Jon Cocco

Space Cat - Power Up BNE 01. Hell-Ium 02. Newteck 03. Solid Energy 04. Bit Cruncher 05. Armageddon 06. Power Up 07. Overloaded 08. Latdino Power Up is the third album by Space Cat. It is my 2nd favorite Space Cat album after 1999's stellar debut, Beam Me Up. This develops the more mechanical, melodic, dark and driving robotic/edgy style most present on the previous two albums. Also noticeable is that the artist, Avi Algranati has minimized collaborations like the second album. I feel like he listened to fans and critics to some degree. His work has matured and evolved into something even more futuristic, pulsating, and gripping since Shapes of Sound-- an underrated albeit controversial follow up with a few great tracks. The sound/melody work here is more present, emphasized, and infectious. It stands out more. The mixing is more dynamic. There are occasional buildups and climaxes too. 1. Hell-Ium begins with a cranky, crunchy sound. 10 to 15 seconds into the song arrives another tasty synth. The melody/sound work is good, though listeners will be exposed to the Goa-influenced ear candy in the second half. The song becomes more layered and involved as it progresses. This is one of the most solid opening tracks by the artist yet, though not superb. It's well done. B+ 2. Newteck is simpler-- combining Psytrance with Full On. The sound is slightly more minimal, albeit mechanically moving. The melody lead isn't as strong, nor is the last act as memorable as the previous song. It's a bit repetitive, but small transitions help to introduce new ideas that restore interest. The artist mixes in some cool sounds and the second half arrives a sort-of warm, solid tone and sound, but the melodies aren't that engaging. The songs OKAY with some fairly good elements, but I'm not impressed. C+ / B- 3. Solid Energy is interesting. It's more energetic and cyber-esque from the start, growing with strength as it progresses. There's a VERY catchy accent melody in the first half. Some of the melody work reminds me of electricity or hot wires sparkling via *ting* *pish.* The last third is great, intricate and delectable. B+ 4. Bit Cruncher is darker! The eerie voice bits plague the computer highway, setting the tone early on. The song is driving; it changes up and remains interesting, and those eerie, incoherent voices add character. Unlike previous tracks however, this one doesn't seem to build up to anything super, or go anywhere really satisfying. While it lasts, it's pretty catchy, dark, and intriguing. B 5. Armageddon is another unexpected character. Melody/sound wise, this stands out, especially in the second half. The artist is so talented when it comes to combining mechanical synths with less technologic sounding melodies. The last act is proof. Both the energy/beat and music grow to be more dynamic and engaging. This is one of the best tracks on the album. B+ 6. Power Up is the song I was waiting for on this album. Not only is the song good/great leading up to something but that something is one of the most catchy, uplifting and awesome/skipping melody leads I have ever heard in a Full On Psytrance song to date. I LOVE the melody in this song. Especially around the more psychedelic work, it's excellent, along with how it's tweaked and utilized with everything else. The idea may seem simply but the execution is so clear and fun/catchy. My friends like this song. I can't seem to find a person who doesn't. In short, I'd love this artist to produce more dance infections in Psytrance like this one, but completely inventive and fresh sounding melody infections and psychedelic as what this did for its time. By today's standards, this is a great, if not excellent song. A- 7. Over Loaded is a solid and somewhat driving, danceable beauty with a gentle, emotive edge and what appears to be key changes. It's uplifting in a good way, although the song is somewhat subtle and less captivating than few others. It's very well done and contributes positively to a strong tracklist. B+ 8. Ladtino is a typical house/club track without a strong Space Cat influence in sight. I have no idea what the artist was thinking when producing this for this otherwise strong Psytrance album. I think the keyword is Psytrance, which this song isn't. It is however flat, repetitive, and it sounds out of place here. The artist has produced so many favorites, consistent great songs before this. Latdino is the weakest song I've heard on a Space Cat album to date. This artist is very creative and talented. But putting this on a Space Cat album, I have to ask.. WHY? It feels like the wrong song has fallen into the tracklist, much like the final two songs at the end of Juno Reactors Gods and Monsters 2008 album. D, maybe an F. Power Up has a psychedelic and mechanical stand out sound and style that has been developed to greatness by the artist. Avi's style emphasizes melodies at times over Shapes of Sounds, though the previous trip was more emotive at times, somewhat darker at times too. I prefer Power Up's delicious psy/melodic delivery and chorus melody leads when it's not dipping into typical club territory as it does once here via Latdino. I'm still surprised Latdino is here, after all these years. Is this what I want to hear after 7 more or less great PSY-Trance songs? No it's the last thing on my mind. Fortunately, the album's good far outweighs the bad. I love hearing great dance songs back-to-back and the general consensus that such consistent greatness exists here over Shapes of Sound has made many listeners pleased over the years. Overall I wouldn't say that the album is superb. It is however one of the stronger, more memorable and stand out Psytrance album's both of the year I'd go as far as to say of the 21st century. One thing I've noticed is the Full On influence here over the previous two Space Cat albums. When I say Full On, I want people to understand the context because we once (in 1997-2000 roughly) used Full On to describe high energy dance tracks/albums such as Astral Projection, MFG, etc. Later on, calling a track Full On basically said it was a more formulaic dance friendly song, with few exceptions. In this sense, Full On became a sub-genre, an extension of more linear Psytrance. Fortunately, on this album, the artist has crossed both newer Full On with older Full On aspects together in a classy but far from lacking in imagination or emphasis on Psytrance. At times the artist breaks outside the box and if anything, Power Up is the most dance friendly album since the debut. The artist has not compromised his uptempo work; he's improved upon it. It wasn't until 2004's Mechanical Dream that Avi went entirely Full On, though he updated his sound regardless, elevated the genre in some ways and crossed over some great sounds and influences from the past; he stayed in the box. I like THIS album more than 2004's rather good Mechanical Dream because the tracks here are more dynamic, less formulaic, which to me and many people know makes them more fun!!! They're less dependent on Full On's generally predictable structures, yet Avi has let Full On influence him in a great way here, and the tracks are highly dance friendly. Favorite tracks - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 B+ My other reviews for Space Cat's albums are now up 1999 - Beam Me Up - A- 2000 - Shapes of Sound - B 2002 - Power Up - B+ 2004 - Mechanical Dream - B-

