Artist: Psychowave

Title: Sunshine Reborn EP

Label: Neogoa

Date: May, 2011

1. Supernova

2. Sunshine Reborn

3. Tranceship to the Sun

4. Dancem Macacos, Dancem

5. Innertrip

Ivan Richpa is the hardest working man in the goa trance business. Yeah I dropped the new school because it has been going on for a while now. His site Neogoa is really setting itself up as the one stop shop for all things goa. You've got info on labels and artists, reviews, and now several releases under his belt. This is their latest release, Natan Bueno from Brazil. Man I've always wanted to go there. Brazil is known for four things:

4.) The Christ the Redeemer Statue overlooking the city.

3.) I suppose they have a pretty good soccer team.

2.) Carnivale

1.) But let's be honest...all that other stuff is really of secondary importance

Richpa scored a major get in Tim Schuldt for the mastering and I'm quite sure he didn't do it for free. The artwork is again beautiful prepared by Ivan himself. Back to Natan, he released an EP in 2010 called Dance 4 Mountains that I never heard, but you can hear some of it here.

Supernova- The track begins with a booming and a long sweep as delicate synths skitter above the kick in a nice arpeggio. But it's the growling 303 that begins to assert itself and is the story here. It runs up and down as another lead sparkles. I also like the bass line too with its quick pace. When a wavering sound enters it reminds me of some of the tribal stuff from long ago as it slides easily into the break. The 303 returns and puts its stamp on the track in no uncertain terms. Powerful and intense while at the same time being descriptive. Loved it.

Sunshine Reborn- This is a grower. It starts off slowly and picks up intensity as the layers get added. The synths scream as they hurtle towards the sun. Right when you thought the spaceship was going to crash, it averts disaster. Strings give it an airy feel and then a new lead dances in the sunshine. The break is short as another synth flows up and down. The 303 is subtle, but I like that he didn't hit you over the head with it. It's not that loud and that forces you to focus on it. Good technique. At the end it all comes together and sounds quite massive.

Tranceship To The Sun- From the rapid and muted bass line to the sparkly leads there is quite a bit going on here. The tone is stand offish as new synths bounce off the suns rays with less intensity, but an equal amount of creativity. It slowly twists and turns as it captures the mind. This isn't a stormer, but it's still got some bite. More of a track to listen to while enjoying oneself on the beach.

Dancem Macacos, Dancem- After a lengthy Portugese sample, it's full steam ahead. The lead reminds me of my time rollin deep with Snoop blasting in the deck. It floats high above the clouds and seems like it's raining down in shimmering waves. 303's twirl in the background to give the track some goa cred. Pretty good track.

Westside, homie!

WTF? I don't think gangsters shop at American Eagle sweetcheeks.

Innertrip- He ends with a more deep trancey number. The pads are big and the 303's have a nice change in key that float in the background. Sweet. Think of it as goa lite. Pure escapism, put the headphones on and drift. Nothing spectacular, but nice nonetheless.

So another quality EP release from Neogoa. It's not the sledgehammer to the face power type music, but more hypnotic with simple melodies. It sounded great, so once again Tim did his job well. Melodic, clear, and even had a bit of a darker edge to balance out it's sunshine. My favorite would be the first one as it just dripped with growly goodness. Once again this is a free release that I was happy to hear.

Coming soon...tomorrow I think.

Samples

Mdk

Dimensional Records

2011

1. E-Mantra – Soul Searcher 7:27

2. Ajna – Steps To Heaven 10:33

3. Goasia – Solar Storm 7:40

4. Filteria – The Big Blue (Live Version) 8:05

5. Hypnagogia – Secrets Of The Mind 9:18

6. Liquid Flow – Land Of Time 9:04

7. Goasia – Zero Gravity 9:29

8. Shakta – Planet To Planet 7:04

9. Jikooha – Pure Deliverance 8:57

"This is the first chapter of the upcoming Dimensional Galaxy series." Dimensional record's first proper lone release. Some of you found out about this label when Chakras posted about how Kagdila screwed him and the artists over. You can read about it here http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?/topic/60492-kagdila-yet-another-money-grab/ / http://www.discogs.com/groups/topic/223968 . TL;DR, don't buy the Kagdila versions of Dimensional's releases (Liquid Flow, Goasia, Pure Planet 4), it won't support anyone but Kagdilas owner, Mr Shuki, who has a history of betraying and screwing over people.

Now we have that off the way, we have a release that looks quite promising, it has known goatrance artists and one new one, a solid list just in names. The promotional text promises a journey through uncharted space. The cover alone says enough, but will it succeed?

Samples: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/show_label.asp?label_id=1272

E-Mantra – Soul Searcher

E-Mantra kicks off with a track that sounds like it could have been from Arcana, but with improvements, namely it doesn't get redundant at any point. There are changes, twists throughout with a really soft progressive feel. Drenching acid is ever apparent, it is being manipulated like mad, bringing a cool mechanic feel out of it. Towards the end there are E-Mantra's signature emotional uplifting moments. Wonder how would normal trance made by him sound. Not much to say than a really great start for this comp!

Ajna – Steps To Heaven

Ajna, ajna, ajna. First discovered in Opus Iridium with The Art Of Happiness, at first seemed like brilliance, but later found the track quite immature. Later on heard some other tracks and wasn't impressed, constantly got the feeling of boredom. It simply might be a taste thing, since many praise his tracks, but I just have not been able to really enjoy much of his productions. This track does start with an epic intro, really huge noisy beautiful soundscape. The bassline kicks in and it already sounds like Ajna. Some superB acids breach the track and then the melodies ensue. Now this is where I just feel like my grip gets lost with this track. The melodies are just boring, they're really, really fluffy, stoic, uninspiring. They just go on and on. It could be just the fact the artist wants the same effect as Ethereal, as that artist also just relies on really progressive feel and the melody just goes forever and ever. Ethereal does it differently, though and it works with their style. There are a couple of moments where the track gets my interest again, such as 4:37 and onwards where another melody comes and it does a bit of experimenting until a break at 6:10. After that comes a climax that is actually pretty good, it definitely holds up energy and unleashes it well, but loses it's power rather quickly. Towards the very end there is also a bit of change at 9:10 which I like. Aside from those mentioned moments the track just does nothing for me. It's obvious the artist is getting better, especially production-wise, but the style is just the same as before and I don't really like it.

Goasia – Solar Storm

Goasia! The main reason I got this comp were the two new tracks from them. From the very beginning the sound is really typical Goasia so if you've heard them before and already have an opinion on their sound, you won't be surprised at all. For me, I love this sound, it is exciting and incredibly oriental. Bassline thumps onwards whilst interesting effects and melodies layer the track until the main hook at 2:12. Really uplifting, beautiful ethnic melodies. I can already imagine the beautiful beaches and palm trees in sunset. 3:32 the melody just reeks of soft beauty of this realm. Ahh. There are very cool changes towards the end, but remaining predictable. Great track, I feel like I just cannot get over the Goasia sound. I hope one day they fill a full ~8 minute track with melody work in the sense of almost Sky Technology, that it would have loads of these melodies, but be melancholic. Would be interesting to say the least!

Filteria – The Big Blue (Live Version)

The Big Blue, well, I liked it back when Daze was released, nowadays I don't so much. The track grew out of me pretty hard. There is a sense of emotion in the melodies that comes off to me as almost cheesy, not quite, but very close. This track has the same principle of the original mix, but it adds many different, fun segments. At times the melody even feels like from the Sky Input era with it's tweaking but other than that I don't find it that exciting, it feels like it's holding back at every single turn. That coupled with the fact I've grown out of the original track. Not impressed. Not impressed at all.

Hypnagogia – Secrets Of The Mind

Well this is a new one. Never heard of Hypnagogia before. Really wonderful intro with a bit of MFG Project Genesis feeling. Dark brooding sci-fi tone. The song evolves into quite a typical neogoa track that is heavy on acidic sounds and a bit of an uplifting floating tone, but it is not boring even though it might seem, as it does what it does really well. Really strong, driving melody work. The ending could have been a bit more exciting, but a well made track nonetheless. Solid! Also special mention to the hi-hats, I love em'.

Liquid Flow – Land Of Time

A new one from Liquid Flow? He's had a ton of compilation releases, an EP and also an album. I already wrote my thoughts about the album and the complaints included the repetitious sound. Whilst alone the tracks are solid party tracks with really good production that is a bit like Artifact303 (And lets not get into who was first since both of them had their first release on the same compilation!) with the strong amount of acid and near-perfect smooth sound tonality, but in an album experience the sound gets very repetitious as everything follows the same path. It gets tiresome to listen to. This track is not exactly like what has been heard before. The production seems more stable, serious and dark from his previous efforts. There are also trancy moments which I whole-heartedly enjoy as it works incredibly well with this style. Otherwise just bubbling acid, drenched synths and smooth passages take the ride through wherever you feel is beautiful and calm. This could potentially be his best track to date, but I'll let it grow on me a bit before I jump to that conclusion. It is not very surprising overall, but it does everything so very well you can't really complain. Good track!

Goasia – Zero Gravity

Hell yes! Fantastic sounds and atmosphere is greeted from the start. A huge pumping masterful bassline kicks things going. Goasia-signature oriental melodies arrive and are already driving the listener into a journey. The tempo is frantic, uplifting. Details float on and about. Groovy melodies. A climaxed break and then just joyful moments keep on coming at you endlessly. Small break at 4:11 calming things down. Glooming atmospheric spacey pads taking you faster and faster. The melodies keep being groovy as hell and at 6:50 such twists! An explosion of melodies that climaxes three times! Calmer ride towards end. Fantastic!

Shakta – Planet To Planet

This is the other reason I got this comp, Seb Taylor is back folks! Mr Shakta brings us another new tune anno 2011, who would have expected? The last one was 3 long years ago but I guess he just does it whenever he feels like it. Though maybe it's a good time to make a new album? Maybe? Please? This track sounds like, well, Shakta, though more in the style like Ten Times Around The Sun on Opus Iridium. Goa bassline that you don't really pay attention other than sub-conciously and dark riveting growly hook is ever present, creating a superbly groovy and hypnotic soundscape. Wonderfully picked details enrich the feeling. Oriental shakta-melody appears a couple of times and the ending feels very satisfactory. Seb hasn't lost it, though it is not exactly like old Shakta. Sounds just like Ten Times Around The Sun style, but it is still far more reminiscent of the old era than anything else. The subtle hypnotism it conveys is sorely lacking in this scene.

Jikooha – Pure Deliverance

Jikooha is an artist that I consider very different from other goa artist today. They can create explosive journeys like Bay Hall Magic and good atmosphere like in Read Road, but what sets them apart from others, they usually have a really authentic space atmosphere feeling, but I find them somewhat inconsistent. Sometimes they sound good and other times they sound just off-key with some of their effects and melodies and I feel this is majorly the case here. The melodies just overlap in this track. The main melody is not bad at all as it's very Man With No Name esque and tries to be very epic and huge, but the layers simply don't flow. It sounds weird in my ears, like it's trying too much. To give the idea, even with their album Revolution Spaceships ups and downs, everything there was better than this track. Odd.

There we go, the first fully fledged Dimensional release. It wasn't all that spacey overall, only 3 tracks really made me feel spaced out, but it didn't matter to me none. My personal expectations were pretty much met, and those weren't too much aside from Shakta and Goasia and they delivered. Three disappointing tracks, two very solid and four good/great one's. I don't think it'll be a classic of any sorts, but a solid release nonetheless. I'd say it's worth checking out even if just for the interesting Shakta comeback track(#2) and the Goasia inputs. Though if you've lost interest to the floaty and fluffy goatrance, you won't find anything revolutionary here and are probably better off looking forward to other releases. To note, soundwise this recording is great! It's well mastered, I have no complaints.

Buy CD

SAIKOSOUNDS

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/show_label.asp?label_id=1272

PSYSHOP

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/dim/dim1cd004.html

BEATSPACE

http://www.beatspace.com/6474/Dimensional+Records/Various/Planet+Riders/detail.aspx

GOASTORE

http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4547

AMAZON

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Riders-Various-Artists/dp/B0058BE4MQ

DIMENSIONAL RECORDS

http://www.dimensionalrecords.com/

Buy Digital

BANDCAMP

http://dimensionalrecords.bandcamp.com

AMAZON

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BODF3O

7DIGITAL

http://www.7digital.com/artists/various-artists/planet-riders-compiled-by-dj-chakras-and-kanc-cover/

Cronomi Records

2011

White Dwarf 8:42

48 Hours 8:06

The Portal 8:08

Monkshroom 8:41

Injected Spawn 8:17

Biosphere 9:24

Vitamin E 7:57

A Grain Of Sand 7:34

Controlled Experiment 9:12

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. I have the up-most pleasure presenting you all the latest creation from Cronomi records, the goa label that keeps on giving and having quality over quantity. The label that other labels should take some notes from in a few regards. For example, I've found out that they actually push their artists with their creations, they want to release something that is very special and try to keep the quality as high as possible. Obviously, it's not all bad that artists don't get constructive criticism, since there are plenty of good releases out there, but it helps tremendously, especially since it seems the popular sound has gotten quite stale recently and there is a lack of depth and darkness in the music. There are finally enough artists for something new, progression and evolution is what should be pushed forwards and those are the aims of Cronomi records. I don't know if I can share any ideas I've heard from one of the managers of the label, but needless to say, they are something that haven't really been even thought about and definitely should be.

Earlier this year Cronomi records released a wonderful goatrance compilation "Erta Alé" ( review - http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?/topic/61143-va-erta-ale/ ) that brought back the spirit of old school with almost every single track. They sounded refined, deep, darker and most importantly, psychedelic. Someone said goatrance with a psytrance edge, that's right, but not the psytrance we've all come to know and hate/love with the full-on basslines and predictable effects and melodies, or lack thereof. No, but they successfully incorporated the psychedelicness, atmosphere and a tad mechanical sound that they had in the old days. Sure, there is still room to grow, but it's a huge step in the right direction. All I can think of is the analogy of moon-landing, but that's going a bit far. It had a track from an artists called Portamento and when you dig a little information about him, he has seemingly been producing since 1997, but keeping really underground and not having any releases until Cronomi picked him up. Seems like the story of Artha where he had been making music since forever but only had his first release in 2009 from, who else, Cronomi records.

I guess they decided it was now time to release what has been cooking in the oven for so long. Is it a disappointment or another success story that trumps everything other goa labels have managed to offer lately? That is, of course, excluding Dat Mafia Recordings.

CLICK FOR SAMPLES

White Dwarf

Synths and small acid speckles with a creepy slow male chant interlude us into this world of mystery and wonder. Phat acid leads and metallic tearing lead up to a really twisted, serious and a creepy melody that gets these screaming sharp synths backing it up. A break at 4:37 where the chanting continues and the soundscape suddenly turns really confined, soft like liquid. 5:20 alien sounds emerge bringing with them the softest acid lead at 6:05 that continues to make the whole thing immensely groovy until the mind bending climax. I really find the need to invest into this track to get everything out of it. It's so subtle in what it does and when it climaxes, it should really envelope you into it's lore. Great start to this album, setting up the mood perfectly.

48 Hours

Mysterious and dark jungle atmosphere, animal sounds emerge and a sample about genetics and DNA hollowly in the background. Hi-hats come in to picture, some fine psyfarty acid lead drills onward and a dimm pounding bassline arrives. Some more nasty acid work starts to go higher and higher. A dark melody arrives at 1:44 and the track is finally really taking you with it. Such dark alien atmosphere. At 2:10 there such a nicely timed and placed acid lead arrives that makes the track groovy as hell. 2:40 the track starts to expand the soundscape with a mysterious atmosphere that reeks of evil. A break comes and at 3:34 we have the most brilliant subtle thing "You have forty eight hours" que acid - That is such a goddamn nice touch. It's things like those that just make you appreciate the fact how deep and refined everything on this album is. 4:18 Pleiadian sounds emerge! The whole atmosphere is immensely groovy, dark, maddening and alien. The track keeps on pounding with growling distorted acid coupled with sharp synths, immense atmosphere and hypnotic soft acid leads that has such a nice contrast on the other layers. It never really climaxes but if you let yourself get lost in it, it will surely be just like a climax multiple times. Fantastic.

The Portal

Tiny acid farts floating around and a really 303-heavy bassline ramming forward. A sci-fi sample that sets off the kick. Suddenly this really awesome, alien sounding effect that sounds crystallic and metallic yet still organic that leaves us too soon. Melody starts to grow, acid fart effects galore(!!!). Growling acid adds up to it all and keeps injecting itself, evolving into more of a precise 303 sound until when the melody that arrives starts spinning the world. It sounds so twisted, serious and dark! The evolution of the track progresses even more, keeping a steady pace and then the melody climaxes whilst having the 303 groove your brain out. Break comes and sci-fi samples once again. A while later suddenly turns the track into a pure old school goa-fest where the melody is serious yet unserious and it sounds trippy fun and playful. Awesome effects and subtle melodies lead up to an eventual climax that you makes you relish the old school type sound. Fantastic track. I just love the acid fart nuances in the texturing. Just works so daymn well. Wonderful work yet again.

Monkshroom

Again a wonderfully detailed intro with lots of little effects going on and about whilst having an awesome sample about something transcendental. A blasting bassline, acid leads and a mixed sample of monk chanting. Just incredible richness in the texturing, it's so dense in effects but it's never too much, and then the melody arrives at 1:47 and boy what a melody it is. Twisted, knob-raped echoing raw growly acid that is incredibly hypnotizing. At 3:07 a new melody in the true spirit of SHAKTA and everything 90's! There is no question about it, I would have said this is old school Shakta melody if someone had asked and I didn't know better. That groovy acid is just wonderfully awesomely old schooly spiritedly greatnessly awesome. Yes that sentence is not actually grammatically correct, but I don't care. The track keeps going in that spirit and then 5:08 just does such a fantastic hypnotizing part that you can't but to dance to. The big melody comes back at the end and sends us off of this wonder called Monkshroom with a an outro full of interesting effects and sounds. This is what I call psychedelic goatrance alá 90's but with an updated sound. Utterly fantastic job, once again! I'm sure many old schoolers will find some real joy here.

Injected Spawn

A start off at what seems to be a spacecraft. Mysterious alien sounds and an ooming melody. A huge hypnotizing bassline that will make you stomp no matter what. Growling acid, soft acid, precise acid, quirky alien effects, sharp synths and somewhat melancholic melodies with awesome sample going "they were designed to die". At 3:50 there is a brilliant segment where the acid just takes you in, spirals hypnotically around your head. There's also a brilliant explosive climax at 5:50 that gets crazier and crazier, tornado like. Another winner.

Biosphere

Track title seems fitting, feels like you start off on a landscape not of this world. "biosphere ... life support" sample setting up the mood well. Reverbed growling leads,acid and a dark pure old schoolish goa bassline. Track feels to progress like a strong wind current with sweeping pads at 4:42 there is a part that sounds like something from Darshan's debut album. Fascinating and rich visual power. Afterward come really awesome sharp metallic growling leads and the twisted melody comes back more powerful than ever and continues till the end nicely with having a really sweet climax at 8:00 where it suddenly just tornadoes. Probably my least favourite track as it is kind-of stale most of the time, but it still has it's moments.

Vitamin E

Again a filled to the brim intro with sci-fi electronics style sounds for a change. "Engine, engine, engine" "el- elbow" and some flipping psychedelic melodies and sounds. 1:18 kicks of such an awesome hi-hat and also rest of the track with circling spiraling melodies, growling acid, wet dribbles. 2:13 strips off layers and the twisted melody comes back with this high pitch melody in the background giving it a nice harmony at 3:45 there is another slow down where the texturing and atmosphere is being let sink in while boiling up the next segment with rattling samples and awesome brooding evil melodies. The melody from beginning comes back at 6:10 and keeps going on strongly till the end and outro. Good track, though I wished the last segment had a third melody going on for a change of pace.

A Grain Of Sand

Outer spacey intro leading up to a sample "everything is imminent" and then makes the bassline explode. Just brooding power, snarling leads and subtle hihats. The melody comes and it's so immense, hypnotizing, groovy and powerful. Some subtle, yet striking melancholic pads just lift this track insanely high. Incredible sci-fi atmosphere and then the monstrously spiritual and mysterious acid melodies arrive at 1:42 - Holy phuck what the hell is this? Haven't heard this kind of stuff post-2000 at all. Seriously dark, mechanical but organic atmosphere throughout with incredible depth and richness. 2:58 a break comes and lets the atmosphere once again sink in for a while - "everything is imminent" as the sounds begin to come back. 4:15 303 melody arrives and 4:44 the spiritual melody is back and feels more powerful than ever. The way it just flows through your body. To one ear and out the other they say, I'd say they both try to consume every single bit of the aural beauty you're hearing here and using that as a power source for the rest of the body. Fucking wonderful work!

Controlled Experiment

Downtempo? Nah. Acid being spat out as if it were the artifact303 album as so with the atmosphere, just more serious. Growly acid at 1:09 hitting the nerves and, suddenly, goa-trumpets - I really have no idea how else to say it, it's an interesting psychedelic sound though not very serious. At 2:18 MFG style synth work appears and will definitely hoook the listener in it's hypnotizing power. Oh how I wish so many more artists did this too, I adore and miss the MFG sound - Wait a minute, now that I think of it, the whole rest of track sounds like a tribute to MFG. Rattling synths, hypnotizing style, pounding bassline from beginning to the end. Starts a tad abruptly, but when the synths hit at 2:18 everything is forgiven. Awesome ender! Especially for a lover of MFG.

This album is exactly what new school should be doing more. Immersefull, alien, mysterious soundscapes and atmospheres, extremely rich layer texturing, hypnotizing basslines and melodies that aren't happy or just uplifting, but more darker, twisted, interesting and refined. I must say though that this album has apparently mostly been written (Corrected) in the early 2000s, it's just been reworked and modernized for today's overall sound. So this might as well have been another one of the classics by now. This album reminds me a little bit of albums like UX - Ultimate Experience and tiny bit like Shakta - Silicon Trip, except, well, it's a complete other style. Characterized best by the somewhat insane use of 303. Sometimes it feels like there's a little bit too much of it! Though it's put to such good use that it's hard to complain.

