Trance2MoveU

Artist: Various Title: Digital Beings Label: Echoes Records Date: June, 2010 1. Age of the 6th sun / Earsugar 2. Process / Ritmo 3. Kelman Gates / Easy Riders (aka Ace Ventura and Rocky) 4. Scandonavian / Gaudium 5. Digital Beings / Zen Mechanics and Ace Ventura 6. The Path / Quantize 7. Revenge / Freq 8. Concrete Jungle (Rocky rmx)(Feat. Michele Adamson) / Lish 9. Yin and Yang / Human Element Another recent purchase in the progressive vein and another I cannot locate an image for. Sorry. Echoes Records based in Israel is responsible for releases like "Borderline" "Stereo Slave" and "Think Different." Some pretty good progressive hits on those. Their latest compiles previously unreleased tracks from mostly well known artists. The cover is of a woman with her eyes closed in the greenish black style reminiscent of the Matrix. 1. Age of the 6th Sun- Earsugar begins the track with a prayer to Hunab Ku and then...not a whole lot. Some nice sounds, but it doesn't really go anywhere. Suitable opening I suppose, but not very deep. 2. Process- "But we all want to move....in the same direction." This one is very rich as one would expect from Ritmo. Thick bass sweeps and a galloping, steady bassline. He even drops a little Obama on you. It plods along until the 7 minute mark and then it gets a little aggressive. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long. 3. Kelman Gates- "Listen to me! Whatever door you opened in my brain...shut it!" Rocky and Ace Ventura combine for this project. Smooth and steady without a lot of melody changes. I would be tempted to say that at ten minutes you need to throw some variation my way, but they do a good job with breaks so it doesn't seem so long. Crystal clear sound for sure with a brooding atmosphere. 4. Scandonavian- This seems boring to me, with its rapid fire bassline and not much else. The break however, gives the track some much needed depth, but it just can't recover from the monotony. 5. Digital Beings- Now that bassline seems familiar... Even with it, this track seems fuller than the previous ones. The break gets some funk on ya, but not enough to switch genres. Nice. 6. The Path- Noise plus interminable buildups = me skipping this track. 7. Revenge- Freq brought his heavy beats and minimal style progressive trance to the show. The result...you know what it sounds like. 8. Concrete Jungle (Rocky Remix)- The only remix on the compilation. I haven't heard the original so let me see if I can dig it up. Nope, couldn't find it. All I need to know is that it has a stupid spoken verse in it about leaving the house without a knife. Terrible, another skipper. 9. Yin and Yang- Ahhh, the Human Element. This track is a feel good groover that ends the compilation nicely. Not a lot of variation, but the reverb was working overtime and the little melody is very catchy. Great job and my favorite track. So this is one of the other sides of progressive trance. There is more focus on the beats than the melody or the creating of atmosphere. Accordingly, the tracks are thinner in the area of richness compared to other compilations. These guys do what they do really well. The grooves are heavy and if that's what you like get on board. If you're looking for a deep, melodic listening experience, this will leave you a little flat. Psyshop Beatspace Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Progressive Sadhus Label: Sadhus Records Date: June, 2010 1. Infinity / 4-Play 2. Recycled / Deeplomatic 3. Bullet / Yoake 4. All The Way Down / Sphera 5. Body Snatcher / Flegma and Nerso 6. Daydriver / Zyce and E-Clip 7. Practicle Accelerator / Human Gate 8. Lusid Vision / Lucid Sound 9. It's Up To You / 4-Play It's been awhile since I reviewed anything, but this one prompted me to get back on the horse. Sadhus Records is apparently a brand new label and I cannot find out any information on them. Location, label head...nothing. The cover is what drew me to the album though. That guy has a lot of hair! A Sadhu is, according to the Hindus, a mystic practitioner of yoga...or in this case, of progressive trance. The tracklist reveals a few well known producers of the genre, but most are newcomers. Do not let this dissuade you. Right off the bat, this is the deep, rich progressive trance that I enjoy. Punchy beats, oodles of melodies and reverb, and sweet percussive stylings. 4-Play opens the show with a very emotive and meditative number, complete with a laid back vibe. Deeplomatic provides a bouncy track with a tasty and rather lengthy break. Delicious. "All The Way Down" begins with thick sweeps and staccato tones from all sides. Dark melodies and a wet groove make this one a pleasure. Flegma & Nerso continue to impress and deliver another shot of their brand of vast progressive tunes. Driving, with a great mixture of highs and lows. "Daydriver" uses a nice breakbeat before launching into the same style as the previous track. They could almost be the same track, so...double the sweetness! It continues the floating vibe that the disc is soaked with. "Practicle Accelerator" picks up momentum with deep basses and high pitched whirly sounds. This is swimming with the aliens type stuff as the lead melody winds its way across the ears. "Lusid Vision" shines with its chopped up synths and simple melody. Not a lot of meat in this one, but they way it's put together makes it a very full track. Nicely done. The final track is a perfect way to end this ride. It seems to have a slower BPM and could arguably be considered almost housey, but it is spectacular. Smooth and warm with a sunset feel that brought a smile to my face. 4-Play does it again! But doesn't it always? This disc is a worthwhile addition to any progressive trance fans collection and is riddled with the classic Iono Music sound. Not a bad track in the bunch. The many effects aid in a comfortable and atmospheric listening experience. I would say this is the definition of a gem. More of this please! Psyshop Juno Records Beatspace Saikosounds Mdk

