Trance2MoveU

Artist: Gaiana Title: Blue EP Label: Blue Hour Sounds Date: August, 2010 1. Earth Prayer 2. Guardian Spirits 3. Colours of Life 4. Lunar Landing Continuing with the shiny happy people humping unicorns under the rainbow theme this is the first installment of the full spectrum EP's, where each color inspired the artist. This is Gido and Bluestorm and their EP is a gentle reminder for people to reconnect with the natural beauty which we are all a part of as well as to infuse the music with Lithuanian energy. Hippies. Go peddle your pot somewhere else. Nah, I'm just kidding. I love pot. Well, I used to, before I got married, had a son and had to grow up. My political compass still believes is shouldn't be a crime to have some for personal use. Lithuanian energy? I was looking at some pictures of the countryside and it really seems beautiful. Then I came across these: Holy crap she is hot. I would need a f*cking stepladder to shave those legs. Triplets? That's like the holy grail...you know it's out there, but you'll never find it. Note to self...Must.Change.Nationality. Earth Prayer- It's gutteral, primal, and very organic. Deep bass sounds join effects to create a nice balance of highs and lows. The bass says I'm gonna f*ck you up, but the highs say everything will be all right. The sound is thick and detailed with a whole lot happening. The leads echo and bounce off all surfaces giving it space, and allows for a wonderful trip. Very Temple of One psychedelic if you know what I mean. Guardian Spirits- Twinkling sounds and chopped up synths patter like raindrops on a window while the bass churns away. With the combination of sounds, it seems alive but at 10 minutes it's a long track and sometimes my mind wanders. I mean the last 4 minutes was basically the same thing. Colours of Life- I have a question. I know that colour is the British spelling, but Psynews is telling me that it is misspelled. Does that happen to you Europeans? Just a thought. With that deep bass and creepy effects, I think I made a wrong turn into the pixie forest. Clicks and long sweeps fly by only to flit away again. This would've been the perfect time to sneak a goa melody in there. Alas, that didn't happen, but this was very earthy kind of business. Good, but could use a little more variation. Lunar Landing- Obligatory mission control sounds are here and while there are some cool synths with loads of reverb and echo, it still sounds thin. Heard it before, there ain't nothing to separate it from the rest of the bunch. No question so far as to the best EP in my eyes. It ends and begins with Ianauria's Orange and then Blue and Indigo are tied. I haven't heard the other two yet. What you have here is great effects, some cool sounds and the same bass line. It needs some more spice. They layer nicely, but it does need more meat in the sandwich to take this from Subway to that deli over on West 57th. I have never seen pastrami piled so high and there was still an old guy that was screaming about the portions. Hey Matlock, that sandwich weighs more than you! Juno Download Beatport Mdk

Artist: Gido Title: Indigo EP Label: Blue Hour Sounds Date: March, 2011 1. In Deep Space 2. Multi Dimension Reality 3. Spring Grooves It has been a ridiculously busy morning; took the dog for her grooming appointment, did the grocery shopping, seeded parts of the backyard for grass, painted my son's letters that will go on the wall, had my pickup truck jumped, and now just put little man down for his nap. Whew! Homie needs some me time. I came across the Italian label Blue Hour Sounds (website here) a while ago when I did a Garden of Delights Review as well as one for the hardest artist name in the world for me to spell, Ianuaria. Both of those were a bit of allright, and so the saga continues with more of the "full spectrum" of EP's. All of the music is related to a color and inspired by that color eventually comprising the 7 colors of the rainbow. Looking at the site, it seems there is already some overlap. I know purple and indigo are different colors. I know this. Kinda. But I'm also quite sure that there are some other colors of the spectrum you coulda used. Red doesn't inspire? Neo didn't have that opinion. A nation of a billion communists would also disagree. Hell, this was a logo of one of the ultimate frisbee teams I played on Just sayin. Anyway, this label and their hippie philosophy employ Gido (Adomas Juozapavicius) and this is his first EP. When they aren't sitting in a f*cking drum circle or kicking around a hemp hackey sack, these guys are releasing some quality tunes. No, no, no! Stay away from those kids you dirty hippies! In Deep Space- Supremely psychedelic with a forest meets outer space vibe. The beat thumps as synths flow over each other in waves. Reverb and delay help with the shimmer as the leads intertwine in a cosmic dance. It's more of an effect driven type of melody than scales, but I just think that adds to the mystery and psychedelic nature. Nice. Multi Dimension Reality- Well kick me in the nuts with a slightly goa soaked shoe! Someone spilled a bottle of patchouli and look what tumbled out. The break is filled with sounds to keep the ear busy, but more psychedelic than Wild Things does. Might've stepped on some toes there. Oh well, my rectum's opinion is as good as anyone's. It's another example of no real lead melody, but a combination of several little ones built around the rampaging bass line and kick. It started to get a little monotonous however so I think they need to get back to that dry erase board and brainstorm. Spring Grooves- Wow, more thumping kicks and echoing sounds. The only constant is that bass line as the synths appear and then fade. And that is basically all it is, effects with reverb while small leads dance over the bass. Still liked it though. It's a nice little EP with a bunch of psychedelia. I imagine it would work very well for hallucinating. Still, the tracks sound pretty samey and can get a little stale rather quickly. I liked it, but think he will only get better. You can get them at Juno or Beatport, but I think $6 or so is a lot for 3 wavs. I would say get Ianauria's Orange EP instead and then if you still wanted more, go for this. Beatport Juno Download Mdk

"No one can feel naturally homosexual." How the f*ck should I know? What is the definition here? If I feel like wearing certain clothes or hairstyles? Do I desire sex with a man? I don't know if you become homosexual or you are born that way and I suppose that is the big debate. Some weird questions but I suppose they do help illustrate where you would align yourself. Mdk