SPACE CAT - SHAPES OF SOUND BNE 01. 09'17" Snorkelblaster 02. 08'23" Space Cat (Club Mix) 03. 08'12" The Game 04. 08'13" Mind Shocker 05. 08'33" Predator 06. 09'11" C4 07. 07'80" Rewind 08. 07'24" Deep Rising Shapes Of Sound is the second album by Avi Algranati. One if I'm not mistaken without collaborations, e.g., Simon Postford. Nonetheless, the style retains its crisp, driving, metallic, dark, and melodic ingredients. Certain songs are just A LOT catchier than others this time around, and a few sound fairly generic. The album is less Goa influenced Psytrance, more focused on Psy with a more danceable (club friendly) approach. 1. Snorkelblaster is a strong, multi-twisting psychedelic driver, scattered with cool melodic/sounds effects and pieces. Good opening. B / B+ 2. Space Cat (Club Mix) takes a little dip. The melody start is good, but that's soon gone. The melody work from 5:50 to 7:50 is very nice, emotive, uplifting, optimistic sounding. I don't hear much in the song that's memorable outside of these praises unfortunately. Still it's not bad. The melody/sound work is pleasant. C+ 3. The Game is more driving. This is a noticeable step up from the previous mediocrity, thanks to the direction from 5:26 forward. There is a catchy echoed melodic accent early on that works well too. B / B+ 4. Mindshocker the most aggressive song since the opening. It becomes more psychedelic and energetic as it progresses, accompanied by echoed metal effects. A strong melody arrives around 4:30 and makes a wonderful return in the last act. The eerie ambient effect and sound/melody work deeper in the song is haunting. These elements add character, making the song more memorable. Act 2+3 are very catchy, somewhat melancholy and interesting, and these are risks I enjoy seeing (hearing) the artist take. Mind Shocker is one of the better, if not best songs on the album. B+ 5. Predator sounds so weak compared to the previous track. This one has a bubbly tune that sounds similar to that used in the "It's time for the Purculator" song which is pretty cool, but it's not that exciting or magnetic. I don't care for the sounds and melodies overall, especially in the final third where it gets more melodic. The melody sounds as if it's whining to me. Not impressed. C+ 6. C4 stands out thanks to an emotive, skipping melody along with a classy driving emphasis that gets better as the song progresses. B+ 7. Rewind is the maverick here, providing a slower beat marked by a dark, psychedelic, and groovy shuffle throughout. It's a bit of a surprise by Space Cat, and one of most stand out (for being different) tracks on the album whether you like it or not. This reminds me of Transwave's opening song on Hypnorhythm EP and Backfire respectively, though ironically, without the memorable melody work. Some catchy tunes would have been nice, as the song is just not THAT memorable. B- 8. Deep Rising is a solid emotive follow up to C4. I'm surprised it was hardly mentioned before. The background ambient hymns are VERY catchy. The melody/sound work, conceptually speaking, seems club friendly to me. It's a compliment if people enjoy dancing to your track, and this is very danceable. Furthermore, the song sounds optimistically driving as it progresses. This is a great dance song with uplifting sound/melody work. It's a bit light and simple from what we've come to expect from the artist, but I like it! B / B+ Shapes of Sound is a controversial, arguably more commercial (to some degree, not entirely) follow up to an EXCELLENT debut. The tracks sound more similar in style this time around. Less collaborations make for less variety. The album is a bit of a mixed bag (at times), but the pros outweigh the cons thanks to an artist willing to take risks (with good results) at times. Beam Me Up (1999) had more super songs. The average song is solid here. Some are great. The artist proves that he can stand without Simon Posford, but also that he cannot produce a superior album, let alone one as rich with variety and strength as the debut. Still, it packs a punch a times, delivering what fans have come to expect and enjoy, but not entirely (with every track). It would have been nice if having great songs back-to-back was more of a priority and consistent here considering it's the sequel to one of the most solid debut albums in Psy/Goa Trance. But those songs and moments scattered are also just too good to write this album off as bad. It's very good at times, and quite disappointing other times. *sigh* Good news is the third album, Power Up is an improvement IMO, and few will deny that the artist has a catchy sound that more often works on this follow up, rather than not, but maybe that's because I'm hearing one of the better tracks right now as I write this Favorite tracks - 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 B My other reviews on Space Cat's albums are now up 1999 - Beam Me Up A- 2000 - Shapes of Sound B 2002 - Power Up B+ 2004 - Mechanical Dream B-