That really looks great! Looking forward. Mdk

I have to say this is some of the most melodic and beautiful trance I have heard in a long time. Thought provoking and dreamy, but not very psychedelic. I appreciate it for what it is. Afternoon on the beach with a nice breeze and a girl under your arm music. Mdk

That cover is absolutely fantastic. I know he usually produces Dark Psy, but has anyone heard it yet? Mdk

Is there anything this label isn't capable of? I mean the best sunshine, melodic goa and now this dark beast of a compilation. As a Suntrip fanboy, my words might not be the most objective, but I mean this when I say that this is a glorious exercise in movement, melody, and atmosphere. Khetzal is back with a stormer that is melodic and eerie. Like Jon, I am just happy he is back on the scene, but his track provides an excellent opening to the disc. K.O.B. for me is not what it is to everyone else. I realize that I am in the minority (and that is ok), but this style doesn't suit me and I find it empty and boring. I appreciate the attempt at a different style, but it is just not that appealing to me. This goes for other tracks by Filteria's alter ego. Now Daimon (aka Antares) owns the track of the comp for me. When that percussive lead comes in at the beginning it shapes the whole track. The foundation is laid allowing other melodies and sounds to add to this superb journey through the cosmos. Absolutely blistering. An unreleased Moonweed and Shakta track? Yes please. A very good effort and it makes me wonder why it never saw the light of day. Maybe we weren't ready for this type of experimentation back then. Psychedelic, melodic and a groover. Very enjoyable. Merr0w brings a layer rich tapestry that covers the highest of the highs and the deepest of the lows. Very lush and powerful, reminding me of Filteria's first release Sky Input. One of the best tracks here. The new school master weighs in with a great track about traveling faster than the speed of light. Illogical. The sounds fit well and the rhythm is on point. The samples are great and interesting as the melody evolves. I felt it could've been fuller on the lower end, but this is a minor quibble. This is classic Filteria with all the twisting and intensity. While still melodic I feel the chaotic element takes the spotlight here. The consistent quality of his tracks is so impressive that one can take it for granted. Another home run. A lot of work was put in by Draeke and co. to find this artist and release his tracks. I guess Suntrip did their due diligence as well. While not as aggressive as most of the tracks here, the leads are no less twisted. There isn't a lot of variety in this track, but it is still good. The last track by Nebula Meltdown is one that I had to give lots of listens to appreciate. First it is very long at 11:31 and it is slower than the rest, less chaotic. At least it seems to be. This one is more subtle and takes a few minutes to get going, but when it does, the acid lines erupt. The chopped up strings add an airy, spacey feel giving a relaxing or contemplative state of mind to finish out the compilation. Great stuff! Mdk

I just have one question...what significance does the 303 hold? Artifact303, Atom303, now Beast 303. Must mean sumpin'? Mdk

Good for you man. Whatever you're doing, keep it up. When and if an album is released I will be happy to buy it. Mdk

Hey Filipe are you shopping your new Buddha tracks around? I see 4 on your YouTube channel. Your 2nd album hasn't come out and you are well on your way to your 3rd! Mdk

Great stuff man. Glad to see the Buddha back in business. Mdk

Superb man. Just blinding from all the sunshine melodies. My current favorite is the Liquid Flow and the Antares tracks as they just feel very powerful. Mdk

I am very fond of the melody of MFG's "Dark Waters." Eerie and just flows so well. Man With No Name's "Teleport" is pretty diesel also. Funny nobody mentioned any new school goa. Comment on the scene? Mdk

With the plummeting Euro, this is an awesome deal. Hell, even without that it's awesome. Mdk

What the hell is wrong with me? I try to keep it varied. Mdk

New track? This isn't on the 2nd album according to the promo. Work on a 3rd album? Loved the growling bassline and the dreamy melodies. Has a high-tech feel with a touch of mysticism. Only one thing bothered me, the repetitive snare roll. Other than that, top quality as always. You've got the touch brother. Mdk

