little more powerful and descriptive. I will say that the more times I listened to it the more I liked it. This is a good release and if you want to move the crowd this will do very nicely. They've still got it. Recommended. Psyshop Saikosounds Beatspace Mdk

I came across this today. I hope that it is legit. As I know that there are other lovers of the SA sound, I thought I would post. Free Frozen Ghost Album!!! Mdk

Artist: Crop Circles Title: Tetrahedron Label: DAT Records Date: December, 2009 1 Lunar Civilization [Pleiadians Remix] (10:47) 2 Antonomasia [Lotus Omega Remix] (9:36) 3 Daffy Duck [On The Comet] (10:01) 4 Cerealogy (10:22) 5 Pentagon (9:03) 6 Classic Process [Hale-Bopp] (9:14) 7 Full Mental Jackpot [Etnica Remix II] (9:28) 8 No More Singles (10:21) I love it when another Psynewser does good. Anoebis and Mars of course created Suntrip, Richpa is currently creating the mother of all new school goa trance portals, Imba and the UAF label have been consistently releasing some great variety in goa trance for free, and don't forget Filipe Santos and his many projects. DAT Records was opened up by Draeke during September 2008 with the attempt of releasing old school Goa Trance music that was previously available only on DAT. As of this date, they have 3 outstanding albums to their credit from old school masters. This was their first one and what an ambitious project it was. Tetrahedron, the mythical album that was thought to be lost was rediscovered and given a new life. This was done by the Etnica/Pleiadians/Lotus Omega group of artists and it has been long sought after. Mastered by Tim Schuldt this classic has been given some fresh paint and a new engine to shine for today. I had never heard these tracks so this was going to be like running downstairs on Xmas morning at the crack of dawn and seeing all the gifts and their glory waiting to be unwrapped. Lunar Civilization [Pleiadians Remix]- Synths dance amidst spacey effects as one melody grinds out its metallic path. 3.5 minutes in the goa is flying while key changes make the direction unsure, but at 9 minutes that tell-tale melody shoots out frolicking with lasers and the driving beat. I like how intense this was and that it wasn't until the very end that the recognizable melody surfaced. This track is full steam ahead with a hard edge to it. So sweet. Antonomasia [Lotus Omega Remix]- This one has a lot of twists and turns with one melody giving way to another while at the same time not being very...melodic. The amount of melodies is hard to calculate as they don't stay long. This one didn't thrill me as it seems unfocused. I prefer the original. Daffy Duck [On The Comet]- The outer space feel is palpable at the outset with a robotic voice and streaks zipping by. Groovy. The beat picks up and the melodies begin to combine as the track grows. It slinks, hides and then before you know it sounds are coming from all over the place. The sinister character of this track makes it a delight with one melody cascading over another. Lovely. Cerealogy- A spacecraft takes off from a dark planet and checks his status. The bass bounces in and becomes very liquid. Lasers fly by and graze the craft, as a small melody sneaks in amidst the alien chaos. Although the melodies are light on this one, it more than makes up for it in atmosphere. When the craft is finally brought down with a sonic blast from a laser cannon, the alien makes its way through the wreckage. Acid emanates from its cold fingertips at 6 minutes dissolving all it touches. It's coming. Old school, dark goatrance is what this is. Very tasty! Pentagon- The alien has stealthily made it to the outpost disguised as soldier lurking in the corners of the base just within the shadows. 303's flash in a barely contained barrage as the bass bubbles. In no time melodies slide forward creating such a dark atmosphere. Insanely psychedelic layers! It just builds and builds...superb track! Classic Process [Hale-Bopp]- soft synths bleep and blop like sentient computer spirits. The alien effects continue to pile on and that 303 can no longer be contained. It bounces, soars, dives...man these guys know how to build a track. Key changes, temporary disappearance of the key melody, all part of the magic. The final bit is a goa tour de force! Full Mental Jackpot [Etnica Remix II]- Who doesn't know the original, possibly one of their greatest tracks. Floating pads and a lead right out of early 70's psychedelia is supplanted by a big kick. Oh man 303 madness reigns, and they just started! A quasi break allows for momentum gathering as the lead grows in volume and intensity. It gurgles and I just defy you not to dance to this. With one final lead change it is truly a groovy track. There is such great interweaving of lead sounds here. Very good remix. No More Singles- Gated metallic leads hover above a kick as a bassline dances. Leads growl as synthlines rise and fall. Alien noises join with goa leads in psychedelic harmony. As others have said this isn't the best track on the album, but it is still so devious and juicy with a sinister undertone. When I first began going through all the tracks I wrote my review as an unfolding story. After reading it over, it came off as silly and corny. Not only that, every science fiction movie cliche was represented. But that is what this music did to me. It told a great story that never wavered from the underlying alien theme. This music is melodic old school dark goa trance. It is driving and emotional with great track construction. Let's face it, these are THE GODFATHERS of old school goa. Anyone who makes goa trance today would be lying to you if they said they did not get inspiration from these individuals. This cannot be more highly recommended and I encourage you to seek this one out. Big thanks goes to DAT records for helping this classic see the light of day and to Tim Schuldt for making it sound fabulous. Mdk

