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Jon Cocco
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I dont want to sound like an asshole, but where did you get the idea that those tracks in Chi-AD's music section are all from his upcoming album, especially those first four that have been already released on MS EP?
Oh. I apologize. I just read something about a new album above and associated the new tracks in my mind to that "potential" uncertain new album. These tracks or some of them may or may not be part of something new. I have no idea. And I never heard the MS EP or had trouble when I tried ordering new singles off his site over a year ago. Those may or may not have been them. Anyway, I modified my post above so it doesn't seem as much like an album review as it does an individual track feedback, review.
Don't worry, you don't sound like an asshole. What does an asshole sound like anyway.
I just got overly excited, that's all. I wouldn't have written all that initially, not realizing that maybe Realignment and few others are newer and potentially part of something bigger. In that sense I would have simply commented on the ones not on MS EP I suppose. -
GOASIA - FROM OTHER SPACES
SUNTRIP RECORDS
2007
01. Intro : 02:50
02. Love & Peace : 08:19
03. Space Travellers : 07:49
04. From Other Spaces : 08:48
05. Octagon : 09:10
06. Liquid Soul : 08:05
07. Taboo : 08:32
08. Per Aspera ad Astra : 08:40
09. Sunrise : 09:12
10. Pray for Rain : 06:43
Goasia is one of the most talented new-school Goa-Trance artists. His style is the Eastern-Indian traveling Goa-Trance sound. Unlike maximal, high octane artists like Filteria, Goasia creates octane too, all the while being categorized in the more nature, earth meets space sound of Khetzal. Time and again I didn't feel that this artist got the explosure or album he deserved. After numerous compilations, often consisting of at least one or several good and/or great tracks by Goasia, my wonderment grew as to when this creative artist would release his debut. I became even more passionate and interested in Goasia after hearing the "Purple Energy Vol. 2" compilation than I had been after purchasing the first Pure Planet compilation in 2004. However getting a main album release from this artist felt like forever. While I didn't like the collaboration on PE2 because of the other artist sharing half the track spaces, the PE2 comp confirmed that Goasia was indeed one of the best new-school artist's in Goa-Trance. And now without further ado...
01. Intro is a good opening. It's very calm, lush, ethereal, and floating. Sounds of water drops incorporated into a stream of female-esque notes illuminate the slow, magical pond of sounds as it connects into a far greater body of water. This is a Goa-influenced ambient piece. The spiritual and mediation samples are appropriate. The song is very short but well placed to the source from where the journey will begin. B
02. Love & Peace doesn't take long to pick up. This is the first real Goa-Trance song on the album. The anticipation has only grown amongst Goa circles and those familiar with Goasia. The song develops with many strong melodies, which strengthen its support as it progresses. An interlude in the middle is effective as the music returns with more energy. At 4:02 is a wonderful moment as a leading melody paves the path forward. A second interlude simply fronts a thankful re-enactment to the previous event, the driving energy. This is a great dance piece. I like it when artists remove layers and introduce new sounds and melodies so the song doesn't feel repetitive. This is a most present feature of this song, which even introduces an Egyptian or Indian tune in the last third. The overall flow and music transforms into an entirely different yet connected stream of thought. The interlude concept is incorporated into this new melody structure. Overall I'm not blown away by this song; it is however very good, if not great. It's very well pieced together; its melodies are solid and catchy. However both they and the song is less psychedelic and infectious overall than what is surely to come. B
03. Space Travellers sounds very different than the previous number. The energy is stronger. Skipping melodic sounds are present. I love the skipping, alterated melodies or whatever that is from 2:58 to around 3:55. The music is filled with rippling (skipping) effects and a thick rhythm, both psychedelic and storming. While the previous number felt closer to the ground, like flying over Earth landscapes, this track takes its presence to space and the stars. It's more dynamic than the previous song too. Included is atmospheric and climactic tunes that never lift the song too high. In a sense they keep the traveling feel in control, this vehicle, while giving the traveling listener a sense of freedom without getting lost. Many artists would use the concept and theme here to create a climactic, Full On sound across the galaxies. However this artist has taken an unexpected direction. During the last third of the song, it seems like war or darkness has been avoided. The sun has come out or salvation has been reached. In theory it may sound cheesy but in execution it's beautiful. The whole space-ship-Goa-number has somehow reached the heavens or a celestial region in space from what began as a wonderful, hyper-speed leap through the cosmos. This is a song that starts strong and literally gets better as it progresses. I would love to hear more imaginative, artistic, and infectious numbers in the future by Goasia like this one. A-