Aside from that, the main feeling this album leaves is how refined it is. Everything seems thought-out and there aren't layers just to have more layers, but everything feels like it has a purpose. It all adds up and never feels random. The flow of them is just smooth perfection. A couple tracks that weren't as good as the rest and the rest being simply wonderful work. If I had to complain about somethings it might get a little too much for some listeners, as the style doesn't change much, but it will still take plenty of tracks before that might happen and the fact is, imo you really have to invest into getting everything out of it. The Portal doesn't sound too special as a background noise because of the subtlety of it. Also it would have been very interesting to have a downtempo track with this kind of style, but maybe that's for another time. Mastering is perfection, I feel like Colin OOOD should master every single release ever. Just striking sound separation and dynamics with my headphones just like with Erta Alé.

Go buy this thing, it's up there of the highest quality goa and even what psy offers today. This is quality over quantity, by far. Other goa artists should take notes. Cronomi and Portamento, you rock!

Where to get it and samples?

http://beatspace.com/6639/Cronomi+Records/PORTAMENTO/The+Portal+/detail.aspx

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=8850

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/crm/crm1cd005.html

http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4582

You can private message DJ Inada aka HappyHorse if you want to order directly from the label and please do so as it 100% supports the label!

http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?/user/4387-happyhorse/

Artist: Lost & Found

Title: Decoder

Label: 3D Vision

Date: June, 2011

1. Futurising

2. Chasing Radium

3. Disconnected

4. In Kontrol

5. Surface To air

6. Advance

7. Decoder

8. Perc5

9. Cutting Edge Science rmx

10. Division

Sometimes you have to take a step back for a fresh perspective. I got this awhile ago and after repeated listens I just wasn't...I dunno, getting it. Which really bothered me because all of his compilation efforts hit me right away. There is no question that this was one of the most anticipated releases on my radar. Gerhard Olivier from South Africa has long been dropping bomb after bomb of twilight madness with awesome leads and devastating power and insanity. He's one of those artists that make you stand up and take notice.

It's not like it's a calculus problem, but I just didn't get it.

That got me thinking that as smart as I think I am, there's a whole bunch of crap I don't get.

Wow you're lying straight as a board in different places. I do that to. Know what it's called? A nap. So then this led to

Turn your head 360 degrees then I'll be impressed doofus. Then this somehow led to this.

Oh for f*cks sake.

Who the f*ck wears these? If I wanted my feet to be slimy and smell bad I would step in dogsh*t.

Waaaahhh, Mommy and Daddy didn't hug me enough! I demand attention! Why on Earth would you do that to yourself? Congratulations, your only means of gainful employment is a carnival freak show.

So because I love the music that this artist produces I decided to rededicate my time and give this album the attention that it deserves.

Futurising- It's metallic sounding and begins with a gurgling of effects. And boy do those make the track! A hard driving bass line gives the track its foundation and it takes a very cyber-style theme that is prevalent throughout the whole album. With this one he doesn't come out and pummel you straight away, but builds his story. The acid comes over you in a wave that really gets the juices flowing. Didn't care for the repeated sample "compressing and equalizing" and the small buildup, but that's just what it was...small.

Ok, not his usual style, but let's see where he's going with this.

Chasing Radium- "Wow, it's already kicking in."

More Matrix style computer themes create the mood and the metallic sounds tumble down. It's cold and very science fiction with banging leads climbing and getting louder. The break descends under a loud alarm as momentum is gained. It's a little more aggressive than the opener, but not as powerful or dark as his compilation stuff. The finale is balls out good so there are flashes of what makes his tracks great.

Disconnected- This is more like it. The acid deluge was missing. The power is back and with a vengeance. Screaming leads fire like an M-16 and it's just an all out assault. No build ups or break downs, just get the f*ck out of the way.

Let's see...yeah this looks like a good parking spot.

In Kontrol- He spelled Control with a K so you know this is gonna be edgy. Sure it's a joke, but Gerhard ain't playin' around. A bass lead takes control and with this b*itch you go where it wants you to go. Lots of high tech futuristic sounds, but it's the leads that are the eye catcher if you will. Lasers and acid combine to make quite the toxic sandwich and the break brings a small measure of eerie silence. Ready for round 2?

Young Kevin Bacon...that's a paddlin'.

Surface To Air- "What makes you an exception?"

Could be my rapier like wit. Mr Ex-Gen stops by to lend a hand and it's actually more like a fist. Twisted leads and metallic shenanigans are knockin' out a few of your chicklets. High energy and very intense. And just like the last two tracks it remembered where it's dancing shoes were. The break allows it to gather itself and change direction. But the important thing is that that direction is a major ass kicking.

Lego on Lego crime...Can't we all just get along?

Advance- Britons talk funny and the opening sample is exhibit A. Don't get offended if you're British, it's the Queen's honest truth. Now excuse me whilst I run up the apples and pears to fix me boat.

More chaotic leads Gerhard is known for along with more of a nod towards darker techno. You know, I'm afraid I can't do that Hal type sh*t. He's got another break that drops the volume level as electronics hum and oscillate. Hated it. But then he drops a funky breakbeat and now I'm a happy panda. Very different indeed.

Decoder- Love the opening bit of computer dynamics, as this one grows into a hackers dream. Loads of computer sounds as well as crafty leads and a dark overtone. The effects are great as it gets torn down and then built right back up. Gotta listen to this one several times as there is a lot you could miss the first go round. Enjoyed it.

Perc5- Not gonna say much about this one because there really wasn't much to say. This is as close as Gerhard could come to filler I think. Nothing special about it.

What? You want more? Ok...

No Gerhard! No! Stay away from Nutek.

Cutting Edge Science- Azax? Really? He started making really dark stuff and then went on to dominate twilight music with some awesome compositions. Hagi Gat anyone? I even liked Evolution but lately he's gotten a little too close to the likes of Bliss and well what did you think was gonna happen? Well this is more of the same watered down full-on complete with SUN Project guitar. It has it's moments but not enough of them to hold a candle to the other tracks.

What happened to you Regev?

Division- Lots going on here. What started off as just another run of the mill psytrance track continued to build, gaining more power and taking a few turns. Not a big fan of the buildup at the end, but if you've read my reviews I never like buildups. So take it with a grain of salt. I would say the biggest gripe I have with this track is that it doesn't sound like something that Lost & Found would make. End is pretty cool though.

It really is one big hi-tech digital cyber tale that is unfolded in 10 parts. You can tell he still has that something that makes his tracks so powerful and moody. Dark and atmospheric yes, but even though I thought this CD was good, I can't help but feel a little disappointed. His compilation work is usually so epic that it stands out. While some of that was here, there were also a few that had me questioning whether it was him or not behind the decks. I would recommend it as even not at his best he is still miles above a lot of the stuff out there.

Psyshop

Beatspace

Goastore

Mdk

Artist: Solar Fields

Title: Until we meet the sky

Label: Ultimae

Released: 16 December 2011

Style: IDM, Ambient, Downbeat

Tracklist

phase 01 - From the next end [ 09.18 ]

phase 02 - Broken radio echo [ 03.55 ]

phase 03 - Singing machine [ 06.55 ]

phase 04 - After midnight, they speak [ 03.40 ]

phase 05 - When the worlds collide [ 06.33 ]

phase 06 - Dialogue with a river [ 10.06 ]

phase 07 - Forgotten [ 03.15 ]

phase 08 - Night Traffic City [ 09.53 ]

phase 09 - Sombrero [ 05.45 ]

phase 10 - Last step in vacuum [ 09.11 ]

phase 11 - Until we meet the sky [ 05.01 ]

phase 12 - Epilogue [ 05.15 ]

Review:

Here we are: Magnus Birgersson a.k.a. Solar Fields’ 10th solo output [ Until we meet the sky ]. I can’t believe it’s his 10th album already. It’s been almost 3 years that I first heard Leaving Home and fell in love with the Ultimae sound. I can hardly put to words what a big impact on my life this music has had and especially Solar Fields’ output has always left me in awe of what electronic music CAN be. His distinct but ever-evolving sound has hence become a very important companion for me. And here we are, his 10th album...

There’s always a bit of a discussion going on whether Leaving Home or Movements is his masterpiece, but to be honest I’ve never succeeded in choosing one above the other. Even extended and altered: second movements belong to my favorite album’s of all time. As a matter of fact, I group these 4 previously mentioned albums in a special group because I think the sound on Leaving Home is very close to Movements, which for me signifies the really pure psychedelic ambient. Extended and altered: second movements are then musings on how these two could have sounded from a different point of view. There’s more classic ambient influences, even some modern classical influences to be found and above all it’s even more chilled out because of the largely absent beat.

Now I finally arrive at the album at hand. To me, Magnus has moved a bit further away from the pure psychedelic downtempo you can experience in Leaving Home and Movements and has made an album that combines all the influences found in the previously mentioned 4 works and comes up with something quite remarkable: he takes a bit of IDM, a bit of modern classical, a bit of ambient and a bit of that pure psychedelic downtempo. How does this work out?

The album starts really melancholic with the epic opener From the next end. He slowly leads you into what I perceive to be a winter landscape, cold but beautiful. One of the absolute stand-out features of this album is that this time around, he obviously didn’t care as much to put 11 full-fledged tracks on the album but tried to sow some tracks together with shorter interludes. These interludes are more often than not laced with subtle piano-melodies and I love them to death. It just sounds so mature and I am really glad that he put a piano in it because I just love the instrument itself. We move on in a rather melancholic way with the following tracks until we arrive at the majestic When the worlds collide which forms the apex of the conflicting melancholy I experienced in the opening tracks of this album. Fantastic name for a great tune too.

With the track Dialogue with a river we slowly move into more uptempo territory. Not uptempo in the trance-kind of way but this is the first track an IDM’isch beat enters the work. Personally I am not too big a fan of the voice samples in this track, but it’s not like they ruin it for me either. Phase 07 is again a short beatless interlude with again a rather melancholic edge to it, paving the way nicely for Night Traffic City which ups the ante on the melodic aspect of the album considerably. It also seems to be working towards a more upbeat and hopeful end. I can’t help but notice how incredibly well Magnus has paced this one. It really feels like a journey through different lands, seasons, emotions and thoughts, even more so than his previous works. The final bit of Night Traffic City begins to prepare you to meet the sky: Magnus shifts into a higher gear and we enter the positive territory we were heading for in the first place. I always have a sense of growing confidence in this part.

Next up is Sombrero, we’re in Mexico! The weather is good as is the outlook on life: sub-lime melodic segments with an uplifting atmosphere. I can feel we’re reaching the climax of the journey, we’re almost there, the sky is getting closer and closer! Great track!

Now, we take our last steps in vacuum and everything slows down again... We are reminded of the melancholy found in the first parts of the journey. One last reflection on the things we have passed through echoes through my speakers. Very reflexive track but what an atmosphere... The pads here are just gorgeous. And then we slowly enter last third of this track: we begin to go faster again, an ominous beat enters together with a superb sound which I cannot describe but is so damn epic! Bright pads accompany these two and we begin to see the sky... A last melancholic melody echoes... We’re flying towards the light in slow-motion... Almost there...

And then we touch it! Until we meet the sky is THE climax of this album and the transition between it and the previous track is PER-FECT. Reaching this track after having listened to all the previous tracks has given me time and time again such a grand feeling. It resolves everything into pure bliss.

The epilogue kind of looks back on the whole story. The last part almost feels like a recapture of everything we’ve been through in reverse and loops perfectly well with From the next end... fitting name!

This is probably Magnus’ most mature work until now. The sheer class and style is unbeatable, matched maybe only by Carbon Based Lifeforms. He has definitely evolved his style as he flirts with modern classical and IDM-approaches, which I like a lot. I’m not going into the whole “is this his best album to date?”-question because I think that’s an irrelevant question. The point is that I enjoyed it a LOT, as I have enjoyed everything else I have listened by Solar Fields. I also want to add that I am a big fan of the new Ultimae-covers, beautiful!

Conclusion: yet again, highly recommended!

Buy here:

Ultimae: http://www.ultimae.c.../568/index.html

Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.c.../inr1cd053.html

Artist: The Psyentists (Chemical Reaction / Kozmik Sounds / The Psyentist)

Title: Position of Power

Label: Erratica Music Team

Date: October 7th, 2011

1. The Psyentist - Position of Power

2. Chemical Reaction - Meteoron 2

3. HThe Psyentist VS Chemical Reaction - Inception

4. The Psyentist VS Chemical Reaction - PL312K80 (Album Version)

5. The Psyentist - Circus Ninjas

6. The Psyentist - Soul Is

7. Chemical Reaction - Galaxy Traveller 

8. Kozmik Sounds - Electro Life 06:37

9. Kozmik Sounds - Unter dem Einfluss

PERSONAL NITZHONOT RATING SCALE:

5 stars: Close to perfection. Makes me automatically dance or feel like I'm floating in space. I may feel like crying of joy if I listen to it. 
4.5 stars: Usually good-quality Nitzhonot. Makes me automatically happy.
4 stars: Average rating for Nitzhonot. I enjoy it.
3.5 stars: Usually lower-quality Nitzhonot, or Nitzhonot that's "slow" without compensating with maximalism or with psychedelic elements. Underwhelming. I wouldn't chose to listen to a Nitzhonot track from that quality after the first time I did for discovery purposes (except to remind myself of what it sounds like).
3 stars: Usually very amateurish music with poor melodies. Very underwhelming.
2.5 stars: Very amateurish music with poor melodies. Kind of boring. I may actually get sad if I listen to it. Or laugh at it if it sounds so amateurish that it becomes funny.
2 stars: Boring. I never felt this bad about Nitzhonot. (... but I almost did with Balbalot!)
≤ 1.5 stars: Let me reach 2/5 first to know what my Nitzhonot 2/5 means before I even attempt to know how I would feel about ≤ 1.5 stars Nitzhonot.

REVIEW:

The Psyentist - Position of Power

A nice fusion of different synths, with some lovely old school snares! Some nice drum patterns as well! But a few synths sound too loud to me. Not a big issue, though! Loving the karamouza with a delay on!

4/5

Chemical Reaction - Meteoron 2

Some regular Uplifting, this time I'd say some synths are not loud enough ahah! The melody is okay, but I don't find it too interresting. I like the energetic part at 4:01 though! Oh, and obviously, this track features a pirate dance break! xP

3.8/5


The Psyentist vs Chemical Reaction - Inception

Wow, it starts very fast! And it stay energetic the whole duration!

This one was not made for rave pirates, but for space car lovers from what the sweeper choice tells me. Somehow, some melodies remind me of the French rock band Indochine! x') This track feels very European to me.

4/5


The Psyentist vs Chemical Reaction - Pl312k80 (Album Version)

I find this track repetitive and pretty unremarkable.

3/5


The Psyentist - Circus Ninjas

On the other hand, I find this one pretty interresting. It features a bit of Chiptune influences and an enjoyable melody from 1:35 to 2:59! But I don't really like the rest of the melodies. I'd also say the kicks and the basses are too loud.

3.6/5


The Psyentist - Soul Is

Nice energy and melody starting from 2:13! The part from 3:04 to 3:30 kind of reminds me of the French (once again! accidental patriotism!) Electro House / Euro Trance artist Pakito! And then, at 4:38, it goes back at being nice Greek stuff!

4.2/5


Chemical Reaction - Galaxy Traveller

Holy shit! Not only did I find the (long) intro nice and not boring despite its length, but what came after hits! But then, it does not stay as good in my opinion, unfortunately.

4.2/5


Kozmik Sounds - Electro Life

This is not really Nitzho. There's an intro with a robot who speaks too much. "Electro life". Yes, I get it. I'll reboot you so that you can stop repeating the same thing over and over again! Also, this riser sounds lame lol

However, I like this fake guitar(?) (that many Uplifting artists seem to use)! I'd say that this track is overall decently executed, but just not my style.

2.8/5


Kozmik Sounds - Unter Dem Einfluss

Same artist here, and you hear the same guitar(?) and the same psychedelic sounds, but also... a bass! It sounds nice! And LOUD! Maybe Kozmik Sounds realised how loud kicks tend to be in Uplifting and decided to do the same with the bass, but I don't think it works very well here... 😕

4:36: Holy shit, this synth is loud!

Oh, and there's a new riser sound! It's just as lame as that of the previous track lmao

2.8/5


COMPILATION RATING: 3.6/5

For a lesser known Uplifting release, I find it pretty decent as it features some well executed tracks, but it's also pretty hit-or-miss!

Suntrip Records

2011

1. Magnetic Fields 09:18

2. Trancemission 08:31

3. They Will Communicate 09:30

4. For a Better World 08:31

5. Tropical Sunset 08:22

6. Mysterious Fantasy 08:01

7. Beyond Lightspeed 09:21

8. Close Encounter 08:22

9. Delirium 09:17

Let's start things with Feelings found on Opus Iridium. That track brought back this Astral Projection feeling with larger than life acid-brimmed melody and rather simplistic production to emphasize the melody even more. From this point I'd say most started looking out for this guys next stuff. He released some tracks on compilations and they all were at the very least good to great. Some noteworthy were Levitation Device from VA - People Walk Funny and Consequences from VA - Organic Vision, both showing some really fantastic melody skills. Levitation Device aiming more for an other worldly, even pleiadian-esque melody and Consequences being pure driving trancy emotion. After 3 years since Feelings surprised most of us on Opus Iridium, we finally have the debut released and boy did it seem people were hyped. I even saw comments on Suntrips news section which is super rare! Well with quality cover representing the goal to set you to space it looks like a solid thought-out package. Was it worth the wait? Is this the new Astral Projection?

CLICK FOR SAMPLES

Magnetic Fields

The album starts with really great outer space atmosphere, which will be a standard for every track, followed by bunch of synth birds and a thumping bassline. Melodies arrive in acid form and we're off from there. Driving melody work along with some segments that throw it off with different, a little astral projection like, melodies. 6:30 marks the beginning of the AP style influence. Bigger than life melody appears and then it explodes at 7:10 where till the end the track is quite excellent. Otherwise the lead up for this segment is rather un-exciting, which makes this track not that great and leaving me disappointed and somewhat surprised.

Trancemission

The next track has the same type of formula. Different sounds and melodies, of course, but that's about it. Initial 3 minutes are really promising but again I feel like it leaves with a whimper. There is this part at 3:40 where the melody just sparks a superB mid-track climax that spirals endlessly till 4:36 but that's it for the real excitement. There's also a nice change around 5:43 mark where it reaches for a darker tone but even that is not much. This track just drags on too much, more changes please. Bleh.

They Will Communicate

3rd track and again I find myself a bit bored. Just typical formulaic development though with some nice layers this time, some bubbly acid and soothing atmosphere. This time the track certainly picks up at 5:00. The bubbly acid drenched larger than life melodies at that point grace this un-imaginative lead-up journey. Towards the end the track undergoes some really great grand melody segments as well. Too bad about the first half, this could have been excellent throughout.

For a Better World

Finally the disappointment ends! The sounds and effects are mellow smooth floating and the melodies are really sunshine trance-tinted and it remains for such for the rest of the whole track. Reminds me of some Antares stuff on Exodus. Beautiful melodies and spot-on production with a couple of well placed samples. Damn fitting for sundown. Good track, reminds me of Consequences quite a bit albeit I'd still say I prefer that over this.

Tropical Sunset

Looks like the last track started the better part of this album. This track is the most downtempo track on the album. SuperB emotional melodies and lush soundscapes fill your ears with pure joyful progressive passion. This utter perfection continues till 6:00 where the track drops the kick and brings a darker tone at 6:20 with the melody. I'm not sure if I agree with this decision but it's an interesting twist nonetheless and does not really take anything from the track. Everything up until that is utterly awe-inducing. Pure love! Chills all over my body. Aw yeah.

Mysterious Fantasy

Well, hello Project Genesis acid farts by MFG and a full-onish goa bassline, but who cares about anything at this point - ACID FART BUBBLES ARE HERE! God they're SEXY. I hate saying acid farts are tasty or sexy because it sounds wrong, but damn it what else can I do? This track completely surprised me with the sheer amount of them. It is one of the sounds I will never ever grow tired of and whenever something has it, it alone redeems many bad things, but problem here is, there really aren't any bad things. The melodies are quite serious this time and aim for the Levitation Device type one's where it takes you to outer space and again they are very successful at it. This is nonstop power taking you through colourful space scenes. Excellent track.

Beyond Lightspeed

Finally some new Filteria. Echoing acid warping and a badass bassline arrives. Some effects and then at 2:00 melodies, the oh so wonderful melodies. Amazing sample from the movie Spaceballs arrives "Prepare ship for light speed. Light speed is too slow. Light speed, too slow? Yes, we're gonna have to go right to ludicrous speed. " and there we go, ludicrous melodies! Epic! This how samples should be! This track would not be the same without this super use of samples! It really shows whether an artist has intelligence or not if they can incorporate samples so well it simply becomes one with the music and engages the listener so well. There are times where random samples work, yes, but that is not very often. At 5:18 Mr Filteria brings a signature melody that sounds a little like from Sky Input, really harmonious. Some sweet spiraling segments follow this until 7:45 where the last 'grandeur' melodies carry us till the end but they don't end up being as exciting as earlier parts of this track, but kind of remind me of Elysium type melodies. Really driving and extremely exciting ride through the cosmos. Fastest and most sweeping track on the album, why couldn't one of the first 3 be like this as well? Great work Jann- wait this is the Artifact303 album... wtf?

Close Encounter

With aliens I presume. Loving the synth interlude! Bombastic bassline arrives, fantastic echoing atmosphere, laser kick for superB measure. Powerful, serious ultrastastic melodies arrive and star pushing you towards warp speed. 2:20 slows down and brings this diluted really simple acid melody but it is freaking brilliant! It brings a layer of complexity since the larger than life melodies continue from there but this little thing remains adding that extra finessé for a period of time. And I must say this small period is simply amazing. The rest is pretty predictable, though not in the bad sense of the word, the melodies continue to twist reality and drive you onwards like crazy. Fascinating details and really powerful melody work.

Delirium

Bells in space. Synthesizzling, bombing bassline as usual. Quite calm until 3:35 where emotional yet quite serious melody evokes from the void. Some more calmness after this small hyperventilation. Acid in the space and then more epic melodies at 4:15. "We Can start Dreaming". This ends at 5:10 where the nicest plastic-like acid warping is played around with. Some more great melody work takes us to the end of this nice journey. This is a solid to great track! A good ender, not too fast but not too slow either.