SPACE CAT - BEAM ME UP BNE RECORDS http://www.psynews.org/media/covers/beammeup.jpg 01. Invasion - A- 02. Robotalk - A- / A 03. Beam Me Up - A- 04. Space Cats - A- / A 05. Cat On Mushroom - A- / A 06. Kreak - A 07. New Horizon - B+ 08. Funky - A- This is such a strong, creative, and engaging debut. I LOVE the sound/melody (synth) work, psychedelic influence, and supporting sounds and influences to the GOA approach. From Robotalk and Space Cats, to Cat On Mushroom and Kreak-- each track is unique, distinct, excellent. The artist creates a rich, intriguing, and engaging world with each song -- brimming with intelligence, movement, delicious ingredients, and gripping terrain. Talk about futuristic, cybernetic, and elaborate, technological beauty! Simon Postford (Hallucinogen), Transwave, Infected Mushroom, Oforia via MFG, and Elysium collaborated on this album and you can hear the influence. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS - Beam Me Up (self titled track) starts great. The second half to last third however (unlike other songs) could have used a bit more refreshing with ideas and innovation. - New Horizon could have been more interesting and memorable. IMO this is one of the less strong songs, compared to most others. - Funky is great and gets better as it progresses, however a melody in its second half sounds a bit too inspired from Astral Projection IMO, though it works and I end up really like / loving this song! CONCLUSION This is easily the best Space Cat album EVER RELEASED in my opinion. This debut (Beam Me Up) is so entertaining and fun to listen to-- it's exciting, dynamic, complex, imaginative, risk-taking, visionary, smart edgy, emotive, innovative. I could go on and on. The usage of accents is clever albeit simple and effective too. I love several songs on the second album (Shapes of Sound), though several songs feel inconsistently lackluster to me in contrast to the best ones (unlike here where every song is great if not super). The third album (Power Up) has some great melodies IMO, but it's less Goa influenced with structures that sound a bit more conventional at times. The forth album (Mechanical Dream) is closer to Psytrance influenced Full On or Vice Versa-- more a hit than a miss thankfully, but lacking in super songs IMO. When it comes to Beam Me Up, I'm impressed. I'm right up there with you guys, 100% -- This is one of my favourite albums. This is a MUST HAVE CULT CLASSIC Psychedelic Goa-Trance album. I love it. Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 A- My other reviews on Space Cat's albums are now up 1999 - Beam Me Up A- 2000 - Shapes of Sound B 2002 - Power Up B+ 2004 - Mechanical Dream B-

Wow, okay I've been looking forward to a new album. And I want to hear the tracks I haven't heard yet above, those that weren't on Fairytale. But what type of album is this exactly? It appears to be a combination of older and new tracks, a handful which already released on Fairy Tale, so is this a "mixed album" or a "best of" album? It doesn't appear to be a real sequel.. I'll check. Whoa. 30 dollars for an album?! That's like 2-3 albums in the US, without shipping. http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=7382 Update.. Wait, what is this?! I just became aware of this at saikosounds. The new album is out? But it looks completely different from the tracklist above? Am I getting confused with two different things here? I just found out about this today. And of all things, the long awaited sequel to Fairytale is unavilable at saikosounds. It also says it came out July 3, 2008 but I can't find a review thread for it on here. Was that July 3rd date never updated and the album hasn't officially come out yet? http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=7382