04. From Other Spaces gradually builds into an emotive anthem of sounds; the melodies are warm and colorful. The beginning ignition at 1:08 is great. Like the previous number, this track really develops style and substance as it progresses. An example is a very catchy melody, introduced around 4:26. I really like the addition at 4:26 and how it changes the song, now brought together with fresh melodies. As the capsule moves forward it becomes more alive, specifically with a gentle tune around the 5:30 mark. The sounds collect themselves and ignite like a missile at around 6:20. As the track takes off, more crisp, tasty sounds are incorporated into the mix. I really like this song and find it visually space traveling like some of Astral Projections classic work. The intermission is beautiful, like a traveler or visitor looking over the untouched-by-man land. From around 6:22 and beyond is one of the greatest parts of the album. This song starts off good and, for the most part, keeps on getting better. My gripe is that the musical section from 6:20 to 7:10 is excellent, enchanting, and beautiful. I wish the artist further developed and highlighted that into the final seconds of the song because what's present feels so short. Nonetheless the song never ditches its great tune or direction entirely. This is a strong ride. I actually think it's on par with the last number, or very close. B+
05. Octagon instantly sounds different than previous songs. The opening voice could be a great new concept for the frogs of those memorable Budweiser commercials, all chanting together. It's very catchy and unexpected, adding aggression and drive to an album that has lacked having more adrenaline pumping moments, songs so far. One of my favorite things about this artist is his ability to capture unexpected sound elements and creatively incorporate them into quality Goa songs. An unexpectedly catchy melody appears at 2:40 that I initially overlooked. Also present is emphasis on the kick drum about halfway through. This track is generally "harder" than the others due to the emphasis on the kick drum. I like the removal of the kick emphasis at 6:12; it's a good element not overdone. Also at 6:12 gives the song another opportunity to regroup its energy and change its approach in capturing the listener. At around 6:50 begins a sound similar to that of a basketball, playing off the kick drum individually. These are cool ideas but the previous several songs seem to have invested more grip and development to hold my attention as the numbers progressed. THe middle third or so here is a bit dry and repetitive and lacks healthy evolution. The artist missed a chance here to bring back the frog voices or create something else catchy that stood out). A fresh melody variation takes place around 7:44. The combinations are nice throughout. Even an accentuation of sounds toward the very end compliments. These melodies are good. But not as infectious as what I've heard so far. Overall this is a solid track with a promising opening and enough good ideas to keep it entertaining throughout. For instance, the melody accentuation at 8:49 works well. More psychedelic alterations with the melodies would have been great earlier on in the song, such as when it didn't seem to know where to go in the middle third to some degree. Fortunately, the thumping "basket ball" is a catchy and provides some polish to a less strong piece in comparison to the previous two numbers at least. B
06. Liquid Soul seems more Astral Projection influenced than any of the songs here so far. Its melodies come fast; they're psychedelic and streaming. An interlude in the middle nearly gives the listener time to catch his or her breath. This is a very catchy number, and I’m much more impressed with it than the previous track. I simply find it’s skipping melodies, ambient, along with other various sounds (plane taking off, birds chirping?) more complimentary to the bigger picture. A strong burst of energy takes place at 5:52 and in combination to the melody work here, it’s more or less great. I love how the sound deepens around 6:57. It’s smart choices and attention to detail that can make or break any song. This artist has made many smart choices with this number. It isn’t what I consider excellent and it does get a bit repetitive here and there. But it's very well done overall, if playing a bit too close to the shallow end of the pool. Take a chance now and then! Nice work nonetheless. B+
07. Taboo has a quiet opening. It's more traveling than the general Full On Goa sound. The melodies flow together in harmony, that is, until they break away at 3:45. This track reminds me of something new-school Goa act Ethereal would do in concept, in that the waves of sounds generally stay close to the core band. In the Etheral [artist] concept, the song generally develops a thick band without the individualized layers breaking too far away from the main structure like waves in a stream or ocean. Everything flows like liquid. While such a song may appear less attention grabbing because it doesn't have a bright consistent lead that screams in your face, the thick, harmonic, Goa sound often works surprisingly well at times in inducing trance states. Naturally this is a more flowing, fluid, traveling dance track than that of a high speed, more aggressive (tracks 3 and 4) track. It's good for shutting the eyes to and fading away. B
08. Per Aspera ad Astra is a faster vehicle than the previous number. I like the voice work introduced in the first third. They don't last too long anyway and the galaxy of sounds appear to be more filled wit beauty than before. It's an interesting track but not as capturing as some of the previous number so far. Around 5:55 takes place an interest sound which compliments the space travel. However it's the intermission at 6:22 that is very interesting. Initially the returning voices from the first third return and sound a little too explosed. However the 7:00 mark sedates my suspecian with a smart change and aspect. The track improves as it progresses, especially past this peaceful trainsition in the middle. Thisis a pretty good song. B