So was this the next Astral Projection? No. It does have similar obvious qualities regardless, but what it mostly lacks is a main melody that carriers almost the whole track alone. Was it worth the wait and hype? The second half, yes! I don't understand why they chose the first three tracks on this album as they don't seem to be up to par with the rest. I was very scared after the 3rd if everything else was going to go the same formulaic road, but I'm really glad it didn't and managed to pick up to the levels I was pretty much expecting. The production of this album is really unique and other worldly like you'd expect if you've heard Artifact303 before - if you haven't then you've been living under a rock. Extremely dense atmospheres, big pumping basslines and lots of acid, bigger than life melodies and quite predictable but fantastic details overall. Not a very complex album but I don't believe it even tried to be, though I would have wanted it to experiment some more. For the fans of all of his older tracks, this should be a definite favourite, for all else, it still has tons of redeeming qualities to be maybe hailed as one of the greats of this generation - perhaps. The 2nd half is truly some of the best in the market, that is where the real journey lies and that is where I totally agree that artifact303 is something special. The Opus Iridium hit "Feelings" is still THE classic track imo, but the better tracks of this album are certainly more developed and deep. Also bonus points for Tropical Sunset, fascinating fusion of downtempo goa and trance elements. Great album with a very, very rough start. 100% Recommend checking it out.

Where to get it and samples?

http://www.suntripre...t/item/SUNCD22/

http://www.psyshop.c.../sut1cd022.html

http://www.saikosoun...ase.asp?id=8757

http://www.beatspace...ace/detail.aspx

http://www.goastore....1afd148c351a4b9

http://www.amazon.co...3/dp/B004WJRV52

http://www.cdunivers...asp?pid=8500755

http://www.bol.com/n...4826/index.html

http://www.dimple.co...pc=506014712718

http://www.cosmox.nl...3-5060147127188

http://www.eci.nl/mu...3-5060147127188

Disclaimer: Filteria making beyond lightspeed was a joke. lol.

Remastered bonus track from VA - Human Hyperactivation anno 2007. http://soundcloud.co...trip-to-the-sun

Album: Psychedelic Dilemma

Label: Sita Records (Norway/Belgium)

Release date: January, 2011.

Format: CD

Style: Newschool goa trance / Nitzhogoa

Samples: Here

Higher resolution: Here

Tracklist:

01: Asteroidal Dust (2:45)

02: Do It Now (9:52)

03: Hallucinating (feat. Agneton) (8:01)

04: Evolution Of Mutation (7:35)

05: Inner Mind (7:49)

06: Psychedelic Dilemma (11:12)

07: Agressor (10:14)

08: Tragic Kingdom (8:55)

09: Origin Of Life (7:32)

First of all this is my first review here and I think it's first on english. Boris Huškić is a young and talented producer from Norway and also co-manager of Sita Records, alongside with Elias Gits (Agneton) from Belgium. Sita Records is well known to people who are into newschool stuff as label which is specialized in nitzhogoa sub-genre. So far they released two compilations - Nitzhogoa! and Protozoa, and their third release is debut album from Goalien - Psychedelic Dilemma.

I will not analyze track-by-track I'll just mention my favorites and nice moments on this album, so lets start with cover artwork - It's pure win, it reflects Boris approach to music and oriental melodies. Three great pyramids of Giza (I guess) with some blue ray from the top of middle pyramid - probably some alien/supernatural phenomenon here It reminds a lot on Stargate (which is probably my favorite SF franchise).

Album opener - Asteroidal Dust is nice three minute intro with downtempo beat and fine melodies at the end, pretty nice opener if you ask me. After that first WOW of this album - Do It Now, track full of beautiful ''oriental'' melodies and heavy riffs in background. I'm not huge fan of nitzhogoa style but I'm sure that people who dig this sub-genre will love this ''10 minute anthem''. Second WOW of this album is colaboration track with Agneton - Hallucinating and when I first heard this track I knew it it will be on my playlist a lot of time. Great build ups, very nice story telling and huuuge bursts of pure energy, and yeah, Nitzhogoa is about energy. Awesome job Elias and Boris!

Third WOW of this album is - Agressor. I've heard some previews of this tracks way back in 2010. and I love it. It's pure Goalien style, highly melodic and powerful, it reminds me on The Solar System track which is probably my favorite Goalien track ever. Other tracks on this album are also good but as I said earlier I'll mention only tracks that I really really liked.

2011. started super, guys from Sita Records are improving and this album is probably one of the best Nitzhogoa efforts so far and we all know that besides Agneton and Perisistent Aura, Goalien is guy who know how to make good nitzho, so my congrats to Sita and Boris on this very very nice album, you guys are doing a great job, keep up. If you love highly melodic (nizho)goa trance, powerful beats, oriental melodies get this gem.

You can buy this album at: Psyshop | Beatspace

Artist: Silent Horror

Title: Seance

Label: Devil's Mind Records

Date: September, 2011

1. Inner Soul

2. Twinkled

3. Drum Ritual

4. Of None But It

5. Black Orb

6. Higher Access

7. Journey

8. Deja Vu

9. The Calling

Do you like scary movies?

Sh*t. Hold up...give me a sec...

That's better. That's the scream I was going for.

This is Jigar Shah, a marine engineer by profession, and he loves them. He apparently wrote all these tracks while he was on the open ocean. This is his 2nd full length album and if you cannot tell what type of music this is then I'm sorry your parents dropped you on your head. Repeatedly.

Yep this is an album of dark atmospheres and rumbling grumbling bass lines as scary effects assault you at every turn. Sunshine and light have long since been decapitated and eaten and if you didn't leave a trail of breadcrumbs before you started this journey, well...you're f*cked.

Maybe this will help

Uh...nope. That made it significantly worse.Inner Soul is wet with fear as if a deranged lunatic with a chainsaw in a pig mask is stalking you in a deserted home. After a frenzied chase you seem to have outlasted him. For now. This was a great way to start.

Twinkling is more of the same rampaging bass line and abject darkness, but I found it less interesting as there wasn't any building of dread. It just unloaded on you with typical darkpsy noise, but where he scores points is again with his very descriptive break. Scary, but too short. The break that is.

Drum Ritual - Dark like the rest of the tracks with a deep, menacing bass line to be sure. But let's be honest...that's all it was. The only thing it made me want to do was see what the next track is like.

Of None But It- Stop me if you've heard this one. Bass line + effects. Repeat. I liked his break once again, I just wish there was more of it.

Black Orb- This one has a deep feeling of isolation, which makes sense if he created this stuff in the middle of the ocean. Wailing pads like forgotten ghosts moan but that is dominated by the scratchy and very loud darkpsy lead.

"Oh yes...you have been hurt. Who hurt you Jigar? Who hurt you? *whispers* Who hurt you?"

Higher Access- More very scary vibes from the start. But you knew that. I'm starting to think that making this at sea is almost like making it in a studio on land. We saw this before. It's called the last 4 tracks. I did like the last bit which had a bubbling quality to it. He's got talent, no question.

Journey-

"She took the midnight train going anywhere..."

This is a much darker journey than candy corn 80's pop as you would imagine. He wields dark atmosphere like a scythe cutting through any and all feelings of hope and escape. This is more like it...every door you open you run into the lost souls that were violently murdered in this house. Oh thank God you're here, can you help me find the way out?

What the f*ck!

Deja Vu- Love...absolutely love the way this one starts. It's a nightmare of hallucinogenic proportions before the bass line begins to hammer away. Also with all the leads it seems to be more on the darker side of twilight so easier to digest. It's just a continuous downward spiral into terror. For me, the scariest track yet.

The Calling- "The power of darkness."

Undoubtedly the greatest surprise on the album with an ambient ending. After your body is murdered this must be what it's like to be confined to the limbo between the living and the dead. It's got it all...bass sweeps, zombie chants, eerie almost ethereal atmosphere...It's not until 6 minutes that a beat drops in, as if they didn't want to forget to torture your soul before sending you to the hereafter.

I think you have to be a fan of this genre to really like it. It's angry and singular in purpose. A bass line and scary effects that don't quit. He does a good job on a lot of tracks creating a tense atmosphere, but it's heavily outweighed by what makes darkpsy....well, darkpsy. One trick pony bass line is nice but when it's deluged with almost ear bleeding leads it becomes tough to listen to. I guess it's like listening to your music with your parents.

"Why you no study...be like brother. Be doctor!"

So take this review with a grain of salt. I'm not that big a fan of darkpsy for the reasons mentioned above. If you are then you will probably love this. Perusing the big blue forum I found a review for this which was overwhelmingly positive. Mind you it was composed by someone with a screen name CinderVOMIT so he obviously has a taste for the finer things.

I'm just Mike.

http://www.psyshop.c.../dvs1cd007.html

http://www.beatspace...ce+/detail.aspx

http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4603

Mdk

Artist: Various

Title: Christiania Selection

Label: Iono Music

Date: December, 2011

1. I got to - TIME IN MOTION AND FLEXUS

2. Sexofrenic - XSHADE

3. Offbeat Meeting - LIQUID SPACE

4. Red Zone - SONIC SENSE VS TIME IN MOTION

5. Atlantic Spirit - STATIC MOVEMENT VS IMPACT

6. Maximum Overdrive - ACE VENTURA

7. Keep Walking - INFINITY

8. The last Jedi - MOTION DRIVE

9. Cometic - YOTOPIA

When you're the king, you run sh*t.

Nobody at the ad agency thought this might be a little creepy?

Ghetto crown...you know they give away free crowns at Mr. The King up there.

King of Christiania

That's just the way it is. Iono has long been providing hungry trancers like me with quality progressive for years. Their style is melodic layers and danceable rhythms. Wide open and massive. Which brings me to this release dedicated the ahem...state of Christiania in Copenhagen, Denmark.

So let me get this straight. The homeless hopped a fence of an abandoned military facility and claimed dibs. They decided to start a society from scratch on land they didn't own? And the government was ok with this and let it happen? F*ck let me run down to the local YMCA and plant a flag and say that it's now called big titty town and only girls with big titties are allowed. Think they won't come? Well then like Christiania we'll legalize marijuana and the chicks will beat down my door. But no hard drugs you degenerates. Take that sh*t to Philly. Ever been there? What a f*cking cesspool. Go south on Broad St...it's like District 9 at that point.

SO now all the hippies, homeless, artists, immigrants, and drug pushers live in the area. Sounds lovely. Of course the most famous part is Pusher Street where the weed trade thrives openly and they have had issues with violence. Go figure. They have their own businesses and even their own flag (album cover...red background and three yellow dots to signify the dots above the three i's. Apparently when they took over there was a lot of red and yellow paint lying around.) If nothing else it is a very interesting story.

Sexofrenic- A quick trip to the smartest guy I know (Google) and I discovered that sexophrenic means:

"An individual suffering from a sexual disorder involving several naughty personalities with insatiable libidos and absolutely no shame.”

What the f*ck just happened? I remember looking up the definition of sexophrenic and then next thing I know my computer is full of porn and the track is on it's fifteenth play. Thank God I wasn't near any water.

Yeah, f*ck you Pinnochio, I'm not fallin' for it. Yes, yes...I've heard it a million times...you've got wood. Never gets old.

This is a grower. It's got lots of effects and moves along so smoothly you would swear it was in slow motion. Damn if this track doesn't make time stop.

Offbeat Meeting- I recently reviewed his Looking Forward EP and thought it was all right. Nothing special. Now this track changes direction very early on and I like it way better than that EP. Very full sounding with lots of echoing sounds and then he gets busy with the 303. Any time you do that you have my undivided attention.

Red Zone- Love this track because every space is filled with sound. It slinks around corners with short ethereal melodies that evaporate like steam. I was gonna say smoke, but weed smoke hangs around so long you could get high the day after. Not showy or powerful, just...mellow.

Atlantic Spirit- These two may just have the track of the compilation. It's full of echoing sounds, spiritual vocals, and layers that go together like peanut butter and jelly. Cloud busting atmosphere and melodies that cannot help but put a smile on your face. Well done!

Oftentimes a young jedi's training is filled with...missteps.

Maximum Overdrive- Yoni wields the 303 like he's E-Mantra. And while I liked that bit, I felt the track was a bit unfocused. Stops and starts and too much time with not a lot going on.

Keep Walking- "It's time for a commercial break."

You really want me to sh*t all over this track don't you? Nikos Karamalakis from Greece seems to have made a good track with effects and lead stabs, but for some reason he put cheesy vocal samples in it. Check the ladies? Ugh. Musically it has some giddy up in its step with twisted bass sounds, but the break is my favorite part with its twinkling sounds and fat pads. Makes up for the gouda.

The Last Jedi- "So this is the last of the Jedi."

These are not the Happy Meals you're looking for....

Philip Guillaume from Switzerland produced a pretty good album with 2010's In The Dirt and on comps he's had a pretty good track record with me. He makes another track that makes you wonder where the time went. It's a bouncer with good effects and several layers. Good one.

Cometic- Israeli duo Tomer Dayan and Yonatan Rimon close things out with a nice underground funker bigger than all outside. The light percussion has a bit of a jiggle and Lord knows I loves me some jiggle

"Hi there, my name's Mike, wanna get a cup of coffee?"

The melodies soar like they have jetpacks as the track bounces playfully along. Just a smooth way to bring the journey to a close.

So another Iono compilation that doesn't disappoint. After the first track I thought it would be like Chinese food. Sure it's filling now, but you know you're gonna be hungry again in 20 minutes. But true to form they continued to make progressive trance with huge breaks and wide open atmospheres. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to get some lunch at my favorite spot. Try the dumplings!

Psyshop

Beatspace

Saikosounds

GoaStore

Mdk

Artist: Microcosm

Title: Higher Levels

Label: Released on Ektoplazm

Date: October, 2011

Dessert is good. Everybody likes dessert!

You know McCoy was begging for a script where he could haul off and whack a b*tch. Bet he wishes it was Kirk though.

Pies, cookies, fruit...somehow the French shoehorned cheese into the dessert cart and now the smooth bottom of dessert has a pimple on it. Old school goa trance is like a twelve layer chocolate cake with zero calories when done well. Pleiadians, Etnica, Transwave, Astral...all classics that never get old.

Well make room at the table because here comes Microcosm.

The Norwegian duo Fredrik Larsen and Georg Simonsen released and album that has been compared to Transdimensional by Dimension 5. And I fully agree. This was there only album and thanks to a close friend of theirs we are privileged to hear it. It is everything you could want in goa trance. Relentless, melodic, atmosphereic, entrancing, mind numbing. It soars and it growls, floats and dives. There were times I thought this could be D5 and times when I thought I heard a little M-Run and Crossing Mind. Just a marvelous piece of music.

2 bits of bad news. Primarily, Fredrik is no longer of this Earth. No idea how it happened, but let it be known that he was partially responsible for unleashing this old school beast on the masses. It should take it's place right up there with the more well known albums.

Second, there is some background noise on the 320 mp3's. It's minor and for home listening it doesn't really sully the quality of this masterpiece. But you can hear it on some tracks. I've never been to a festival or party, but I imagine it wouldn't work on a big set of speakers. But who knows?

If you are a fan of goa trance you already know about this. If it managed to slip under your radar, do yourself a favor and get thee to Ektoplazm and own this brilliant work or art.

Free at Ektoplazm

Mdk

Artist: Nerso

Title: Exploration of Infinity

Label: TesseracT Studio

Date: May, 2011

1. Jungle of sounds (with Iva)

2. Electrify

3. Dune (with Sideform)

4. Synapse

5. Borderland

6. Vertigo (with E-Clip)

7. Crystal

8. Deep blue (with Middle Mode)

9. Quirky

If you have been reading my reviews then you know how impressed I have been with TesseracT Studio. This label continues to produce quality progressive trance music with one release after the next. Nerso is the Dragon aka Dragan Matić and he composes some of the most expansive and lush music I have heard in this genre. It's full of effects and beautiful melodies that catapult you deep into the world he is creating. Although he has released lots of stuff, this is his debut album as a solo artist.

And what a release it is. Superbly deep and complex with a dark shimmer all over it. This is what happens when progressive crashes headlong into psytrance with an artist that knows how to develop atmosphere. It churns, bubbles, ripples...hell there are even some forest textures that scream across the Scandinavian night. Whether it is the insistent march of the massive opening track Jungle of Sounds or the growling 303 in Dune this disc has it all. Synapse drifts as if it were a roller coaster along the brains pathways and Borderland rumbles across the barren terrain. Burning brightest is the collaboration with E-clip with it's descriptive sounds and thundering rhythms. But really the whole disc is like this. While every track is great listening all the way through is the way to go.

Along with E-Clip's Shuma Vertex Ocean, and The Riddler Questions this is the best progressive release I have ever heard. Rich in details and atmosphere Dragan has delivered a modern day masterpiece. If you like progressive trance please support this artist and buy his disc. Phenomenal.

Psyshop

Beatspace

GoaStore

Mdk

DAT Mafia Recordings, 2011

CD 1

1. Green Nuns Of The Revolution - Kwo-Ne She (Original Unreleased Version)

2. Deflo - Salt Lake

3. Doof - Mars Needs Women (Just 3 Words Mix)

4. Etnichaos - The Other Side Of Reality

5. Dimension 5 - Ganymede (Guitar Mix)

6. Infinite Zen - Friends From Tau-Ceti

7. Etnica - Shadow Dance

8. Slinky Nuns - Caught In The Zipper

9. Zerotonine - Two Faces

10. Blue Planet Corporation - High NRG

CD 2

1. Joti & Ofer - Untitled

2. Total Eclipse & Simon Posford - Sound Is Solid (Remix)

3. Graham & Serge - The Full Monty

4. The Muses Rapt - Mediums Of Trance

5. PsyChaos - Return Voyage (2-1)

6. Mushroomman - N.I.S.

7. Uni-Vers Concept - Phase One

8. Electric Universe - Rain (Original Unreleased Version)

9. Aural Planet - Changing My Mind

10. North Central Positronics - The Great Bear

Rewind your mind. This is the main premise of a highly interesting release from DAT Mafia Recordings. "Who are they?" - one will ask. This loosely knitted collective consists of, surprise surprise, 32 people, including the likes of Mars, Draeke, Anoebis, Colin Bennun, Gizmex and many more. They are psytrance fans who established a cooperation together through Discogs, pulling all necessary strings to bring into daylight old and forgotten tracks from very well known artists who had undoubtedly contributed to the scene. This compilation is the result of their activities. Both CDs are full of previously non-released music (with the exception of "Sound Is Solid (Remix)", "Phase One" and "The Great Bear", which were released years ago only on vinyl), which instantly teleports the listener to the times where the magical element of these vibes reached possibly the highest point when it comes to its concentration per every minute of a track. The people we are going to deal with here are indeed some of the highest order. One look at the tracklist says it all: 100% epic. One can stumble upon the likes of Simon Posford, Green Nuns, Etnica, Electric Universe, Total Eclipse or Aural Planet. Artists were are still going to be remembered for many years to come, in contrast to many other who have their proverbial five minutes, but who will fade away in time compared to the immortal giants and their timeless music. It is a materialization of tracks which circled in the memories of goa-freaks or on old digital audio tapes until this very moment.

It is not only a real treat for a collector, but also a refined portal into the past. Thanks to it the far away times seem to be happening right now. The release is sure to awake a goa-geek hidden in many of us, bringing back the still-living memories, when we held compilations like "Goa-Head" in our hands, listened to releases marked with Dragonfly Records, Flying Rhino Records and TIP Records logos, or attended our first trance parties, dominated by "weird music" and unique decorations showered with ultraviolet light. Everything laced with a hard-to-define omnipresent element, which makes it all a remarkable experience, not only taking our minds off everyday life, but also taking us off the ground. We have 20 tracks here, 20 rare tracks to be precise, deeply rooted in the realm of oldschool goa/psychedelic trance. The richness of this all-you-can-eat buffet leaves one enchanted. Many top names of the psychedelic trance scene speak for themselves. One has to admit that the compilation's creators managed in most cases to hold onto some mighty fine gems. How can someone be indifferent to the never-released-before versions of tracks by Green Nuns, Doof or Electric Universe? Their new sonic clothes fit them really well. "Rain" grasps you by the heart with its convincing atmosphere of electronic rain and goa-nostalgy, making us also regret that Blenn turned to cheesy full-on for masses in the recent years. Slinky Nuns? Yes, please! Yum. It is also worth directing your receptors at bombs delivered by Etnica, Psychaos and Oforia. "Shadow Dance" by the Italian masters easily shows who was running the goa-world years ago. The similar case is with their cooperative tune made together with Joti Sidhu called "The Other Side Of Reality", where the artists give as a drifting track with an edge, while "No Name" delivered by Joti and Ofer is a thick, metallic goa-monster packed with isra-energy. Another positive side of this release is the new version of an old hit by Dimension 5, a group I consider to be among the most essential for the goa trance genre. I whole-heartedly advise you to check out the collaboration track made by Graham Wood from The Infinity Project and Serge (Total Eclipse) called "The Full Monty". It is an immensely hypnotic, 12-minute odyssey dipped in the mystery of cosmic oblivion, crafted in a progressing and consistent way from its first moments. This is how you create deep and absorbing tracks without the loss of quality and suspense, especially with such long tracks. The sight of Total Eclipse & Simon Posford being a part of the second CD is guaranteed to make a goa-freak's heart go wild. I was taken by surprise by the Germans from Zerotonine. Until now I had their image in my head as the guys who delivered quite raw tunes along with their "Cygnus Loops" album. "Two Faces" showed me their second nature - the artists are also great at making tracks in the style of energetic goa trance. Blue Planet Corporation, another prominent old-timer of the scene, did not let me down as well. He enriched the compilation with a goa-downtempo hybrid track. "High NRG" finds its way to the chapter of goa trance history filled with tracks like "Ambient Galaxy" or "Still Dreaming (Anything Can Happen)" by Astral Projection. There is also a Polish accent here, namely a piece of dynamic goa by Radosław Kochman (currently known as Sundial Aeon). "Aural Planet - Changing My Mind" is an energetic goa trance track depicting a worldwide class. The whole thing is underlined by a rather less known, but worthy of all attention project by Simon Posford. North Central Positronics are Posford and Ben Kempton plus some guy called Factor E. The first two gave the world a well-known psychedelic anthem called "LSD". "The Great Bear" is another tune with a soul on his compilation, throwing us into a vortex of multicolored psychoactive music. Of course one cannot forget about the rest of the tracks, whose creators are maybe not that famous as Simon or Boris Blenn, but they also bring a lot of enthusiasm and colors of those years onto the plate. I shall mention Mushroomman here, who I recall from the "Karahana" movie soundtrack. Here he showed that euphoric tracks do not have to be cheesy.