THE DELTA - SCIZOEFFECTIVE D-DRUM 2000 Track listing: 01. 07'26" Pop 02. 07'27" Travelling At The Speed Of Thought 03. 00'49" Intro 04. 10'37" Thing 05. 07'52" Delta Skelter 06. 08'12" As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling 07. 09'52" Supercell 08. 06'43" Dr Rayman 09. 06'58" Quiet And Still 10. 05'18" As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling (Dub) The Delta - Scizoeffective is X-Dream's best side project to date. Scizoeffective is also one of the strongest albums in Dark Psy Trance. Although I prefer X-Dream - Radio when it comes to dark albums by them due to Radio's virtual super songs back-to-back track list and approach, Scizoeffective is darker, meaner, more brooding, and downright powerful and heavy as Hell as times. The introduction are good, at times excellent. The songs are atmospheric too, like walking through an evil castle or driving through a dark and chaotic land. My general gripe with the album is that some tracks don't seem to reach their full potential. There are several great, excellent tracks here. Even the mid/down-tempo tracks towards the end are good. But only one song on this album blows me away: Thing. The other tracks such as POP blow my ear drums away due to their relentless, cranked up bass lines, but I can't seem to find a track nearly as infectious and well designed as THING, although several are up there. For this very reason, I haven't returned to this album that many times since I got it in 2001. I've been listening to it lately, hence the inspiration to finally write a review after reviewing previous X-Dream albums and side projects, with exception the the second Delta (never heard it to date, was turned off after reading so many mixed reviews). 01. Pop has some of the heaviest bass I have ever heard in a song, ever. It was clear these artists wanted to thud the floor and destroy people's ear drums in the process upon producing this heavy, booming opening. It's atmospheric and complimented by eerie children's voices, though a continuously repetitive and otherwise uneventful power house until around 5:40 after a cool, echoing sample. At this point some melodic elements arrive coupled by industrial rhythm. I prefer the second half of the song though I was never a big fan of the track. I can see why people would like it though. It's very dark and relentless throughout. It just doesn't do much for someone like myself who prefers hearing something a little less minimal, more developed, melodic, infectious, and juicy. I admire this one more than I enjoy it. B+ 02. Travelling At The Speed Of Thought is instantly more enjoyable to my ears. Starting off with a strong and catchy echoing sonic/riffing melody. A second, less tearing across the atmosphere compliments it, amongst other sounds. I like this song because of the melody lead, the strong intermissions, one around 2:05, and its relentless and driving approach, development. The song really takes off around 2:30, and again in sound around 3:00. I like higher octane energy as their style relates to here, though I cannot help but feel their more minimal style compared to X-Dream's Radio for instance. What they've crafted with less here is effective. My only gripe is the track doesn't develop much past the 4:25 mark; it more or less recycles past sounds and ideas with little to no evolution, save for the alteration return of an eerie, nicely mixed in gothic choir. I like this song more than POP but find it a bit repetitive too the longer it progresses, past the five or so minute mark. B+ 03. Intro is not much more than the sound of a band or orchestra holding the same sustained sound as if practicing before the live performance. It doesn't do much to compliment the album save for giving it an introduction. I suppose the idea of putting an intro as track 3 is original. But that's about it. I won't even bother rating this. N/A 04. Thing is a monster. It is THE monster I have been hoping for all album. Often when I think of X-Dream or one of their albums, several superb tracks come to mind. But The Delta hasn't really impressed me so far, until now. This is everything I wished POP was: the massive build up, energy, excellent melody/sound work, atmosphere, craziness, development, evolution, and more. Super in virtually every way, Thing is a catchy, albeit terrifying nightmare. It would be amazing if The Delta produced more tracks as imaginative and memorable as this and beyond. This is my favorite song on the album. It's superb. A 05. Delta Skelter is put in a tough spot after the previous monster. It's pretty good though, and appears to be a less high octane follow up to Travelling At The Speed Of Though due to it's few higher pitched and echoed melodies around an industrial wind/atmosphere effect and continuous beat. I actually enjoy this one as much, sometimes even more than the second track. The lower pitched melody mixed in with various other sounds gives it a nice variety, though in the end it does seem bit repetitive in retrospect. That's just The Delta's general style on this album. B+ 06. As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling is the highest octane number since Travelling At The Speed Of Thought and the strongest since Thing. Returning is the eerie, emotive choir tune, an interesting zone or intermission of suspense in the middle, and a guitar that enhances the piece. I like how the guitar is kept few and far between on both the album and the song. Overall not as impressive as Thing but very well done nonetheless. The sample and melody around 4:40 to 4:55 is excellent! A- 07. Supercell is very bleak, dry, and heavy. It sounds like driving at nighttime during war. You can hear the bombs going off in the background. This mid-tempo number reflecting disaster and chaos I find very gripping, even in its own subtle, more minimal than previous numbers way. I couldn't imagine the track's story being anything else other than destruction, anarchy, war, chaos. Here we have loud bomb, almost mortar rounds coupled with huge, distant bursts as if multi-ton bombs are being dropped in the distance. Suddenly the beat begins like a tank rolling across the post apocalyptic or that which is being destroyed environment. Various war sounds are utilized as melodies in the beat. I think this is a very well done, psychologically disturbing or comfortably numb piece in its own way. It may come across as a lesser friendly song on the album due to its capitalizing on a listening/story concept that one that appears more dance friendly. It's a good track nonetheless, though I would have preferred some catchy melodies. I think the artists wanted to keep this dry and basically melody free to emphasize the story, the sound of terror, war. B+ 08. Dr Rayman is second (?) mid-tempo number on the album after the previous, more introspective piece. It sounds more instrumental, orchestrated, and contemplative than some of the previous numbers. Who is Dr. Rayman? Oh, that's right, he's a doctor. No I mean what is the story here? The track's space takes us through varying emotions from contemplation to despair and back to contemplation, potentially hope. I like the song; it's interesting, creative, and different from previous tracks, though it doesn't make much of an impact on me for better or worse. It's also the least dark song on the album so far, but I'm not taking points for that. B 09. Quiet And Still is the third softer and mid-tempo (?) song on the album so far. I like it, and its melodies. I actually enjoy the album more because of these mid-tempo numbers than I think I would have had the entire thing been like the first half, with few exceptions. I like the calming in this number after recent chaos. It's as if the artists are creating some peace after all of the darkness they've created. Again however, the song isn't all that eventful or gripping. But it's pretty good. B 10. As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling (Dub) is a dub/downtempo version of the original. It's very well done. The slower speed compliments the faster version and ends the album strong for a slower number. B+ In conclusion, there isn't anything quite like The Delta - Scizoeffective out there, not even in the less psychedelic, more tech-trance sequels. The artists behind X-Dream gave birth to a very distinct and refreshing/unique style when producing this album. One of the things I like most about it, is it's ability to try new things while in some ways reinventing and/or seriously complimenting the sub-genre. For these reason and potentially others, Scizoeffective remains one of the most recommended side projects by X-Dream, and one of the most admired and enjoyed albums in dark Psy Trance throughout the world by general consensus. Favorite tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 B+

I like the aggression, darkness, and the melodies on this album. It's the one album I'd categorize being dark from all of the Suntrip Records releases to date. It's a very unique release and several tracks build and develop very well, regardless of their shortcomings. The songs lack evolution but they do develop well within one stretch as opposed to changing form via sound environment. I don't like the repetitive, uneventful opening track Tecmorning, and No Return is definitely not one of the album's finest. Nor is Back Basic (goa mix), though a strong climax or return to aggressive melody work around 4:50 may suggest otherwise to some degree. Furthermore, the introductions are weak, non existent at times. The strengths, if one likes this style, is in its rare and aggressive dark yet creatively melody-driven, psychedelic approach. Overall I like the album and feel that it does compliment Suntrip's library. It's definitely one of their most interesting and unexpected releases. I'm simply not in love with it nor find it great as a whole. - SKRENO - MATRIX (REMIX) - STICKY WEB - THE LIGHT

Wow, not a single post for this in 2007. I ... am .. surprised. Apsara is still one of the greatest (arguably the best) New School Goa compilation to date. It has held up so well in my collection over the years. Each track is strong, gripping, and varied with ideas and sounds, passionately created. I enjoy listening to Apsara straight through every time. It's wonderful. It's not just the impressive track list but how well and effectively each artist (and Suntrip in communication) made their song. The artists here did an amazing job. The result is more or less greatness, excellence back-to-back, for an entire 70-80 minute ride. This may be the best compilation I've ever heard in goa trance.