Artist: Artha Title: Influencing Dreams Label: Cronomi Records Date: April, 2010 1. Dubber Nubber 6:50 2. Controlled 10:32 3. Chaos 7:02 4. Saikol 9:18 5. Mystic Change 7:53 6. Vocal Distortion 9:17 7. Bali 9:57 8. Transfusion 9:06 9. Insidelamp 8:51 The first time I became aware of Artha's music was a download from some site (don't remember which) where his tracks were given for free. Astral Body, Mahabharta, and Faith struck me immediately as intense, passionate, and superbly melodic goa trance stormers. They were everything I was looking for in this fabulous music. Michal Baczek from Poland had me hooked and I began keeping a keen eye out for more releases. When word of his debut came about, I cannot think of a more anticipated album, at least in my case. It was released in April, now 8 months gone and I am ready to review it. This thread has called it such things as amazing, a masterpiece, a Hallucinogen clone...very high praise to be sure. The first thing to discuss is possibly an area of contention...what the hell is up with that cover? Colors, yeah I like 'em, but a hairy cro-magnon with lots of eyes on his head? Not so sure, but that is a minor nitpick at best. Dubber Nubber- With a massive opening the beat kicks in with some bouncy bass and rhythmic percussion. Chopped up chants perpetuate the tribal feel as leads ramble on. Not your 4 on the floor stomper but a good intro track to give you a glimpse of his ideas for goa trance. Controlled Live Version- Synths scrape and claw as a bassline ushers in a subversive filtered lead. With the effects and guttural goa melodies the track comes across as very psychedelic. The break seems to borrow a little inspiration from Infected Mushroom creating a warm beach stroll. But lest you think it will fade into the sunshine it storms back for one final assault. With subsequent listens the details really jump out. Super track! Chaos- He uses more percussion here and it blends well with a peak a boo goa lead and a driving bass line. It's powerful and laden with outer space atmosphere as a heavily modulated synth screams. The break is gated and before long it picks up intensity again. But instead of riding it to the finish, he introduces a new lead and it goes in another direction. Aggressive, abrasive, but very good. Saikol- "Doc says half of these are anti-psychotics. Well...I don't know that much about medicine, but it occurs to me that if a man is taking anti-psychotics it might be because he has a tendency to become..well, psychotic." What a great sample! You can feel this track building as more synths get added to the mix over a melodic voice. But again instead of launching right into what is expected, he switches gears and changes the focus. It's like sleight of hand. So instead of a stormer, this track simmers, bubbling along with good pace. It's nice, but I felt it could've been so much more if the ideas were extrapolated a bit. Mystic Change- Hear that growling 303? That is what I was expecting. Old school all the way with floating melodies that soar into the sun. That bubbling is delicious to the ears. More melodies jump in and this could've been done by Transwave. I'm guessing he put this here just to show that he could still blow the doors off. My favorite track easily! Vocal Distortion- Very tribal beginning with modulated synthesis and a melancholy pad. There are several stabs and a crawling progression to the track as another lead gurgles the melody. Add another hard lead that dominates the proceedings, but my favorite part is the break. It slowly increases in intensity as the lead meanders its course amidst stabs and another lead. He has a talent for track building that is evident. Bali- At 2 minutes the melodies start to pile on until the break reorganizes things. I liked the popcorn sounding melody after the break, very forlorn and not overbearing. It is intense and twisted, growing in intensity. Psychedelic to the core. Not a crushing track but still a good one. Transfusion- Nice evil sounding effects with a rumbling bassline join forces with a cat quick lead. Groovy. Synths unravel, bass sounds thump, and the melodies carry me away. Even the break has a funky samba quality in it that is all to short. Pretty good track. Insidelamp- Soft twinkles speak of the mystic as the beat drives on. The tempo is slower but the groove is deeper. Chopped up chants echo to a break with a juicy bass and warm pads. Modulated lead wavers as more synths bubble patiently underneath. The melodies that fight it out at the end had my head bouncing. This was a great ending to this album, very spiritual as the sun sets. As others have said this is not your everyday new school release. Michal takes goa trance in a different direction, one that is full of surprises with unique melodies and track structure. I would say this is the definition of psychedelic goa trance. With some tracks he showcases the power (Mystic Change) and others he takes goa to places where maybe it hasn't been. I will say there isn't a bad track on this album, but at the same time, I don't feel there are many tracks that will stick with me for the long term. I like that he did something different and didn't make a cookie-cutter goa trance album, but I do miss more storming offerings. You can hear the similarities to Hallucinogen, but he still has his own style. While not my favorite goa trance album, he does have something to offer and this was a great listen. Recommended for those that want a break from the every day. Mdk

Absolutely. And your site offers just that. Great music by artists who could charge for it, but choose not to. Can't wait for his debut album. Mdk