What makes this two-CD set of old-but-gold tracks even more interesting is that many of the artists presented here currently either create music in an entirely different way and styles, sometimes less attractive for psychedelic fans, are not that active as they used to be, or one does not hear almost anything about them (example being Doof). I also have to mention about the important element of this compilation, which is the 12-page booklet. One can find here interesting stories about the origin and process of creation of all 20 tracks. A fine addition to the compilation's retro-value indeed. The compilation is limited to 604 printed copies - the number could not be more significant. The goal behind "Mind Rewind" is very honorable, as all profits go for the Goa-based charity Children Walking Tall.

Here is the proof that united we stand. The release of "Mind Rewind" is a great initiative I can only salute. I enjoy all historical releases and this one fits my needs perfectly. I think I will not overstate things here by saying that this release is one of the most important things in recent months, maybe even years, as far as this genre is concerned. I just hope that the compilation will be a treat not only for "old farts", but also people from the younger trance generation, because the educational qualities of both CDs are undeniable. Forget for a moment about all other reanimators of goa in new times - the essence is here. It is fruitless to search for two identical tracks here, as each is one of a kind and tells a different story, all in the spirit of the past years. This is what this music is all about - the vibe and variety. It is not a difficult task to release an album with 8-10 tracks which will sound as if they were copies from a copying machine, all with different titles. It seems to be the basis for the activities of many artists who create neo-goa sounds and who dive deep mostly into the world of sweet, melodic goa, forgetting that this music has many faces and exists in many forms, shades and flavors. The musical content of "Mind Rewind" leaves them far behind, proudly flexing its oldschool muscles and - most importantly - these are genuine muscles. Minuses? I liked some tracks more than some other, but this does not mean they are bad. The main disadvantage is that there are only two CDs - let that be a clear message for the DAT Mafia crew that we want more. Some time ago I read in one of the interviews that Astral Projection throughout all years of their existence created so many tracks that they could release dozens of albums and still have plenty left. Of course it is more than obvious that most of them are rejects which are destined to stay in the shadow till the end of times or are long gone, but surely a small fraction of them is worth considering. Many tracks are still waiting to best dusted off and given a new life. I challenge the DAT Mafia Recordings people and hope that "Mind Rewind " is not just a one-time thing. I also thank all of them for giving my ears and mind a large dose of oldschool vibe in its best form. One thing is for sure: not matter what I would write here - you have to listen to this.

Templar / http://www.psytrance.pl

Links:

http://02caf65.netsolhost.com/mr/mind_rewind.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Rewind/226487347402029

http://www.discogs.com/Various-Mind-Rewind/release/3056636

1. Quantum Mechanics

2. Ocean of neutrons

3. True Hallucinations

4. Culture Dissolution

5. Diviner's Mint

6. Mind Explorer

7. Take Off

8. Time is speeding up

9. The end of time

Romolo Cheri was one of the kings of our scene. This guy was a wizard of sound manipulation and a real Artist.

Unfortunately God himself liked his music so much he took Romolo in Heaven to write music for his heavenly parties.

Unlike his debut album which was great, but not that great this one takes everything that is great about his music and multiplies it. All nine tracks and I mean ALL nine tracks have this amazing Polyphonia spacey sound, where melodies come and go from the void and sounds made in other dimensions fly through your brain.

I know the description sounds cheesy, but it's true! This is pure psychedelic trance. It's not about the effects, it's not about the furious basslines, it's about the feeling you first felt when you listened to goa/psy.

A perfect album for any psy listener and don't let the darkpsy tab throws you off.

A masterpiece and the perfect way by Romolo to say goodbye to our world.

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/qfr/qfr1cd004.html

Artist: E-Clip

Title: Shuma

Label: Yellow Sunshine Explosion

Date: January, 2011

1. Live is enough

2. Asia Tribe

3. Crow

4. New level of being (feat. Egorythmia)

5. Chandra

6. Reactor

7. Nostalgic

8. Existence

9. Cosmic Energy

You ever have a friend or know someone that, whatever they attempted or did was successful? Answers in school came easily to them without really having to study. Or they just excelled in sports because they were naturally athletic. Maybe they were just in tune to things or maybe they worked their ass off and we never knew. When I was in optometry school I had a friend that used to smoke so much weed but was consistently at the top of the class. However they do it, it gets done and we are left to marvel at their accomplishments. Well this guy has that quality when it comes to music. This is Marko Radovanovic who released a psytrance album in 2008 under the name Beyondecliptica called Groove Technologies which was a superb album I thought. Well his friend Flegma rubbed off on him and now he delivers psy-progressive stuff under the moniker E-Clip. Every track I have heard from this guy is a deep and lush experience. Stories are told. So when I saw he was releasing his debut I knew I wanted to give it a try. I see that it was put out by YSE and...

I thought that was a label that had a rich past, but now only released not goa trance that said Goa Trance 97 on the cover. Hmmmmm....

No track by track review here. To be honest, it's hard to discern one track form the next. Well, that is until the last few tracks where he is on some serious Glowing Flame style sh*t. While some might view that as a negative I see it as an epic tale that lasts over an hour. It's a perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. The post-apocalyptic atmosphere is thick with long sweeps, echoing synths, and dreamy melodies that fade into each other. To me this wasn't dance music as much as a vehicle to transport you to outer space. It wraps you up and keeps you safe from the cold void while beats pound away as the cosmic lightshow unfolds right before your eyes. This is lush progressive trance at its best with a psychedelic edge and gets my vote so far as best progressive album of the year. I know, it's early....but it's awesome.

Jeez...I just wrote a f*cking promo.

Psyshop

Beatspace

Goastore

Mdk

2011, Released by Sun Station Records

01 - Kadasarva - World Of Tomorrow (145 BPM)

02 - Kadasarva - Quaternion (144 BPM)

03 - Kadasarva - Cybermind (145 BPM)

04 - Kadasarva - Trylon And Perisphere (143 BPM)

05 - Submatukana - The Krypt (Kadasarva Remix) (142 BPM)

06 - Kadasarva - Ginger (147 BPM)

07 - Kadasarva - Quakers (144 BPM)

08 - Kadasarva - North Pole (143 BPM)

09 - Kadasarva - Amrita (144 BPM)

My favorite sample here is "Rachel, Kids, I'm sorry...", apparently from System Shock 2. I like it not only because it isn't from just another movie (or from one of those movies which are so common in our music), but also because it points to the vision the artist had. The steam punk theme is obvious from the album title of course, but I think it is admirable when there is a theme, or a vision, to be found at all, since most albums, of any genre, appear mostly a collection of good-enough-tracks; although for any competent artist, they will follow a singular individual style, theme or not.

The style of "Steamagination" is an interesting fusion of several sounds. Someone called it a throwback to the, so-called, good old days, but frankly I'm not sure that I have ever heard this sound in completeness before. There is a bit of Koxbox here though, I find. There are also plenty of gritty percussions that often sound great, some very tasty snares. The melodies are pleasing, never sublime, but always elegant and are not relied upon to carry the tracks. The second half of the album becomes a bit darker, a bit more chaotic; rhythm and darkpsy-like patterns become more important than melodies, in some of the tracks.

My favorite track is "Cybermind"; this thing is a beast, it twists and turns into and out of melodies and funky screaming rhythms.

Overall this is one of the most interesting and unique releases of the year for me, and it should appeal to lovers of all up-tempo psychedelia. Here is a score, because scores are fun:

4.5/5

Available for free on Ektoplazm

http://www.ektoplazm...-steamagination

Cronomi Records

2011

1. NK-47 - Snufkin Is Gone 3:56

2. Subra - Nervous Machine 7:04

3. Portamento - An Expert On Humans 8:54

4. M-Run feat. DJ Inada - Kapala 10:59

5. Lapsus - Holocron 8:21

6. M-Run - Goat Man 10:40

7. GoaMech - Synthesized Not Yet 11:25

8. E-Mantra - Perihelion 8:46

9. New Born - We Are Nothing But Dust 7:42

Why?

I just did my first listen and as everyone knows if you are quickly enthused about something and talk about it, it's going to sound like you are hyperbolic about it. You usually seem simply over-enthused and think it is the greatest thing in the world and later it turns out how it is not this, but then there's a thing called an experience. You can't relive something 100% accurately and if that something is so good that it completely engulfs you, it is worth sharing and this is why I am writing this now.

When?

This compilation is something special. It is the culmination of neo-goatrance. Suntrip gave it a new life, metaphysical continued it, phototropic picked off where metaphysical left. Kagdila also has been along on the ride and then new labels like Dimensional and Lookinglook that are starting to release new goatrance. And with all of this DAT Records has been able to release unreleased old goatrance for the pure old schoolers. Cronomi on the other hand has successfully made something that has been left alone for so long. Their compilations Freshly Cut Tomato and People Walk Funny gave a glimpse of the darker, purely psychedelic side of modern goatrance, then they released Artha which is generally considered somewhat of a hallucinogen right now with his completely different take on neogoa. Then there was a darker compilation from Suntrip called Temple Of Chaos that also successfully sparked some darker goatrance though not completely. So, up until now, most of what has been released has been danceable, trippy at times, ultra-melodic and brighter, uplifting goatrance mostly which some like to call fluffy goatrance.

Where?

All of this has been leading to this point in time where a new evolution has come across. Right here, right now. This compilation is raving psychedelic goatrance. I could say it's dark neogoa, but this is not how I honestly feel about it. It is different than simply dark. While I was listening to this, tons and tons of emotions were sparked. I felt shocked, joyous, happy, full of inspiration and energy. I was traveling through Motherships, Space, Alien Cities, Area 51 type twisted research facilities. I was in utter disbelief at times at what was I witnessing. The ride it gave me was wondrous, magical, almost enlightening. What this is, is 100% true soul successor to what once made goatrance so amazing in the 90s. Yes, eastern melodies and trippy fun grooves came from there as well, but the darker side, up until now, has mostly been untouched. The richness of this compilation is palpable in this aspect. Think of Cydonia or X-Dream with their dark and aggressive tracks modernized. The soul and direction is what they had. The quality of the tracks is utterly astounding. The sounds, melodies, leads, atmospheres, basslines, details are all immensely rich, psychedelic, twisted and the production is huge. The mastering here I cannot for the life of me ever begin to complain about. And a tiny thing that also completely shocked me that I find worth sharing were the samples. The samples used are freaking AMAZING. Ridiculous.

Full review

Please use samples provided in links to buy it to get a better idea along with my words.

CLICK FOR SAMPLES

NK-47 - Snufkin Is Gone

NK-47 starts this wicked, twisted compilation with a considerably long intro. Usually intro's are around 1-2 minutes but here we approach a whopping 3.57! I very often think intros are really good and too short for what they offer. They always seem to have a strong, strong storytelling aspect to them and this is no different. An echoing caveish noise with water moving through in a river, organs arrive that make the mood absolutely sinister. Samples arrive "oh god, so alone" and a answer to that. Then sounds that remind of harmonica arrives that just further make the atmosphere twisted and spoooky. Some swirling effects and sparkles fly around in the atmosphere. "You delivering his package isn't that weird?" "It's not weird at all". Bassline is is dim, crystalic melodies move around and then it comes to a twisted chilling end. I Personally love this. It creates such an immense atmosphere, so much storytelling. I enjoy this so much I'd love a whole album with a style like this. And it is weird to think this is made by a guy who made just simply melodic neogoa ala UAF style.

Subra - Nervous Machine

Subra aka Mike A aka Cronomi's owner is back again and boy am I glad. He has that superB unique sound signature in whatever he touches. It's completely unique too as the kind of sound did not exist in the 90s at least as far as I know. Acid leads, sinister atmosphere, some chordish sounds lift this track off, big pumping bassline arrives, sparkles floating around like glowing flies. "The nervous system is a complex network of nerve cells and nerve fibers spread throughout the body." triggers the track forward at a steady speed. Constant acid lead, lots of different dark, twisted layers, some samples continue to push this track steadily. 3:37 takes a small break and makes you float around peacefully, the sample arrives yet again and then bassline comes back. Acid once again knobbed to hell and back, literally. This is so sinister and dark. A twisted melody arrives at 5:14. 6:34 the melody disappears and we float again towards the end. Trippy, pumping, drilling track. This is why I want a full length from Subra.

Portamento - An Expert On Humans

Next up comes a new track from Portamento. His sound has generally been a tad darker than others but I have had no real opinion on him yet. Again the track is greeted with a lengthy intro. Some scary sounds are heard in the background whilst walking towards a lost temple in the middle of a dense jungle. Something like dubstep reminiscent sounds come up at 0:40. 0:55 introduces these metallic alien growls, actually a really fitting and funny, though it doesn't really break any atmosphere, sample from Futurama arrives. It's as if the temple was in fact modern and alien on the inside as the jungly feel is a little lost by now. 2:26 acid farts! Young lady I'm an expert on humans (Referring to the male character 'fry' as a lady). 2:38 nasty growly acid farts prowl through like a strong current. Absolutely magnificent acid leads arrive at 3:08, atmospheric alien pads as well. 3:32 makes gives another tasty acid lead, melody starts growing at 3:50 and then when it finally arrives at 3:58 we are on for a ride. Absolutely mad twisted psychedelia atmosphere! 4:51 break time, we get a small rest before the re-incarnation of atmosphere and sample use again "is there a human doctor around" 5:34 growling acid that seems confined wanting to break out continues the ride. Acid lines and farts come back once again and it never stops being tasty. A melody arrives and starts to evolve around 7:32 where it just keeps messing with your head with all the sounds just flying everywhere. Powerful balls to the walls track. Re-reading what I wrote I think acid fart sounds so wrong when I refer to it being as tasty as well, but what can you do. It literally is acid farting by the way it sounds. Oh well.

M-Run feat. DJ Inada - Kapala

Here comes a debut from M-run with the help of DJ Inada. Track feels already like a heavy spaceship floating through space, some bouncing effects arrive, tiny star-like sparkles in the background. A BIG bouncing bassline arrives and the spaceship just turned on it's engines. Tasty acid bounces and - what is this; pleadian-esque synths? It can't be! I am in love with these sounds! Some inwards synths, a completely spaced out melody arrives at 2:50ish. Metallic Pleiadian birds floating around and 3:17 HOLY SHIT BLASTOFF! This absolutely insane magnifico power so twisted and psychedelic. 3:47 some calmness and off again at 4:00 with even more power. Warp speed please! This is no ordinary spaceship this is a mothership that carries state of the art machinery. It calms a little to show there's so many simply cool layers and texturing on this track! Track picks off a little again and 5:11 again just simple rowling power with fan-tastic effects! 5:27 calmness, a great sample "mystical, spiritual... do I sound mystical or spiritual to you?" Bassline is back and we are on the road once again. Some tiny melodies again growing like unknown alien species. I find myself completely engulfed in the atmosphere. 7:32 Pumping power lift off once again. Just utter rollercoaster. Some more calmness to establish mood arrives as it was planned. We are arriving at our destination and 8:58 is just showing how sinister and alien the location is going to be. Some more madness ensues. Track slows down and leaves the listener wondering what would happen next. I really enjoy the fact this track takes constantly breaks, it bring a nice contrast to the production.

Lapsus - Holocron

"You will take us to the holocron!" Best sample ever? Maybe! It's fucking close if it's not though! It is SICKLY GOOD. The way it brings out such angry power coupled with the soundscape and editing. It makes my stomach turn just thinking how GOOD it is. This is lapsus, better known for his unique take on immensely aggressive goatrance. Baby of Filteria and Pleiadians if you could say that, at least the style reminds of such. The sound is absolutely unique though and this track is a complete and utter ride through dark sonic voyage of a futuristic location that houses a strong religion that is dedicated to gods of destruction. It's just simply sweeping through everything in its path with the rattling synths. A massive whirlwind, tornado, never stopping. The melodies are amazing and the bassline is so pumping and dark and the final melody at 6:50 is a complete head twister. This will rip through dancefloors no doubt.

M-Run - Goat Man

Here we have M-Run once again showing his talent. Bizarre alien sweeping, atmospheric futuristic halls. The doors are transparent and show captives but these aren't humans.. they're ALIENS! Sickly good bassline arrives at 1:10. We are walking through the halls of Area51 ala 2150. SuperB synths arrive. 2:00 sweeping acid leads. Twisted knobs turning 2:35 you just can't stop moving soon you will find something to run for... sample... 3:05 twisted mad psychedelia rip your head apart this synth work beats so many classics, fuck me it's so GOOD. This track makes me smile so much it's just so fucking good! The atmosphere is so perfect, the power is palpable - absolutely pure. The samples are so magnificent. This track actually brought tears to my eye. It's so fucking good. This is just so goddamn good. I love it from the bottom of my heart. I CANNOT stress this enough. PERFECTION. AND IT LAST ELEVEN FREAKING MINUTES!!! AND THEN THERE'S 7:18 THAT TRANSCENDS EVERY SPIRIT ON EARTH TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN WHERE EVERYONE GETS EVERYTHING THEY EVER WANTED AND THE WORLD BECOMES WHOLE. This is actually me being in ecstasy. How many tracks have done this to me? None. Ok, a couple have done things extreeeeeeemely similar(que Sky Technology - Reactor Of Life, Merr0w - Citrus Circus, Pleiadins - Maia.) but this just takes it one step further. M-Run have my babies.

GoaMech - Synthesized Not Yet

First things first. This name is badass. Goamech, it sounds like an epic destructive anime mech in the spirit of Gundams. Though that is to give more of the general idea, as I doubt many of you ever heard of Vanquish. Just dub this track on

E-Mantra - Perihelion

Suddenly, gripping dense gloomy atmosphere fills every inch of the space. Star-like tiny details start floating and sweeping around. Bassline thumps a journey moving at a steady pace till 3:25 where a melody appears that intensifies the dark void of space. It is so deep that I would actually say it brings a layer of spirituality. 5:20 another melody much more sinister this time arrives. The track then continues the ride towards the end where a more hopeful melody sinks in for a small period and then echoiy empty sounds take us till the very end. Nothing overly major happens through this ride but what a ride it is. This track is all about pure atmosphere, groove and those it has, loads and loads.

New Born - We Are Nothing But Dust

Old school styled acid bassline with groovy tweaking is greeted. Growling metallic synths amidst the soundscape and the hihats arrive. Really cool echoing melodies continue and then comes a growing melody that is constantly upping the ante little by little. Break comes, twirly acid melodies everywhere. Then a soothing but trippy melody arrives and takes off at 3:55 where it shows a little bit of upliftingness. Additional joyous playful melody arrives at 4:35 which continues till the very end - leaving the compilation with more of a happy accomplished feeling rather than something sinister and dark.

In my opinion this is a revolution when it comes to Goatrance. This experience I had was amazing and unique. In the bright sunshine filled scene, this acid drenched infested trip is like from another planet and, hopefully, changes things. Thank you to all of the artists who contributed and thanks to Cronomi for getting this released. And please, people, check it. I cannot stress this enough. Do it.

Some label thoughts on this compilation.

Where to get it and samples?

http://beatspace.com/dettagli/dettaglio.aspx?id=6137

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/crm/crm1cd004.html

http://www.goastore.ch/product_info.php?products_id=4324

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=8713

Also you can private message DJ Inada aka HappyHorse if you want to order directly from the label and please do so as it 100% supports the label!

http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?/user/4387-happyhorse/

Discogs Details

http://www.discogs.com/Various-Erta-Al%C3%A9/release/2776370

Space Tribe Music, 2011

CD 1

1. A Pinch Of Psychedelic

2. Spiritual Experience

3. Single Dose

4. All Reality Is Virtual

5. Astral Body Surfing

6. See The Light

7. Short Term What??

8. Giants

9. Kikkin' Up Some Dust

CD 2

1. 3rd Eye (Spacebase Mix)

2. Alien Attack

3. Alternate Future

4. Total Disintegration (Guitar Mix)

5. Wacko

6. Spiritual No Body

7. Time Warp (Guitar Mix) (feat. Jon Klein)

8. Mid Summer Night's Dream

9. Deep Purple Haze (Star Spangled Mix)

The second part of "Space Tribe Continuum" is another chapter of a trip through time and space continuum with Olli Wisdom along the rhythm by Space Tribe. This two-CD collection gathers Space Tribe tracks from the time period of 2001-2010 and strongly underlines the collaborative character of Olli's tunes. While in the first part of "Space Tribe Continuum" among 18 tracks five of them were created with three other artists (Simon Posford, Electric Universe and Psywalker), here the proportions are entirely different. Out of the 18 tracks presented here only four of them are solo Space Tribe tunes. The rest was made with other artists, namely GMS, Absolum, Menog, Electric Universe, CPU, Psywalker, Sirius Isness and Mad Maxx. On one hand cooperation with his fellows in crime made the Space Tribe profile a bit more attractive, on the other hand it is not so good as one would suspect. It is easy to see that with the dawn of a new millennium the head of Space Tribe Music fell into a routine hole, which can be clearly heard in his tracks, even if they are coproduced with others and bear some other signatures than Olli's. Moreover, Olli went too easily with the current of new musical trends and was ultimately left with the content similar to the rest. Somewhere there one can still grasp his unique character, however it was watered down for the sake of being cool. This collection has its moments (for example "See The Light" or "Kikkin' Up Some Dust"), but as a whole it does not strike as being good, especially when contrasted and compared with his earlier, more interesting output. It is better to get a hold of the first part of "Continuum" and stop there. Especially concerning the fact that the times depicted here are not so distant.

Templar / http://www.psytrance.pl

Links:

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/stm/stm2cd011.html

Artist: Perfect Blind

Title: Three Spires

Label: Omnitropic

Date: February, 2011

1. Ethernion II (92 BPM)

2. Nimbus Cloud (99 BPM)

3. Shrouding (108 BPM)

4. Exosphere (108 BPM)

5. Train Of Thoughts (2009 Mix) (108 BPM)

6. Passing Nebulae (113 BPM)

7. Coming Home (85 BPM)

8. The Three Spires (72 BPM)

This is Igor Ceranic and if you have been reading my reviews, you should know who he is. Hailing from Zagreb, he is the mind behind the Deimos project and seemingly masters every release under the sun. Having released a few EPs under the Perfect Blind name this is his debut. It actually came out before his Ep Surfacing. Some reviews require a track by track commentary, but not this one. I can sum it up in one sentence, really.

Holy sh*t this was good.