I've heard the album a couple more times recently. Goasia has good intros and buildups and I like that. Several songs are a bit too tame and predictable however. These include the middle third of Octagon (I don't mean to be nit picky but it starts out so strong), Liquid Soul (nice melodies but I've heard this all before[/i], Taboo, and Per Aspera Ad Astra. To some degree I feel like these songs are like an innocent child afraid to explore further away from the shallow (more secure, predictable) end of the swimming pool. But they all have elements that are well done. I like the ethnic voices in Per Aspera because they stand out from other tracks. Musically however it's decent, nothing great. The song seldom seems to develop or evolve into a more catchy piece as it progresses with some very small (6:50-7:10) exceptions. However starting with the beginning, the Intro is very warm and attractive and front some wonderful work. Space Travellers, From Other Spaces, and Sunrise are great and/or all more or less excellent. These three songs I enjoy listening to so much from beginning to end, again and again *repeat.* Though I may be a bit delusional with Sunrise because the first half is clearly not as gripping as the second, which is beautiful.. Anyway, I'd love to hear more songs on this level and beyond. The last song is pleasant too. I really like sustained sounds and the first several minutes, the downtempo direction. But the voices and the overall song and sound in Pray For Rain seems just a bit out of place for the closing track on such a traveling Goa album. The song does not seem to correlate well with the story, the previous songs before it. I would have (and I think numerous agree) loved a more powerful downtempo/ambient Goa track to end such an otherwise cool and unique album than what we have here, which is very nice sounding. I most enjoy the first several minutes, especially from around 1:15 to around 1:50 and I suppose the overall direction with the voice male/female hymn's seemed a bit awkward in closing to everything I've heard before it. But I do like the song. I think he could have just ended the song with a more powerful, downtempo track. In short, I still like this album, though I was expecting a little more from Goasia based on a handful of previous songs. Nonetheless, some of the artist's best songs are on this album. None are bad or average either. I'd love to hear more songs like the best ones. My favorite track on the album is Space Travellers because it is gripping and intriguing from beginning to end. There is so much going on in it. The second or so half of Sunrise, which is my other most favorite track here, is super. But the first half isn't as infectious as it is in Space Travellers. This artist should seriously consider making an amazing follow up to From Other Spaces and going all out. This album is filled with quality songs.

I'd like to sample the album. Are there samples for this anywhere? The album's not on Saikosounds or Psyshop to date. This is the most I've heard so far: http://www.myspace.com/thedeltaisback

I'm posting this because I don't think its been done before. I remember a thread that said something along the lines of "Which Suntrip albums do you own?" But not this one. Suntrip is such a popular name here at psynews and combined with the fact that they've released so many albums that the majority of listeners seem to really like, well, which ones do you consider the best (or most favorite) to least best (or least favorite. From those you own. 1. RA - 9th - A- 2. Filteria - Sky Input - A- 3. Sundrops: Lights In Motion - A- 4. Khetzal - Corolle - A- 5. V/A - Opus Iridium - B+ 6. V/A - Apsara - B+ 7. Filteria - Heliopolis - B+ 8. Goasia - From Other Spaces - B+ 9. V/A - Twist Dreams - B+ 10. Ka-Sol - Fairytales - B Can we please get a "Your Favorites" Sub-Forum in the General section soon with various other "favorite" threads added to it. There's like half a dozen floating around the General section all within the last several weeks.

Update: This album is like a super energy pill to listen to (especially to drive/dance to at nighttime). I was listening to it again, lately. It's impressive how far Jannis pushed the limits with his debut. Yes I know it used many similar sounds in general. But each song (Operation Pulse, Domestic Modulator for starters) is so massive, powerful, and varied with ideas. It's rare on any album that every other song is so strong too. Sky Input is the most maximal album I've ever heard. A bit much to listen to straight through for me. But when it comes to high octane music Sky Input is virtually unmatched. I've been really happy with the changes, fresh approaches (see Filteria singles on V/A - Apsara, V/A - Opus Iridium respectively) over the years. They've been great so far and I think we've really needed that, fresh approaches, directions. I'm really looking forward to Filteria 3 and/or the KOB debut. Whichever comes first. I think it's wonderful how Suntrip gives artists extra time to finish their passion project. The result is something most people find very special like Filteria's Sky Input, Khetzal's Corolle, Ra's 9th (for starters).