09. Sunrise is umm.. WOW. Just... Can we get more tracks on this level please?
This is one of the absolute best [if not the best] 2007 Goatrance song of the year. Naturally this is a track I'd include in my resume if I was the artist behind Goasia. It's beautiful! This song really takes off for the heavens like an angel. The melodies and other various sounds create such an uplifting, beautiful feeling, sensation. The song is very emotive, powerful in a freely soaring, free spirited way. This is my favorite track on the album. Sunrise is a gorgeous gem. It's excellent. And it may just be a new-school Goa classic. How can a melody so simple be so effective, and raise what seems merely good in the first several minutes to something on another level? This song shows, no matter how simple, how just one sound, creatively put to use by a passionate artist, can turn a storm into one the prettiest sunrises ever. Sunrise is one of the most attractive new school Goa songs I have ever heard in my life. Awesome work Goasia. A-10. Pray for Rain is an Ambient flavored Downtempo track. While I often expect a chill track to end the Goa album, I wasn't expecting something this unique and evocative. The combination of vocal work without singing as well the ambient notes and melodies is very effective. I really like how the beat picks up around 1:24 and espeically how the song continues until around 1:53. The end of the first third involves a New Agey, World, and Ethnic influenced intermission or interlude. It's very pretty, floating. The piano work is really nice. The hardest part for me upon hearing this track initially was the female vocal hymns at 3:53. Soon after a male voce follows the womans hymns and I thought to myself: "Holy shit this artist has lost his marbles." But the effect is all very gentle and harmless anyway. While I may have decided to not take the choice to include vocal work here, I'd find it too subjective to subtract from the score. Aside from that and as someone mentioned above, it would have been cool if an entirely new, exclusive Goasia final number was released here, but I never heard Pray for Rain so it doesn't really apply to me. Nonetheless this track does seem a bit off theme from the rest of the album. And that's a pretty accurate observation I believe. But it is what it is. This song is defintely different from anything I've heard before. It's very warm and peaceful. I like it. B
In Conclusion, From Outer Space by Goasia includes some of the most strong and/or solid Goa-Trance songs I've heard all year. For those who enjoyed Khetzal’s Corolle, a winning album from 2005, the sound here follows the general Eastern-Indian category, through the creative, stylish mind of Goasia. The amount of solid Goa songs on this album is impressive. None are close to being average or below. Tracks 3, 4, and 9 stand out to me the most when making a great or excellent impression. Maybe I’ve just heard so many wonderful albums and tracks from Suntrip Records and Goasia respectfully over the years, that I've become somewhat desensitized when it comes to what I consider great in New-School Goa. However I'm still pretty aware when it comes to Goa listening, as many of you here are too. From Other Spaces comes up a few super songs short of being what I consider a superb album. Nonetheless, this is one of the best Psy/Goa abums of 2007. The artist puts his spin on the flying through the cosmos, other worlds concept to some degree. The result often lands in the realm of greatness. While I would have loved to see more stunning, amazing sights and galaxies (this album lacks intensity and aggression at times), the trip is loaded with cool, fun, often gripping, and sometimes gorgeous soundscapes. Basically this is a good if not great album with a handful of great tracks and moments, several that are superb. One cannot honestly say such positive things about most releases now days.
Favorite Tracks - 1, 3, 4, 6, 9.
B+
Samples
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/sut/sut1cd009.html
http://www.suntriprecords.com/blog/news.php
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=6900
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After hearing it several times I have now posted my full review in the respectful review section. Took only 4 hours. I'm still perfecting it. :drama:
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XENOMORPH - DEMAGOGUERY OF THE OBSCURANTS
2007
GENOSTIC RECORDS
Track list
1. Prognosis
2. Capitalist Infiltration
3. Enslavement by consumption
4. Totalitarian Democracy
5. Secret Satanic Hierarchy
6. Harbingers of Extinction
7. Economic Sabotage
8. Cataclysmic Downfall
9. World War 3
10. Nuclear WinterI was initially worried of just the idea of purchasing this album after reading some of the comments regarding what turned out to be very few (though I wish none) songs incorporating singing and guitars. I generally do not care for either one in Psytrance, Goatrance, etc. Fortunately the melody/sound (synth) design, sound engineering/mixing, and atmospheric work is some of the best I have ever heard. The question is: How is the overall album? How much singing is there?
And what about those guitars? 
There are a total of 4 out of 10 tracks with alterated vocals and/or singing by the or an artist. These include tracks 2, 4, 5, and 7. At first I hardly recognized the altered (hissing) vocals in the second track because they're incoherent. Why even bother having vocals you can't understand was my initial reaction. Moreover, the music is so compelling, so captivating and powerful without the vocals. At least the artist was thoughtful enough to include the dialogue to the lyrics in the inside flip. One of the four artist's vocal related songs isn't even singing (Track 5) for the most part, but deeply, dark talking to interesting effect. Another of the four (Track 7) is absent, save for a brief spot in the end. So basically this album has two tracks with more alterated singing and two with less singing out of ten. And that's it-- not too shabby. So let's not blow things out of proportion. More than half of the album has no singing THANKFULLY. Same goes for guitars, and I really don't mind the minimal use of guitars here, though it's not what captivates me either.
1. Prognosis begins with the sound of a major ship/fog horn. Creatively, this sound associates to alarm, tension, concern, reckoning, and ushers in a slew of slow, brooding melodies. Also included is a sample regarding the year 1776, the year in which took place the "Declaration of Independence" and the start (and progression) of numerous secret societies globally, and relative to democracy. Musically the song is gritty, pumping, intense, and crunchy. At some point a guitar enters with angry emphasis. I don't mind it, especially when the music changes at 3:42. Act 2 is where the song really shines. The sound/melody (synth) work is strong and catchy, the mixing/programming top notch. The end is nigh. You can hear it, feel it with every act. This is heavy, hard-hitting, relentlessly driving and engaging dark Psytrance. Such a strong topic better capture the listener with its opening if it's in the best interest to tell a good story, and this is great, excellent. Brutally delicious, with enough crunch to impress Captain Crunch ). It's quite heavy (that beat and baseline) and sets the mood well. A-