This release was all about the cosmic downtempo, perfect for getting carried away. There are numerous layers to get lost in. It's not sleepy ambient, but rather dreaming while wide awake music because you don't want to miss anything. There are visions of colorful nebulae, undiscovered planets, and heavenly views from a large bay window on the spacecraft. It would start slowly and then gather all its parts and ride it like a surfer does a wave. Only then would it slowly deconstruct leaving the listener with a moving experience. Layers of synths provide deep stretches of meditation. Every sound is crystal clear, no matter how much stuff he puts in there. Half the fun on repeated listens is following each of the sounds and seeing where they go. The final track is only 2 minutes, but I can literally feel like I was hovering under a star ship as the sun peeked from the other side of a planet. Amazing.

Ektoplazm

Mdk

Artist: Blue Lunar Monkey

Title: Here & Now

Label: Tycho Records

Date: April, 2011

1. Anahatha
2. Oneness
3. Guerreros Arcoirirs (feat. Deva Sofia, Rupesh Anand)
4. Two Vines (Ayahuasca)
5. We are connected (feat. Wendy Stock)
6. Metta
7. You're not alone (feat. Wendy Stock)
8. Dissolution
9. Here and Now (Ethernal rmx)

"You see we all know what reality is, but we cannot describe it."

Reality is two kids that want your attention 24-7. A Jeep that works when it wants to and a dryer that doesn't. Reality is having me and my daughter puke our guts out and then next night having my wife and son take their turn. When the dryer doesn't work and kids are puking things get real. I could use a little unreality.

Now here's one that probably flew under a lot of people's radar. Daniel Gradilla from Mexico has released one of the most relaxing albums I've heard in a while. This is chock full of soft melodies and gentle percussion. Dubby bass and real world instruments are all over this thing while samples speak of the mind and reality. This is sit on the beach and watch the tide roll in type music. It's slow pace and head nodding goodness will give you that Calgon take me away feeling. Most of the tracks are fairly long allowing plenty of new leads and melodies to take shape. The light strum of a guitar and sounds of nature are extremely calming.

Recommended.

Psyshop

Beatspace

Goastore

Mdk

Artist: Koan

Title: Circe's Touch Remixes Vol. 1

Label: Section Records

Date: December, 2011

1. Circe's Touch (Original)

2. Circe's Touch (Asura Remix)

3. Circe's Touch (Krusseldorf Remix)

Koan is a Russian duo who have been at the forefront of chill-out music.  Have you been to their Discogs page?  Take a look over there and see how many releases they have.  Plenty to explore.  Which lead me to this digital ep.  You get the original of course which is tear jerkingly beautiful and full of emotion. Heavyweight Asura lends a remix and the beauty continues.  By far the most interesting was the deep and warm bass heavy version by Krusseldorf.  Eerie and delightful at the same time.  I was hoping to get most of their albums from their Bandcamp page, but only a few are listed.  Had to go to Beatport.

Check it out.

Beatport

Artist: Liquid Jungle

Album: High Toxicity EP

Label:Acid Chemical Plant Records

Date: February 12, 2011

1. High Toxicity (7:03)

2. Ethanol (7:26)

3. Overflow (6:58)

4. Wasteland (7:09)

High Toxicity

Nice blend of acid and psytrance. The acid lines build and evolve over an amp-sequenced vocal pad that gives that great spooky, haunting vibe. The middle part builds up energy as it focuses on the acid leads, and the last couple minutes bring back the haunting sound with the vocal pad as it comes in again after breaks. This song mixes the best of both worlds - the familiar acid sound of multiple layers of 303, some high and screeching and some low and growly, with what to me is the essence of classic trance - repetitive parts that evolve slowly over time and build energy until they put your mind on pause so the body can flow and the soul can bask. An amazing mix of darkness and euphoria. A+

Ethanol

This song is much more on the acid techno side, but with trance's beat and tempo. It starts out aggressive and doesn't stop. There's really nothing to this song other than the 303 parts, and that's a good thing. There's some breaks in the usual trance fashion, but framed by full-on acid. The evolution of the 303 loops is masterful. A

Overflow

This song is pretty typical acid techno at a higher than normal tempo. I don't really have anything to say about it; it's not terribly interesting. It still draws my attention because of the screeching 303 lines (I'm a total sucker for them!) but overall there's not much to this song.C+

Wasteland

This has a real old-school trance style, and even the 303 lines conform to it. While "High Toxicity" and "Ethanol" combine an acid techno-style 303 with trance, this is all trance which uses acid-sounding 303 lines that fit into a trance paradigm. A

I've listened to some of Mr. Santos' music as he's announced various releases here on Psynews, and I've searched out a few things elsewhere. As I said, I'm a total sucker for acid. I've liked most of what I've heard, but after listening to this EP, I have to unequivocally say that Filipe Santos is an official Jedi Master of the TB-303. Seriously, with the exception of "Overflow", this EP made me want to dance in my living room like I was still 20 and at a rave no matter what my roomates thought.

Artist: Space Tribe

Title: Peak Experience

Label: Space Tribe Music

Date: November, 2011

1. Peak Experience (vs Mad Max)

2. Destiny (vs Laughing Buddha)

3. Real Simulation (vs Dickster)

4. Just say yes!! (vs Mad Maxx)

5. One Drop (vs Laughing Buddha)

6. Distorted Reality (vs Tristan)

7. Beyond Words (vs Dickster)

8. Gene Machine (vs Laughing Buddha)

9. The Bomb (vs Johan Bley)

Few things are sadder than watching an icon fall from the mountaintop.

I think she just gave me eye chlamydia

Did you watch the Superbowl Madonnapalooza halftime show? It was like a 16 minute commercial pandering to the audience. That Madonna...always good at seeing which way the wind blows. "Look at me! Pay attention to me, I'm still relevant! I'm still cool, look...I work with Nikki Minaj and M.I.A. (who?) and those guys that keep on shufflin!" And Cee-Lo what the f*ck man? You looked like the fat black Keebler Elf they keep in the back to break down the truck.

Nobody wants to see a 53 year old grandmother hobble around the stage lip synching to bad music. I can do that at my na-na's house. I get you were an icon and you truly were. Changed the game and had an tremendous impact on girls (and unfortuanately lots of guys). But that was two decades ago. Life changes. We as a people evolve as technology evolves and the torch gets passed. You time was during the introduction of the first cell phone and Ferris Bueller.

We have the internet now...we know where to find you.

This is Olli Wisdom one of the true legends in our little corner of music who's been banging out tracks for more than 15 years. From my window he released a bunch of albums early in his career that were more memorable for the flashy colors and pictures than any of the sonic material on the inside. But I still sought them out and collected them because that's the kind of anal guy I am. A completionist. It wasn't until the middle of last decade that he really popped up on my radar with the albums Time S-T-R-E-T-C-H and Thru the Looking Glass. Full of power, melody, and acid explosions and boy I was hooked. I really enjoyed his collaboration with Electric Universe as EsP. His last album Electro Convulsive Therapy in 2008 had some real stormers on it but it also had tracks that had you scratching you head, wondering what the f*ck he was thinking.

So where is he now? Looking at the tracklist impressive names abound so here's hoping that he maintains his footing and doesn't plummet like Boris Blenn did. I mean did you actually hear Higher Modes?

Peak Experience (Kailash Rmx)- "Well this calls for a joint, wanna do the honors?"

The first teamup is with Max Peterson who had a fantastic debut with After World in 2008. You'll be seeing him again, but this has a full-on foundation with repeated samples and little in the way of meat. Kinda just goes through the motions but has a nice synth line near the end. Not bad, but I have heard much better and deeper tracks from both artists.

Ummm....is that joint still on the table?

Destiny- "A single moment that takes you out of yourself. Makes you feel very tiny or very large to some extent one with life"

Jeremy Van Kampen is one half of Cosmosis and released the underwhelming Sacred Technology waaaaay back in 2010 under the Laughing Buddha project. Already the acid quotient is higher and that makes me smile. It bubbles at times but my favorite part is the 303 lead that slowly growls in volume that reminds me of the meat locker scene in Blade with all the vampires. They add effects and take a rather thin track to thicker status as it all comes together at the end. Better.

Real Simulation- "They discovered that you may not be real."

Dick Trevor has been around for a decade or so and more often than not has nailed that British, hypnotic sound. Acid waves screech by and this is even more promising with the pumping bass line and effects. It's more detailed with echoing leads and lasers firing from all directions. The signature move of Olli is to twist and manipulate a sample and he does that here. The layers begin to stack and a new melody arises while the acid flies. Good stuff.

Just Say Yes!!- "If you smoke marijuana...you will become a unmotivated dysfunctional loser."

While that may be true, you could also marry a surgeon and become a stay at home Dad to two kids. But yeah, I see where you're going...

Max is back and he brought his distortion pedal with him. But they also brought the bouncy leads and acid whip. Now normally I don't go for guitars in my psytrance. But the crunch isn't bad even though they might go a little overboard here. It's hit or miss really. I'm sure some will love the far away scream of the guitar and some will throw their headphones across the room. Not me.

No, that was saved for the painful stop and start samples that included Obama (yes I'm not kidding) saying "Yes we can."

And then for the ahem...guitar solo. So what did I do? Well, I actually just shook my head, but this was what I wanted to do.

One Drop- "One drop...that's all you need. Can't be greedy. I guarantee you'll see the world with new eyes. Trick is...you have to let it take you in. Follow it. Soak it in."

Hey Jeremy's back! Everybody Jeremy's back!!! The acid wash stutters like the Kings Speech and then the tempo changes. Doesn't last too long before that acid returns and it brings it's friends. That and the sample are the stars here. Good stuff again.

Distorted Reality- Tristan Cooke is another one that has been around for a long while. They begin with a heavily modulated lead but it's the next one over top of it that has my attention. They continue to build on things and it gets better and better as the track moves along. By 5 minutes this thing is stickier than model airplane glue. Easily my favorite as it sees a return to former Space Tribe greatness.

Good show mate.

Beyond Words- "It was a life changing experience. It goes beyond words."

Dick part 2. And they take a little effects trip before it gets going. Hallucinatory samples get monkeyed with and then they bust out the lead. It slows down and then gets all reggae on you. Pretty smooth transition. But it's the buildup that I didn't care for. As far as I'm concerned that is a momentum killer. The end has a screaming 303 but what am I supposed to do? Forget that middle bit ever happened? Can't do it. Just.Cant.Do it.

Gene Machine- "The subatomic world of DNA."

I typed that, but the way the sample was played with it would stretch about 2 lines. Jeremy again? What are you guys, dating? Anyway, you can really make a Space Tribe track out with they way he f*cks with samples. You ain't changed a bit Olli. The first 3 minutes are white noise to me but that echoing lead has me by the short and curlies. Awww shucks. I can't stay mad at you Olli. It picks up in intensity and adds layers flying with a space vibe. Pretty good.

The Bomb- "We've had time now to see and study the effects of LSD."

The synths shine and this one feels darker. But the guitar....sorry I just don't like it. It dominates and I can't concentrate on the synth parts. Not for me.

There are a few things you can count on with a Space Tribe release. The font on his album, numerous drug samples, and a heavy dose of acid. And all that is represented here. So why do I feel...unfulfilled? The tracks were fine mostly, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Power, a presence...something. There was something in all of the tracks that I liked, but other than Distorted Reality it lacked that blistering few that can carry an album. Good parts surrounded by the not great with maybe a little too much relying on samples. To be honest, this sounds like it could've been made 5 years ago. And that's cool, because I have plenty of music from 5 years ago that I liked. But when I compare it to the two albums I mentioned in the intro it pales in comparison. So let me say that it's good. Not top of the mountain good, but maybe just below base camp good. I don't normally rate it, but if I had to...4/5

Psyshop

Beatspace

Saiko Sounds

Goastore

Mdk

Artist: Logic Bomb

Title: The Grid

Label: TIP.World

Date: December, 2011

1. Checksum

2. Kalibrator

3. Bitter Hitter

4. Sinister Science

5. Sonic Algebra (High Octane Remix)

6. The Grid

7. 4th Dimension

8. Knorrar

9. Frontline

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. I know I did. There is nothing like watching your 2 year old son tear into some wrapping paper to get his gift and then play with his toys for hours. Yeah, I loved Christmas as a kid, but this was 10 times better.

But let's not lose sight of the reason for the season.

A new Logic Bomb album.

Did you like Sonic Algebra? F*ck yeah, damn near only algebra I did like. Has it really been 4 years? Wow. You're old. This is now a duo Johan Krafft and Jonas Pettersson from Sweden who have quite the history in this genre. At it for over a decade, they haven't lost any steam. When most old schoolers come back the results can be, how can I say this politely...disappointing. As I've mentioned before when dealing with this, it is a no win situation for them. Stay true to your roots and people will say you haven't grown or evolved a lick...try something new and you've turned your back on what made you great. And for them to release on TIP Records? Only possibly the greatest label ever in the history of goa trance which I'm sure you could argue. So do they still have it? I mean, Sweden already has beautiful forests, that chef from the muppets, Henrik Lundqvist, hot chicks, the bikini team...No, you know what...f*ck you Logic Bomb. F*ck you. How dare you have so much.

Well guess what...they just took it to another level.

Checksum- This is a psy-progressive monster that shimmers and shines. Deep beats and warm melodies. It says, here I am...love me.

Kalibrator- What began as the smallest snowflake falling from the grey sky soon became the reason your insurance is so high.

Ooohhhh...did that just happen? It says no parking during daylight hours dipsh*t. Now however is little Stevie gonna get to badminton practice?

The track is full of groove and bursting at the seams with sounds. Steam is picked up as it bumps along, bouncing and bubbling with sharp echoes and thumping percussion. Like a truck that starts slowly, but get the f*ck out of the way when it hits gear 4.

Bitter Hitter- "I want you to lie back with the eyeshade on and the headphones...and let the music carry you now."

Sparkling synths mask the evil intent as this tumbles forward. Soft tones tap out an outer space melody as the momentum builds. Man it sounds great, who did the mastering Jesus? Once the break hits, these guys prove they haven't lost the goa touch as layers coalesce in a spiraling array. Pretty heavy, hey dude?

"Girls back in 45 minutes or Milt cuts your balls off."

If you know this movie you're an old f*ck just like me. They don't make 'em like this no more.

Sinister Science- Of course they can do full-on. Why would you ask me that? It has nice bass sweeps and a big melody with cool effects so it's not your everyday generic piece of crap. But it's a long track, so did you think they were going to leave it at that?

Seriously, you did didn't you?

Somehow it morphs into a new direction that takes it's time. So subtle I didn't even realize it. We got storytellers here Marge...storytellers. Not bad at all.

Sonic Algebra (high octane remix)- This was my favorite track on their last album so I'm curious to see what they can do to improve on something so good. Ever see one of those supermarket sweeps where you tray and fit as much sh*t into your cart before time runs out? It's like that. Shimmering waves of sound reflect off the ocean and I think I just tripped over a dirty hippie. Fluttering effects, descriptive breaks, and dark melodies provide a gateway into their past lives, as this brings the dark smackdown in a powerful eruption. Bravo gentlemen.

The Grid- "I try to picture clusters of information as they move through the computer..where the circuits are like freeways. I kept dreaming of a world I would never see. Then, one day..."

Oscillate. Vibrate. Try not to hate. Masturbate. That how it goes? Another full-on track, but they way these guys tell a story it is totally inviting. Not just straight ahead, but taking different approaches with a beautiful melody that is epic in nature. What began as dark transformed into light. And then once you get nice and comfy in your "put everything in its box" snuggie they light that b*tch on fire. With your grandma in it.

Poor f*cking dog. I hope he sh*ts on your blanket.

4th Dimension- Oh f*ck there's a 4th dimension now. I just got a 3D TV, you think Best Buy is gonna take that back? Yeah, me neither. As they like to do they pepper you with effects. The layered melody is like a staircase of sound, so fluid yet stable. It's epic trance massive but with Logic Bomb subtleties that showcase their ability to do it a little bit differently. Ahhh, but what was just so sunny and jovial a few seconds ago just pissed all over your outdoor festival as the dark clouds begin to roll in. Nice work. Very nice.

Knorrar- "As usual this recording will decompose one minute after the breaking of the seal."

Can anyone use better samples and set the mood better than these guys? Anyone? Me likey the undulating tones plunging me into the darkness. More outer space samples as the moelody kicks a hippie with a 604 tatoo. This is how you do dark goa, smooth and with patience. There's more changing of melodies than you can shake a stick at and just like my son's diaper they keep it dark. Nah, just kidding. He's getting good at the whole potty thing. To maintain the vibe with so many changes is a true talent indeed. This track gang rapes all other tracks in the universe...and then makes them toss its salad. Sorry, been watching way too much Lockup.

Frontline- Their melodies are so outer space and the sounds they use are spectacular. This one gurgles, making sure all their ducks are in a row. Fullness, the likes of which haven't been seen since Thanksgiving dinner echo in the form of synths and effects across distant nebulae. Warm and inviting this track goes down easier than your sister when I took her to McDonalds.

Really? You don't have 4 bucks for a combo meal?

What a journey. The guys have still got it. Layers upon layers with ever changing focus. There is no opportunity to become bored with this. The mood can shift from bright to dark and back again all in the same track. As I mentioned their sound is fluid and very ear filling with great melodies and sample use. Normally I think the guys (or girls...girls can be stupid too) who write promos are on a glue sniffing binge, but they may be on to something here. Best album of the year? Maybe.

http://www.psyshop.c.../tip1cd907.html

http://www.beatspace...rid/detail.aspx

http://www.saikosoun...ase.asp?id=8941

http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4721

Mdk

Artist: Toxic

Title: Mind Poisoning Music

Label: Sonic Motion Records

Date: March, 2011

1. Back I Am

2. Dissorder (Remix)

3. Overdose

4. New Order

5. Go Head

6. Check It Out

7. El Diablo

8. Distortion

9. The Godfather

10. Total Control feat. Abomination

11. Destination Unknown

You realize to be poisoned is a bad thing right? Therefore you've just, you know, insulted your own album. Any of this sinking in?

Look I've never been the biggest fan of this project, but for some reason this found it's way to my hard drive. Since I don't download illegal things I have to assume it was merely part of some malware from some Russian porn that I also most certainly didn't download. And it is mal. Muy mal. Loud. Harsh. Build-upy. Stop and starty. Overly guitar friendly. F*cking hell this should come with an aspirin bottle. I'm thinking this is one final projectile vomiting fit, the last gasp from this project. And if it isn't...well it should be. But you never know. Take some time off, climb mountains, help the poor, and then perhaps come back and reinvent yourself.

I'd link to it, but...you don't want that kind of midget monkey porn.

Artist: Shantifax

Title: Delete Automation

Label: SarnarSchourt Records

Date: December, 2011

Artist: Various

Title: Art From The Heart Chapter II

Label: Old Is Gold

Date: August, 2011

01 - Jayex & The Wonderboy - Witchcraft Night (145 BPM)

02 - Radical Distortion - Evil Machine (142 BPM)

03 - Jikooha - Riot Here! Riot Now! (144 BPM)

04 - Qlipadelic Rythm - Ganesh Soul (140 BPM)

05 - The Wonderboy - Kings of Camouflage (145 BPM)

06 - Snag The Sunshepherd - Aura (146 BPM)

07 - NK-47 - Know No Silence (145 BPM)

08 - Hybrid FX - Shamar (148 BPM)

09 - Afgin - Cleopatra (143 BPM)

10 - ArmagedDance - Sun And Snow (136 BPM)

11 - ArmagedDance - Away From Eden (113 BPM)

God Awful.

Have you ever seen something and said that?

Nope that's just terrifying. I've never actually vomited spontaneously, but perhaps here...

Hey I"m a dog person, but this...f*ck where would you begin to try and pet this...abomination.

"Ok...I'll come peacefully. Let me get my fur coat." Need a lawnmower to shave that thatch. He is every cab driver I have ever had in NYC.

That's how I felt when I saw this cover. So ugly. So we've got flowers (opium maybe?) mountains, crazy colored clouds, the Earth I guess, and then...what the f*ck is that?

Riiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnggggg...yes, it's attention. I craves it. Aw f*ck it, if that's his way of expressing himself more power to him. It's a free country, but good luck finding a job that doesn't involve circus tents and cotton candy. And how does getting laid work? Can't imagine they're lining up for some reptile lovin. How bout that first visit to the girlfriends parents? Actually he's been married for almost 10 years so if that doesn't prove there is someone for everyone....and no she isn't a turtle. Guy's actually really smart.

So yeah, this cover is ugly. Maria, no offense but uh...I wouldn't put this on the resume. Less is more, and there is just too much "more" going on. But file this in the don't judge a book by its cover drawer, because there are some seriously good tunes to be found. As you can see this is the 2nd chapter in the Art From the Heart series and like its predecessor it is also free. It's a who's who in the genre of today's goa trance with some names I am sure you will recognize. And some not. But surely if you've been following this music, then you know of the label. They have released the 3 Golden Vibes goa trance compilations and of course the album when the world became aware of Uber-talent Afgin.

Witchcraft Night- I swear I've heard that tribal chanting sample, but I cannot put my finger on it. Hmmm...notice it's over 9 minutes and that gives me pause because normally I cannot take 3 minutes of Wonderboy tracks. Just my preference, but I feel he is a better compiler. But this one isn't bad. Flutes, bass sweeps and a general happy vibe until it shifts after 4 minutes. The break sees a return of the chanting sample and I have to admit the flow is very enjoyable. Good job.

Evil Machine-

Civil servants mistakenly believe they can save Sarah Connor by beating the sh*t out of one of HP's budget models. Alas the blows struck weren't fatal...and laser printers hold a grudge.

It's full steam ahead with power and multiple waves of melody. Gotta like the energy in this one.

Riot Here! Riot Now!-

"No more naps! I mean it...and get that f*cking cauliflower off my plate!"

Japanese badasses Jun Iwai & Masakazu Shimodi win the title of don't f*ck around track with a straight out of the box stormer that oozes with intensity. Layers of melody and the presence of some crunchy guitar that doesn't seem out of place. Boom.

Ganesh Soul- Very good track by this newcomer with yep you guessed it more layers of melody. He strangles one lead like I want to strangle those baloonheads on Fox News. Wipe that f*cking smirk off your face Steve Doocy! It loses the initial power it had, but it's still good for what appears to be the first release from this project.

Kings of Camouflage-

nothing to see here, keep it moving people.

Aura- I didn't hear his album. Was it good? This was a little too...full-oney for my liking. Pass.

Know No Silence- 18 year old (you sonofab*tch wipe that smile off your face!) Israeli Nadav Kahanowich makes some awesome goa trance. Melody + Power = wish I was 18 again. This is not your 4 on the floor type stuff. I mean yeah it gets to that, but it also has other interesting rhythms. He starts tacking on the layers for a pretty good track.