CHAKRA AND EDI MIS - THE PROMISED LAND Krembo 1996 Track listing: 01. 08'35" X File (Original Mix) 02. 09'05" Liquid Troll 03. 08'58" Barbarian 04. 09'19" Brain In The Box 05. 09'55" Club Mad 06. 08'59" Hell Razor Puzzle 07. 09'30" Combine Harvester 08. 09'20" Final Mission This is an awesome, UNDERRATED album. After all of these years.. it's very old school Goa and in some ways combines elements associated with Juno Reactor and Transwave. The aggressive, lift off opening track actually reminds me of Juno Reactors more tech-trance, Psy-influenced Beyond the Infinite sound, though put into a super song here. The Promised Land doesn't seem to copy either artist, rather develop its own darkness and light style and push it through the roof. I find every song great on this album, but the first is superb. The melody/sound work and their general, aggressive approach to Goa is incredible at times, and very nostalgic, in the old school vain. This is one of the finest releases I've ever heard in my life that I've waited more than 10 years to hear. Sickly surreal and infectious, driving Goa trance. I thought The Promised Land was going to be peaceful. Boy was I wrong. This is a constantly developing, evolving, and invigorating experience. 01. X File (Original Mix) is massive. Wow. This is one of the best Juno Reactor-esque songs I have heard. EVER. The song doesn't chill down too much, though it loses a high level of energy from 2:50 to 5:18 to compensate for a strange and creative, though far from riveting excursion through what sounds like a psychedelic, tropical rain forest. Sometime before 5:18 however the transformation into something clever has already begun. The track suddenly takes off with an infectious, Goa melody and never seems uncertain for the rest of the duration. Don't let the area around 3:25 fool you, nor the animal sounds that follow. The track has an excellent rebound and climax. The number as a whole is wonderfully catchy and imaginative. By today's standards, the song is awesome. I heard it for the first time this year. A- 02. Liquid Troll follows up the prevous number very well. Chakra hasn't lost their edge. They've reinvented it for another head rush. I love the sound that begins around 1:35 and how it moves as a "shakey" main melody until the stronger current comes. Then the Goa lead comes. It's rediculously catchy. Unlike the previous rocket, there is no weaker moment. The song becomes more developed and psychedelic as it progresses. The melody/sound work is dynamic, stylish, and absorbing throughout. This is one of the best Goa songs I've ever heard. A 03. Barbarian is a melodic roller coaster with several transitions of suspense, buildup, and climax. Who said this song is too Psyharmonics? I think he or she was talking about the higher pitched, symphonic melodies. I think they're tasty, but a bit too pitched high at times. The song is less aggressive than previous numbers. Nonetheless, it's quite energetic and animated. What I love about the artist's style here is that they seem to have no limits, long as they stick to electronica (generally Goa) with few exceptions. Certain ideas are developed and pushed certain ideas through the ceiling I've noticed. What's weak about this song? Because it has elements of excellence. I'd say the weakness lies in its strength, ironically. The main melody lead beginning around 2:31 to 3:09 is catchy. Though it may appear too pitched as symphonic melodies are generally more sensitive on the ears than many other "well known" titled melodies in Psy/Goa. The song is really built around this melody for the most part so it's a matter of tastes I feel. I found the previous two tracks stronger, more gripping than this one, regardless that the main melody here stands out more than on previous tracks. B+ 04. Brain In The Box again begins with a gripping "shaky" albeit echoed sound that will front many more organic sounds and melodies. The track, as is the others, is produced by one gripping sound paragraph evolving and flowing into the next. This is another interesting, energetic and complex rider with an even more sharply melody appearance as it progresses. A- 05. Club Mad is the super Goa/club-friendly main melody masterpiece on the album. Just listen to this. It's not clubby. It's not mainstream formula, though appears to follow more of a formula in Chakra/Edi Mis' style than previous tracks. This is a Goa dance song that would rival most club Psytrance songs by today's standards, though because it's old school, it may appear less culturally favored. Such BS. This is such an aggressively great climax lead driven dance song. A 06. Hell Razor Puzzle is very melody juice filled. A beautiful sound spashes through the rhythm that few artists have done so well in the past via Old School Goa, such as Transwave. Fileld with crazy, zipping, popping, and bottle rocket shooting, rock skipping Goa butterfly sound effects, the song is creatively built and develops into a more driving road runner. A- 07. Combine Harvester is another strong, psychedelic vehicle. The artist's once again demonstrate build a super catchy and trippy dance track around a gripping and novel PSY "shakey melody/sound," never dismissing their aggressive edge and intensity. The song is however less comprised of various melody structures as previous tracks, it's a little more predictable but driving and fiercly catchy, melodic nonetheless. B+ 08. Final Mission is more calm than previous numbers, but the artists avoid the concept of a Goa Ambient/Downtempo number to create a slower goa/psy trance piece. Following the continuously growing and developing of style of the artist's here, their previous songs, the echoed Psy melodic skip across the atmosphere as more layers arrive. It sounds like a dozen robots all moving around with different bells and tools. An original rhythm is comprised of all of these clinks and clanks. An industrial ambient tune appears rather simple. Suddenly around 3:52 the volume and aggression lifts a notch as the song exercises new expertise. The song becomes more thick and driving around 4:49, though it's a gradual development. A woman's voice enters around 6:18, a most unexpected and gentle, peaceful part on the album. The thudding of the drums compliments the gentle instrumentals; enter a violin. The track seems to be attempting to pull off at this point, but again, the artists satisfy the senses when they readjust the theme back to stronger energy around 8:00. It's as if they had a strong back up slid up their sleeve just incase a listener wasn't too fond of the more experimental, softer part. This is not the most infectious song on the album. But for a more chilled Goa/Psy piece, it's filled with interesting ideas; more work than don't. B In conclusion, The Promised Land is excellent. I can't believe this was released in 1996. While not every track is superb, most of them are great and several are amazing!!! The artists came up with a fresh style, though the first song seems Juno-inspired, that deserves to be placed in any Goa lover's collection along the likes of Transwave's Helium, Phototropic and more multi-genre inspired works like Juno Reactor. Chakra and Edi Mis' debut, beginning with the second half of the opening song, establishes their adventurous choice to capitalize and expand an innovative style in the free spirited genre of Goa. I recommend finding a copy. Burning a copy. Don't burn the copy. Or take it out of the collection if you haven't heard it in a while. It's extremely effective to drive to with a nice car system. A year later in 1997, Pleiadian's I.F.O. would come along and raise the bar in Goa. But for 1996, even 2006, and 2008+ The Promised Land is one of the coolest, most innovative and unique albums I have ever heard in Goa Trance. New or Old School it doesn't matter. This thing is excellent. I've listened to it straight through a dozen times within two weeks. It's just a very strong album with several, though few weaknesses. Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. A-