I was also impressed with this offering. Very melodic and easy to digest. Mdk

Artist: Xatrik Title: The Demarkation Area EP Label: Digital Psionics Date: May, 2010 1. Halleluya 2. The Demarkation Area 3. Hands Up! 4. Up The Mark The South African sound is my favorite type of psytrance. It is intense, beat heavy, and chaotic. It is very dance friendly and melodic without the hint of cheese. When I saw this, I knew I was going to get it. Xatrik is Greg Hamber who has released 2 full length albums as well as a huge amount of compilation material. When his first album came out in 2004 (Project A) I wasn't that impressed. He didn't start picking up his game until the Psionic Distortion disc and he hasn't looked back. He brings all the things I mentioned before to his tracks as well as a dark, brooding atmosphere. There is acid and lasers and the inability to control oneself. This 4 track EP is his latest release and it promises more of the same. High energy dance inducing madness complete with his wary hi-tech feel. To me, this is psytrance. It has it all, sounding super crisp all the way. Get it. Beatspace Mdk

I have to bump this because it is that good. This is South African intense psytrance done better than South Africans do it. This is 3d vision Absolum crazy and should get the attention it deserves. So far this is the best release for 2009 for me and I will go further. Best product to come out of Mexico. Ever. Mdk

Like most here I enjoy his music, but I would appreciate it if this topic was put in the correct section. People come to this section for reviews, not promo material. Mdk

Artist: Agneton Title: Horizon In Your Head Label: Phototropic Records Date: November, 2008 1. Silver shadow lifeforms AGNETON 2. Aya 11 AGNETON 3. Last man in paradise AGNETON 4. Hoa Nozem (with GOALIEN) AGNETON 5. Horizon in your head AGNETON 6. Our sky is the mind AGNETON 7. Het was zomer AGNETON 8. High on wire (Agnet's Phoorgoa rmx) - HI PHUK AGNETON 9. De Sterrenreiziger AGNETON I cannot believe this has not been reviewed on this forum. Since this is a home for the ultra goa fanbase it is shocking that nobody bothered to put up a review. I received an email from a nice fellow requesting this to be reviewed and I was only too happy to comply. Did this really come out in 2008? Really? That seems so long ago. For those not in the know, Agneton (a prolific member here on this forum) is Belgian Elias Gits whose specialty is Nitzhonot & Goa Trance. He has produced tracks on almost all the new school goa releases and his style is more of a combination of Nitzho and goa. Power and melody without the cheese, I suppose. His tracks for me have always been enjoyable blurring the line between the two styles, not too heavy on the goa but with a definite Nitzho feel. This is his first release and it is on the Phototropic Records label. Right out of the gate this takes you back to an era of mysticism. The Israeli feel is palpable. The melodies are immediate and spiral effortlessly through the sky, evolving continuously. The kick and bass are definitely Nitzho while bizarre noises dart in and out of earshot keeping the mood intact. The tracks have that bubbling quality, warning that the supernatural lies just beneath the surface. The two genres weave seamlessly around each other with some interesting breaks and percussion creating something different. And that's what this album is going to give you. Soaring melodies combining two genres complete with the that eternal sunshine feel. This was a joy to listen to when I first got it and it still is. If there is one possible shortcoming, I would say that the album can sound samey, sometimes becoming a little laborious to listen to all the way through. This is one of the risks when limiting yourself to only 2 genres. But I cannot stress enough that this is only a minor quip. The melodies themselves are so crisp and bouncy that it doesn't become tiresome at all. I wouldn't hesitate to call this superb and recommend it highly. Beatspace Psyshop Saikosounds Mdk

Jeez man, you have enough tracks to make a new album already! Mdk

Concept, Deliriant, and Phatmatix. Mdk

Alright, I thought it was time for me to weigh in on this. You would be hard pressed to find an album that was more anticipated and loaded with hype than this. When this guy creates goa, he shreds. So it stands to reason that this disc is really on the top of a lot of people's list. Starting with the cover, I love the colors, but it is a slice of ridiculous. A big headed face with numerous eyes on the top of his head? And what's with the hair on his back? Is he even human? Corny and nonsensical. The music, well that is what is important. If you are expecting a full fledged goa album, you will be disappointed. This is more psytrance tinged with goa flavor. For that reason alone it might require more listens than you were expecting. That said, what he has created is interesting. The tunes are not your repetitive go nowhere tracks, but ones that evolve and switch focus. You have chants, varying basslines, and swirling melodies. Each listen I discover something I missed before, and that is the sign of hard work and a depth to me. But the melodies are not the over the top or in your face layer rich stuff you get from Suntrip. I love what they bring, but this is different. It's more subtle in its goa machinations, but that doesn't make them any less powerful or atmospheric. Subliminal comes to mind. I think this album is good at what it does. It is clever, never boring, and entertaining. I don't think this album can compare to most of the new school goa discs that have been released. E-mantra? Way better. Radical Distortion? Not even close. Filteria? Please. It is totally different music so it's comparing apples to oranges. But I don't think it's aim was to be a barnstorming take no prisoners disc of goa domination. Take this for what it is. Good psytrance with goa flavor that has lots of twists and turns along with some kick to make you move. Very enjoyable. Great job Cronomi! Mdk

Wow, the news just keeps getting better and better! Mdk

Fabulous news. I am looking forward to this release. Pretty tough to top Goa Gate though. Mdk