Artist: Spectral Title: Celtic Alchemy Label: Blue Room Released Date: July, 1996 1. Celtic Alchemy (Nothing Is True Mix) (7:07) 2. Kundalini (7:37) 3. Moonstone (7:17) 4. Celtic Alchemy (Magical Circles Mix) (6:25) I thought I would tackle an old school release as I came across this Ep. I have searched the net and haven't found a negative remark about it. People here called it ahead of their time with great production. Spectral is Jean-Loup Kehrig & Thierry Gotti and they have been doing their thing since 1994. They released several Ep's and an album that went in a different direction called Diffuse in 2000. Blue Room Released is one of the seminal labels for goa trance back in the day releasing many of the gold standards such as Mystical Experiences by Infinity Project, Alien Protein by Etnica and Beyond the Infinite by Juno Rector. As I have mentioned before I missed out on this wonderful era, so I spend a lot of my time hunting down these rare and hard to find releases so I can get a glimpse of what the masters had done. This is from 1996...14 years ago. Think about that..We fell in love with Jerry Maguire, Los Del Rio spent 14 weeks at number one with the Macarena, and this is a cell phone from that era: That was actually my cell phone until a year ago. It would still be mine if I hadn't dropped it off a mountain. Would be pretty difficult to watch Avatar on that. Times and technology have most assuredly changed and mostly for the better. I can only imagine what these guys could've created if they had software to make their tracks. Or maybe, that was why they were so good because they spent the time and meticulously composed each note rather than cut and paste. Celtic Alchemy (Nothing is True mix)- "To be given a potion which casts them into a deep sleep." With a soft melody the track begins to float onward, with various ethnic sounds and chopped up chants. The melodies that come in do so gently, there is no aggression here. The pads are atmospheric and this could very well be the "kindest" goa trance I have ever heard. Kundalini- This is the track most are familiar with as it has been on a couple of compilations. GMS remixed it (results...well...)so you know it's a classic. It has more bounce in its step than the previous track as synths echo amidst light pads. When that melody comes in at around two and a half minutes, a warm familiar feeling begins to grow. Not elaborate; just simple and well done to entrance. The break that isn't still kicks with atmosphere proving that less can be more. Pretty good track even for today. Moonstone- I love the soft attack rates on the strings that create the mysterious atmosphere. Hell there are even the sounds of seagulls in this one. More gentle synth manipulation like a butterfly's kiss. After the chants a familiar melody fits like a well worn shoe. The ethnic percussion is also a nice touch when the melody returns. Celtic Alchemy (Magic Circles mix)- This one begins with more dreamy pads and a soft kick/bass. Twinkling synths dance in the clouds with a lead that is in lockstep with the bass. The percussive break has a wailing, falling pad to keep the feel alive. Not a whole lot happening, but what is going on is soft and smooth. Just like your girlfriends butt. Well that was a nice trip. I don't know if it is because the technology was inferior at the time or not, but like I previously mentioned this is the softest goa trance ever. The leads are not piled on top of each other dueling for supremacy, but are distinctive in their own right. It sounds wonderful very old school (wow, really?), so hat's off to the person who did the mastering because it is crystal clear. There was no sound competition, no business of "the leads or the kick or the bass is too loud." Just smooth, gliding and mellow trance with ethnic sensibilities added to gentle, emotional goa melodies. What a good listen and lesson on how the greatest technology is not necessarily superior to an artist skilled with his instruments. Mdk

My point was that his music was so good that he could charge for it. Mdk

This was an awesome listen...a perfect combination of forest and goa. Thank you so much for piquing my interest. That is why these forums are so valuable. Mdk

Artist: Oood (Out of Our Depth) Title: Oddball EP Label: Broken Robot Recordings Date: 2010 1. Oddball 2. The Tube 3. Oddball (Hedflux remix) Well well what do we have here? Oood have been around for quite some time with several album releases including the goa trance classic A live. Who could forget songs like Silence, Cosmic Ripple, and Cobra? Wonderful goa trance compositions all. I haven't heard their latest efforts (Free Range or Fourthought) but I believe they are more into the progressive sound these days. Here the trio give us 2 tracks and a remix to the title track. Wanna check it out? Oddball- The sounds of a track getting up to speed start us off until you hear the kick and the bass in a very pared down style. It's groovy with some very quirky effects as some chopped up voices carry the melody. Pensive. The bass gurgles with metallic synths ringing, bouncing off each other. At around 6 minutes they are in full groove mode with all the participants speaking their piece. Funky, rhythmic, and simple. Pretty good. Oddball(Hedflux Remix)- With a wink to the electro genre and some simple percussion the funk begins! Techno beats flourish and it's like someone pissed off a computer. He's angry my friends. When the break hits everything is in slow motion. It comes back with a big beat and rides the wave home. More of a techno track than a trance one. The Tube- With some bloops and rushes the computer noise continues until the FAT bass takes over. Wow that is filthy. This is the definition of funky. There is a long sample about how terrible television is, but it fits well in the track as it devolves into noisy chaos. Just then more big beats and hey more cowbell!. I would say I liked this one the best just because it made me move and nod my head. Yeah, this is definitely and Odd ep. Certainly is an interesting direction they are headed. Techno, glitchy, electro beats full of computer nosies. That sums it up. They are far removed from the goa trance they used to create and that is cool. I'm sure their tastes in music have changed and they want to try new things. Since I'm not much of a techno head, I wouldn't begin to tell you whether this was good or not, but as someone who likes music that makes me move...The Tube did. Mdk

