Guest Jc Posted September 12, 2001 Posted September 12, 2001 This album is awesome. If you don't hear that at first, neither did I. But after putting on some really good headphones and letting the music take me, I have realized that this is quite an evil trip. It gets you thinking of certain things that are insane! I like this more for listening over his second album. I wish he made another album though, it's sux that he doesn't do Sand Man anymore. Quote
Guest iNFiNiTi500 Posted September 24, 2001 Posted September 24, 2001 Since ultraweird and chaotic psytrance was the trademark of the now unfortunately defunct Matsuri label it may be no surprise that Israeli outcast Sandman released his debut through this weirdo label. Witchcraft is no substandard Isratrance nitzocheese but a dark mix of Gothic and Psychedelica, spiced up with analogue bass and drums. It took me at least ten listens to realise that this is probably 1 of the best isratrance albums ever. Ultradeep, sometimes bizarre and complicated trax like Perfect Stranger, Shockwave and Mushroom Symphony almost sound as the most natural thing after a few listens. Moreover, even in 2001 this album manages to sound fresh, hi-tec and sophisticated ... IMO one of the few timeless classics from Israel, probably because it is so un-Israelish...9.5/10 Quote
Guest SuttoXXX Posted October 1, 2001 Posted October 1, 2001 YEA!!! THIS FUCKING KICKS ASS!!! Its mood music for me. GRRRRRRRRRR... this cd gives me chills and shit.. dark dark dark YEA! This cd is MUCH better than Psycho Toons.... 8/10. Quote
Guest daniel[at]icpnet[dot]pl Posted November 9, 2001 Posted November 9, 2001 This one is my no. 1 favorite in psy trance category. Just can't say anything bad bout this CD. Playing dark but with a open-mided invention, Sandman makes an enormous effect on the listener's mind. Best tracks: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 (10/10) Quote
Guest Epic Automata Posted November 13, 2001 Posted November 13, 2001 It just doesn't get much better than this for listening enjoyment (I don't know what it's like on the dancefloor). If you're looking to be thorougly entertained, though not throttled, then you'll love this one. 9/10 Quote
Guest the dank man Posted December 6, 2001 Posted December 6, 2001 Very, very, very talented. Very, very, very shroomey. You're gonna LOVE IT. Buy it now. Very different than anything else in its dark weirdness. A cross between Process and Texas Faggott. Quote
Guest jigga Posted January 23, 2002 Posted January 23, 2002 dark? no I think you got the wrong cd. well it isnt fluffy either .. lets say the sound is a little bit older so what might be considered dark back then isnt really that dark at all now ... kinda foreboding - now thats what it is . getting over that whole issue this cd is ok , some decent samples but there are some tacky ones (get it? give this cd 6.5/10 if I heard i earlier like when it came out then 7.5 but 6.5 for the present Quote
Guest rosjy005[at]hotmail[dot]com Posted June 10, 2002 Posted June 10, 2002 I love this album. If I could only keep a few albums, this would be on of em. Most people here, and that i know agree. Quote
Guest penguinly Posted July 4, 2002 Posted July 4, 2002 i haven't this album, but i have [shockwave]...i have to say that's it's amazing, quite weird but great, the melodies are perfectly executed . Listen to this tune, you won't be disappointed ;-) Quote
RAH Posted May 11, 2005 Posted May 11, 2005 Artist: Sandman Album: Witchcraft Label: Avatar Records Year: 1998 (re-released 2005) Format: CD Country: Israel Songs: 01. Perfect Stranger (119 BPM's on D#m) 02. Flight Or Fight (141 BPM's on F m) 03. Turtle Beach (145 BPM's on E m) 04. Ghostrider (Time Tunnel Remix) (146 BPM's on E m) 05. Shockwave (148 BPM's on D m) 06. Nostradamus (The Prophecy Remix) (145 BPM's on D#m) 07. Bad News (New Way) (140 BPM's on E m) 08. Mushroom Symphony (120 BPM's on C m) 09. Faith (bonus unreleased track) (148 BPM's on D#m) Bio-Blurb: To commemorate Israel’s Independence Day we bring you, Izik Levy better known to the scene as Witchcraft, Green house effect, Resistance activity and Sandman. The man can be counted as one of the precursors of the Israeli psychedelic sound that stormed the world. Why I like it: In his words the varied influences include cyberpunk, goa and nintendo influenced music, in one package reminiscent of Kraftwerk on a few drops of acidic substance. The drum work and synthesizers sound real retro for today’s standards, yet the musical quality permeates right through the years. After re-discovering this classic from 1998 now re-released it is extremely fun to find out where such peculiar sound came from. Why you might like it: The genre ranges from old-style full on and goa to groovy retro-techno. This is history in the making, something which will either bring back some memories, or make you realize that not necessarily because is new, it is simply better. In most cases it has already been done before… so why not go the source? Songs we liked: * Fight or Flight The use of samples in accord with the 80's bass line frames the style of this release. Good goa / techno of the time marking some key effects and synths that i could swear i have heard again and again. like the sample goes "it's really tacky". * Turtle Beach Even for today’s standard the sound remains powerful and ever-encompassing. Smart drum arrangement mimicking a drum set, with snares and all, followed with congas on delays. A tribal turnaround mid song makes this classic a gem for all it’s worth. * Mushroom’s symphony Influenced by Double Dragon production, the tune is highly psychedelic and involving with it's avant-gardish effects that to the date remain fresh and vibrant. Pick up the CD directly from Avatar's store. or at Chaos Unlimited who provides the samples. Quote