Artist: Nova Fractal Title: Main Sequence Star EP Label: Neogoa Date: April, 2011 1. Through Our Senses 2. Autopsy 3. Common Cold I'm a pretty busy guy. Sure I'm a stay at home dad for my 2 year old (another on the way) while mommy goes out there and makes daddy's money. Yes I have a sugar momma wanna fight about it? Some wonder how busy could I be, you don't have to go to work. True I don't have a commute or a boss to answer to or deadlines to meet or a clock to punch....hmmm work is for suckers. What I do isn't work, I enjoy the hell out of it but I'm still busy. The house doesn't clean itself and clothes don't stay clean, let me tell you. Nothing gets chocolate out. Oh yeah, the acre of property I own doesn't magically stay mowed either. Still as busy as I might be, running a netlabel like Richpa does seems infinitely more challenging. You'll have to ask him how putting together a compilation would compare with battling a raging case of mudbut my son so prodigiously makes. You wanna gif of that? Neogoa kicks ass. Pure and simple. It is only April and they have already released 2 compilations (Future Architecture and Pantheon) as well as an EP by Sky Technology called Next Visions. They all have great mastering and like this one, the artwork is excellent. I haven't even listened to Pantheon when I was given this little treat. This is Renato Brnić from Croatia and if you don't remember his track Perplexed on Future Architecture then I suggest you refresh your memory. Renato delivers 3 tracks of drifting goa trance to float away on waves of melody. Watch out for the Balkans people, they are f*cking taking goa trance over. Through Our Senses- Ah b*tches we have ourselves a storyteller here. I love long intros and he sets the scene here with some mysterious atmosphere. Plenty of effects and layers with a churning bass line. It's over 2 minutes when this thing drops its beat with a soft goa riff. The break is computer syntax static and comes out swinging with a new melody. It follows the 3 bears algorithm of not too many sounds and not too little, but just right for a smooth ride. Great track. Autopsy- If the first track set you up, this one kicks you in the nuts right out of the gate. The lead is more aggressive and thick like that root system I'm trying to dig up. With the lasers firing in the background there is a definite space feel. Oh yeah, the mission control sample doesn't hurt when it sets the melody off again. The break is expansive and makes it feel like we are drifting in zero gravity with the ice crystals. It's only a short lived respite as the cannons are reloaded and ready to fire. Another good one. Common Cold- I hate it when my son gets a cold. He doesn't know how to blow his nose yet so you have to keep wiping it. It's sad, but don't worry...I'm teaching him the art of the snot rocket. My wife is gonna kill me. Bubbling sounds ripple against some clanging percussion and the bass feel warm. This track seems the most loaded to me with sounds coming from all over the place. He even has that breathing sound in the Depeche Mode track Dangerous. What? Sue me, they were pioneers for synth and melody lovers. The break sets it up again as the goa undulates like a freshwater stream. He drops the beat and the melody still cascades....well done. I wasn't a big fan of how it ended, it just stopped. That was a nice little EP. I would compare his style to that of E-mantra. It's drifting, it's spacey, it's the perfect soundtrack for hallucinating. There is atmosphere and while not as complex it is deep in its own right. I've heard more intense goa and more layered stuff and this is like right in the middle. Melodic and groovy with a nice amount of atmosphere. Good job. Now I gotta go hang some curtains. What the hell happened to me? Coming Soon... Mdk

Holy crap! That is intricate. Where is the tutorial? Mdk

That was a lot of fun! If only it had a sequencer where we could save what we made and then share it! Mdk

Artist: M-Seven Title: Imaginary Being Label: MSeven Music Date: January, 2011 1. Observatory 2. The Informer 3. Twilight 4. Gone 5. Jupiter Strings 6. Shift 7. Ghetto Blaster Cowboy 8. On The Run 9. Fauna 10. Being Like A Stream 11. Unspoken 12. Make You Feel 13. Spiritus 14. Untitled There is a moment in your life where you will realize that you are becoming your parents. Well, I skipped that and today felt like my grandfather God rest his soul. Not because as child I snuck up to his guest room that had the stash of Playboys while my family was downstairs. Even though I did that. Not because I am forgetting things or creaking like a rusty hinge when I get out of bed. That doesn't make me feel like him. No, watching C-Span did that. C f*cking Span. The most boring channel on the planet. If I wanted to watch old white men argue I would go to a family reunion. What am I doing? Politicians blaming each other for not coming up with a budget for the government. It's going to shut down and nobody wants the blame. I can't take the bickering and the fighting while each side tries to seem superior. I need a break, a retreat, a...refuge. This is Maurizio Nalli from Canada. Hmmm...that doesn't sound Canadian. He released an album or two before this and I remember liking his style. This is put out by MSeven music which through my superior powers of deduction must be his label. Observatory- Atmosphere breaching strings float towards the heavens reminding me a little of Blade Runner, but that is broken by a smooth and warm breakbeat. Cosmic sounds whirl about as I'm kept warm by my ships life support systems. Sure we are far from Earth, but I have the comforts of Earth with me. A soft echoing melody pings against delicate percussion and a synthesized voice. Ultra relaxing. The Informer- A gentle piano melody twinkles above wavering strings and another breakbeat. The tone is more melancholy but just as smooth. If I was comfortable in the previous track, I now feel saddened. As if we breached a door in scientific experiments that maybe we should've left closed. Awesome. Twilight- When the hell did Moby get here? It's an electronica piece with a soft melody above the spoken word. It's calm and soothing with a nod towards outer space. Even though the tempo is increased it still remains alluring. The lady is speaking, but I don't know what the f*ck she is talking about because the music is comforting. The vocal effects are also well done. Nice. Hold up...I can't believe I almost missed an opportunity to make fun of everyone's favorite vampire pedophiles... Gone- With a retro feel the breakbeat clicks as synths hum and a sample about radiation is spoken. It's a positive track with uplifting melodies that I can't even call leads. Little pokes, arpeggios, and percussive clicks. I got the feeling of watching the sunrise from my tent while warm under a blanket. Pretty cool. Jupiter Strings- "4 billion mile trip." Very spacey sounds as if we are turning the corner on Mars and approaching Jupiter. It's another breakbeat rhythm with slight vocal accompaniment. Soft and delicate and hugs you like a fleece blanket. Looking out the window I can see the massive planet slowly getting larger. It's not downtempo or progressive, but somewhere in between. Really good melody work here. Shift- "There is an element of mystery which puzzles many people in my field." Tumbling synth lines fall over a slow beat as they fade and then pinprick synths bounce like soft rubber balls on marble. Very simple and delicious. Ghetto Blaster Cowboy- Nice track name. With a nod towards hip-hop beats that could've been made on Filipe's electribe a leads wanders in and out. Very slow groove that will make you think you stepped into a John Wayne movie. What we have here is a true Mexican standoff people. Great samples. On The Run- Wavering synths warble above a breakbeat with a real dreamy quality. The bass is almost unheard and the kick is...almost toylike. He has a good sense of rhythm as he gets a little funky. Fauna- With the sounds of nature a small bass drop thumps with ethnic percussion. Tribal times 4 especially when you add the flute. The tension builds and then it just cuts out. Only to be reborn my friend. He really makes the atmosphere thick with just a few sounds. Near the end the beat gets heavier but the meditative feeling of watching a sacred ritual continues. Awesome. Being Like A Stream- "Music of a certain kind...arouses the higher revolutions...of realization...of being like a stream." Undulating water flows below a purely warm electro beat and synth. It reminds me of some of the Depeche Mode compositions from Ultra. Analog delicious that changes shape and goes from sweet sadness to a more positive melody, perhaps hopeful. Super smooth and relaxing. I'm so at one with the universe right now I could slip into a coma. Unspoken- More insect voices and an ethereal voice drift above synths and a soft breakbeat. Slow and steady with a calming vocal that refuses to be intrusive. Soft strings and delicate synth lines make me feel like I am witnessing the creation of a spider web. That is lit up with the fluorescence of Avatar. Unreal. Really. Make You Feel- I'm having a very Enya moment. Whisper soft voices that caress. No sound is alarming but all are welcome. The beat is a heartbeat, and if mine were any slower I would be dead. The vocal has the tone of an oboe as it flutters. I didn't think I could get this relaxed. Spiritus- "Hell is empty and all the devils are here." Strings fade in and out in a melancholy fashion as thunder rumbles. Cello work is reminiscent of Rena Jones, and while sadness is the tone, it is still something I am drawn to. Untitled- "People need something to believe in like you say. But you won't be able to have it your own way much longer. Cause the country ain't the same anymore. And I'm already feeling a stranger myself." Amen to that. Still, couldn't that have been worked into the final track somehow instead of being a "track" on it's own. Who am I to criticize. I'm just a guy that criticizes. I don't really know what to say here. This has to be one of the most relaxing albums I have had the occasion to listen to. Some tracks are hopeful, some sad, but all are superbly well done. You can hear every note, every stroke with a shocking clarity. The music was very beautiful and will lift you on waves of warm melody. The tracks are nice and short so they are easily digestible. The guy bends genres also, going from dub to downtempo to electronica all while dropping a smooth beat that is never intrusive. This really gets my vote for Chill Album of the year. Move over Aes Dana. Step aside Asura. There is a new sheriff in town. CDBaby Mdk