Artist: Perfect Blind Title: Surfacing Ep Label: Akashic Records Date: November, 2010 01 - Calm Below (80 BPM) 02 - Nimbus Two (90 BPM) 03 - Syncope (95 BPM) 04 - Surfacing (100 BPM) This is the downtempo project of Deimmos aka Igor Čeranić from Croatia fresh off the great track he released on the free compilation from Neogoa.tk Dimensional Gateway. So far he likes giving his music away for free, (you can find this release at Ektoplazm) but if this keeps up, we are soon going to have to pay for it. Read below to see why. Calm Below- This is a short intro ambient track that is too long to be considered an interlude. Soft floating pads conjure up images of the deep with alien zips racing past the ears. It is soothing and gives you a glimpse of what is to come. Nimbus Two- More pads and and delicate synths glide effortlessly through a persistent beat. This is a laid back cloud watching moment. Beautiful, arcing melodies slowly introduce themselves as I lay on the ground staring skyward. The track fades away peacefully. Syncope- At almost 9 minutes this is the longest track on the EP. We are greeted with the same bubbling style leads and wide open spaces. There is a dubby feel here as synths waffle and new leads are introduced. It sounds like a 303 being filtered and soaring high in the clouds when a new lead takes over. Very nice with a gentle exit. Surfacing- This dub piece contains all the elements of the previous tracks with soaring melodies carrying maybe a tinge of melancholy. Sweet imagination music, the break is so smooth, with echoing percussion and volume fade. One melody goes, another enters slowly reorganizing things but with the same feel. Great track. What a super little Ep. This is smooth downtempo which lends itself nicely to dreaming or just getting away from it all. It is really vast sounding, with slow BPM's. The tracks start slow and gradually build with hypnotic melodies, one flowing into another. Igor definitely has the downtempo gift and I look forward to more of his stuff, realizing full well that I will have to eventually shell out a few scheckles for it. Ektoplazm Mdk

Artist: Kiriyama Title: Reach Escape Velocity Label: Devil's Mind Records Date: November, 2010 1 Reach Escape Velocity (11:32) 2 Congratulations (Crawl Into My Mouth) (11:40) 3 30 Cycles (10:19) 4 Unexpecting The Expected (9:40) 5 Moving Hills Barefoot (9:01) 6 Ablaze (Time Leap Mix) (10:55) 7 Rapide Ou Plus Lent (9:07) 8 Space Between Spaces (7:02) Now I don't usually go for Darkpsy. As I have mentioned before, a lot of it sounds noisy to my ears, with no discernable melody or direction. All the standard blah blah blah. The obvious exceptions being Derango and Loke. This has always disappointed me because like goa, I think this genre of music has the ability to tell some great stories. Devil's Mind Records specializes in darkness, and have brought you 2 Silent Horror albums as well as the much ballyhooed Ka-Sol & Battle of the Future Buddha teamup. I haven't heard any of those, but the review above has me interested. Kiriyama is Alex Örtegren and he is the co-founder and owner of the label. Starting with the cover, it appeals to me.The title makes you think of outerspace, but the picture is of a forest. Meeting of the two worlds? Perhaps an alien craft of evil beings landed in the Swedish forest? I am an avid hiker going up and down mountains and into forests. Although I have been to Sweden, it was only Goteborg and I didn't make it to the dark pixie forest. The image looks like a place here in Virginia (actually it is the highest point) called Mt. Rogers. So already I feel like I connect with the album as I think I have been there. Well, as Eudaimonia mentioned, it has a sticker on it that says, "infused with the twilight sound of Scandinavia and mysticism of Goa trance. Ready to travel north?" Where the hell do I sign up? Reach Escape Velocity- He comes out with the title track first, so he has some confidence. This one oozes liquid effects and begins with a frenzy. The horror movie strings are loud but are just part of the frightening mix. Synths wobble and waver, and then we are under attack as an alert horn sounds. Driving and intense. Congratulations (Crawl into my Mouth)-"Crawl into my mouth. I don't think I can fit. Sure you can, just go one leg at a time." First of all love the title. Cyber madness greets the ears with eerie melodies twinkling on high. A spooky childs voice reverberates "Congratulations" as if we made it to the slaughterhouse. It rumbles with deep bass indicative of the genre and the juicyness of the effects cannot be overstated. Tangibly delicious! Scary pads pile on and when the sample arrives it fits perfectly. Awesome! 30 Cycles- Cyber gurgling gives way to electronic banshees as they swirl above. Again the bass rumbles with force as evil bleeps and blops crawl from the abyss. Out of the madness an melody grows louder with synthesized voices. This is so...liquid and organic. What's great is that it is darkness, with layers, and groovy at the same time. Very well done. Unexpecting The Expected- This beast lumbers out of the computer graveyard with various clicks and whirs with a sinister intent. It dribbles and screeches with atmosphere, as leads wail their detuned lament. Most assuredly dark, but also so deeply layered. The last third increases in intensity as a goa melody flourishes. Moving Hills Barefoot- Slow steady heartbeat bass as a melody snakes just out of view. The melody is nice but the bass rumbles with anger. These two don't seem to go together. Is it a dark track of a light one? More experimental I think. Ablaze (Time Leap Mix)- Delicious goa goodness at almost 11 minutes! UX proved that goa can be dark and a page was ripped from his book. Very rhythmic with eerie, scratchy effects just to let you know that you haven't strayed too far from the darkness. Listen to that growl! Remember the opening scene music in Blade when all the dancers are in a meat locker they think is a club? Sounds like that. More layers thicken the track and it becomes a driving force. This is another one that has a few twists and turns with great weaving of layers. Rapide ou Plus Lent- With a goa melody right off the bat the track has a groove to envy. The high balances the low, as the goa adventure continues. Not overbearing, but enough to show he has the talent. Very hypnotic as leads wail and melodies fly by. Whereas the other tracks had melodies in them, this one is constructed around them. As it breaks down, it resurfaces, growling. There are so many changes and the track is so deep you don't stand a chance. A dark goa treat for the most sinister. So damn good. Space Within Spaces- A darkspy downtempo track? Am I dreaming? This is slow, alien and spooky. The beginning is so evil and fluid. A delicate melody walks gingerly above evil choirs as a bug would traverse a body of water on small feet. The pads make me think of the Himalayas as it chugs along. A new melody rises from the dark and this is the perfect ending to what has been an eye opening experience. More darkpsy artists should produce downtempo numbers. Wow. So vivid. I have been waiting so long for this. Such a rich picture with numerous layers that tell a great tale. The first half is darkness with some melodies and the 2nd is melodies with darkness. It's liquid, it's alien, it's an evil ride through the mind of the most psychotic killer. But oh yeah, he is from another galaxy and he cannot be stopped; stuff of your worst nightmares. With an incredible amount of detail in all of the tracks one listen does not do this album justice. There is an evil sprite around every corner, and he is hungry. I always said that effects can make a break a track and this guy takes full advantage in his storytelling. Add to that fact that melodies are all over this thing and we have one dynamite release. Like long tracks? Get used to them because that's all you will find here. It works well because he needs that time to unravel all the complexities in each song. Also, they are slightly mixed so they flow into each other keeping the vibe going. Bottom line, this is a truly enjoyable voyage into the mystic, combining the mystery of the dark forest with the melodies and light of goa. If this is the direction of Darkpsy then I am fully committed. I was totally floored by this and I highly recommend it. People need to give this more attention. Mdk