2. Capitalist Infiltration is where listeners will first experience moments of metal-esque hiss singing at 1:58. It's so high pitched and altered that I can't understand what the artist is saying. The melody/sound work is good, great even. It just bums me that there's this heavy-metal, tinny vocal work. I find it distracting from the great score, the darkly driving sounds, melodies, and rhythm. The artist's voice is gone by 3:15. A voice sample is initiated, relative to inflation, the economy. This helps to progress the story. The music is let free, unrestrained once again without singing along with some fantastic synths. I soak up every second. The industrial/metal sound is excellent. The voice work briefly returns again at 5:38. Again, I can't hear what the artist is saying. I love the musical work and I wish he'd remove the vocal bits. It distracts in an otherwise great chapter/song. B+
3. Enslavement by consumption refers to those who are absorbed in their ego (fear, greed) and continuously buy material shit they don't need, feeding the machine that doesn't care about them as they (the general populace) remains distracted, lost, sheep, slaves by consumption. What a blunt truth. The track begins with one of the most gripping melodies so far on the album, followed by another that compliments it extremely well. There is no singing here. None. The song is strong, energetic, brooding, groovy, warm, and omnious throughout. This third chapter tells the tale of material corruption. The meanings are self-explanatory in the track titles but the voice samples offer so much more. This is an addictive song thanks to terrific synths, structure, and direction, however lacking in unpredictable moments. It's strong throughout. Thank heavens for no voice singing. I get to focus on the wonderful music and clear, direct voice samples that hit hard telling the story. A-
4. Totalitarian Democracy begins with an interesting sample and great synth work. However the song is more Industrial/Metal than Psytrance. The evidence begins with guitars. This is the second song with Xenomorph's voice and it's in a different style and/or sound than the previous number. Here it sounds very heavy metal-esque. To be honest I wish he'd stop including singing because I'm suddenly investing my focus in this angry, distracting voice. The samples do a productive enough job to the story and theme without the singing. The voice here disrupts the otherwise urge I have to visualize the album's story in my mind coupled with my freedom to let go, dance, and enjoy the music. Trust your listeners more. Many are pretty aware. The samples do not hinder this experience for some reason. This song is also guitar heavy, so if a listener has a problem with guitar use in Psytrance, they'll likely enjoy this chapter less or skip it. To be honest, this is the most challenging song on the album for me. If you agree with me, the reward is that the worst is over. I don't care for this song. It's not Psytrance. It's Heavy Metal-esque, Industrial Electronica and sounds out of place, whereas this could have been another great song to compliment the album. If this artist wants to lose the majority of his Psy fanbase, he should continue making tracks like these. No disrespect to metal or this type of art. While there is some cool melody work at times, such work and various levels of atmosphere was stronger, more compelling on previous songs so far. Furthermore, these elements are distracted by the heavy vocal and guitar use. Damn it. I want something awesome and powerful WITHOUT SINGING and this is NOT IT. It's not even psychedelic! C'mon Xenomorph! C
5. Secret Satanic Hierarchy is a big step up from the previous number, and one of the most unique dark Psytrance tracks I've heard all year. It begins with very emotive, female-esque tunes disguised as notes or vice-versa. Soon enters a low pitched, echoed voice talking/singing in a depressing, serious tone. It reminds me of a dark priest or something you'd hear in the movies. Strange as it sounds, I like it. It's gives the song an interesting flavor and character trait not yet experienced before. Moreover it doesn't last long. A short verse (hardly coherent) is voiced or sang by the/an artist followed by a sample. Soon after this dark preacher, whoever this is returns to continue. I feel like if this guy began full on singing, he'd sound very Synth Pop-esque. Thankfully the dark tone is consistent thoughout. The real star of the show is the layers of melodies which range from emotive choir-esque notes to crisp and chiming. The atmosphere's effective. At around 5:28 on, the sound showcases the combination of musical quality. It's catchy and somewhat pretty until a voice sample reminds us of the underlying reality-- vicious, angry darkness, hell. At 6:35 a strong musical moment takes place. A very short repeating verse about Jesus Christ via the artist whisper-singing near the end concludes the song. While I'm no fan of the vocal work, this is a lot more palpable than the previous number. I love the melody work in this song. It oozes with emotive, warm melodies and sadness relative to darkness. B+ / A-
6. Harbingers of Extinction involves a continuation of strong, emotive melodies. But unlike the few moments in the previous song, there's no singing-- the way the entire album should have been, without singing. Around 3:35 is one of the best musical moments I've heard by this artist (and in general) to date. It's so good! The technical production and sound/melody work in this song are excellent. The voice sample suggests the ramifications of certain chemical, biological, or nuclear warfare. Who are the Harbingers of Extinction? The sound of rain pours via effects, an approaching storm, thunder? The destroyer of worlds hasn't happened yet (is it humanity, freewill, Satan/Darkness, or a combination, ahhh.. it's all related), but we as a world people are getting close. This is a strong Psytrance number with great melody work, though I think the song could've been a bit more psychedelic. Great track. A-
7. Economic Sabotage is exciting! The track is loaded with unique and psychedelic sounds. Soon after the opening, the music breaks out into a driving climax-- angry, relentless, dark, effective! The economy is destroyed. Imagine how angry so many humans would be. Some would be offing themselves while others protest, crying, cursing, looking for someone or something to blame, self-destruction, their God via money and those projecting the dream was false profit. This is the last song to involve just a little bit of singing. A very short verse takes place in the second and final third. It doesn't bother me so much, as it's in the background mostly, though I imagine we could have done without it. The music is very well composed, storming, energetic. The voice sample is interesting, talking about what's really going on, allegedly ;). Musically this is great. It's just a bit predictable in direction and overall structure, but great nonetheless! Such energy is conveyed in the passionately composed, angry and intense music. B+