I thought it was close...very entertaining. Mdk

There is a zoo 1 hour away that has cages and such but also has a drive through safari where you can get really up close and personal with the animals. On certain days, they let you have your picture taken with the baby tiger as well as ride the elephant. Haven't done that yet. Natural Bridge Zoo The animals know to get in front of slow moving cars to get food and they also watch your fingers on the automatic windows. Mdk

Bout time! He says while getting goa trance for free. Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Fractal Energy 4 Label: Fractal Records Date: February, 2011 1 People Have The Power / Sidhartha vs. Tryon 2 Shattered Dimension / Geko 3 Storm / Outer Signal 4 Version Two / Khopat vs. Brainwash 5 Sky High / Magneto vs. Freeze 6 Global Strike / Alienn vs. Ignition 7 Flying Forward / Karmacrop 8 File Exchange / Magneto vs. Freeze 9 The 4th Dimension / Supercell 10 Mind Blow / Hyperactive vs. Exodus Ahhh, sequels. They have been around as long as anyone can remember and do their darndest to cash in on the initial success of whatever came first. Just like clockwork you can bet Hollyweird will shovel them out and with Swiss accuracy you can almost bet that they will be sucktackular. The Next Karate Kid...Even Ralph Macchio didn't want a piece of this...Ralph Macchio! They're praying on the cover, praying nobody sees this. Teen Wolf Too...Just soak that image up. Conan the Destroyer(you know it's bad when Arnold is the most accomplished actor in this steaming pile) Interesting side note: Wilt Chamberlain who claims to have nailed over 20,000 women in his book is the bodyguard charged with protecting the virginity of the princess. I'm not making that up. Just put a new bell and whistle on it and trot it back out there with the same formula to make some more cash. Some are ridiculous. Did you know that they are planning to make a sequel to the 1983 hit Vacation? Hey, f*cktards, they did that already, it was called European Vacation. And really, a sequel to Showgirls. Showgirls? If I kicked you in the nuts and it hurt, why would you want me to do that again? Umm, yeah...I would would gargle with some bleach if I were you. Have you ever been to a strip club? With the same idea, here comes DJ Solaris with the 4th installment of the Fractal Energy Series. This title has gone the way a lot of the movies have done. First one was great, 2nd a little worse, 3rd one...ok, it's getting a little tired and now, here we are. The tracklist looks tasty, but will we be dealing with a LOTR situation or will this be Police Academy 9: What the F*ck am I still doing here? People Have The Power- Oh. Hell. Yes. This is how it's done. Sidhartha has been laying it down for quite a while and The Twilight Solution by Tryon in 2008 was one of the best albums for me. Dark vibe throughout, rambling bass line and echoing synths that come at you in waves. Lasers fire in massive bursts and the energy here is immense. This is twilight music to the core and a superb track. Shattered Dimension- Amir from Israel scored a pretty good hit with Poison Flowers in 2009. With some techno influences he gets right into it with some sweet synth sounds that play over a repeated riff. Very groovy and danceable and his 1 bar breaks are pretty inventive. The long break was entertaining with nice effects even if I couldn't understand the sample. Hi-tech for sure and a karate kick lead to the face. Nice work! Storm- This duo has had more smashes than a guy who works for Taco Bell. Their album Fabric of Space had its fair share of great tracks so these guys are pretty solid. The bass line thumps as effects round out the edges. The distorted lead is minor key delicious and then he adds a modulated synth making the track pretty noisy. The break has a cyber vibe as he twiddles the filter cutoff, but the best part is the end where he ties it all together with lasers and layers. Good stuff. Version Two- "Be careful...there is much energy in the room beyond. It stems from nothing that lives." If that does not sum up these projects I don't know what will. These guys have had a couple of great tracks, but more often than not I'm underwhelmed by their production. Hell I'm still recovering from the trauma suffered at the hands of the last Brainwash album Maximum Diarrhea. There are stops and starts and buildups but with the heavy acid lines it is much more enjoyable than previous work. It's pretty intense with the throttle mashed down the entire way. The break seethes with evil though as the tension rises and effects fall. The buildup out of the break though reminds me why I wanted to strangle this guy in the first place. He cannot help himself. Way better than the album...wait, like that would be difficult. I think someone needs an intervention. Sky High- Oh yeah, I'm still rockin' Earthquake. Aren't you? I heard this guy was in jail in India a while back. Guess he got out. Their effects set the dark stage for quite the stormer. Acid whizzes by your ears and you would swear he was on the wheels of steel. The intro and the first break have a cinematic quality as an outer space leads tramps out its melody. The lead out of the second break is metallic and it weaves its way through a variety of stops and starts. I'm not a fan of the sound, and honestly it killed whatever momentum it generated. Not bad, but I have heard way better. Global Strike- Alienn is one of my favorite artists and his album Cosmic Matter is f*cking awesome. He doesn't make bad tracks, he just doesn't. Lasers, effects, and that deep bass line rock with a metallic lead. When the acid synth that is Patrick's signature comes in you know it's an Alienn track. Where did I put my dancing shoes? The only thing I didn't like was of course, the buildup, but it was mercifully short and doesn't really detract from the power in this track. Great stuff. Flying Forward- Khopat + Sidhartha should mean twilight gold. Should. The bass line rages at a rapid pace as acid splashes all over the place. Layers start stacking and the lead melody has a carnival atmosphere to it. The break sees a lead grow out of the darkness, get detuned a bit, and of course be part of a small build up. The end kicks some major ass though, like that Australian kid did to that small bully. Where is that clip? See dude, you can only push someone so far...good for him. File Exchange- "The psychedelics opened my mind to whole new spaces of myself." Magneto and Freeze? It's like Comicon up in here. Computer sounds echo above the bass line as the track builds. I like the lead (kinda goaish) as it churns amidst some acid flashes. Relentless for sure, as it keeps hammering away with a slight key change. It gets buildupy also (seems to be a theme) but it ain't bad. Well the final build up was kinda bad. I like how it keeps shifting focus and melodies, you know out with the old....Good job. The Fourth Dimension- This is Beat Fehlmann (yes you read that correctly) and every track I have ever heard from him has been subpar. He was also on Gaia Tek 2, 3, and Fractal Energy 3. Everyone deserves 4th chances (right Mel?) and well...maybe it's 5th chances. Hold up, it's not turrible, but it's like all of his other stuff...it just is. Nothing special. Either he is a co-owner of the label or...I don't know how to finish that last sentence. This is like being on the front lines and the platoon fires rocket launchers and machine guns, and then he gets up and throws a rock. Congratulations DJ Solaris, you have redeemed yourself and made up for volumes 2 and 3. The tracks here are high energy and twilight tastic. Some were of the weaker variety, but most were good and several were downright excellent. Psyshop Beatspace SaikoSounds Goastore Mdk

The pic I posted was an old one, back when I was young...here is the family today. Yep, that's a real baby tiger. Mdk