Wow, after the first sentence I don't know what you said. Mdk

Maybe, and maybe because the goa trance that I listen to sounds like...goa trance. I felt this didn't sound like that. Doesn't mean it's bad. Just one person's opinion. Mdk

I didn't hear a melody that sounded remotely like goa trance. Perhaps floaty epic trance, but definitely not the signature sound that marks a goa track. I realize that he is doing something different that what we have all heard before, but this didn't sound like goa to me. That's cool, just wasn't for me. Mdk

It really is an excellent compilation. Great job and congratulations to Richpa and all the artists. I look forward to more releases. Mdk

The title track not the album. Mdk

Artist: Goasia Title: Dancing With The Blue Spirit Label: Kagdila Records Date: April, 2010 1. Black Kahva 9:29 2. How Deep Is Your Trip 7:35 3. Dancing With The Blue Spirit 7:31 4. Avatar 8:21 5. Ethnic City 7:37 6. Visitors 8:30 7. Sabotage 8:25 8. Terra Incognita 7:34 9. Transonic Fields 8:01 10. Reach New Land 6:17 When I first heard this, I was so disappointed. I was expecting a wall of melody like I have become accustomed to from labels such as Suntrip, Phototropic, and UAF. After reading comments in this thread I thought I missed something. I have yet to see someone have a bad thing to say about this album, so naturally I thought I needed to give it more time. Unfortunately, I got busy and didn't get to it until recently. But I am getting ahead of myself... Kagdila is a label from the USA that was named after an Astral Projection song (kinda) that supports psytrance and ambient. They are quite prolific and open minded, as they have released discs by N3xu5, to Ovnimoon, to Liquid Flow and now Goasia. They are also responsible for the wonderful Pure Planet series. Balint Tihamer & Vladislav Radulovic comprise Goasia and they released their debut From Other Spaces on Suntrip in 2007. I'm always on board for new goa trance so I decided to get back on the horse and give this release the attention it deserves beginning with listening in the dark with no distractions. Black Kahva- Furious beginning with a nice reverberating knock that gives the track some spaciousness. The synths undulate like the coming of the tide as leads dance like no one is watching. The same melody is continued on a stringed instrument during a very short break before it's right back into battle. It really is an all out assault for the first track. Maybe a little too long but still good stuff! How Deep Is Your Trip- The leads in this one are very hypnotic daring you not to move. With a choir pad in the background it adds a spiritual air to the track. It just keeps going, asking how deep your trip is. In this case not a lot of variation works as it just sends you further into introspection. Mine went very far, let me tell you. Awesome track. Dancing With The Blue Spirit- This has a psytrance lean towards it, with a floaty sense about it. The bassline is frenetic and very active with the leads being spacious. Not very evolutionary and definitely not goa trance. This one didn't thrill me. Avatar- More rapid bassline action here, with a deceptively agile lead setting the pace. The feel is mysterious as if I were in an alien land. The main synth line becomes a little too repetitive for my tastes, but it keeps changing so it remains interesting. The break is again short, but works well to refocus. High tempo for sure. Good track though not as hypnotic as some others. Etnic City- Love, love the tribal beginning short though it may be. The effects and dirty bass add a great touch. The chants sit very well with me as if I am passing beneath the gates of an emerald city few have ever seen. The leads claw and scrape as new ones emerge further making me feel I'm in the presence of a higher power. Super hypnotic and danceable. Great track. Visitors- Man, they really love a fast bassline. The beginning has an old school feel as it blossoms. That is maintained with a laser sharp lead melody that changes sounds. More hypnosis, and I don't feel the time going by at all. The track becomes very atmospheric with a feeling that we are going to meet the aliens...and the outcome might not be so positive. Good track. Sabotage- Gurgling, filtered leads in many layers greet the ears, and I'm settling in nicely. There is a lot going on, but it just adds to the mix and sounds great. It took numerous listens for me to sort out all the phrases in this one and it kept its groove nicely. They use the panning effect nicely to great results as more leads stab. The break reorganizes things, but doesn't lose momentum. Love this track. Terra Incognita- Is that a bagpipe? Sounds a little like it. With some Vangelis-esqe leads (think Blade Runner) we are drifting across the galaxy. This is floaty trance for sure that glides. Kinda boring for me. Transonic Fields- Bouncing synths fade in and out as outer space sounds shoot from deep in the black. The break brings what sounds like a Scottish melody as if I were hiking the Monroes! Different, and it works here, but I wish there was some more depth to it. Still, a pretty good psytrance track with a floaty feel. Reach New Land- I'm not a big fan of piano in my psytrance, but this is interesting. It's like a bit of electro and downtempo rolled into one. The sounds used are not ones you would expect to hear from this artist. Is that a bossa nova beat? It's a nice chill track after the intense experience. Music appreciation is such a subjective experience. That's why there is so much of it I suppose as there is bound to be something for everyone. I went through stages with this release. At first I was disappointed, then I understood it, and then I had to be in the mood for it. This is not your typical four on the floor melodic sunshine power goa trance. It has great goa melodies and some tracks are hypnotic as hell. But it also challenges the preconceptions of what goa trance can be. This album is a mixture of goa, psy, and even trance. The artists are pushing the limits with sounds, melodies, and it is an enjoyable listening experience. So bottom line, this isn't my favorite goa release even though I would recommend it for its variety. It's still well produced and the goa tracks (most of them) are pretty powerful. Mdk