Shamar- Kinda has a simple bass line, a bunch of Indian(?) chants or vocal, especially the break. I think if I was bumping this in my car, they would think I was a terrorist. Then I would be brought in for questioning, they'd check my internet history (and I definitely don't want that) and then put on the no fly list...it's a whole thing. It's a little on the thin side, but still enjoyable and pumping.

Cleopatra- This gentleman needs no introduction and the soft Indian vocal means the promised land of bollywood can't be far away.

Man, he shows us how it's done. Bubbling synths and bass lines, layers of 303 madness, and just smooth as silk flow. It twinkles and then growls for a great ride. One of my favorites.

Sun and Snow- Artur Mataryan from Mother Russia has released several albums that are worth checking out. Here he brings rising and falling synths and layers of sound. It's got an outer space feel and is floaty. Good one.

Away From Eden- Artur again to close the compilation with a short downtempo track. Big pads and percussion form the foundation with a nice flute melody. Good way to end.

So it is what it is. Please overlook the cover and give this a try. Several styles of goa are represented with some good results. It's free so you have nothing to lose but time.

Ektoplazm

Mdk

Artist: Lucidstatic Vs. Human Error

Title: Wasteland Radio EP

Label: CRL Studios

Date: November, 2011

1.Rad-io

2. Epi(centre)

3. vap0.r.1zed

4. (Loose)lips(sinks)ships

5. Fire Breathing b-east

"The government has decided that in the present state of international tension you should be told how to best protect yourself from the dangerous effects of nuclear attack."

Found this on the bandcamp page for Lucidstatic. It was free so I didn't have anything to lose. This is a short ep that has nuclear disaster as a theme. Love the dark edgy stuff and this is gritty and scary made more so by the eerie melodies and 1950's samples about protecting yourself in the event of a nuclear attack. The first track and Loose Lips are a pile of mechanical breakcore noise and not to my taste. Epi(center), vap0r.r.1zed, and the last track however are downtempo industrial tracks that hit me just right. Slow and dark. It's a very brief ep, but if atmosphere and hard electronics are your thing you should check this out.

Lucidstatic Bandcamp

Artist: Deliriant

Title: Miracle Cure

Label: Nexus Media

Date: August, 2011

1. Edge of the Universe

2. Miracle Cure

3. Anti-God

4. Chronic

5. Face It

6. Peaches (Deliriant Remix) - Pitch Hikers, Shane Renew

7. One Sound Fits All

8. Final Thought

9. Recollection

A little to the left...a little more...ok, one step right....perfect! Smile!

This is what it feels like to have let this slip under the radar. Kind of a poor choice of words, because whoever was driving that tank obviously wasn't watching the radar.

Maybe it was me.

Between the new baby and this being the hiking season I haven't really been paying too much attention to music. Who am I kidding, I haven't been able to do much hiking at all. Be that as it may I will attempt to get my sleep deprived brain a new injection of music.

This is Shane Renew, another South African that can bring the power in that twilight style that I love. His first album Chemistry...c'mon. I just wanna....C'mon mother f*cker let me rename the link...Damn this updated and obviously smoother running board! Damn you to hell!

Actually, that's minor...I really like the new setup here.

As I was saying, Chemistry (link below) was astoundingly awesome and if you haven't heard it I urge you to purchase a copy.

http://www.psynews.o...__fromsearch__1

Wow, look at that old review. So sparse and...vacant. No pictures or nothin'. Anyway, this was mastered by sHiFt so it's got that going for it. Also, it is a digital only release as far as I can tell, so they apparently got tired of paying Joe Blow and Jill whoever the f*ck for CD costs, printing, and all that crap. I know some people love having the physical release, but let's be honest where are you gonna put it hippie? Something comes in means something goes out and we all know you're not gonna get rid of your bong. Yes, yes, we know you want a Kindle that plays music. Well they have that, it's called an mp3 player. Now you don't have to cart around all your Lil' Wayne Cd's. F*cker releases one every other week.

Edge of the Universe- "This is Earth. Silicon and oxygen based with a metallic core. It teems with life and rotates once every 24 hours while orbiting a star called the sun every 365 days. Let us travel now at the speed of light departing from our home star on a trip across the cosmos toward the edge of the known universe. Our imaginary journey begins when we prepare to launce into space at the speed of 186,000 miles per second."

With a crunchy beat and acid splatter the journey is underway. It's gutteral and feels like he just made Chemistry part two. Very groovy with dancing leads that combine in a bouncing melody. The break is also crystal clear bringing a bubbling synth to the front. Not storytelling rich, but it'll make you want to shake your ass in a co-worker's face.

"Yeah! Yeah, can you smell that? I had tacos for lunch!"

Miracle Cure- It sounds very futuristic and has me believing there is a miracle cure for all maladies.

"WHAT THE F*CK IS WRONG WITH YOUR FACE!!!"

So...maybe not a cure, but definitely some type of banishment. I see people in white coats with beakers full of colorful liquid and the whole environment is sterile. Sparkling leads ricochet off each other as lasers fire with reckless abandon. The acid starts flying with impunity and it was pretty good with a futuristic break. Not bad.

Anti-God- Toxic chemicals drip from metallic surfaces and a lead peeks out from the darkness, giving you just a taste. It begins slowly but at 4 minutes the synths take over and the groove kicks in. Acid lines flash brilliantly and the track ends on a strong note.

Chronic- I'm not about to review a track twice. You ain't payin' me. So here is what I wrote for the same track on the Secret Transmission compilation.

"So how long before we find the answer to the question we all really want to understand."

I thought this was ground that was covered. Three licks. Three licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop.

This is Shane Renew from South Africa with a track that is also on his 2nd studio album Miracle Cure. It's got some bounce as lasers fire from places of concealment. The lead is spacey and fat as he fades into a break but he then brings the acid back for a thorough soaking.

Face It- "Thank you ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to be with you today."

With a rolling synth arpeggio the dark mood continues. Thick acid leads are painted with a broad brush and true to form the climax gets uber groovy, but I just wasn't feeling this one. It's good, don't get me wrong, but in a way I also found it empty.

Peaches (Deliriant Remix)-

This was a great Pitch Hikers track off their Twilight Zone album. It bubbles but let's face it with that ominous synth you really can't go wrong. Would really like to know what the f*ck that has to do with peaches. You have scratchy synths, a f*ckton of acid and some pretty good groove going on. What Deliriant track would be complete without some lasers, am I right? Loved it. The only thing it needs is a midget firing a machine gun.

Ahhh...lovely.

One Sound Fits All- This is an alien lurking within the hidden corners of the spacecraft. This is you thinking you heard something, but can't locate it. It shows up as a blip on your heat scanner, but it's constantly shifting. Several times you thought you pinpointed its position only to find nothing. By the time you do find it, it's too late. It's large hulking mass is right behind you, ready to give you an acid soaking you won't soon forget. A good night time stomper this is.

Final Thought- More dark feelings emanate from this track and the first break makes me think of that scene in Alien where the creature slowly drops behind the unsuspecting victim. I really need to watch that movie again. The acid starts to fly like spittle from a hungry predator as the climax has a nice bit of groove to it as the arpeggiated lead spirals off into space. Not bad. Dark, acid heavy twilight stuff!

Recollection- Final track and it has a moderately paced swagger, like a firefight for all the marbles. Scratchy leads and acid blasts are the main course as they dance nimbly between artillery rounds. It's dark and introspective as more acid skitters away. Great way to close.

In the end this is exactly what you would expect from Deliriant. Acid heavy stomping psytrance. All of the tracks have a dark vibe and are very danceable. If you loved Chemistry then you will love this also. Congrats again to the crew at Nexus Media.

http://www.junodownl...ure/1786925-02/

http://www.beatport....cle-cure/392792

Mdk

Artist: Glitch

Title: Higher Definition

Label: Psybliminal Records / Ritual Records

Date: November, 2011

Mdk

Artist: Various

Title: Exploration of Space and Time

Label: Dimensional Records

Date: December, 2011

CD1:
1. Ekoplex – Close Your Eyes (6:17)
2. Jikooha – Eternal Dreams ( 8:53)
3. Cosmic Silence – Cosmogenesis 2012 (Jikooha Remix) (8:22)
4. PequalNP – Reimann Hypothesis (8:12)
5. Laughing Skull – Dry Bones Vision (8:27)
6. Psychomental – Transmitter (9:10)
7. Enichkin – Easy (7:40)
8. Lexx_Resident – Time Travel (10:31)
9. Crossing Mind – Optronic Circles (8:14)

CD2:
1. Enichkin – Blugdayushiv Zyuk (6:50)
2. Ekoplex – Forest Shaman (edit) (6:50)
3. Electrypnose – Where Is The Exit (8:24)
4. Sinhafazatron – Crysys (6:30)
5. Electrypnose – Until You Get There (7:02)
6. Enichkin – Is A (7:07)
7. Lexx_Resident– All The Answers In One Question (9:34)
8. Moodsyne – Synchrotron (7:41)
9. Laughing Skull – Fear & Laugh (8:24)
10. Overdream – Cloud Of Sound (8:03)

"I closed my eyes. The moment I did...the whispering became a cloud of sound."

Dimensional Records is a Belgian label that released some really good albums such as GoAsia's Dancing With The Blue Spirit, Liquid Flow's Presence, as well as Terrestrial Planet Finder by the Space Elves. This was an ambitious double CD (actually it could be called a 3CD compilation as the chill part of the story was released at a later date to save on shipping costs) that puts several subgenres together. I wanted to write a review, but I'm also feeling a little lazy so I'll write a short blurb about each track.

Close Your Eyes- A good head nodding opener in a break beat style.

Eternal Dreams- I believe I have just listened to the cheesiest Jikooha track ever.

Cosmogenesis (Jikooha Remix)- And now I have heard the 2nd cheesiest Jikooha track. Oof Oof music.

Riemann Hypothesis- I hate to say they peaked really early, but this is the track of the compilation. Storming goa trance that obliterates everything.

Dry Bones Vision- This is another goa trance track that races across the horizon. Searingly hot.

Transmitter- Dark and chunky full of Braincell-esque goodness.

Easy- Perhaps if it wasn't so easy he could've made a better track. I'm no artist, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to finish it before you submit your work. This won't be the last disappointment from this project.

Time Travel- This is a tale of two tracks. The lead in the 2nd half is awesome, but it seemed to take forever to get there. Don't give up though. It's worth it.

Optronic Circles- Just like E-mantra has a recognizable sound so does this titan of the genre. This track was on his last album Inner Shift, but I'm guessing this is the original version. Wonderful mid-tempo goa trance.

On to the second disc and some night time action.

Blugdayushiv Zyuk-

You got one more time buddy.

Forest Shaman (edit)- I'm a fan of his work, but this wasn't one of his best efforts. Not bad, but not great.

Where Is The Exit- The sultan of strange concocts a dark and chunky track headed the wrong way down a one way street. Sinful and full of evil thoughts.

Crysys-

Tastes like filler.

Until You Get There- The emperor of eerie (I'll stop) with a less aggressive track yet still unsettling. He's got a knack for atmosphere, always has.

Is A- And strike three you're out. Yeah I said it. Maybe his style is supposed to be like this. Bore trance.

All The Answers In One Question- Dark and spooky it begins with a twisted minimal vibe and eventually becomes thicker. Not bad.

Synchrotron- This is the best non-goa track here. Period. Love the brooding night time stuff that reminds me of what Azax used to be capable of. Holy sh*t this is bad ass.

Fear and Laugh- Nitzho kick with twilight? Meh, it had its moments.

Cloud of Sound- Annnnnnnnd...we go out with nothing special.

Let's see. If I had to sum up this compilation in one sentence...No I know I don't have to, but weren't you listening? I'm lazy.

This is a good compilation that offers some quality tracks in the goa and psytrance arena, but would be great if there was more PequalNP, Electrypnose and Moodsyne with significantly less Enichkin.

Psyshop

Beatspace

GoaStore

Beatport

Mdk

1. In the hands of the shaman

2. Machine Elf

3. The future's right now

4. Live and Let Live

5. Who's Nutty

6. Geomatrix

7. Telepathic Contact

8. All you need is spirit and nothing

9. You can be Shiva

10. The Acid Test

11. All senses vibrating

12. Loopy Loo

13. Dance like nobody's watching

14. Twitch!!

15. 2000 O.D.

16. Live what u love

17. You create your own reality

18. What is conciousness

With the regularity of objects orbiting in space, and just like Electric Universe, Space Tribe is serving us yet another album. Except that whereas both artists had similar "formulas" of putting a few gems surrounded by fillers to make a new album, lately they have parted their own ways with Electric Universe joining the full-on bandwagon whereas Space Tribe is turning back to his oldschool roots. Well, this time aound he decided to give us a comp with former releases, and considering his incredibly prolific career there was a LOT to choose from, hence the double-CD and which is only "vol.1" so there is understandably more to come.

Now the thing with all these "remember the good ol' days" comps is that they are great for people who are new to the scene since they can just get the best of the best in one release without bothering to dig around to find the occasional gem. However with oldies like myself who have followed Space Tribe for year and years, chances are high you'll probably know all these tracks already so it will be of no real interest... The only track that I didn't already know was You Can Be Shiva which is oooold (think pre-goa old), and even though it's a nice listen from a historical point of view it's not really that good.

That said, I'm greatful he only chose one track from his "singing period", You Create Your Own Reality which was his worst period IMO, he'd like ruin his tracks by singing on top of them. Thank God that period is over

So if you're new to the scene and want to get a general view of Olli's past this is a great buy, otherwise I'd give it a pass...

Gesundheit.

You know, in 2011 our cup truly runneth over. If you love goa trance as the majority of us do, then you cannot help but be pleased with this years output. The dust has just begun to settle from Artifact303's Back to Space and the label that has resurrected melodic goa trance has delivered another release from a titan of the genre. Romanian Emmanuel Carpus is responsible for the absolutely stellar space exploration goa trance epic Arcana in 2009 and aims to pick up where he left off. Questions abound of course since he is the reigning king of goa at the moment. Did his style evolve? And if so, what shape did he take? Will we all like it? Will there still be people that complain?


Pathfinder- "If intelligent life could evolve here on Earth, then why not elsewhere? We'll be the first generation alive to find out."

The beginning breathes like something alive and this track could very well have been on Arcana. Filtered leads spiral through space as the layering increases. It's a meteor shower with chunks of melody that break up as it hits an alien atmosphere. Shimmering and sparkling with some light touches that you could actually reach out and hold.

Metamorphic Resonance- The space vibe continues with more bubbling synths and warm layers. There is a feeling of great distance and mammoth size with tracks like this. As if light speed wasn't fast enough. Churning and turning over as nameless moons pass by in silent watch. Welcome to deep trance. Population...all of us.

Dansul Ielelor (Neurosect Edit 2011)- Here is the first remix of a track that was on Arcana and it isn't long before that recognizable melody appears. But only briefly. I look up and 5 minutes have bone by in the blink of an eye. Sharp 303's snap in the friction of space as one lead tumbles over another. All in a race to reach the planet's surface. Delicious.

Valley of the Kings- While not a Nitzhogoa track per se, this is as close as Emanuel gets. The kick says nitzho, but the melodies sparkle with goa energy. Leads twist and ricochet off each other in his most powerful showing yet. His signature dark and drifting style is present with loads of layers. It doesn't get more outer space than this.

Above the Skies- Clearly we have crossed a line into a more aggressive style as this one comes out swinging. Leads crawl from dark places like tendrils from some unknown beast. His breaks are short and only there to change the direction of the track. The leads blur and shimmer like a mirage as they stike and then fade. Wow.

Distant Signals- What sets this track apart is the length of the break as the intensity builds. The leads continue to echo and even seem more tactile with sharper attack rates. It plows straight ahead like a comet with numerous off shoots.

Afterglow- Melodic droplets stir the surface of a vast body of water. This is a lighter track with its feet firmly planted in deep trance as much as goa. The drifting continues with a 303 sparkle and bite. Layers increase as the track moves on. There is a mystery about this one as if unearthing a tomb from long ago.

Approaching Nibiru (Eleusyn Remix)- This is the 2nd track from Arcana to be remixed. Floaty and distant like watching a pitched battle from a safe vantage point. It's short, but has powerful arpeggios that act as guide rails with a screaming 303 in protest.

Deep Descent- Here is where this album separates itself from Arcana. No stranger to downtempo, Emmanuel brings a slow, pensive feel to this outer space jaunt. Astronauts converse as mystical synths uncoil. Warm pads reveal a massive horizon or maybe the rubble of a destroyed civilization. The winds of change are blowing my friend as this melancholy tune fades away.

If There is Nothing- The 2nd downtempo track has a wonderful alien ambiance as whatever remains from the destroyed civilization crawls its way to the surface. It's cold and futuristic with a post apocalyptic timbre, as a bubbling lead slowly meanders through the wreckage.

The first thing I want to say is that there is not one single 303 ripping stormer of a goa trance track here. If you want that go check out the Portamento album. But that's not what Emmanuel does. His tracks can be likened to a massive oak tree. The trunk is the solid foundation and as you climb farther up the tree melodies spiral and branch off in a myriad of directions. If you continue to venture further onto a branch, there are a massive amount of twigs you can follow. But the trunk is the solid foundation. His sound is truly entrancing and not focused on Arabic or Indian melodies we often see in goa trance. Nope, he is all about the farthest reaches of space and a mystical component.

Like layers? There are tons of them here. It's like climbing into satin sheets the way leads and synth juxtapose for position. So smooth. The production sounds marvelous even on my sh*tty headphones. And on top of that he ends his album with two very nice downtempo tracks.

You know, I suppose it's normal to become spoiled as time goes by. The technology helps make the music better, the sound quality improves, and we even become jaded by cover art. Reading the thread in the Label Announcements section you'll see people complaining about him sounding like Astral, the cover art sucks...yadda yadda yadda. I suppose I could've written the same descriptions for the first eight track. They all have the space vibe in his dark melodic style that will carry you away. If you loved the dark, drifting style of Arcana then you should love this. There are more melodies of a darker tone and atmosphere, but they are just as hypnotic with an insane amount of storytelling. The two downtempo tracks are a treat and a great way to end the album. It is my opinion that this is just as groundbreaking and awesome as his first album. Congrats to E-Mantra and Suntrip.

Long Live the King!



http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4676

http://www.beatspace...er+/detail.aspx

http://www.psyshop.c.../sut1cd023.html

Mdk

Artist: Various

Title: Panta Deus

Label: Ektoplazm

Date: July, 2011

Part 1: Carpe Noctem

1. Swen (Dzoncy) strOOp - Forest In Peace (7:00)

2. JetMan - Alliance (9:41)

3. Saikotune - Ravens & Crows (7:42)

4. Prophets Of Orion - The One (8:22)

5. Stellar Magnitude - Timeshift (10:26)

6. Alien Bug - Total Eclipse (9:18)

7. Reflection Of The Mighty Shadows - Dead End (7:11)

8. Neuro Vortel - Liquid Face (7:17)

9. Aquilpra - Fearful Symmetry (7:56)

Part 2: Carpe Diem

1. TLG - Furion (11:16)

2. Mesca - Weakness (8:26)

3. Artha - Antistatic Circle (7:17)

4. Space Element - Tempus Fugit (8:20)

5. Space Element - Crows Symphony (7:20)

6. Psychotrop - Aural Pleasures (7:16)

7. Psysutra - Deus Ex Machina (7:03)

8. Seismic Activity - Last Foray (8:41)

9. Artha - From Life To Life (6:33)

10. Sundial Aeon - Haunebu (6:36)

This is a free compilation that is being offered to celebrate Psytrance.pl 10 year anniversary. Congratulations! Compiled by forum regular Templar it consists of only Polish artists in a variety of styles. There are a lot of artists that I have never heard of but let's be honest. Once you look at the track list one name is going to stand out. Artha. Yep, I checked...he's Polish. He delivers 2 tracks here but I caution you not to skip some of the other artists. When a large compilation of material is released they usually throw a whole lot of sh*t against the wall and see what sticks. Not the case here.

I went to Poland once.

The year was 1992. The Dream Team from the United States dominated the world of basketball, Nirvanna ruled the radio, and Nick Nolte was named the sexiest man alive. The world has since caught up to USA basketball, Kurt blew his head off, and well...

Oh, the times they are a changin.

Anyway, my cousin and I were taking the train throughout Europe and Poland had recently emerged from the dark side. When we arrived in Krakow (we wanted to see the camp) we were met by an older gentleman who offered to house us instead of using a hostel. Being 19 and not being so smart we accepted and looking back now this could've been the inspiration for Hostel. House was grungy and run down, he was creepy, and everything was dirty. We made it out ok, but when I think about it today, it wasn't the smartest move I have made. Still have some Zloty lying around I think. Yeah that's it. What? Every story can't be riveting you know. I could've told you that we escaped with our lives after being stalked by a homicidal maniac, but that would be stretching the truth. Actually that would be butt f*cking the truth.

I would love to go back to Poland and see the country properly, that's for sure.

Forest In Peace- This is a tribal downtempo opener complete with drums and chanting. Very mysterious as it shambles along but while atmospheric I felt it went on a little long.

Alliance- With an electo feel this is a mid-tempo progressive track that sounds like it's feeling its way through the night. Like a car without a steering wheel it goes one way. At over 9 minutes it's long...maybe just a wee bit under 6 minutes...too long.

Ravens & Crows- Another progressive track with deep bass sweeps and an ominous feel. Normally I would sh*t all over this minimalistic style but I just had a smash. Also with the alien effects and groove I'm liking this. Some of the sounds even resemble the cawing of crows. Maybe a break to intensify the feeling wouldn't hurt. Not bad.

The One- "The function of the One is now to return to the source, allowing a temporary dissemination of the code you carry, reinserting the prime program."

A little more intense here with galloping synths and detuned pads. Dark wailing sounds descend right to the end. Pretty good.

Timeshift- "5 billion people died in 1996 and 1997. Entire population of the world. Only about 1% of us survived."

Now those are some thick atmospheric pads! Right out of the gate I'm lovin' it's dark style as the leads begin to layer. Bouncy with increased intensity it makes for a great twilight track. The evolution is awesome with no boring parts. Not an easy thing to do at over 10 minutes. Bravo sir. Also, one of my all time favorite movies 12 Monkeys withholds the sample until the last third. Nice.

Total Eclipse- "I'm getting off this rock. If you stay here, watch your back. It's not safe here. Trust no one."