8. Cataclysmic Downfall is a return to psychedelic crunchiness, raw power, dark intelligence, and holy shit moment(s). Few songs are this crunchy. Hux Flux's Cryptic Crunch is cruncy! This is very psychedelic. My favorite part is the build up to an explosive moment of WOW! This whole time the album is/was buildinig up. Destruction. Anarchy. Chaos. War. The powers behind the power associated people, pulling strings from the Deep Below, manipulating their minds. The war vs darkness and light. This song is bigger and more symbolic, the end of the old world. Echoed effects bounce, buzz, and hymn like electricity. Silence. An intermission. A voice sample at 5:05. The build up then climaxes at 6:00 like a barrage of fiery explosives sounding off with a literal BOOM. The music releases, flying forward with streams of visceral synths, sounds and melodies. The stomping beat full of rage/fire and intensity. WOW, what a superb song. I wish there were more moments like this on the album. The ambient notes, atmosphere, melodies, drum roll, and suspense works strikingly well. There's no singing thankfully. No more for the rest of the album. None! I wish the whole album was on this level, without anything remote of singing. This is the strongest, most fierce and overall best dark song I've heard all year along with Prognosis, more A-list tracks on this album, and several songs on Penta's - Horn Please. Superb track. A
9. World War 3 is very well done. You can literally hear the intelligence or soldiers being given the launch codes before detonation. The emotive and chiming melodies are effective and thought provoking. Apparently whatever anarchy or lack thereof has taken place already, or about to end worldwide. The combined sounds, atmosphere, melodies, and current events related samples create a near vivid, surreal feel. This song is another fine-tuned, melody driven, dark, threatening, and contemplative musical number with no singing. The plot really comes together with this track. I won't spoil the voice sample's meaning at the end here. This is a great, darkly melodic piece. A- / A
10. Nuclear Winter is the most emotive piece this artist has made yet. The track title and music says it all. I visualized (almost like tragic poetry here, to the music): bodies burnt to a crisp, frozen in time. Snow falls in a dystopian world. The streets are empty. Mass genocide. Silence. The piano takes the listener through mass graves, a gray and white, ghostly landscape. War is over but the ramifications have changed everything. It's a Tragedy. So many people have died. So many bits of consciousness 'we call spirits or souls' released. The Earth is void of noise. Calm. Warm. Peaceful. It sleeps... Wow what a powerful, instrumental number. This is so sad. Musically it's a slower, provocative and emotionally stirring piece. The piano work is excellent. The sample do not do justice to what this song, what it stands for and represents, especially when you hear the album in its entirety. This track will likely put the listener in a very thoughtful state. The epilogue-esque theme song here is deeply disturbing, alarming, its composition and direction superb. Overall this is an extremely well done number that captures the mood one may go into when witnessing let alone imagining millions of bodies frozen in a nuclear war. A- / A
CONCLUSION
Demagoguery of the Obscurants is Xenomorph's best Psy/Goa trance album and one of the strongest dark Psy/Goa-Trance albums I have ever heard. You've seen Terminator 1+2 via governments becoming too powerful, and the FIRST Matrix film's stellar approach along with Star Wars and Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid franchise in games. Each one is strong, distinct and different, but none of these translated over to Psytrance until now. Mark Petrick's angle is fresh, brazen, powerful, and timely, like a sledge hammer hitting you in the face, diving into the darkness balls deep, whimsically chaotic and technically achieved, groundbreaking. Here he creates a raw, uncompromising wake up message and view of dark times here and now.
If the listener likes dark Psytrance with strong melody work and can get past the several tracks with singing, he/she may be in for one of the strongest Psytrance rides of the year and decade, and the way it's looking the next decade as well. Stuff like this is RARE. I don't care for the few songs with singing. I wish the artist decided to cut them out completely, with exception to track 5 maybe (like a dark priest talking), and let the voice samples and evocative music do the talking as 80% of the album does so well. The singing distracts from the excellent music and captures me less when involved. Regardless of the artist’s intent (fame, stardom, passion, a bigger paycheck, record label requests, etc), Xenomorph has dived deep to release the strongest album of his career, and one of the best Psytrance albums of all time. Few will disagree. We know this genre inside and out. Mark Petrick improved as a musician. This album is different, both concept and sound-wise from virtually every dark Psytrance album out there. I get some inspirations people have made in the comments, but those are NOT Psytrance. This is theme driven, story driven, visceral, daring, technical WOW, industrial, storming, scarring, emotional, brutal, angry, haunting, disturbing, alarming, powerful, moody, provocative, shocking, violent, raw in subject matter, atmosphere, filled with captivating sound designs, programming, mixing, technicals, narrative acts, substance, sensation, unpredictable moments like plot beats, and direction, sound effects, samples that actually say something, are thought-provoking, and more. The samples I admit are more informative to the concept approach here rather than cool or fun before something sweet, music-wise happens. But for this type of concept album, I admire and appreciate the work invested. This scores points on being a huge narrative and technical achievement. The album thrives being wildly creative, unconventional, and darkly magnetic and ferocious.
There are several songs with guitar work, and I realize this works for some people. Others it doesn't. Guitars make a strong appearance in roughly 2-3 tracks. The synth work and mixing is so strong that I don't mind the guitars. They accentuate the melody work with their aggression. Guitars in moderation I say, if at all. They're not overdone here, but anymore may have been. This artist utilizes many unique metal sounds to enhance aggression. I LOVE his attention to detail, how technical sound-wise he can be. I'm impressed. The samples are here to tell the story. The theme includes a brave new world or one world order, from brain washing to... the track list sums it up. This album is BOLD. It goes ALL THE WAY like Fight Club, Goodfellas, Casino, Scarface, Terminator 2, The Crow, Dark City, Tetsuo: The Iron Man-- or any other story that fully commits to its vision and refuses to give in to the corporate machine it rallies against. The story even boils down to the tragic aftermath of nuclear war as reflected in the somber albeit emotionally disastrous, reflective, depressing and hauntingly instrumental song, Nuclear Winter.