I didn't think I would like it either, but the more I played it the more infectious it became. After his disappointing 2nd album, he has gotten his groove back. Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Fashion Label: Blue Tunes Austria Date: September, 2010 1. Haldolium - Salt (remake 2010) 2. Ski Fi - Evolution 3. Symphonix - Everything You Want 4. Midimal - Age Of History (Phaxe remix) 5. Suntree - Carrying The World 6. Galactika - Human Beings (Ritmo remix) 7. Jochem Peterson & Tom Hill - Wild Silence (Neelix remix) 8. Xibalba - The Path 9. Osher - Tell Me (feat Venes) 10. Lish - Running Away Montagu and Golkonda? If I didn't know any better I would think this was the next villains to fight Godzilla. Is that Montagu...or Golkonda? Poor name choice aside, the Wötanowski brothers have been at the helm of quite a few good compilations. Sure I have been less impressed with the Symphonix project, but everyone deserves a 2nd chance. I said 2nd not 102nd Lindsay. I mean really how long is it before she does porn? Get it over with already! I picked this up solely for the Phaxe remix, Suntree track, and the Ritmo remix. No it was actually for the Haldolium one, you got me. No you didn't. Salt (Remake 2010)- Awesome, a remake of Salt...never heard of it. How boring was it before he remade it? It slumbers along like it overdosed on some Ambien and only at the very end is there a remotely interesting melodic phrase. I suppose there are those that like the minimalist style of this artist, but sadly..I ain't the one. Friends don't let friends listen to Haldolium while driving. Evolution- Miles better right out of the gate. A bouncy beat with some choir stabs. Yeah, I wasn't expecting that either. The break is smooth with a synth providing a nice undercurrent for the simple galloping lead. It's a little light on ideas (considering the title) as it really doesn't evolve much, but it's not bad. Everything You Want- Based on their latest album The Usual Suspects I wasn't expecting much from this track. This is a project that has the tools, but doesn't seem to be able to put it together. Here though they bring a smooth X-files vibe with chimes echoing with far away reverb. It's not heavy at all, but delightfully digestible. You've heard the chord progression more times than you've changed underwear (hopefully) but it works. Nothing groundbreaking, but has a nice groove to it. Age of History (Phaxe Remix)- This is a remix of the track from the Sunday compilation. I have liked most of Phaxe's work and once again he doesn't disappoint. He uses some cuddly popcorn percussion with his numerous layers. The pads were especially sweet with their far reaching capabilities. Enjoyed the break as the tension builds and a new melody emerges. And that melody is very playful and happy. Very nice stuff. Carrying The World- Have you heard his album Inside yet? Why not, it was made 2 years ago and was fantastic. Most of his compilation work is also worth checking out as well. Like the rest of the compilation, this one is rather minimalistic in scope and evolution. The break is a little underwhelming (and you need one as long as this b*tch is) maintaining its tempo without the beat but it didn't introduce anything new. So....I could do without this. Dude, with the repetitive "the word" sample you kinda...well, you know.. Human Beings (Ritmo Remix)- Don't let me down Dubi! I've never heard the original so this is a clean slate. He begins with some floating pads but I don't care for the percussion at 2 and a half minutes. It is short lived however and he continues to develop his track in the break. Nice recovery. The chopped up synth is very remote and adds a nice touch. The 2nd break sees a return of the intro pads and becomes a nice way to tie it all together. Pretty good, but I have heard better from him. Wild Silence (Neelix Remix)- Neelix drops in with a remix and it sounds like a housey Village People beat. I have nothing against that as I grew up with that record. Sure it's a gay anthem factory, but try explaining that to a 7 year old. I just remember thinking they were bad ass.. C'mon you got a cop and the army guy had a gun and a knife...that rules for a 7 year old. And there's an American Indian. Talk about an under represented demographic. Listening to this track....I think I prefer Macho Man. No you're gay. The Path- Anytime you have a sample that describes the track you've already made my sh*tlist. For example, "Motherf*ckin' big fat bass." That's for 7 years in Tibet! The track itself isn't terrible, as it works with a lot of percussive sounds but it would've had to be the best track in the world to come back from that annoying sample. Keep steppin'. Tell Me- I've been impressed with Osher as his album Twilight was a very nice bit of all right. That rhymed. And I believe he delivers the track of the compilation. It kinda has a glitchy start with a long sweep that echoes into the distance. The effects make it methinks, sounds coming from everywhere while the beat maintains its steady pace. Slow and deliberate with a nice groove. Bravo sir. Running Away- Lish released an album called Miles Away with mixed results for me, but he will always have Free Fall which I believe his best work. Still you would need several CD's to make a greatest hit for these guys....they've been doing it a long time. This track has that house bounce that makes the toes tap. No twists just straight ahead bounce. Hey that's a great way to end the compilation. Short wrap up here. There are some good tracks here and I would say this is on the more minimalistic side of the progressive genre. Some nice melodies and good groove, but not lush and many layered. You have some house influences that are also pleasing so it's not bad. Plenty of other compilations have this one beat though. JunoDownload Beatport Mdk

Mdk

Yeah that is one thing that I would love to see expanded here...many more smileys. Mdk