Good old fashioned twilight track right here people. Twisted and mangled vocals along with dark pads make this rather tasty. The two breaks add to the atmosphere and it is also rather groovy. Thumbs up!

"Hey, Woman. Hey, Woman! Listen here. Since your old man ain't got no heart, maybe you like to see a real man. I bet you stay up late every night dreamin' you had a real man, don't ya? I'll tell you what. Why don't you bring your pretty little self on over to my apartment tonight, and I'll show you a real man."

That movie quote might be a little before your time. Just think Bieber needed to hear it.

Dead End- Listen to that track growl as cyber sounds whip past you. Like it? I do. Evil aliens with malicious intent are lurking in the shadows. At times it's a shimmering wall of sound and the percussion gives it a ritualistic feel. Like an impending sacrifice. Dark and brooding, it could've used a little more variation, but it's still good.

Liquid Face- Whew, that bass line is quicker than a politician's promise as metallic sounds waver from all sides. Lots of noises so if you like noises, this one has a lot of noises. And that's about it.

Fearful Symmetry- With a long space ambient setup, the galaxy opens before you. Colorful nebulae catch the eye as stars shimmer brightly. The break reveals how vast space really is with this dark and cold track. Very reminiscent of Cybernetika's work. Great track.

Due to the length of this review we now join our halftime show already in progress...

Artist: Lost Buddha

Title: Untold Stories

Label: Phototropic Records

Date: March, 2011

1. Transfiguration (Anti-Gravity mix)

2. Lost in a crystal sphere

3. Psyramid (Live mix)

4. Tabernacle

5. When the universe was created

6. Southern Oracle

7. Ataraxia

8. Lost in paradise

9. Mysteries of the women

Stop me if you've heard this one...I'm surprised nobody has reviewed this yet. Filipe has long been in the scene and has released so much great stuff (a lot of it for free, hippies) that I will merely direct you to his Discogs page. Maybe it hasn't been reviewed because these untold stories were released awhile ago. So, technically I guess these stories have actually already been told even though the tracklist is slightly different from the original release. These are tracks from 2004-2007 and it was only recently that the original files were found and given a fresh coat of sound paint. Now I can't tell a Lost Buddha from an Amithaba Buddha but what I do know is great music. Anytime Filipe deciedes he wants to release some goa trance I will be first in line to check it out. He has great skill creating melodies and swirling layers that I can't get enough of. The cover is simple with beautiful colors created by another talented individual, Ivan Richpa (he of Neogoa fame.)

Transfiguration (Anti-Gravity mix)- "Maybe I'm dreaming with my eyes open. Which means, maybe I'm awake....dreaming I was asleep."

Deep, dude. Think about that, truly a chicken and egg scenario. Quick with soft pads and racing synths that tumble in waves like surf. There is a delectable floating quality in the breaks and a powerful attack when all the leads come out to play. Mystical sounding as he jumps from melody to melody without losing the atmosphere.

Lost In A Crystal Sphere-

Don't fart in that thing...no escape.

As I've said before, Filipe doesn't believe in long elaborate intros as he comes out swinging his 303 hammer like Thor on a ecstasy bender. Groovy times 10 as the layers wash over you...so lush. The break combines crawling electronics with the Indian flute giving a spiritual vibe to an outerspace track. The end isn't super, but it maintains it's strong focus.

Psyramid(Live Mix)- Live? I can't tell...I don't hear chicks screaming or the sound of grandma's bloomers thudding upon the stage. Maybe that doesn't happen at a show. I dunno. But I reviewed this track here. on his EP of the same name. So I won't go into it here, but let me say it is one of my favorite tracks by Mr. Santos. Full of power and melody with a f*ck you attitude.

Asian strings and bubbling synths usher in a nitzho kick. Man he was bringing it back even on this release! Dude, are you using an accordion sound to make a goa melody? Nice of you to give Weird Al some work. He just continues to weave leads upon each other without sounding abrupt or foreign. This has a delicious sunshine feel as that 303 ripples its way across the track. He comes full circle for the final push as he lead shuffles yet again. Cool thing is it never sounds cluttered or as Salieri would say...too many notes.

Wow, that's a lot of notes.

When The Universe Was Created- How about...no intro. Like the track name indicates the effects open up the beginnings of the universe. Melodies twinkle here and there before a dominant lead scrambles leaving flames in its wake. I would say this track is a bit more drifting, but still brings the intensity. Another gold standard.

Southern Oracle-

Probably didn't mean this one, huh? The only thing this oracle sees is a trailer littered with empty beer cans.

Now you can find this track in 3 (now 4) places. On the Ataraxia EP, on the Golden Vibes compilation and the State of Spirit comp. That should tell you about its grandeur and staying power. Rich melodies sometimes straying into the nitzhonot camp combine with a heavy beat and a strong undercurrent of spirituality. It's loud and in your face, but never fails to please. Enjoy the story and give in to the layers.

Ataraxia- I reviewed this here but if you're lazy like me I will just paste what I wrote...

"If you want a job done right, I have to do it!"

This one is steeped in the goa feel and all its reverberating glory. The melodies drip with sunshine shining like a searchlight, once again moving in and out. The break only drops the beat as the mysticism continues. Each lead has its own sound, making it more distinctive as if they are all actors in a play. This is high power that leads to a spiritual high. Superb.

Lost in Paradise- This can be had on the Pyramidal Trancendance compilation and it is another cracker. More bouncing melodies and a playful Nitzho feel. But like he has always done, gone is the cheese and all that's left is substance. Dressing this track in layers like a toddler venturing out into his first winter wonderland it's beautiful to listen to. Ever seen a Christmas Story? No?

God forbid he had to take a sh*t...no way he would make it in time. Truly, I am adrift on solar waves during this intricate journey to paradise.

Mysteries of the Women- The leads here shimmer like the Northern Lights and instantly I feel like he teamed up with E-mantra. What are the mysteries anyway? Why they can hold a grudge longer that you can hold a job? Why they can tell you they're ok when inside that mind is more theorems on why you f*cked up than a geometry class? Or maybe, just maybe it's how they control the world with solely a pair of boobs. And make no mistake, they have all the power. This is danceable melody at its finest with more layers than your cousin's wedding cake. It drifts, it bubbles, it screeches...home run baby.

Does the fact that I have heard all these tracks before make this non-essential? I don't believe so. The recent Space Tribe offering Continuum Vol. 1 is a best of, but I didn't like all of those tracks the first time I heard them. Maybe not a fair example. The Alienapia album Goapocalipsis had 3 tunes on compilations that were heard before and that is a modern day classic. This disc was awesome as well sounding very old school. The fact that he can get so much out of equipment that is now obsolete is a testament to his skills and his ear for how to construct a song. I love this release and am pleased that Phototropic (which he has a history with) finally released it. Goa trance through and through. Do not hesitate.

Psyshop

Beatspace

GoaStore

Mdk

Artist: Various

Title: Freaky Forest

Label: Troll N' Roll Records

Date: December, 2011

01 - Total - Freaky Forest 2004 (144 BPM)

02 - Trance-Ingvars - All The Answers (146 BPM)

03 - Toxic Anger Syndrome - Trollskogen (149 BPM)

04 - Gubbology - Monster Quest (147 BPM)

05 - Aremakki - Cream Delivery (140 BPM)

06 - Oliveira - Wednesdays (147 BPM)

07 - RotSystem - Uven (146 BPM)

08 - Katastrof - Oiije (144 BPM)

09 - SEKT - Sleten Horunge (163 BPM)

10 - Varanta - Mystical Temple (148 BPM)

This is the debut release from this Swedish label with nothing but Swedish artists. The cover is pretty cool. 4 fat trolls with f*cked up hairstyles and huge noses sit around an old Gandalf type while the ghost of Kenny G serenades them in the background. All in nuclear waste green.

What the hell did I just walk into?

Freaky Forest 2004- What the f*ck is this? Really, what the f*ck? Over 3 minutes of Buddhist chanting with tribal beats before the lead becomes even more twisted than Dee Snider.

You don't know who that is do you?

Sigh.

He was a member of a hard rock band named Twisted Sister that had a flair for the theatric back in the 80s and now he is a goofy parody of himself. Can't believe parents were afraid of this clown. He looks ridiculous. Different time I guess.

This undergoes a lot of changes and it has to at over 12 minutes, but it sounds less forest and more experimental to me. If it was made 7 years ago I can cut the guy a break.

All the Answers- This leaves me with more questions than answers. When the ritualistic tribal percussion comes in I'm on board though. Hallucinatory synths rise and fall in the firelight like a record being played at the wrong speed. I know this was made by Swedes, but it's random enough to stray into Suomi territory. It's interesting, but at this point it's just a collection of sounds. While I like the funkiness of the guitar riff, it's not what I'm looking for in my forest.

Trollskogen- Not to sound like a loud mouth American, but the Swedish language here sounds like something Adam Sandler made up. I realize I probably just offended and entire nation and for that I apologize. What are you laughing at Norway? Have you heard yourselves? More weirdness with bass line changes and goofy laughs. But unlike a lot of normal music that doesn't stay with me, I will be repeating Trollskogen over and over while my wife looks at me like I just smeared poop on the wall.

This is weird. Bizarre. Do the "normal" forest creatures look over here and say, "Whoa...don't go over there. Those motherf*ckers are sick."

Monster Quest- "The only way out of here is to try one of these doors."

Got news for you they all lead to kooky town. It's almost comical, like it's making fun of itself. But damnit I kind of like it. Random sounds pitched up and down, wobbling synths, and a lot of changes which I think is cool. Think of a friend that would put you at ease, but instead he's a schizophrenic.

Cream Delivery- "I'm a delivery man and I have some cream for you. Let us f*ck!"

No he didn't just sample from Zack and Miri make a porno. It's so corny its awesome! Cool break beat intro and great use of the panning effect as a synth moves from side to side. This is a type of forest trance that I'm not used to. It's not dark, but it's odd enough to make you want to keep your distance from these people. I mean really, forest porn?

"You want your cream now?"

Wednesdays- "I'm sorry we seem to be having some technical difficulties."

Who farted? It's a chunky lead with some goa atmosphere in the background. The most musical track yet and it doesn't rest for a second. Not as weird as the other tracks and that percussive hit had me looking all over the house to see who was banging on my door. Not bad.

Uven- The weirdness and chaotic randomness is beginning to tire me out. Creature mumblings give way to cyber breakdowns and then it's off to the races again. Only you're going the wrong way dude! That's cool though, it's different. So many twists and turns, it's tough to follow them all. Like I mentioned, you won't be scared in this forest, but you will be pissed off because you can't get out of this b*tch!

Oiije-

You know what that is? I don't f*cking know either, but to me this is a representation of this track. Monkey, car, window, Darth Vader...

Just tack a whole bunch of sh*t together and call it Voltron.

Sleten Horunge- You know what this is? It's hyper mosh pit trance. It's Marge Simpson on speed. Metallic and squelchy sounds bubble over a bass line that obeys zero speed limits. Imagine watching a slasher film at double speed. Pretty funny actually.

.

"A little LSD is all I need."

Mystic Temple- This is about as downtempo as it's gonna get. Piano and a hopeful melody? What the f*ck kind of forest is this? When did Yanni get here? A saxophone too? No, no...take your damn sitar and shove it. It's too late. Then the Doors show up with a hammond organ and pound out a gospel tune?

When did this become and open mic jam session. Ain't nothin' mystic about this temple.

Ok, first off this is not your typical forest compilation. When I think forest I think layers of intense music designed to scare and disorient you. Stories of old to be told where the acid sticks on you like thick carpets of green moss.

This is not that.

Nope, this is a bunch of phrases strung together that are both quirky and weird. At no time are you afraid of the denizens of this forest. You want to avoid them in the same way you avoid the homeless. Not because they are a threat, but because they make you uncomfortable. It has moments where it's enjoyable, but mostly it's so disjointed that I didn't want to bother with it. So do what I did. I threw 'em a few sheckles and my pastrami on rye and got the hell outta there.

Ektoplazm

Mdk

Lookinglook Records

2011(2010)

01. Pandemicus - Out Of Space 08:20

02. Joytish - 1000 little Indians 7:36

03. Celestial Consciousness - Astral Dance 10:00

04. Ufomatka - Vega 7:32

05. Spirit Medicine - In The Brain Machines 10:04

06. Sky Technology - Reactor Of Life 8:13

07. Zelur Project - The New Creature 8:10

08. ShizoLizerGin - Pony Ponyslas 5:24

09. Space Vibes System - Space Energy 10:36

Lookinglook records is a fairly new label from Ukraine. Previously they have released only ambient/downtempo, 2 main albums and one compilation. Now it seems they had enough Ukranian(Yes there is actually enough Ukranian neo goatrance artists to make a full compilation!) goatrance artists to release their first 100% neo-goatrance compilation. This compilation was actually released digitally back in November 2010 and was supposed to come on physical CD soon after but this did not happen and for the one or two people, me included, looking forward to having the CD were greatly disappointed. Time passed by and here it finally is and I will put this in the 2011 forum since it's the physical that got released in 2011.

Looking at the tracklist only few seem recognizable from other compilations. 1-2 tracks here and there maybe. Celestial Conciousness and Sky Technology had EPs on UAF records and Zelur Project aka SynSun have quite a bit of material released already but other than that not much seems familiar. Now personally I've been amped for this compilation since it was announced, just because of that Sky Technology track which sounded simply brilliant from the previews. How will the rest sound though?

Also I want to mention the album art is in the style of Ukranian Easter eggs, Pysankas. Very rich patterns on the inside and back cover. I really like the fact they are promoting the national art in a Ukranian-only compilation. Makes it a solid, thought-out, package.

CLICK FOR SAMPLES

Pandemicus - Out Of Space

Pandemicus makes his debut here, hasn't seemed to released anything else yet. Track starts with chirping and a palpable spacey atmosphere, sweet acid lead appears and the bassline plus kick. The progression towards the first melody at 2:30 is solid work. The melody however lifts this track up a bit. It's very hypnotic, interesting and the effects and leads that accompany it are simply strong. Acid forever! And when the melody disappears comes the atmosphere back again. Solid track, takes it probably a bit safe because of the lack proper climaxing but it isn't generic by any means.

Joytish - 1000 little indians

Again a debut for this artists, no other releases. Echoiy beginning where bassline hihats and then kick evolve in a fast manner until the first melody which is amazing. Fractaly spiraling, rattling and sweeping alien acid melodies, then it takes a complete turn and transforms into this hypnotic melody accompanied by those alien leads. This track is quite other-worldly throughout. The effects leads and melodies are fantastic. It does a small climax towards the end where everything comes together once again and rolls off smooth.

Celestial Consciousness - Astral Dance

Celestial Consciousness has actually released an EP, called Spiritual Antidote on UAF Records and a track or two elsewhere, but still a fairly newcomer to the scene. I described the ep with words like "Very angry/dark mood" at least the first two tracks on the 3 track EP. The bassline seemed forceful and melodies a tad mysterious/spacy. Astral Dance starts with the same spirit, mysterious/spacey atmosphere and then a forceful kick that is a small reminiscence of a horse running. I actually like the bassline quite a bit here as it just keeps pounding and pounding. It's accompanied by a crackling/tearing noise to set the tone for the track at the beginning. This is a bit of an odd track in the sense it dives into small breaks and then introduces something different. It's darker neogoa for sure and is reminiscent of psytrance in spirit, somewhat because of the amount of layers present and no real mass lead melody. And may I add, the effects are strong! Growling acid anyone? Mysterious, trippy, a bit spaced out, unique and interesting throughout. I think this artists is showing a lot of promise to be able to make such an interesting track at a whopping 10 minute timing. Edit: actually the whole track has a small problem with this really odd sounding hi-hat that seems out of place, notably @ 6:20.

Ufomatka - Vega

And here I was, sitting on my chair thinking this guy was Finnish since his artists name translates to UFOTrip in Finnish. I wonder where he got this name from? Well enough of that, he is definitely Ukranian. Track starts with a surprisingly old schoolish trippy sound and then some space acid sweeps through like wind in the air and track gets on it's way. The general direction is definitely UFOMatka though, when the first melody arrives at 1:50 you'd be surprised just how alien and atmospheric this thing sounds. Also to every old schooler here, the acid leads are so, SO, SO GOOD. bodong bodoung! Can't help but to love it. The whole track just reeks of old school goodness. For example at 3:30 if you were to play that as a clip to me, I'd ask what MFG track is this? Whole thing sounds trippy and alien. God, it's magnificent. Fantastic debut track, just fantastic! I'm definitely keeping an eye out on this guy, I hope much more comes soon. Though I need to point out something is off with the mastering, it sounds quite distorted when those hihats land, shame really.

Spirit Medicine - In The Brain Machines

Ok so Spirit Medicine has had only 3 tracks on compilations and both of his inputs on VA - Magic Dew and VA - Shamanisma were seriously good dark/foresty goatrance tracks! (And may I mention, Shamanismas track had a constant old schooly acid lead the whole way through, definitely check it out.) I was actually quite looking forward to this track because of those. The goay dark forest(A bit like Ka-Sol) sound is found here as well. The bassline is just wet, muddy, dirty and I can't help but to love it. It also accompanies the melodies by changing the tone just like you'd expect for a forest track to do and that makes it rather groovy. The details like drums, metallic leads, acidy bubbly rivers make the mood so much more dense. Some foresty melodies ensue later on though and they sound quite trolly if you can say that. There is a repeating sample throughout which talks about the brain machine I believe. I think some may find it a little cheesy by the way it works, reminds a little of samples they use in EBM/Industrial, but I think it's ok. 10 minute trip through the dark Ukrainian forests, solid forest goa. This track is more twisted than the previous inputs, but I find both of them overall just a wee-bit stronger. I am definitely hoping this guy will grace us an album in the near-future as I personally enjoy this Ka-Sol-esque goa style.

Sky Technology - Reactor Of Life

Here it is. Here it finally is. Sky Technology released an interesting and a very unique track early 2010 on Phototropics compilation Goatronika and from there on I had been quite interested in what more can he offer with the unique spiraling bubbly fractal soundscapes. Later 2010 he released an free EP on UAF records called Time & Space which showed truly what Sky Technology is able to produce with these unique sounds. Just check out my thoughts on it here

The track starts off with already spiraling spacey atmosphere and evolves into a massive landscape of spiraling crystal fractals with a thumping bassline. 1:08 arrives and the melody is already transcending the listener to a mysterious, colourful, rich, detailed, sharp starscape. The melodies are immensely epic at just about every point. Very much like I pointed before on the Goatronika track, I feel they're close to an edge of being overly ridiculous so, but Sky Technology has this skill to keep it contained, it never goes over the line, and that's what makes it work so well. The many layers accompanying those melodies are throughout interesting, quirky, colourful, spiraling... I really feel a loss for words. This track is so fucking good, I can't avoid stressing that. The amount of power contained in here is absolutely ridiculous. This thing makes me sweat while sitting! Ancient Race on the free EP had same levels of powers but I feel like Sky Technology is improving with his production and everything here is so much more consistent. Reactor Of Life is giving me same goosebumps as Filteria did when first time listening to Sky Input. This thing would cause me heart attack on the dance floor. Just amazing, fantastic. Transcending experience.

Zelur Project - The New Creature

So here's a track from the SynSun guys and if you aren't aware, Zelur Project is a goatrance project from them which had a couple of albums, Zelur Project and The Full Power Of Goa released not long ago that had only unreleased older material, so I don't know if this is old or not as well but this sounds like from the Metapsychic Records era. I.e. Pyramidal Transcendence. Great uplifting(not cheesy) crystallized melodies throughout, pumping bassline, lots of layers, quirky effects. It's just solid, no complaints! If you've heard Zelur Project before you know basically what to expect but this really is great, powerful melodic goatrance!

ShizoLizerGin - Pony Ponyslas

Here we have a goatrance debut once again from a very new artists. They've only released a couple of downtempo tracks on Lookinglook so no idea really what to expect here, aside from the fact they probably know their atmosphere. Which is what turns out to be correct. This is a very interesting, albeit very short at only 5:24 long, through dark mysterious magical landscape of an alien planet. No clouds, two colourful suns casting light. You can clearly see patterns in the stars. Bassline is very deep and thriving. Ethereal atmospheres, details to rich the experience, mysterious melodies. I very much enjoyed this short trip.

Space Vibes System - Space Energy

Can you really get more spaced with your artists name and track title? I really don't think that's possible. Apparently this guy has been producing for quite a while but never really released anything except a forgotten digital release(which you can get from Here) which I will surely take a look at. This track starts with very much so neogoa that sounds a bit like Liquid Flow but with a space-edge. Vortex leads until 1:46 where the track takes a break and lets the atmosphere ooze in. Then it starts building up again and the melody seems to go, surprisingly, towards a trancy style! I really, really like this combination. This is not really made clear to the listener until 4:45 where we are greeted with an epic space riff and then at 5:30 the trancy influence really gets off, ethereal uplifting magical melody grows out it. Such atmosphere. Some may think it goes a note or two too high at parts but I think it doesn't go too far. Actually very nice melancholic neogoa for a change.

What can I say, this is a surprisingly strong Ukranian goatrance compilation that came out of kinda nowhere. I kind of only wanted to review and own this solely because of Sky Technology's epic Reactor Of Life. I just can't understand how amazing that track is, it really is the high point of a lot of modern goatrance. These kind of melodies never existed in goatrance previously. So in your face, so powerful. So transcending. This is one of those tracks that just takes me elsewhere, and those aren't found so often. The rest of the tracks here are solid goatrance from start to finish as well and I should suggest everyone to check this compilation out. What a nice start for 2011.

Where to get it?

http://lookinglook.com/lgcd04.htm

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=8689

http://www.junodownload.com/products/1658401-02.htm

This review is best read with the "blue darkness" forum skin option.

Artist: Various

Title: 6th Element or The Missing Elements

Label: Altar Records

Date: May, 2011

1. Astropilot - Inside the Harmony (Astral Waves remix)

2. Zymosis - Zeta Being (original version without flute)

3. Dreaming Cooper - Space Trip

4. Elea - Paisley Faces (Eternity Remix)

5. Suduaya - Salutation To The Planets

6. Elea feat. Bahramji - Menne Divonne

7. Tentura - Uzm247

8. Sysyphe - Mindscare

9. Ephemeral Mists - Awakening Spirits (Peyote mix)

10. Chronos & C.J. Catalizer - Quid Est Veritas (Air mix)

11. Asura - Vangelis

Everyone got their cloud recliner in full, resting position? Good. Altar records is delivering what could be the final part of their beautiful Element series with the 6th Element. First thing you'll notice is there is no such thing as a 6th element. Kinda like a sixth Beatle. At least on this planet. But the "missing elements" found here are overflow tracks that didn't find a place on the other installments of the series. Put together and mastered by Mr. Altar himself (DJ Zen) the compilation opens with an epic ambient track remixed by Astral Waves. And what a floating neural massage it is. Zymosis provides his track Zeta Bieng from the Air compilation now with less flute. Which is a shame because it sounded fuller with the flute. However the coming out of the break seemed more dramatic in this version.