I updated my review for this one. Seems a little bit of the luster came off, but this is still a good ride. Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Energy Waves Label: Suntrip Records Date: March, 2010 1. Mindsphere - The Awakening 2. Astrancer - Inhabitants of the Sun (Gnostic Theory) 3. KhetzaL - Indian Attic (E-Mantra's Tellurian Remix) 4. Somnesia vs PharaOm - God's Tears 5. Liquid Flow - Reformation 6. Astrancer - Athanaton 7. Antares - Eureka 8. RA - Time Current (Silver Remix) 9. Space Elves - Anjuna Beach Here is Suntrip Records 18th release (wow, really?) with another effort in the sunshine melodic goa trance style that they do so well. This is actually part 1 of a 2 part series with Temple of Chaos serving as the more dark themed style. Suntrip has spearheaded the new school goa trance movement with brilliant production and beautiful melodic tracks. All the accolades they receive are well deserved as they have been releasing quality material since 2004. Check out that artwork...it just screams sunshine. The Awakening- I am ethereal. Power, with no substance. I have no form, no shape...I just am. This could easily have opened the Temple of Chaos CD as it is a darker composition from Mindsphere. Synths of regret undulate over mournful percussive wails as something from beneath begins to stir. You do not hear a drum until almost four minutes as the expectations build slowly, never quickening the pace. It is a nice smooth intro for what is to come. Inhabitants of the Sun (Gnostic Theory)- Looking skyward, I cannot see as the glare of the sun is oh so bright. Crystal synths dance lithely above, teasing a thumping kick. Heavenly strings arc higher and higher framing the path in which the leads must travel. Very bright and perfect for watching the waves crash on the beach. Indian Attic (E-Mantra's Tellurian Remix)- Matthieu must be very confident to remix a track off Khetzal's album Corelle as that is one of the standards of goa trance. In the beginning you can hear the original melody, but then it becomes something else. Whereas the original was smooth and subtle, E-mantra's take is an all out assault. His signature sound is all over this as it manifests as another dreamy feather in his cap. While the original is great, I think this is even more hypnotic. God's Tears- I wasn't too impressed by Somnesia's debut EP Rainbow Source on UAF, but it's a totally opposite situation when it comes to PharaOm. Together, these artists created an absolute stormer. Not only that, I think this one tends toward the darker side of goa. Melodies taunt, they pitch and dive, all while riding shotgun to the bassline. Stormclouds erupt and the rain falls during a break, and then it really gets aggressive. Super. Reformation- Liquid Flow have had nothing but hits including their 2009 album Presence. The bass is so liquid, you can practically hear it bubbling. Leads scream, 303's howl, and the power is immeasurable. Short, but awesome track. Athanaton- Astrancer again, with a slower tempo track. At 3 minutes a quirky lead skips and staggers through the track. The track bounces along, relying on effects and that very catchy lead. This is happiness and sunshine, with a generous helping of groove. Very danceable. Good track. Eureka- Simon's album release is getting closer...I can feel it. His track Prophecy on Artificial Sun and Codex on Temple of Chaos are some of my favorites. This one is close to the same length. I don't know what that instrument is in the beginning, but it let's you know you are in goa territory before giving way to a big kick. The leads prance about, the bass gurgles, and synths juxtapose amidst large pads. Mystical. He has the ability to extend tracks and keep them hypnotic. The break is smooth almost sensual, and really has an element of spirituality. Make no mistake, this guy is a star. Superb! Time Current (Silver Remix)- The old veterans Christer Borge-Lunde & Lars W. Lind are back with a remix to a track from their album 9th. This is very floating, ethereal. The break has a beautiful melody that is spider web thin synth tones among mournful pads and effects. Very well placed. This is a dream maintained, where images aren't 100% clear, but have a sunshine outline. These guys are great at setting up an atmosphere and this track is no exception. The last part of the track is a invigorating ride on a cloud towards the sunshine. Smash! Anjuna Beach- This is CoaGoa, Arronax, Imba, and SETI Project under the moniker Space Elves. It begins quickly, with a nice lead that is full of sunshine sparkle. Rays of light reflect, as solar flares tumble to Earth. While not very detailed, it gets the point across that we are drifting across a beach and that there is a party going on. It is dreamy and functions well as a closer. Suntrip have done it again. This release is a blockbuster in every sense of the word. This is to be the Yin of the day to the Yang of the night of Temple of Chaos, but not by much. Though very melodic (as usual) this one has one foot out the door of sunshine and another firmly planted in the darkness. The artists have put together a great CD that is wonderful for home listening as well as the dance floor. I hope people realize what is going on here, that this label has consistently delivered beautiful music for the goa community while simultaneously becoming the driving force of that community. Keep up the good work and positive vibes. This is highly recommended. Mdk