Hey! Mdk

Listening to the E-mantra track Neural Vortex from Resonant Earth. Mdk

Artist: Painkiller Title: Duty Freak Label: Nutek Records Date: November, 2010 1. Blackout 2. New Visions 3. Out of control 4. Diverse Species 5. I Believe 6. YourLife.com 7. OverActive 8. Blurry 9. Gazpacho This is Roy Engel from Spain with his 3rd album. It's released by Nutek so my hopes aren't...well let's just say that I am prepared to set the bar very low. Nothing personal, but that label has been known to sneak a few turds in the punchbowl. Roy was really good at making powerful psytrance with his first two discs (also released by Nutek) so I'm curious to see if he still has it. Blackout- "I'm going to show you an interesting application today. It's called blackout." In typical generic full-on fashion the track builds slowly with the bass line being the main ingredient. It's a good title, as I attempted to chloroform myself. When the track starts rising in detuned fashion I'm starting to buy what you're selling. The breakbeat is pretty cool as the sample returns and brings a rave style synth riff with a terribly painful build up. Ouch dude, you want to kick me in the nuts with the first track? Is that how it's gonna be? New Visions- "Over the years, the European Space Agency has proved that space visions can be turned into reality." I'm sure they can. Just not in this economy. At first I liked this better as there are some good layers but watch it with those build ups. The sample is nice however it comes of as a cheap ploy to work a build up in. You ain't foolin nobody Mr. Engel. Out of Control- "This is AMAZING!" This is why we restrict the scope and size of government." Much more powerful and in your face than the previous tracks. This is what I am used to from you Roy. Hard and driving with an edge. No real buildups to make me angry just run through a brick wall momentum. Easily the most substantial banger here so far. Diverse Species- "We have evolved as communal organisms. Colonies..of vast numbers of species. In the guts alone there are more than 50 trillion bacteria. Most of these bacteria are not parasites and they don't normally cause disease. In fact...you could not survive without them." Wicked sample Roy, I gotta hand it to you. The lead in the next wave is pretty good, as another arrives to replace it. Man it bounces nicely above that bass line. But I told you, watch the build ups. And what the f*ck is up with that interlude? It came out of nowhere and...well played sir. I like different. Kudos again for the surprising turn the track takes, I wondered when the acid was going to fly. Pretty good, but unfortunately joy was short lived as the track lost whatever momentum it had at the end. I Believe- "I want to represent an idea. An idea that you really can make what you want." I think that was an I Am Legend sample, but don't hold a gun to my head. The leads are grimy with a whiplike motion as a new filtered lead climbs out of the muck to dance. It all comes to a crescendo and then gets deconstructed, but the end promises a groovy ride on a roller coaster. Very good Roy, but you still lose points for the build up though. Yourlife.com- "We are here today to ask those who are still sleeping to wake up...and join us." Like most of you I googled that "website" to see what would appear. Some teen blog or something...I'll be honest, I have a very short attention span. I really liked this beast. Forceful, like when I put the smackdown on someone, and chaotic with a good lead synth like when I try to find my car keys. The bad...Roy you don't f*cking listen, I hate buildups. Just don't do it. Apart from that this track is full and really goes full throttle. OverActive- With a cyber feel right form the get go the track slings bass sounds above computer whirrings. It constantly feels as though the track is rising trying to get to that other level. The break is a slice of freshness as stuttering popcorn sounds stagger about. It's not long though until we are climbing again trying to reach...what, I dunno...the cookies on the top shelf? All in all it has the goods with a pretty good ending. The buildups though, I just cannot get past them sometimes. Blurry- Yeah, I don't know about this one. Really full oney, with not a lot of redeeming qualities. Did Nutek try and sneak this one in there? The one note bass line, the simple melodies...it all adds up to... go home and do it again. Tommy Lee Jones...Men In Black...is anybody listening? Gazpacho- I can't be the only one who thinks of this when I hear the word gazpacho? Tomato soup served ice cold! Barney tells her to go back to Russia...anyone? The flamenco guitar comes out in this one and I'm sorry I just don't think it has a place in psytrance like reason and facts have in organized religion. Another Simpsons reference...did ya catch that? Anyway, there isn't anything psychedelic here, tempos change and I wasn't feeling it. Terrible way to go out Roy. If that is even your real name... Man this was a surprise. When I read this was released by Nutek I was preparing for the demise of another artist whilst he caters to the lowest common denominator. But that didn't happen. This disc is full on, but more towards the darker side. It has power and crazy melodies and he ability to make you want to dance. It's not without it's flaws of course. For me there are too many buildups in the tracks to make them outstanding, but that is purely taste. My father once told me that opinions are like rectums...everyone has one. Well my rectum hates buildups. Also that last track...flamenco guitar + buildup = get me the hell outta here. I know he is from Spain, but that would be like me breaking out in the Lucky Charms song because I'm Irish. Maybe. While it's not going to knock any one of the Midnight Storm CDs out of my rotation, it has its very good moments. You've still got it Roy...well, at least some of it. Psyshop Beatspace Goastore Mdk

Artist: Rumble Pack Title: Breaking The Silence Label: Moon Spirits Records Date: November, 2010 1. Warped up 2. Tec Droid 3. Restructured 4. Spike 5. Breaking the silence 6. Sonic Fusion 7. Roadtrip to wonderland 8. Hallucinated 9. Just passing by All right, now that I have put my son down for a nap, I can get down to business. As I was carrying him to his crib I accidentally whacked his head on the side of the door. Whoops. So either he is really tired or has a concussion; let's hope for the former. The other day he fell down a few stairs. Kid doesn't cry though...he got up, looked at the stairs with that "what the f*ck just happened" look and went on playing. He constantly bumps into the kitchen table and just keeps on going. Love that tough little guy. Anyway this is a project that has been on my radar since they went by the name Blue Vortex back in 04. It is Andreas Maerki and Philip Guillaume from Switzerland and they apparently went to the Filipe Santos school of projects because they also go by the name of Natural Flow (progressive side) and Philip is Motion Drive. I think these guys have long stradled the line between progressive and psytrance with pretty good results. Since I like to educate as well as amuse, let's see what the great nation of Switzerland has contributed to the world... Obviously known for watches, chocolates, and that cheese with the holes in it, but did you know that they founded the Red Cross? That would explain the flag similarities. Some of the most incredible scenery is there including the Matterhorn. Let's not forget their contribution to cutlery and resourcefulness...the Swiss army knife. But for me, they are most known as the country that gives safe haven to child rapist and fugitive from justice I don't care where you ran off too, if you did that to anyone I knew no place would be safe. I don't blame Rumble Pack, but I don't not blame them. I would probably get around to slicing that guy's windpipe, but with all that delicious chocolate and great skiing, I wouldn't be in that much of a hurry either. Warped Up- "If indeed there is an invisible landscape, then perhaps that invisible landscape is a universal. Not just on this planet, but on all planets." Yeah, I don't know what that means. The first thing I noticed about this track is its atmosphere. Truly outer space with a deep chill. The bass line is simple, but the effects bring out that tinge of isolation. Just you and the stars. There are plenty of melodic layers to enjoy and I feel this would fit well in a progressive or psytrance set. Nice, my friends. Tec Droid- "HK-47...I did not realize that you still existed. Especially now that the other generations are activated." With a title like that and the sample, there is a definite future vibe here. When people think of droids invariably these come to mind Is nothing sacred? This is a pure full on tune that isn't that great. I and others have discussed that there is a difference between mindless full-on and intelligent full on. Like chicks in Vegas who participate in jello wrestling, you cannot paint them all with one brush. Although if I have to hear how another dancer is just doing this to pay her way through medical school I think I will plotz. It has a nice atmosphere to it even if it sounds like it was made 7 years ago. By Alien Project. Restructured- But Billy, it's got lasers...you like lasers. That it does my friends as well as several leads adding to its depth. The effects cover up for the dated bass line and it really is like taking a trip in a time machine. Still, the rhythm is nice even if it has a full on fluffiness about it. The final bit is quite good in the break and while not superb it was a little better than average. Spike- 4th track in and I am drowning in full on, but all I ask is a little patience because things eventually get better. From the middle on this is a rich and eerie ride through space. The leads are nice and reminds me of stuff from Glowing Flame, but the fact that I had to wait over 4 minutes makes me a sad panda. Still better than the last track. Breaking the Silence- I think something else is broken...your bass line maker because it's stuck in full on mode. I do like some of the effects, but that creativity gets lost in the generic plodding. My favorite part is the break where pads arc across the sky and a lead burrows from underground to break the surface. Not enough ideas for this one to take flight me thinks... Sonic Fusion- Again there are some nice touches here with some good leads and layering, but it is sucked into that vortex of derivative full on structure. I'm going to have to break out disappointed Asian father here... Roadtrip to Wonderland- More like roadtrip to Snoozeville. Hallucinated- Yep, bass line machine is definitely broken. Stuck on crap. What did you guys do, leave the room and let the sequencer run? C'mon, you can do this. Maybe. Just Passing By- That's funny cause that's just what this CD did...it just passed by. To be fair, this one had a good break that brought a smooth lead out. But thin, people, really thin. I would sum this disc up in the following manner. Started off great and then.... Sigh. You know when you turn on the radio you have so many choices right? From classic rock, to top 40. From metal to country music and even gospel. You know what this is? Easy listening. From 6 years ago. It's pure full on with some nice progressive touches and atmosphere, but most assuredly light. I liked the first track the best, but there is nothing here that stood out or I would remember if you played it for me right after I just listened to it. Generic and easily forgettable. Pass on by like the Pharcyde. Psyshop Beatspace Goastore Mdk