Space Trip is a melancholy orbit around a planet (or a pretty good backing for a Lionel Richie track) while I couldn't tell you anything about Paisley Faces. Salutation to the Planets had an annoying chant over a cheesy uplifting melody and then Bahramji tops it. Didn't think it was possible, but don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't do something.

So...right about now my cloud is beginning to darken and become a little lumpy. Is this a downtempo compilation or soundtrack to an ISIS training video? Uzm247 (what?) is a better piece of downtempo that builds to a strong climax and Mindscare is more on the darker side of things with a dub-like bass line and a strong snare. Liked that one. Awakening Spirits is a slow hallucinogenic dirge with Indian vocals that appeals to me even if it sounds like a slowed down goa track. The Air mix of Quid Est Veritas sounds identical to the track from the album of the same name while Asura closes on a saccharine sweet note that could very well be a Vangelis track.

Not being an anthropologist I cannot declare this with abject certainty, but I believe the missing elements are called B-sides. It's not mixed and there is no flow to the tracks at all. It felt like they were just thrown together. They're not terrible by any stretch, but if you spent $10,000 on a hover cloud expecting to float away you're gonna be disappointed. Of course if you spent $10K on a floating cloud ten more bucks ain't gonna mean that much to you. And can I be your friend?

Well, since I'm not an anthropologist I guess there is nothing wrong with sticking them back where I found them. You know...to preserve them and sh*t. Yeah, that's it.

Pinkie Pie! Apple Jack! Get to diggin!

Altar Bandcamp

Mdk

The 1134

Ghost Train

What a beast of an EP!

Often it is said (and with many good reasons) that full-on is the bastard of psytrance - annoying, childish, uncouth in the ways of art. That is, unless, of course, we are talking about The 1134.

A collaboration between California producers Meta (of the also-great Boomslang project) and Etienne, "Ghost Train" follows on the heels of the also-exhilarating "Primordial Booze" EP. Here are four tracks, all dance floor bombs, of ridiculously well-controlled full-on power and precision.

"Synesthesiologists," Blitzen" and the mind-erasing psychedelic greatness of "Green Guy" are high-quality monsters, ready to slap a smile upon the face of the most experienced (possibly even the most jaded, as well,) and ready to flay around hapless limbs all over the dance floor.

The marquee track is "Ghost Train" itself. It is where art meets energy, where a fantastically crafted track bombards with delightful beats and sweaty pacing before unveiling some wickedly creative syncopation, in mimic of an oncoming ghost train.

And when this runaway train bowls you over it is not with any cheap or cliched build-ups or energy explosions but more with simply taking the fucking brakes off all the elements they have already introduced and layering some maniacally good synth work on top.

If you're on board, this is one ridiculously great ride!

Available for free play or download at: http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/the-1134-ghost-train

1. Langbortistan

2. Dybet

3. H2O

4.Refleksioner

5.Nordlys

6. Hypnose

7. Rejsen

Artist: Peyo

Title: Green EP

Label: Blue Hour Sounds

Date: February, 2011

1. Feet Response

2. The Cleaner

Blue Hour Sounds has been releasing a bunch of EP's based on the color spectrum. Obviously this is the green one and since I have reviewed almost all of the other ones there is no reason to make an enemy of Peyo and ignore him. I have no idea who he is or what his mental state is. What if I didn't review it and he felt slighted? What if he doesn't like my review and gets mad. Look I don't need that kind of pressure.

Feet Response- Well, well, well...what do we have here? This is dark and...foresty. Lots of twinkling effects and bubbling. Kinda like if you, and I'm not saying you, but the collective you, were stirring a witches caldron. Echoing synths ripple over the deep bass line. If there was a soundtrack to walking in a Swedish forest this would do nicely.

The Cleaner- The title sounds so dark. But when you think about it, Florence from the Jeffersons was a cleaner. Sure, not a very good one, but the point is she was supposed to clean. But this has nothing to do with being a household technician (if you didn't see that episode that joke is wasted). There are lots of bass sweeps and digital quirkery afoot. It also has this bizarre sounding plucked instrument which I don't really care for.

Well, that was disappointing. I liked the first track and thought we would be on the road to creepy forest town, but we just detoured into weird and annoying ville. There weren't many melodies to speak of, but at least Feet Response had some cool atmosphere. The best thing about this EP was the very pretty green. Although I liked the first track it won't make my top 10. Still, two tracks is hardly enough to see what this artist has in him, so I shall reserve judgement until I hear more. This EP though, not for me.

Beatport

Mdk

Artist: Via Axis

Album: Expressions Of One

Label: Ovnimoon Records

Released: August 2011

There is an 11-minute video on YouTube of Via Axis performing a sundown live set at Boom Festival 2012, the crowd energy is good, the beach-side locale is perfect, the deco and lights are beautifully psychedelic and the moon peeking out while the sun is still up is just majestic.

This is the time of day when "Expressions Of One" works best, at the beginning of the dark hours, probably an earlier set in the night before the peak-hour performers hit the stage. Certainly, "Expressions Of One" would be more a full-on album, an excellent and masterful one at that, but it has many understated, subtle qualities to it.

Via Axis has created a grower with this one. The attentive listener will probably identify the magic immediately, for others this is an album that grows and grows greater with every single listen. Captivating soundscapes bring true trance to these productions, the energy of the tempo assures that this one will work well with a live crowd but all the beautiful details of these creations make this a wonderland on a set of headphones.

Naturally, the work by this Brazilian producer comes courtesy of Ovnimoon Records and if Via Axis is familiar to some outside of this album it is likely because of the co-production on "Galactic Mantra" with Ovnimoon that many in the psy scene revered. There happens to be much to this talented producer all on his own, though.

The persistent energy of "Vilca Spirit," brain-candy psychedelia of "Melt Into The Green" and floor-filling and heavily Goa-influenced "The Beyond Within" are highlights though there is not a single track on this album that would fall short by any measure.

"Expressions Of One" is a masterpiece and it is a shame if it happened to fly under many people's radars. Not only should this one be heard, it should be felt, it is a soaring journey to the stars, it is an adventurous expedition into the metaphysical, it is pure, high quality psytrance.

If lucky enough to dance to this under both the sun and the moon at the same time "Expressions Of One" is receiving exactly the respect it deserves, for it should receive nothing less than such a beautiful celestial occurrence enhanced by beautifully in-tune participants - it deserves nothing less than the attention and appreciation of the educated psy listener who knows how to handle, interpret and accentuate such magical moments.

Title: Imagination in Motion

Label: MerKaBa Records

Released: October 2011

Tracklist

1. Where's My Map (Intro)

2. Learning To Walk

3. More Than Human

4. Memory Access

5. Life Changes

6. Destiny

7. Lost Vegas

8. The Beginning Is The End

9. Shamans Lullaby

What??!? No review for this record? I hope the reason is because all of you are lazy writers, like me. What?? 30 pages of useful information about the new-upcoming-and-outstanding AP album? Well, then it can't be your lazyness, must be some sort of slipping under the radar. Cause I think that a lot of you would like this.

Matthew Crick's debut as Sephira is released through Ektoplazm and MerKaBa Records, got really good feedback there and went quite high in Ekto's Best of 2011 Poll (no.4). I would place it even higher and for sure not only because of OOOD's mastering.

Where's My Map is, well, an intro and I'm happy that Sephira hadn't searched for too long how to get into this record.

Learning To Walk starts with some gentle breakbeats and you can already here where this ride is going. It takes its time, it is spacious, it is moving slightly, nice melodies and spirals are passing by. If this is how Sephira learned to walk, I can't wait to hear him running.

More Than Human goes in the same direction, slowly built, melancholic and trancing. Whale-like sounds, an ongoing melody and these well-put breaks and effects give me an underwater feeling and let me dive deep.

Memory Access starts instantly, but we are still at 120 bpm. Well, what to say, after the first two tracks I don't feel the need to describe more - I only love how the tracks are evolving and rolling and sounding. And I want a shot of hazelnut schnapps right now. And to push repeat.

Life Changes and so the tempo. It's gettin faster, we're in progressive territory now while still enjoying Sephira's deep rolling basslines, spacey feelings, subtle melodies - I'm writing this while standing and assshaking.

Destiny seems to mean here still lovely melodies, thoughtout effects and breaks, outerspace and melancholic yet dark overtone. Same recipe in every track? Boring? Well, I'm still standing.

Lost Vegas is another great deep and dark track. But it is somehow outweighed from the great journey which was going on here before.

The Beginning Of The End is the longest track on this album and I really really hope that this won't be the end for us to experience your music, Matthew. This is another beautiful building and sedate walking piece of trance which brings you back with a slow build-down. I'm sitting again.

Shamans Lullaby is the closer and honestly I don't care much for it at all.

Imagination In Motion is a beautiful Deep Trance Album, full of emotion with a dark overtone and a great journey to listen to completely. The structure of the music may sound repetitive and simple, but believe me, it's well thought out, uplifting and knows how to entrance. And by saying simple I don't mean brainless uninspired sameness. You can rather hear how this music flows out of Matthew's hands easily. So, what else to say? Nothing except: Wow, still surprised that this hadn't been reviewed before. What went wrong T2MU? You get everything, don't you? Well, it's never to late, pull off your Iono underwear and have a listen. I'll go for another hazelnut.

You go here!!

Artist: Various

Title: Snuff

Label: Terror Lab Industries

Date: July, 2011

1. Brain Hunters - Snuff

2. Ironstein Vs. Dani Filth - Dr. Stein

3. Absense - Litt Avskum

4. Sub-Zero - Antichristvs

5. Dani Filth - The Harvesting V2

6. Ironstein Vs. Excell - Tripple Distilled

7. Damage - Blowing Up Your Speakers

8. Hiyamyzo - Pussy Power

9. Zinx - Articulator

10. Stereopanic - Viper

11. NRS - Evil Men

"Hit me...hit me so it hurts."

Good...God this terrible. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Forget the fact that the subject matter is reprehensible. The music itself is one buildup and d-list horror move sample after another. For those that don't know a snuff film is a film that shows an actual murder of a human being. Now Terrorlab Industries has made it a business model to shock. All you have to do is look at their album covers. At some point (um, we are way f*cking past that point) the shock value wears off and now you have to stand on the quality of the music.

Well, see...now we've got a problem.

The atmosphere as you may have guessed is dark with hammering bass lines. Incessant build ups and a structure that manages to crawl in that fetid dank space between darkpsy and night time full-on. Usually I can find a few tracks on their compilations that make the misery a little more bearable.

Not here. This album reminds me of the goth kid in high school who dressed in black and wore trench coats. He always gave you a hateful look and was into some pretty twisted sh*t. Well he secretly had a crush on the head cheerleader and built it up in his mind that he was just misunderstood. If he could only explain to her and show her his true heart, she would see he was in pain and that all of "this" was just an elaborate act. Naturally she's horrified by this guy and spurns his advances. Next thing you know she and the whole squad are found in pieces in this psycho's fridge.

I think these guys need a sabbatical to find some inner peace. Right now their music is all the same just with different album covers. You know what might be cool? If they did a dark ambient album...Yeah, that would work. Same vibe without the brutality.

Because this world cannot afford to lose any more cheerleaders.

Psyshop

Beatspace

Mdk

Artist: Nostromosis

Title: Wood Illusion EP

Label: Self Released

Date: 2011

1. Mowgli

2. Wood Illusion

3. Mantras of Druids

4. Ents

5. In the Middle of the Glimmered Trees

This is Igor Sidorov and I think he has a new EP out on Timewarp Records. Wood Illusion dates back a few years and is his first released ep. I think he first released it by himself and then I guess Goa Records decided to pick it up, slap on a new cover, and now you have the honor of paying $7.50 for it.

And I think it shows an artist that has some great ideas, but also has room to grow. I liked Mowgli and it's many layers and Ents with it's fluid goa melody, but I'm guessing his sound palette was slightly limited. Either that or I just didn't like the sounds he used. The rest sounded like a first EP would sound. Very raw and choppy. As I said the ideas are there and they are solid. Now it's just experience and the execution that will follow.

I would love to see him come back to this and remix it.

Beatport

Mdk

Artist:Various

Title: Under The Moss Vol. 2

Label: Forest Freaks

Date: January, 2011

01 - Cookie Monster - Magic Drink

02 - DoHm - Yaga The Ring

03 - Re-Horakhty - Dungeon Keeper

04 - Schizoid Bears - Electronic Music

05 - P.Tale - Where Are You

06 - Cenotes - One Of Us

07 - DoHm - Technological Nightmare

08 - FungPung - Acceleration Deceleration

Man they have some cool covers. Following up on the success of Volume One, the sequel aims to take you back to those dark, impenetrable forests. Where creatures scurry at the sound of your footsteps and the trees are as old as time itself. Some of the usual suspects are here like DoHm and Cenotes, but most are projects I have never heard of. One thing they all have in common however is their country of origin. Lithuania. Still don't know where that is. Probably next to Rhode Island if I remember my geography right.

Magic Drink- The liquid sounds, the dripping, the eerie glass like pad... Oh yes this has all the makings of a big ocean of spooky. Throw in the fact it's made by "What the f*ck it this...oatmeal raisin?" Cookie Monster and all I see is epic win. Put your boots on and get your shovels there's lots of layers to dig through over the consistent bass line. There isn't one thing that stands out, but it's a brilliant way to start a comp. Feels like I'm being watched by ancient trees. Or a very paranoid muppet.

I'm not gonna take your sh*t. F*ckin' psycho.

Yaga The Ring- Oh DoHm...shaman of the forest...rain your deep bass sweeps and echoing forest creature sounds down upon us! Bubbling is a hallmark in this genre and this track has it covered. It's not an in your face track though, but one that serves as a sticky guiderail deeper into the mossy overgrown forest. Rather bengn actually. Mysterious yes, but not as foresty or dark as I was expecting.

Dungeon Keeper- "Your dungeon floor is lovely...order your minions to jump up and down."

Ummm...what? Unless his minions are all 38 DD's nymphos there is no reason to utter that sentence. It doesn't stop there. Because the sample offers the ever corny countdown. From ten. The synth is a metallic wall that is holding back the flood of fire with minute cracks appearing up and down it's expanse. The music itself isn't bad as it's nicely atmospheric, but the sample kills it for me. What is this...satan trance?

This is what my dungeon would look like.

Electronic Music- "At the moment there's certainly an increasing interest in electronic music."

Yes there is. After the vomit inducing autotune craze, now every song on the radio is borrowing from electronic music. Schizoid bears?

The gummy bear communtiy is a fanatical one of close knit allegiances. All it takes is one slip of the tongue and retribution is swift.

This music is dark and fits the idea that something cute like a gummy bear actually are homicidal maniacs. Sounds bubble and waver and if you think these bears are just delicious, well...

That's what the last guy said.

If that is not their debut album cover then they need a new PR man.

Where Are You- "Like a rainbow."

Weird sounds like you would expect from this music start this track off and it's spooky like clowns are spooky. Sure they're all bright colors and smiles now, but after an afternoon of phoning it in at the carnival, it's time for some real fun. Nightmarish synths oscillate as voices speak from the blackness. Man this is a trip gone horribly wrong. It undergoes several changes and man each corner is trippier than the next with layers of bad dreams. This one gets stronger as it goes on and is my favorite here.

One of Us- "Tonight...you will become one of us."

This project is a forest staple and all that I have heard has been very juicy. No exception here as it bubbles and has bark scorching leads that lay bare untold eons of evil and deception. They move up and down as soft pads serve as a perfect contrast to what's actually going on here. Every where you turn there is nothing but sinister cadre. They even have their mark

Holy sh*t...I think I just stumbled upon the universal symbol for a circle jerk.

Technological Nightmare- "It is the responsibility of man to control science and technology. Intruding into another humans dream...is a technological nightmare."

You can't stop DoHm, you can only hope to contain him. The nightmare he creates is full of squeaky synths, detuned sounds, and visions of the subconscious. This is wandering into someones mind and realizing they think of some f*cked up sh*t. Don't like that girl in your calculus class do you?

A little harsh don't you think? Just drop the class....

Acceleration Deceleration- FungPung. Sounds like I stepped in something. It starts slowly as some twisted creature crawls from the mire then in the blink of an eye it rockets to ludicrous speed. Well, not ludicrous, but faster. Large synth washes and skittering alien footprints echo down a long hallway full of demented souls. Love the deep crunchy sounds. There are numerous changes in tempo to maximize it's descriptiveability. Also makes it feel twice as long. I had to listen to this one a lot to take it all in.

I found the second half to be darker and more deeply detailed. It's still all good though. I hope they continue this series as it is some really good forest trance.

http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/under-the-moss-vol-2

Mdk

Artist: Atma

Title: Music Revolution

Label: BMSS Records

Date: November, 2011

1. The outer limits
2. Freedom
3. Forbidden Paradise
4. Music Revolution
5. Disturbing Silence
6. Into the void
7. Space Conquest
8. It's time
9. When we dream
10. The Guide

"You have been propelled into the void."

Shame on you Atma. Shame on you for entitling your album Music Revolution when it's barely music and shall cause no revolution. Revulsion surely, but no revolution for you! This is full-on to.the.bone. Absolutely nothing to write home about. 6 years ago I would've rolled my eyes at such cheese. The album takes on a darker tone with the 4th track and gets better but once the whole is dug it's very difficult to climb out of it.

Shame on Atma's friends who certainly voted 5/5 on Discogs to give this the ridiculously unwarranted score of 4.89. We stop friend s from driving drunk all the time. Couldn't someone maybe pull him aside and talk to him? That's higher than Etnica's Live in Athens for God's sake. Really? Can anyone say with a straight face that this is in the same class?

"Smells like my dead husband!"

Yes, it smells that badly. Adverbs motherf*cker...they're making a comeback. BTW, is that doubly racist, putting and Asian cartoon face on a black guy?

Shame on promo guy who wrote this gem without even listening to the CD:

"Atma leads us into a completely new perspective of electronic music."

How the f*ck do you figure that?

What happened bro? Who hurt you? Hurt you so bad that with this release you are potentially undoing any good that your previous albums have done. It's not Audiotec or DNA bad, but he is definitely running in the same race. Life is too short for mediocrity. Think of this as a cautionary tale to people who might not know any better.

Put the Atma down and walk away. Walk away.

Not linking to disappointment.

Mdk

Artist: Various

Title: Egorythmia - Remixes 2011

Label: Iono Music

Date: October, 2011

1. Beyond Gravity (Aquafeel Remix)

2. We Can Fly (Hi-Profile Remix)

3. Night Sight (Flegma & Nerso Remix)

4. Eternal (Prisma Remix)

5. Eternal (Gaudium Remix)

6. Eternal (Optiloop Remix)

7. Eternal (Pop Tart Remix)

This release is a perfect example of things going wrong quickly. Imagine you're a plane manufacturer and need raw materials to build your plane. Instead of using the trusted partner you've been in business with for years you decide to save a few bucks and go with the kids in the Thailand sweat shop to make the rivets and bolts and sh*t. They finish on time, under budget, and your plane looks shiny and new. Things are looking great and you appear to be the toast of the board of directors of your grandfather's company.

But then your plane begins to have engine trouble. Seems to always be in need of repair. But hey man, you've got deadlines and stock holders can't make any dough with the bird in the shop. So against the advice of your head mechanic you schedule it for a flight. And what do you know George Clooney and his entourage has booked your plane. That's...unusual. But whatever. And just as you're settling in for a good nights sleep after a Tony Montana coke binge you get word that your lovely Thai manufactured plane has crashed.

No survivors.

That's right everyone dead including the most famous bachelor penis on the planet. There's an inquiry of course into what went wrong (as well as the obligatory in remembrance tribute to mister Clooney running night and day on the cable networks) and the relatives of your victims are lined up outside company headquarters screaming for your head and waving litigation angrily in their hands. But you have lawyers and spokespeople to insulate you from that crap.

But a few months later the report comes back. Funny thing...apparently the 9 and 10 year olds that put the eyelets on Michael Jordan's shoes aren't really qualified to manufacture parts of an airplane. When it comes out how much money you saved the company (it ain't that much) and the ridiculously huge bonus you got well, now people are really angry. Media coverage is not stop and you are the lead story for all the talking heads on TV. You're painted as more of a villain than Donald Sterling and all he did was say racist nonsense in the hopes to bang a ho.

You deprived young girls of Clooney cock.

Eventually the harassment becomes too much and after the company's stock tanks accountants have to shell out multiple millions in lawsuits you receive a letter informing you that your services are no longer required. Things are looking bleak. The final straw is a video that is leaked by a bitter employee from the mail room that shows you blasting underage Thai girls and boys with your man seed. Yep, that's when Frosted Flakes just won't cut it so you step up your game and now it's bullets for breakfast.

And that's what I thought about this release. I know, I'm either a genius or incredibly insane. The compilation begins beautifully with a stunning Aquafell remix in the Iono vein of melodic progressive trance. Then it begins to falter a bit with a couple of tracks that are not as lush and lacking depth. And then for some inexplicable reason it ends with 4 remixes of the same track. Did you just have an "aw f*ck it" moment? Even the promo guy just said f*ck it. And I quote...

"With his extremely popular project Egorythmia, Boban Laszovski from the Republic Macedonia..."

And that's it? It's not a f*cking novel with a cliffhanger, finish your sentence. They're great remixes on their own even if they sound very similar and I liked this release a lot, but I'm sure Mr. Egorythmia has more than a few tracks that could've been chosen. It's just not sinking in with you people. A remix album is supposed to sound different from the original work and definitely different from the other remixes. I'd rather listen to a weaker album with unique characteristics than a carbon copy with different track names. Stop churning out the same color by numbers bullsh*t, it bores me. Make me sit up and say,

"Holy sh*t I didn't see that coming! Wow, that was awesome!"

Instead it's the same bowl of cereal with 2% milk.

And a gun.

Psyshop

Mdk