Yes. That's what I'm saying. One thread can go there now that is currently on page 1 via the general section titled: "Your Favorite Album Of All Time." Another is Your favorite artwork. And "Best Dark Psytrance with melodies" where people posted many of their favorite dark psytrance songs/albums with melodies. Just to name a few. Simply collect the "favorite" and "favourite" and "best" (same concept) threads and put them in a sub-forum via the General section. They'll probably be little to no merging necessary depending on few, potential doubles posted at different times. If that's okay with whoever decides to do that when they get around to it. People can re-edit there favorites. This is an open sub-forum for people's favorites related to our music here. That's it. Yes. The favorites thing is so common. Too common. There should be one sub-forum so this is easily accessible. Yes.

I wonder if Suntrip Records (since I associate them to new school Goa releases now days more than any other label) will ever find an artist who is able to produce an amazing New School, dark Goa album. The Ka-Sol album was pretty good I thought, but nothing spectacular. And it seemed more Psy than Goa. I'm talking about something that's really stunning as Tandu's Multimoods is for instance. But for our time now.

I don't know how many times I've seen repeated threads here for the likes, such as.. - Favorite Psy song - Favorite Psy, ambient, Goa song (and/or) album. - Top ten favorite albums - Top best albums - Best album(s) - Best Dark Psytrance album(s) - Most psychedelic song (or) album ever - If you had to pick only one!!!! - Your favorites (list) - etc, etc, etc. I've decided this. People are often curious about what's considered the best. It's subjective. Sure. But it's a very popular topic. And there are so many.. too many threads that repeat too often about this topic. Searching for such threads amongst thousands of threads is cumbersome to say the least. Even when using the search box. Is it possible to have a (sub) forum in the general section that brings all of these threads together so people are channeled in the clear direction of this often searched for topic? Every year I see more and more threads along these topics and I think, wow, this has been done so many times before. I don't feel like responding after the (I've lost track how many) times. Why not just make a forum in the general section called FAVORITES or FAVOURITES (however it's spelled) and loop previous related threads there, even merge several identical ones if necessary and this would be really cool for many people. I.e: Your top (whatever number) Psytrance, Ambient/Chill, Downtempo, Goa (albums, songs), etc. Obviously these would be separated threads in a forum within the General forum. Those "other" forums at the top. Is this possible? Am I in the wrong section to be posting this and if so can someone please move this to a section where this can get some attention from more people in charge here. Start with one of mine for instance. http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40949 There are so many more. It would be nice to have these together. They also make so many newcomers aware of great releases and help stimulate and expand the life of this wonderful music. Comments? Moderators?

More new, fresh, super songs like Ground Zero please. :clapping: Make a strong, tremendous sequel. Please all new songs. Amazing songs. An artist has one shot at his or her first sequel. Give it all the delicious qualities of a real follow-up. Binary Sky was great. Underrated, but strong in terms of New School Goa albums.

You know why there are more votes in the "other" category? Because this artist has made so many amazing, wonderful songs. You have to include more songs in the poll like the one I'd put way up there with Exit Eternity, and that is.. BLACK LIGHT From the Earth Crossing album: My favorite New School Goa album ever made along with Filteria's Sky Input, Khetzal's Corolle, V/A - Pyramidal Trancendence, V/A - Opus Iridium, and RA's 9th... to date. Update: Speaking of which.. where the heck is Exit Eternity? Is there like a limitation of poll spaces?

It's hard to have one favorite because I enjoy so many albums in so many different genre's. Far as Goa goes, I would say Pleiadians - I.F.O. (and my favorite song on I.F.O. is Asterope. If I had to choose one Goa song actually, it would be Asterope.) followed by Hallucinogen - Twisted Astral Projection - Another World Chi A.D. - Earth Crossing Hallucinogen - The Lone Deranger Transwave - Backfire Cosmosis - Cosmology Doof - Lets Turn On Pleiadians - Family of Light and more.

My favorite track is Dzog Chen by Astrancer. It is one of the most crisp and refreshing, delectable new school Goatrance songs yet. This compilation has magic. It's more the Goa spirit I fell in love with growing up, more than V/A - Twist Dreams. Though certain songs capture magic well over others. And Ethereal, though they created a great number here, really brought their sound to a higher degree of presence with 2008's Moondawn on V/A - Opus Iridium - Uptempo double album. But I enjoy there track very much here, and how it develops. Ethereal just has to release a new, main Goa album. I don't know what's taking so long. They're incredible artists. Pyramidal Trancendence is one of the best new school Goa compilations out there, period. Astrancer must release an album on par or beyond their work here.