Artist: The Riddler Title: Questions Label: TesseracT Studio Date: February, 2011 1. Robots like to have sex 2. Hide and seek 3. Digital Users 4. Questions 5. A whisper of hope 6. Little Bastards 7. Intelligent shade of green 8. Outsider 9. Surprise 10. Dreamer This was a blind buy. Because this label has consistently produced top notch quality progressive trance, they have earned that respect from me. Compilations like Subfuse and Future Nature as well as the Vertex release Ocean have all garnered rave reviews from me. Smooth, emotional music that did not forget to pack its boogie shoes. So, yeah I just bought it without hearing samples. Come to think of it, that was kind of ballsy and risky. But I'm here to tell you that it was worth it. So much so that it has found a new home atop my playlist. I can't get it out. Like that friend who won't leave when the party is clearly over? But actually it is like a hot piece of ass that you find ways to meet. To show up "coincidentally" every where she is. Because of this, the review will feature boobs, butts, and a whole lot of shaking. Because...well, I like all of those things. So keep the kids away. God I hate that guy. His fifteen minutes was up 16 minutes ago. Thankfully the one responsible is not him. It is none other than Goran Juric. You know, Talpa? When he released The Art of Being Non way back in 04 it was revolutionary. And I don't use that word lightly. He followed up with When the Somberness Becomes a game and well, it was... But not unlike Osher I believe he has found his new calling. This disc is loaded with...f*ck I don't know how to label it. It has house, progressive, ambient influences....it's all over the place. But it is so infectiously groovy and induces involuntary ass wiggling that really needs to be studied. Imagine if you could harness that power stop a bank robbery just by playing this...one moment the crooks are threatening hostages, and they're scared out of their wits... the next... It's the Soul Train awards. Just so you know, no racism was implied. I'm sure there are plenty of white bank robbers but they are hard to find on Soul Train. Just sayin. Robots Like To Have Sex- Well no sh*t, who doesn't like the sticky icky? I knew Goran changed his style, but this is total 180 type stuff. Huge big beat and wrap around bass with mid tempo love. Even the break is super well done with drifting pads and soft repeating tones. The chopped up funkiness is just the icing on the cake. Makes a brotha wanna bounce.. Hide and Seek- More Earth shattering bass that whips your head around like you just got knocked the f*ck out! Rambling riffs rise and fall but at the perfect tempo for shakin' it. The dark melody that comes next is ultra groovy and sinister. Even white boys gotsta shout The bounce keeps going with the synths shimmering and the bass thumping and then it brings back the melody with spooky effects. The synth runs arrive again and on their own they would be annoying but with that bass...grill cheese. I like grill cheese. Fantastic. Digital Users- Opera singing? Choirs? Wouldn't think that would fit together would you? Liar. Well with the bass as the glue it sure does as a lead screams across the track. I mean it has it all, stuttering synths, vibes...it's kinda like a Tim Burton house party. Spooky yet eerily groovy. Questions- The bass is different here, more rumbling instead of filthy. The captain has turned the groove sign on and we can see the city lights. The break is special with it's jazz doo's...who the f*ck invited the cast of glee to this party. Whatever, it works. It's another pensive groover that isn't solely about the good time. The end is almost a Catholic lament for chrissakes. Very nice though. A Whisper of Hope- This is the ambient interlude which is kind of weird. It floats along with a simple refrain as the background. I wonder what he is hoping for? This is what it made me think of.. Little Bastards- We're back to uptempo stuff with a glitchy, grungy roller. It's more minimal with its wobbly bass, but it has a melody that screams to be heard. It's disco ball intense and kinda nasty. Wow, two Katy Perry gifs...didn't see that coming. Intelligent Shade of Green- There has been a shift in focus gentlemen. No longer are we here to party, but to be introspective. This is the thinking man's progressive trance with a xylophone, brass sounds and a smooth breakbeat. Melancholy sounds echo into space as the bass line rumbles forward. Where we once had sunshine and light, the sun has since set and the freaks shall come out at night. Outsider- Eerie spookiness continues as synths shimmer in the moonlight but man did he pack his nut kicking bass. It's super groovy and melodic trancey style hits me just right. When the epic trance lead comes in you can't help but feel you are on the shores of Ibiza. Slow and sexy like. Surprise- Another low grumbler with big bass and somber synth tones. The sun is long gone but ain't nothing like a Doggy Dogg party cause a Doggy Dogg party don't stop. More synths come in layers as a piano riffs in briefly. High brow stuff here people. He then takes a turn towards electro but I gotta hand it to him, he delivers a tasty treat. Dreamer- We close with the soft sound of the tides lapping at the shore as more synths shimmer high above the Earth. A smooth breakbeat allows me to reflect on what Goran has just delivered. Guitar strings gently strum amidst distorted synth sounds. A really relaxing piece that ends with the sounds of wildlife and the ocean. Super. Wow, this was a stupendous release. It was melodic, emotional, and first and foremost ass wiggling tastic! He brought elements from all over the map and put them together in a seriously tasty melange that gets better with every play. My hat's off to you (if I wore one) this was an excellent effort that should be heard by all who like electronic music. Tesseract you have done it again. I can't make it any plainer..well, maybe this will help. It's a f*cking cracker. Highly recommended. Psyshop Beatspace Goastore Mdk