This is a powerful album that portrays a theoretical albeit dark and uncompromising vision without apology. Zero apologies. But it's darkness is self-aware. The artist went above and beyond for those who see it, hear it. Risk-taker with balls, shining a light on dark, Dark, DARK stuff. I like that.
Further words: I'm impressed and find interesting the musical accomplishment and this artist’s choice of theme. I recommend people hear the album rather than quickly judging or skipping because of the few metal-esque singing-related tracks, which to me, reflect a various sized annoyance, but most albums lack half as many tracks this strong. This release is more mature and sophisticated than Cassandra's Nightmare. It's more infectious melody-wise and cleverly composed than Qlippoth. I realize that's my opinion, and this is more technical, more technically involved than both. Intelligent darkness with tons of fire and spirit, and a less heart, but that's the mind piece that correlates with the visionary approach here. Demagoguery of the Obscurants is the best dark Psy-Trance album I've heard all year. I love the melody, sound, and atmosphere and mixing/sound-engineering, the driving, dark energy and rhythms. The only other dark Psytrance album in 2007 that I can recommend is Penta - Horn Please that's more accessible for the general Joe, but lacks the depth and impact of an epic story that delivers to this degree, as THIS album does in spades.
Favorite Tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
A-
Stream the full album on Youtube
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antic said:
You gave "Intergalactic Fluoro Funksters", "Turn On, Tune In" & "Down at the Crossroads" only "B"?!
Those three tracks simply impressed me the least in comparison to the others. I still like them. However I enjoy Turn On, Tune In the least on the album. The album simply shares more conscious marbles (what resonates) with you than myself or instance. It's nothing personal.
I like your passion towards the album. It's a great release! I personally favor Cosmology over Synergy if I had to pick one. One of the reasons is because the work on the debut is more consistent to what I prefer. I also find tracks 3, 4, 5 noticeably catchier due to the more melodic approach than say... tracks 2 and 6.
It's not the melodies alone but what this artist does with them. Bilbo expressed his passion for melodies in an interview or article some time back. I feel that one of his greatest gifts is his ability to develop (and evolve) infectious sound/melody designs. I really enjoyed the last third of Higher Access, but the song didn't do much to hook me before the last act. What this artist did with Cosmology I simply found more consistently fun (not that every song was perfect on that album IMO). But that's based on my senses. If we were all cloned, we'd have no perspectives to share, no differences to appreciate, to be inspired and/or learn and grow from. So I appreciate your high standards and taste in electronic music. Because we each share similar and different conscious marbles regarding what we feel more or less connected to. This higher (formless) conscious connection to humanity (the collective mind that expands beyond the body in 3D terms) doesn't make either of us right or wrong to each other, just right to what we believe, to what feels natural and resonates with us. As energy becomes more conscious, e.g., empathic, loving, compassionate, wholesome..... titles, labels, and comparisons ultimately fall away to reveal the essence of who we are, e.g., love, unity, an enlightened evolution. One love, one light. No more insensitivity because we (as a collective consciousness) have overcome the separation from oneness, from spirit, identified with form, and manifested this vibration akin to the Universal Laws of our current (within this vibrational range) experience. A new, far more expansive paradigm is emerging from within the hearts and minds (collective consciousness) of the masses. All forms of expansive music play a role in stimulating our imagination and inspiring us to manifest that expansion (to some degree) into our reality since every"thing" emanates from the mind. Consciousness creates reality. But I digress so I'll stop here. I feel more alive listening to music like this. I feel a connection to some lost (or perpetual separation) of that greater expansion of truth and being.
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YPSILON5 - BINARY SKY
TRANCEFORM RECORDS
2004
Track list:
01. 09’19” Gaseous Blob - B+
02. 09’30” Hologram Infection - B
03. 07’59” Cosmic Psychosis - B+
04. 09’33” Ground Zero - A-
05. 09’08” Paranormal - B
06. 09’43” Beta Pictoris - B+
07. 11’57” Heliosphere - B / B+
YPSILON5 - BINARY SKY is one of the most solid post-21st century new-school Goatrance albums. No track is less than good here. Several are great, excellent. The melody work is often motivating and uplifting, and very layered and influenced by now legendary Astral Projection. What I love about this album, as with Filteria, is that here we have yet another style of maximal (in a sense) Psychedelic Goa-Trance. I love the Eastern-Indian Goa sound, the strong melody structures, and other various sounds that produce the strong, driving soundscapes often present throughout this album. It's very smooth, crisp, and textured. At times the sound is very ethereal and romantic. The songs that best showcase such moments are in introductions to Gaseous Bob, Beta Pictoris, and Heliosphere. Often times these dreamy melodies carry over into parts throughout the song. It's beautiful, especially the openings. The introductions often create a strong foundation and the following development is no exception; the ground is stable to be built upon. These artists create some wonderful pieces.
Gripes / Weaknesses
1.) This album needs more super songs. Example: Ground Zero. Give us at least 2-3 songs up to par and better on a follow-up. That would be really something.
2.) Certain tracks sound similar in concept in that they build up to a thick melody structure and with exception to one interlude maybe, it's more or less obvious how the song will play out. A wider degree of sounds, climaxes, unpredictable moments, and twists and turns would be fun in a follow-up.