There is something deeply sensual and capturing, magical (some spiritualists may describe as vibration raising or consciousness expanding) about Deep Space and Flow. But I couldn't say the other tracks affected nearly as much as those two more sanguine and meditative songs did. Though I found D5's debut excellent overall, a huge and positive spash in GOA. It brought forth a style that filled most listeners who heard it with joy. The sequel, Second Phaze was pretty good, good at best I felt. It lacked super songs or appeared to have few songs many people considered super, if any, one or two, or parts or moments within certain tracks that were great. Second Phaze was still an interesting release but I considered it a disappointment when comparing it to Transdimensional. Pleiadians IFO is, well.. to me at least, there are at least three songs (MAIA, ELEKTRA, and ASTEROPE) that have topped or impressed me more than anything and/or almost any song I have ever heard in my life. It's as if aliens put addictive frequencies (or the ideas via sub consciousness into the artist's heads) into these songs. But I could say the same regarding Deep Space and Flow regarding a certain sound, feel. That is also like the dumbest statement I've heard in a while. I do like freshly squeezed orange juice though.

Enough! Enough about the blow job! ;p

Nice review abasio. 9th is "Album of the Year" from me so far. That being by a main artist, group. V/A - Opus Iridium (Uptempo) is up there though. And wins best compilation if that's an option this year. It should be. Compilations should be separate from main artist albums when you think about it. Distant Systems for Chill/Ambient or V/A - Opus Iridium (Downtempo). RA - 9th is a very memorable album. Each track is so diverse, different, catchy, involving in different sounds/ideas, and substantial from the song next to it. There is dark. There is light. Both are combined at times to form these living, breathing worlds. That's one thing some New School Goa lacks today I've noticed: the magic or the "presence of life" in the music. In other words, the passion, the soul. 3. Predator is my favorite emotive Goa/Psy song of 2008. It's extremely uplifting while maintaining a drive throughout. A song can be driving without being dark and aggressive and this song proves it. Just in the light, which I find beautiful. It's very positive sounding and compliments the darker, more aggressive song before it. I like this one more. It puts me in a good mood, my state heightens. I can feel it. 5. Other Self is amazing for a less linear Goa number. (the art of Goa is not being too predictable, because you're free! 6. Time Current is awesome for a slightly more linear (but thankfully building and evolving) Goa/Full On number. 8. Transcendent is arguably the most abstract number here, a powerful, innovative design of mysterious architecture; it's more meditative, contemplative, though thankfully driving. This is a rare and unique approach into the deeper, more traveling, and less mainstream directions that most artist's would be reluctant to pursue now days for fear they'd create something too different, not friendly enough. But that attitude, that fear of trying new things keeps people closed to some degree. If grow from experience after all. RA has grown with this song. I love it. And the background melody and altered voice echoes. The number is huge in a smart, well constructed, developing, and generally anti-climatic (with exception the complimentary and elegant buildup in the end) type way. This approach keeps me absorbed, hypnotized in its world, much like Ethereal's work. Transendent surreal and unlike anything I've ever heard. 9. Expand Consciousness is a beautiful, moving ethnic flavored Goa number. It's very strong and gripping. How it begins and the first several minutes, especially around 2:13 is excellent. Around 2:45 is strong too, as the song continues to build tasty formations within tasty, driving formations. Where the song beings to lose a little stream from my perspective is after the second transition that ends at 4:42. It's still great. I think the artist's didn't want to change a strong direction too much and in that they've succeeded. I suppose the third act just sounds a bit familiar to the first two. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. The ending is more about bringing together what's been established into congruent, full harmony as opposed to adding more elements that would likely need more time to bring justice to and develop. But I think they could have done just a little bit more in the final last three minutes here to really elevate the second act, that had elevated the first. Nonetheless, this is a strong, mid-tempo Goa/Ethnic number, rare, catchy, mature, and great. 10. Light Receiver is beautiful, probably the best downtempo/Goa song I've heard all year. And the bonus after that is probably the most Goa/Chill special since Cosmosis added a short bonus piece at the end of his Intergalactic album. In follow up conclusion to my full review on page 2, this album is excellent. It's like the new Batman film, The Dark Knight in the sense it not only meets but exceeds expectations. The songs are too evolving and "present" for 4-minute samples to give them justice. Simply put, this is just about everything I've ever wished a new school Goa album to be. And I like it more than Khetzal, which I found magical too, and in some ways more than this one; this is more magical than Khetzal in some ways too. I love the track variety especially. If I had to choose one Goa/PSY album for anyone to buy in 2008, it would be this one. I'm still impressed to see these golden Old School artists creating album(s) in not only Goa, but creating superb albums in New School Goa. How many Goa artists dried up or switched over to typical Full On styles, I've lost count. RA is the only rebel Goa artist I know exists on the planet who said fuck it. We're going to get together with Suntrip Records and make an amazing Goa album in 2008!!!! People I know love this album who've never even heard GOA before. It's wonderful to see more people waking the planet with beautiful music like this, and RA has edge and intensity at times. They're not just "pretty, elegant, beautiful," although they're that too. And it's awesome.

Oh oops. I read it wrong. Damn. Now everyone knows what my night job consists of, j/k.

No.

Are you kiddin??! This song is so fucking awesome, let me listen to it once and I'll give you a blow job for free. I'll even spit on it. And I'll swallow!