Artist: Tryambaka Title: Replenishing Roots Label: One Foot Groove Date: February, 2011 1. Red / Tryambaka 2. Citizens of the Universe / Shiva and Tryambaka 3. I saw your saw (Sick Addiction rmx) / Tryambaka 4. Acid Trip (Tryambaka rmx) / Menog 5. Fitz Fatz (Tryambaka rmx) / Rastaliens 6. Sex and Death (Tryambaka rmx) / Artifakt 7. Furious (Tryambaka rmx) / Elixir 8. Alien Disco (Tryambaka rmx) / Cosmosis 9. Power of Celtic (Tryambaka rmx) / Shiva Shidapu I like people who take risks. They're special. Rather than stay inside their comfort zone they venture out into the unknown. Everyone knows about base jumpers and sky divers, but those people are f*cking insane. The real heroes are the regular people that try to do something a little different. Whether out of desire or need. "Yeah when I went to pick her up for our date she said that she had a surprise for me. I thought I was gonna get laid." Anyone can ask for change on the street; this guy went the extra mile. I gave him ten bucks. I knew things were bad in Greece, but I had no idea. This is Tiago Pimentel (not the kid above as far as I know) and I heard a lot of hype about his 2nd album. It is being released by One Foot Groove who recently gave us the very impressive Kut 'n' Paste disc. Turns out it is for the most part a remix album, but check out some of the artists and tracks he is giving the business. Alien Disco? Power of Celtic? I know Tryambaka is a twilight artist, but those two tracks seem a wee bit out of his strike zone, no? I knew that I had to hear them. By the way, his last name is Pimentel which sounds like pimento to me so...from here on I shall refer to him as the olive. No offense homie, I love olives. Red- "It's like everything is one big puzzle in your mind." Ooohh, juicy bits. Crawling creeping synths shamble above a powerful kick. With a very forest feel the bass line moves up and down as metallic leads spray like machine gun fire. It's pretty thick with layers and atmosphere while not taking its foot off the pedal. I got the feel that when I stepped into this track it got all over my legs and wouldn't come off. The final part has a twist in design that maintains its twilight focus. Nice opener olive! Citizens of the Universe- "Ignorance is no longer an excuse." It never is. Ever try to get out of a ticket? "Sorry officer, but I didn't know that I blew through a stop sign" doesn't seem to go over very well. Fear not though, there is more darkness afoot, squire! Leads that are too fast to grapple weave quickly above the bass line. There are key changes all over the place to keep the mind focused as a wailing lead bounds out of the break with razor sharpness. Very expansive and powerful and just when they might reach the height of the groove, a break arrives and let's you catch your breath. It's right back into the fray with more groove and rhythm. They did a great job with the melodies as they give the track beauty and make it also emotional, loved it. I Saw Your Saw (Sick Addiction Remix)- "In your own time...tell me the first thing you remember." "I woke up...all I could taste was blood...then metal." Yeah, in bartending school we call that the "you've had too much I'm not serving you anymore." Like the movie Saw? Then this is the track for you, full of samples and horror movie twilight. Not the teenage vampire gay-fest but the genre. But lest you think it's a cheese fest, they manage to deliver the power and melody while keeping the theme intact. The lead was a little shrill in my ears, but as per usual it is replaced with other dark sounds. Man these guys have the knack for putting together deep tracks. There is a lot going on but this is a good mover. Another good job gentlemen. Acid Trip(Tryambaka Remix)- I'm so glad the olive decided to tackle this track from Menog's album waaaaaay back in 2003. Because I thought it sucked donkey balls. I mean the lead in the original was so modulated that it sounded like he was playing it underwater. No offense intended, I think 2003 was a time when Menog was trying to find his way as an artist and that can always be forgiven. Actually I think I was too harsh; perhaps what I should say that the track had potential but left too much on the table. Yeah, that's it. So...um, no donkey balls. So Tiago gives the track a much needed makeover with clear production and more depth. The bass line is an immediate improvement as it rages forward with metallic scraping leads giving it a more chaotic feel. The break introduces that far away, melancholic vibe building to a pounding kick. Spooky horror movie synths are all over this track making you think you are watching a 1950's era science fiction film, but he doesn't forget where his bread is buttered. Twilight intensity is here in droves, and I think he did an admirable job. Fitz Fatz(Tryambaka Remix)- Talk about diggin' into the vault...On to the remix of the Rastaliens from their album Freestyle. Like the Menog track before, this one is full of darkness in its original state so I'm curious to see where he takes it. If you guessed down a dark road....ding ding ding! Winner. Yeah, 70's Family Feud with Richard Dawson where you never knew how drunk he was when he started tongue kissing some poor schmuck's wife. She liked it. The lead is crafty and agile as it dances along while effects perpetuate the dark feel. It feels like something is crawling on me. Please don't let it be spiders. Please don't let it be spiders. Get the f*ck outta here. They got sh*t like that over there? I would be like that chick in the 2nd Indiana Jones flick afraid to put my feet on the ground and screaming the whole time. Thumbs up on this one as it is more melodic but still creepy and rhythmic. Great job Olive. Sex & Death(Tryambaka Remix)- Another long ago track from the Encryption compilation by Artifakt. I have never been a great fan of his music as it has always seemed harsh and amelodic, but I appreciate his creativity. And this one was way out there, quirky and built for the tech-trance crowd. Now the original was over 11 and a half minutes so I'm glad he cut it down a bit. It still has that techy vibe with scratching sounds and bleeps, but he drops a dirty groove here. So firm and fully packed with much more melody. The only negative here is the buildup and even that wasn't that bad. Keep on flying soul brother! Furious(Tryambaka Remix)- Well here we go, a foray into goa and crazy goa at that. I went back and listened to all the tracks he's remixing and I think this one was an underrated gem. Well the Olive turned a chaotic goa track into an insane twilight stomper. It never stops and when the sample says Furious, mother f*cker it is on! This is an absolute skull crusher and catapults to the top of my favorites. Bravo sir, bravo. Techno Viking approved! Alien Disco(Tryambaka Remix)- Talk about chutzpah, taking on one of the greatest goa trance anthems and remixing it? After seeing what he could do with the Elixir track though I am a believer. It begins kinda sunshiney goa but quickly the night goa takes over. The lead shambles up and down and the signature synth squirts its arpeggio out while pads convey the night time. When the acidic lead arrives all bets are off as this should make Cosmosis proud. Another cracker. Somebody get the hose, homie is on fire! Power of Celtic(Tryambaka Remix)- I hate this song. Hate it. I know a lot of people label this a classic, but it makes me want to kick things when I hear it. What Mr. Baka did here though was give it life and a continue with the dark cinematic feel. It's got power, minor chord leads, and some of the original to let you know he heard the original. He assaults with lasers and horror movie chimes and cat quick bass lines. I wasn't a fan of the key change, but it was also in the original so that wasn't a deal breaker. So you get some beef, some Irish highland vibe, and some pretty deep darkness. Think of it as an updated version with more punch! I thought I was going to be in for another full-on disappointment. Far from it. The olive takes control and creates some remixes that for my money are all improvements. Well, not the Alien Disco. His version of it was kick ass, but you really can't touch the original. They had power, groove and plenty of darkness and melody. Very impressed. If you are a fan of twilight music then this will be right up your alley. GoaStore Saikosounds Beatspace Mdk

I've picked on Haldolium for being minimalistic and uninteresting, but your very honest review has my interest peaked just a little bit. The review itself was a great read as it felt like two friends talking rather than just text. Good job. Mdk