Two examples of tracks that stand out due to their slower tempo/speed is Cosmic Psychosis and Heliosphere. However the album most shines in the middle of the album with Ground Zero. The leading melody is VERY gripping in Ground Zero. The song isn't just layerd, fun, pretty, and relatively catchy as Gaseous Blob is, which by the way isn't a bad thing. Nonetheless, the melody work in Ground Zero is strong, powerful, and memorable. The same can be said for other tracks as well. Overall this is a very good, if not a great album. I recommend some Goa listeners take this album back out of their collection and listen to it again. It doesn't deserve to collect dust for too long!
Where the hell is the sequel? It's been 3 years! These artists should make a sequel and Suntrip Records should release it, in my opinion.
Favorite Tracks - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
B+
SAMPLES
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/tfm/tfm1cd003.html
My favorite albums of 2004:
Filteria - Sky Imput ... A-
Talpa - Art of Being Non ... B+
Four Carry Nuts - Mechanical Age ... B+
Ypsilon5 - Binary Sky ... B+
Electric Universe - Cosmic Experience ... B
Space Monkey - Psychotic Episode ... B
The Misted Muppet - From The Legend ... B / B-
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I THINK IT MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS GOD.
I think you're right. Your interpretation seems pretty obvious to me relative to the quote.
Open a fresh thread about this elaborate, debatable topic before shooting off your mouth on what you believe isn't true.theres no such thing as god so that means nothing to me.
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DOUBLE DRAGON - CONTINUUM
PHANTASM RECORDS
2000
Track list:
01. 08'17" Pulsating Thing - B+
02. 08'17" Deep Thought - B+ / A-
03. 08'38" Black Project - A- / A
04. 07'21" Hairy Liquid - B+
05. 06'57" WORM - B+
06. 07'48" Encrusted Filth - A
07. 09'37" Soft Machine - B
08. 08'23" Spiked - B+ / A-
Continuum is one of the greatest albums in Psy-Trance. For those who love their drink spiked with all sorts of intricate flavors, this is one of them. Whether you like the like the taste of the flavors is another thing however. Continuum is loaded with crispy specks and spots, mind bending intricacy, detailes within details, and various other impressive sound/melody scouting, alterations, and mixing in the technical department. The production is nothing less than great. The album really develops a mind of its own as it progresses. It's inventive, dark, and very stylish albeit difficult to grasp. Describing the music here is like decribing a slippery piece of butter in the liquid context, or a bubbly piece of chewing gum falling out of a rollor coaster and bouncing around in-between a seemingly infinite amount of tracks like a pin ball on its way to the Dragons Lair. The listener knows the album trip isn't going to be a happy one from the opening track. However it's more complicated and involved than it is dark and evil. Yet it is to some degree dark, and it's definitely not cute and fluffy. In fact, it's pretty fucking obvious we're not in wonderland anymore Alice.
There is so much change-up in sound combinations and within the general track at times, it's almost like 5-6 songs in one. It's somewhat hilarious when the artists purposely throw the beat and sound out of sync towards the end of Black Project after all the compulsive attention to detail and careful focus to perfected mixing. The artists know they're work is so specifically well placed that why not, let's just throw the entire beat and sounds out of alignment, as a joke. I love it. I love when serious artists make a seriously great album and don't take it too seriously! To be fair it takes a certain mood to appreciate this strange, far out, tight, little package.
Double Dragon's Continuum sounds like nothing I've ever heard before. It's very unpredictable, psychedelic, eleborate, melodic (at times), and atmospheric in a mysterious type of way. I can never really pin point the environenment or location here. Whereas I often imagine the world in which compliments an album. Old-school Astral Projection and Pleiadians for example place my internal, visual representations and interpretations racing through certain areas of the cosmosis. Here I'm often lost, without much to identify with outside the strange sounds. Because of this uncertain perception, I generally find listening to this album more admireable [foreign] than it is enjoyable. I'm often lost to stare from a good sized distance at an amazing piece of art I don't really understand, and yet I know there's atmosphere and consciousness, or placement of some kind. Maybe the story here is to be on the back of a dragon as it travels through complex worlds within the Universe. That's just an idea. I really have no idea what the artist's vision was with this album, save for the track list which to me does not give enough clues to the story if there is one.
Gripes
1.) I always wished there was more stand out, powerful leading melody work on various tracks here as there is in Black Project and especially Encrusted Filth, the latter being a great reason why so many people seem to love that number. It's excellent. I'm not saying there isn't alot of melody work on this album. There is. It would have been amazing if there were more melodic songs as built and climactic in melody structure and direction as what Encrusted Fllth develops into. Encrusted Filth instantly seems like the best song here simply because it's the most dance friendly when in reality, it simply stands out because the other songs are generally less to not dance friendly. I wish these artists returned with 7 or 8 tracks for the dance floor in their awesome, abstract style. Other songs that have the most strong and compelling melody work seem to be Deep Thought, Black Project, and Spiked.
2. ) Soft Machine is noticeably less less catchy and interesting than the others. It's not a bad track but somewhat disappointing after all the greatness leading up to it.