Artist: Crossing Mind Title: The Holographic Paradigm Label: DAT Records Date: July, 2010 1. Andromeda 2. Terminal Fantasy 3. Magnesia 4. Mental Escape 5. Hypnotropic 6. Lunatic Transfer 7. Psy Crise 8. United Pulse 9. Out Of Time First off, thank you Draeke at Psynews.org for re-discovering this artist and your hard work to get this released. It seems your label has a knack for bringing back the past with efforts like Blue Planet Corporation's A Blueprint for Survival as well as Tetrahedron from Crop Circles. I think if you can somehow get the unreleased Organique from Psygone to see the light of day the world and all in it is yours. Crossing Mind is Stephane Beze from France and this is his debut. Wait, an old school artist releasing their first album? Yep, that's about right. Apparently, he had a treasure trove of tracks that were just waiting to be discovered and this is a best of compilation. He did release a track on the Suntrip compilation Temple of Chaos, but that was just a hint of what was to come. Before getting to the music, the cover is a beautiful symmetrical array of blues and purples which is very pleasing to the eye. Andromeda- Alien skitterings shoot forth as a bassline pounds out its steady rhythm. The intertwining of pads is smooth giving the track a floating feeling. Soft and subtle with a lot of different sounds, this is a nice intro into his old school sound. Terminal Fantasy- With more old school leads this one gives a strong wink towards the aggressive. The synths twist and swirl together for short periods before each takes its rightful place. It's nonstop psychedelia that really warps the mind and is never dull with its deft meanderings. Magnesia- The intro effects really make the beginning of this track feel like deep, cold space. Leads dance like a cobra under the spell of a snake charmer as soft tones float above the violence. The kick is thunderous and it's just a minute in as the momentum builds. The introduction of one lead and the exit of another is masterfully done. The break is short and reinforces the cold space feel of this track. The reverse sounds are a nice touch as the leads drive the track home. Great stuff! Hypnotropic- Wow, this is a lot more aggressive, with insane leads dancing circles around those lucky enough to hear. The leads keep on coming like a sledgehammer and they get twisted like a pretzel. Four on the floor insanity is what this is. Super track. Lunatic Transfer- This track is of a slower tempo and reminds me of Man With No Name. There is some more twisted sonic goodness and I feel this one is more...grimy. It gets in the dirt and isn't afraid to wallow in it. The leads bring it out of the muck with attitude. The break maintains the flow but adds more of that underground feel as it climbs right back up. Pretty sweet! Psy Crise- Smooth intro, short though it is, and this bass is dirty. It gurgles, undulates...but the lead that comes next sparkles. Very groovy, and this is maintained well as jockey for postition like racehorses. The tension just builds and this becomes a very driving track. Wow, what stunned me though was that there was an actual break. Full steam ahead captain! This deserves to be played at high volume...preferentially in a residential neighborhood! United Pulse- I think he likes astronaut samples as there is another one here. It reinforces his outer space vibe for sure. This is like being trapped on a spaceship that is drifting through the galaxy. The groovy lead is saw sharp, and rides the current with a small key change that is repeated. Don't expect a rest though, as a new lead germinates. Mechanical noises emanate from the spacecraft, and the melody redoubles its effort. Man, another bouncy bit of goodness. Out of Time- Sadly there has to be a closing track and this is the shortest one. Even the track is upset as it sounds mournful and full of regret. It isn't long however, before the air scraped leads kick in and trade jabs back and forth. The synths get twisted up and he has an awesome transition into a breakbeat that is funky as hell. Even with the driving bass, this one is not as intense, but more laid back. And just like that it's over. This is very different from the majority of new school goa released today. Obviously this was done a while ago so technically it is old school. There is none of the large wide open intros or atmosphere creation. That isn't to say it isn't atmospheric, but what isn't here is the multiple melody lead stacking that is so prevalent today. That doesn't mean it is worse because of it, just different. I guess because this is a compendium of some of his best stuff, there really isn't any type of theme. It is straight ahead goa trance with a psychedelic bent. His melodies are whip like and very entrancing allowing tracks to stretch longer with more twists and turns. Also, there are very few breaks, so there is no "regrouping" to set up the next phrase, he just hits you with it. Something else, it sounds great. The mastering was wonderfully done bringing all the rich subtleties out from the shadows. I really like this CD and can recommend it very highly for those that want to hear an unheralded old school artist twist your brain. Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Temple of Chaos Label: Suntrip Records Date: June, 2010 1. Khetzal - Rosin Memories 2. K.O.B. - Lost Belly (Of Civilization) 3. Daimon - Codex 4. Moonweed & Shakta - Perfect Invisibility 5. Merr0w - Citrus Circus 6. Filteria - Illogical Logic 7. Crossing Mind - Cyclone In Your Heart 8. Nebula Meltdown - Encrypted Illusion Well, what can be said about Suntrip Records that hasn't already been said. Arguably one of the most if not the most important label responsible for the resurgence of goa trance. This Belgian enterprise was set up in 2004 by Fabien (Mars at Psynews.org) and Joske (Anoebis). Their style is melodic to the core with a sunshine cocktail perfect for that dreamy getaway of your imagination. But, what have we here? This seems a little...darker that what we are used to. With their 19th CD release (and don't think that is easy to do in our scene with the internet) Temple of Chaos has some of the same artists, but something wicked this way comes! Gone is the uplifting and gently soothing melodies on which we soared into the atmosphere. In there place is something...a little more sinister. And the sunrise is many hours away. Rosin Memories- I am very glad that Khetzal (Mattheiu Chamoux) contributed a track to this compilation. His 2005 album Corelle is one of the best goa trance releases to date replete with unparalleled Eastern melodies. He begins his track with pads that intertwine, weaving a dark layer of mysticism. Tales of old in the guise of a forbidden melody remind me of what once was long ago. 303's and twisted leads keep this fluid dream in motion. The kick and hi-hat are my sole guide in this ethereal plane revealing a dark corridor which I must travel alone. Seamlessly beautiful. Lost Belly (of Civilization)- I have never been a fan of Filteria's side project K.O.B. due to the declining focus on melody. With this, otherworldly gurgling accompany an insistent thumping. The sounds of aliens drift from hither and yon. Deep underground and far from a living soul, screeching leads speak of a civilization lost. There is great atmosphere here, continuing the theme of the previous track. If this is an example of dark goa, I like it. When Khetzal showed me the ancient door, K.O.B. leads me down a dark, fetid tunnel. Viscerally pleasing and the best K.O.B. track I have heard. Codex- This is the dark alter ego of Antares whose album I await with great anticipation. His tracks are so rich and powerful with great attention to detail. Alone with the ghosts of the past, citizens of an ancient civilization, it is time for combat! That percussive lead is madness! Sheer madness! Movement required. This is hurtling at vast speeds while tendrils of flame sear the skin. Images blur as my eyes begin to desiccate. An absolutely blistering track! Perfect Invisibility- "There here alright...but we don't see them. They have perfect invisibility." This is a welcome surprise to see this pair resurface. Shakta (Seb Taylor) has been in the game so long dropping superlative goa tracks (Lepton Heads) as well as psytrance and downtempo works. Moonweed is Jamie Graham and he has been more reclusive. Alien creatures peer from behind rocks as the twisted lead snakes from its place of concealment. The effects in this one are liquid and guttural, and I would call this more psytrance influenced goa than a true goa tune. The layers are there and well put together sounding great, but it's not as epic as the previous tracks. Still a great tune. I'm stunned the guys from Suntrip got Seb to make a another goa track. Citrus Circus- This is Bruce Fryut who's album Born Underwater was a great effort. It's not until 2 minutes that the frenzied escape begins. 303's scream their abrasive cry as metallic chaos reigns. New leads indicative of the artist's album force their way forward. This track is a thunderous whirlwind without a moment's rest. Illogical Logic- "Imagine a musician giving a live broadcast from what was once London to what was once New York on a Wednesday. He then travels faster than light from London to New York where he arrives, where physicists would confirm, on the previous Tuesday. Listens to his own broadcast on a Wednesday, dislikes its quality intensely, and then travels back faster than light to London in time for him to decide not to give his broadcast." Now this was something I would've expected from K.O.B. I'm used to massive layers of unyielding melody stacked upon each other but this is different. The sound is as rich and palpable as it is quirky. The middle of the track is a period of electronic noise as if you were tuning a radio, but also contains hard edged leads as well. Different, but in a good way. True to form, the melodic Filteria style rises up with a chip on his shoulder. This is not a happy time. Cyclone In Your Heart- Thanks to Draeke at Psynews for his hard work in rediscovering this artist. Crossing Mind is Stephane Beze and he recently released his debut album The Holographic Paradigm on DAT Records. His leads are cat quick and twisted taking center stage as this track is not massively layered. It's one lead giving way to another and I don't think that it had the power it needed to pull that off. Straight forward and nowhere near as complex as the previous tracks, but fret not as he has a treat for you... Encrypted Illusion- This artist is new to me, but he shows you how to close a compilation with the longest track in the set. It's progressive, starting slowly but unraveling its tale. There is no sunshine here, no light. No hope for redemption. The strings only reveal what is left of this once mighty empire. The track glides smoothly toward the exit, permitting quiet introspection; perhaps about history and not repeating it. Well, that was an impressive compilation. The only criticism that could've been leveled at Suntrip was that their goa trance was all in the same style, beautiful though it may be. That can now be put to rest. This was so powerful and such a change in direction for Suntrip that they have shown me that there isn't any style they cannot produce well. As leaders of the new school goa revival they are truly masters of their craft. I appreciate their flexibility as a label and congratulations to the artists who are the stars of this disc. Wonderful tracks that will be enjoyed for years to come. This is a suberp disc and I recommend it very highly. Mdk