seraph Posted May 15, 2005 Posted May 15, 2005 This is incredible experimental album and as such maybe the best experimental psy I've heard. 1998 was year of experiments and there were lot of releases that were doing mixtures of styles. Sandman's first album is very intelligent, dark piece with insane effects and crazy constructions. Some called it Goa, but not a chance, this is pure psychedelic with a pinch of minimal actually. There are lot of minimalistic structures but beautifully arranged with insane psy samples and effects. Whole album is done as a concpet album so I don't have definite favourite. I like most : FLIGHT OR FIGHT, TURTLE BEACH, SHOCKWAVE, NOSTRADAMUS, MUSHROOM SYPMHONY...8/10 Quote
Cogumelo Posted May 15, 2005 Posted May 15, 2005 Amazing how the persons who made the first review didnt mentioned the best song imo of the album: Shockwave. Great psy dark madness Quote
Guest Rain Posted May 15, 2005 Posted May 15, 2005 indeed some little expermintal influences but very crystal clear dark sound we hear in this released... nice work and very intillgent... Quote
Lemmiwinks Posted May 15, 2005 Posted May 15, 2005 ah yes a classic album indeed... although I must admit that I don't listen to it as often these days... Still, Izik managed to make a VERY unique style with his music. And I remember that he was complaining on this very forum a few years ago that Matsuri went bust and that noone wanted to release his 3rd album cause it wasn't "mainstream" enough... such a pitty BTW I like this a LOT more than his second album... 8/10 Quote
RAH Posted May 17, 2005 Posted May 17, 2005 Amazing how the persons who made the first review didnt mentioned the best song imo of the album: Shockwave. Great psy dark madness 260472[/snapback] Hey now buddy... come on i wasn't trying hurt nobody's feelings.... hehe... shockwave was a great song, but when i wrote the review my ears where grabbed by other ones... just a matter of taste, let's just agree it's great album... Quote
PsyGoatDelic Posted May 17, 2005 Posted May 17, 2005 Label: Avatar Records 258786[/snapback] first release was on Matsuri only the re-release was on Avatar one of the best albums i ever heard! i wish he will return to his roots... i really like his older style btw does any one here have any clue what is he up to these days? Quote
shaman of sound Posted May 17, 2005 Posted May 17, 2005 first release was on Matsuri only the re-release was on Avatar one of the best albums i ever heard! i wish he will return to his roots... i really like his older style btw does any one here have any clue what is he up to these days? 261554[/snapback] Didnt you tell me you talked to him some time ago...? Quote
PsyGoatDelic Posted May 17, 2005 Posted May 17, 2005 Didnt you tell me you talked to him some time ago...? 261656[/snapback] i did... but like u said that was some time ago... we rnt friends that talk every week... if u dont belive me we can go togather to him Quote
shaman of sound Posted May 19, 2005 Posted May 19, 2005 i did... but like u said that was some time ago... we rnt friends that talk every week... if u dont belive me we can go togather to him 261661[/snapback] hehehe LOL i do belive you... but i'll be happy to go visit him anyway Quote
Charlie Posted January 19, 2006 Posted January 19, 2006 I'd say it's one of the best trance albums ever produced, up there with Hallucinogen's Twisted and UX's Ultimate Experience. Quote
abasio Posted February 6, 2006 Posted February 6, 2006 not given it enough play time yet. It has yet to strike me as a fantastic album although I do feel as though its something very different in my collection. I'll keep listening! Quote
Charlie Posted February 10, 2006 Posted February 10, 2006 one of the best albums i ever heard! i wish he will return to his roots... i really like his older style btw does any one here have any clue what is he up to these days? 261554[/snapback] He's producicing semi full-on stuff nowadays. You can check out a couple of samples here taken from Tipworld's latest compilation CD. Quote
andonis Posted March 2, 2006 Posted March 2, 2006 Surely one of the best dark goa albums ever made. Quote
qa2pir Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 Promising first 2 tracks Back with opinion later. Quote
snowball Posted March 23, 2006 Posted March 23, 2006 very dark goa... but not like todays dark,this is....something else! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.