Artist: Leenuz Title: Polyhymnia Label: Ovnimoon Records Date: November, 2010 1. Echocentric 2. Senses 3. Astral Progression 4. Gathering of the tribes 5. Divine Darkness 6. Omnipotent 7. Ghost Network 8. Massive Hard On 9. Polyhmnia I live in the United States of America. I am proud to be an American and think that this is the greatest country on the planet. Now before you think, "There goes another Yank that thinks his sh*t doesn't stink" let me tell you, we have a lot of problems. First off we're run by f*cking idiots. I don't care what side of the aisle you're on, they both do the same stupid things. How the hell are we now in 3 wars? One side is mad that we are at war with Libya (although before we went that is what they wanted) and the other side is pissed we didn't get into it fast enough. We haven't won the first 2 and we want to start another? We gots no money. We're broke, but we keep getting rid of dollars like it's got dogsh*t on it. I would say China is bending us over, but we've done it and continue to do it to ourselves. That's like if I owed a million dollars (I know that ain't close to our debt, but it's still a lot of dough for normal people) and said, "F*ck it, you know what I don't have...a yacht." We give other countries millions and billions but refuse to take care of our own. Crisis in the world, who is the first one there? We are. That's great and I'm proud of that fact, but how long do people in the US have to be homeless, or how many kids have to go hungry and uninsured...lots of problems man. Which brings me to my final point. We are a nation of fat f*cks. That's fantastic Shamu but who do you think is going to have to pay for the doctor to amputate your leg because no matter how many times you have been told that not all food is comfort food you had to have that fourth humongous slice of wedding cake and your diabetes is off the chart? Me that's who. And the b*tch is smiling about it! She doesn't care so long as she can get those pudgy sausages she calls fingers to mash the buttons of the phone to vote for the next American Idol. There's too much food in this country. Know what we need...a famine. I'm not talkin' about a fifty year long ordeal, just a decade or so to weed out the lazy f*cks. You know, survival of the fittest? Before you get your panties in a bunch about me hating on fat people, I realize that there are some situations where it cannot be helped. Instances where body chemistry is at work, glandular issues, depression...I feel for those people, I do because unfortunately my father is one of them. But I'm not talking to those or the ones who want help. I'm talkin' about this heifer, who can't dig herself out of her La-Z-Boy for five seconds to walk what seems like to her a marathon to her fridge and get an apple or an orange while Jerry Springer is on. Lord even our pets are obese. Do you hear this conversation? Cat sees a mouse run across the kitchen floor and between wheezes says, "Ah....f*ck it. Where's my milk?" We need to do one of two things if you aren't on board for the famine thing. Aren't there lions in Africa that are endangered and starving? Send these sprinters over there to sustain the feline population and numbers will undoubtedly soar. Having feasted on large Americans the prey of the lions will also thrive and give bounty to the people in Africa that are starving. It's total win. Either that or make it mandatory that fat people have to have houses with 3 flights of steps. Can't make it to the front door? Here's a blanket, looks like you're sleeping on the sidewalk. You're probably asking where is the review. All right, here we go, a proper review. Please excuse my rant, had to be done. Once I get going it's hard to stop. Leenuz is Linus Nilsson from Sweden and he combines progressive music with some forest and goa stylings. I heard a track from him a long while ago that was given freely called Elve of Dorthonion that gave me a clue what to expect from this guy. Echocentric- That bass line rumbles loudly as a wavering synth oscillates across the track. The break is cool too with some percussion and clever synth work. He's got the washes that you hear in progressive music, but he brings power as well. Thumping really, with bass sounds that coalesce like the flood of a tsunami. Too soon? It turns into quite the galloper, with a nice hint of goa goodness. Senses- Again he hits with that really pounding bass line but this track starts off quieter. More minimalistic if you will, but he adds small touches slowly. Delicate goa melodies sneak around during the break. The sample is unintelligible to me, and the track reverts back to its minimalistic state. Normally I would hate it, but I kinda like it. You can feel something building and that something is some swirling leads. Pretty good. Astral Progression- 3rd track in and I feel like I feel like I have heard this before... I think if you put Astral into the title, you have an obligation to make a cosmic track. Gathering of the Tribes- Nothing make me feel more funky than a tribal feel. That is some rhythmic percussion. Throw in that chanting and I might as well have jumped out of a plane into the bush. The bass shows a lot more life instead of plowing full steam ahead like a senior citizen who can't see over the steering wheel. The melody line is also quite groovy sounding very old school. I wish he would've maintained it a little longer as the final couple of minutes doesn't offer much in the way of twists. Still, powerful tune. Divine Darkness- Yeah, the title here is a tad misleading. The lead here is chopped up and does have a dark feel to it. Another one comes in and it is just straight ahead without much change. There is also a nice bass sound later on and then another synth that spirals like a nitzo tune. Not bad, but nothing divine. Omnipotent (Leenuz Remix)- Love the beginning of this track with its wraparound synths and soft breakbeat. It's not long before it begins its gallop and for too long I might add. This is just pounding of the bass and some sounds in the background. I found nothing redeeming in this track after the opening. Shame. Ghost Network- It takes over two minutes for this one to get on its horse and even when it does I find myself disinterested. A melody going this way and that, but it's boring. Not much here. Massive Hard On- The bass is really deep on this one. More aggressive and driving. Once again I don't understand the sample, but this is a pretty good psytrance track. Probably my favorite here. Polyhymnia- Down to the final track and he ended well. This one probably has the thickest sounds and most atmosphere. It's driving while also being hypnotizing with its melody. There is a bubbling underneath as well as a nice percussion. The break is some of his best work I believe, as it allows the track to gather itself and introduce a new melody. Nice work. What I'm finding in his tracks that melodies aren't very intricate and tend to go on too long. That gets tiring after a few tracks. You won't remember this but back in the late eighties when they would do a remix of a song it was basically just making it longer and adding some slight changes. There are parts in every track that I like so it's not to say this isn't an enjoyable listen. It is, but I felt it needed more details. Hell, there were areas where I swear he put in a 303 just bubbling under the surface. Let that beast out my friend! My mind started wandering more as the disc continued to play. Essential? Obviously not, but it was worth listening to. There you go! Mdk Psyshop Beatspace Goastore Mdk

Artist: Kozvox Title: Cosmic Voice Label: Independent Date: March, 2011 1. Medsin (148 BPM) 2. World Beyond (148 BPM) 3. 28 Tweaks Later (148 BPM) 4. Concious (148 BPM) 5. Perspective (150 BPM) 6. Sex Cells (150 BPM) 7. Seventh Dimention (150 BPM) 8. Human Behaviour (150 BPM) I'm a sucker for twilight music so when Basilisk put this up on his site I knew that I would get to it at some point. I've never heard of Kozvox but kudos to you guys for using a name that sounds like a name that already has a good following. Someone is putting that marketing degree to good use. The promo mentions their “consciously uplifting” approach to sound design. What the f*ck does that mean? Medsin- "Don't want to wait around for another half hour son cause I'll be f*cking you up." Don't tease the British, they can't help it if they talk funny. Matrix-esque chopped up computer voices chatter above a very frisky bass line. It's nicely cold when the synth echoes its arpeggio high above the bass that can't seem to get enough. "I need you to sort me out...you spilled my medicine." Love that sample and the track ain't half bad son. It surely has its groove thing going on. World Beyond- Lots of echoing and reverb in this one that really gets going around the 3 minute mark. Well, that's when the first melody I can detect appears. I didn't care for the stop and start after that which went on for a good 30 seconds. I got two words for you....flow killer. They recover nicely with some noisy clanking and banging that sounds like a plumber took 5 while working to express his inner Neil Peart. Don't know who that is? Drummer for Rush. I would've said Tommy Lee, but that guy hasn't drummed anything since Pamela Lee. 28 Tweaks Later- You know what needs tweaking? The bass preset. There are others you know. This has an ominous tone as the pads dictate, but it feels kind of empty and thin. I think they could've done so much more with this. Concious- "When it was over all I could think about was how this entire notion of ones self, what we are...is..is just this logical structure.." More great sample work and atmosphere is found here, they really are good at it. Was that a train whistle? Nice one. What wasn't so nice was the goofy Windows closing sound. Less is sometimes more. Meh, nothing to see here. Perspective- From my perspective, you guys are still using the same bass line. This is the definition of an empty track. There's still 6 minutes to go? Jeez, it just goes in circles... Sex Cells- This song was very boring and the end is so incredibly annoying I thought I would post something that sex is trying to sell me. I could use another exercise ball... No question, I could use...umm, whatever the f*ck this thing is. And here I need...ah,...what I could use is some...that's just an excuse to look at some nice cans. Seventh Dimention- This is a pounding darkpsy tune. Wait, I think I've heard this bass line before. C'mon guys. And the buildup...The track is surely "dimented" but far from thrilling. Human Behaviour- "First of all the word corruption is a monetary invention." Wait for it...wait for it...SAME BASS LINE! Really frustrating. And disturbing. But not as disturbing as this These guys are good with samples. They know when to use them and how to apply effects to them so they never sound tired. However besides that point, the whole thing sounds rather thin. Not a whole lot of variety, I mean the same bass line is present in every track. That cannot happen people. I think this may suit the tech-trance crowd than the ravenous twilight audience. Some more melodies would've been nice also. I would skip this as they have a long way to go. Ektoplazm Mdk