Double Dragon's Continuum is a rare piece of psychedelic proportion. It's flavorful, dark, twisted, and very difficult to grasp, abstract. At times it's awesome. I love it. The style can't possibly be for everyone or even the majority in Psy-Trance. It took many listens for me to appreciate this album because of the bizarre fetish to details and bouncy, kenetic, snap-pop style. Sure the overall album may sound great by description but in reality, there is alot to take in mentally. With exception to few tracks, I didn't know what to think of this album for years, other than that it was unique and better admired than enjoyed. I was intrigued by it for some reason, especially after reading a handful of wonderful reviews, but I never really got it. Nonetheless, when unsure, don't be quick to judge. I became more aware over time just how much well crafted music there is on this album for the general Psytrance listener to potentially enjoy
To this day I still admire certain songs more than others. For example, I more or less love the creative melody work in tracks like Deep Thought, Black Project and Encrusted Filth,. They're more or less danceable. On the other hand I need to be in a certain, focused mood to appreciate tracks like Pulsating Thing, Hairy Liquid, and Soft Machine. Certain tracks to me sound more intricate than they are fun or danceable. Even an open-minded individual who really appreciates the intricacies in Psy-Trance may, upon hearing the opening track think, "What the...?! Yeah no, this isn't my style. I don't like it. In short, people will find this album, let alone the first track interesting or distastful right away.
To this day I still feel as if the artist generally cared more about impressing the Psy genre with intricacy than making an overall fun and intricate album, putting fun first as a whole. Continuum has a fairly steep learning curve and I never fully understood why. In other words, some songs are generally easier to listen to such as Encrusted Filth. This may be because of the stand out melody and the climax, which is fun and very dance friendly. Few songs seem to do that on this album unfortunately. The general song seems as if designed for the most developed and sophisticated Psy-Trance mind and ears. I don't mean to discriminate mentalities or tastes in music but this is a very mature album for more experienced listeners to appreciate because there's so many small details that the general listener may overlook. For those who appreciate some of the most intricate and psychedelic albums in Psy-Trance, Continuum is most definitely one of them. Just don't expect to "get it" right away.
Favorite Tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8.
A-
* Another track I find most superb by these artists is Fluffy Purple Thing, a single obviously not on this album. It's a real gem and I recommend it for anyone into Double Dragon, let alone intricate Psy-Trance songs in general.
The samples should at least be availble for all the people who haven't heard this crazy, intelligent album. After several years I found a copy on amazon.co.uk for all of you interested to know how some people got it, and how it can be gotten. You need to check until a seller sells it however.
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/ptm/ptm1cd143.html
http://www.saikosounds.com/English/display...ease.asp?id=102
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You did this? Nice work.
Yes it does have a Cosmosis vibe and feel to it. The song is actually pretty good as a part to a bigger whole from what you have so far. What is missing IMO is a strong leading melody, tempo change, anbd various song change up. But it's too early to judge the whole based on a piece.
Many elements seem to be in the right places but I wait for something awesome to appear which never does, then the track fades because it's unfinished. Naturally at only 3-4 minutes this is understandable. What you do have is professional sounding, albeit I'm waiting for the big event so to speak.
Please evolve this thing into a super song. So far it has a solid foundation. It now needs a strong second, and preferably an excellent, powerful third -- ACT to really push it to the stars. I can only imagine how many hours putting together these Goa tracks take. Evolving the song at times can be like creating and integrating several general electronic songs into one, all built upon a foundation that is apt to occasionally change too. It's all very interesting to me, and I'm sure much more challanging to produce than most techno or general trance songs.
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In follow-up to my review on page 1...
I put this album back in my car stereo lately and really enjoying it. However the middle act of this album is really forgettable. Infected Mushroom needs to stick to greatness or they'll simply be no longer be considered great, even if they still make a great track here and there.
TRACKS INVOLVING SINGING I LIKE
- 01. Becoming Insane I like. It's fun. Shallow fun. God it's so crazy stupid you gotta like it. No you don't, but many do.
- 02. Artillery ... Part of me likes a cool rap-rock song which Linkin Park didn't impress with IMO their third album. This appeals to that part of me. No more, no less.
- 10. Change The Formality has an AMAZING climax in the last third. AMAZING. But those lyrics??? NOT NECESSARY HERE. With exception to the previous two tracks mentioned above, this track would have greatly appreciated from a lyrics free basis. It's one of my favorite tracks on the album otherwise.
TRACKS NOT INVOLVING SINGING I LIKE
- 03. Vicious Delicious to me is the first great song on the album. The melodies, atmosphere, general mixing/technical work, drums, change ups, and other various work is great. The climax is super fun. KICKASS. CATCHY.
- 04. Heavyweight may run out of steam the longer it progresses (final third) but wow what a great, novel song in a new style. This sounds so refreshing from IM's previous efforts. It's emotive, strong, creative, and catchy. I really like it. I more or less love the first half and ride the second half out without any discomfort per say, just an edge [advantage] less off the greatness of the initial set up, the emotion and musical accomplishement promoted by the first half.
- 11. Before, the final track on the album has a really cool emotive, dance Trance feel to it. It goes through several strong moods (especially somewhere in the middle) and closes the album strong and nicely. I really like this one. It's a relief to hear a good song from IM now days without the distraction of lyrics. It's so appreciative to enjoy the music and the state the sounds put the listener in.
Also:
- Suliman is pretty cool, good melodies when they're there, the skipping ones. It's fairly good.
- Eat It Raw gets better as it progresses with it's fun buildups and climax but Vicious Delicious self-titled track did it stronger and better, the overall song I mean, not the climax alone.
TRACKS THAT ARE REALLY FORGETTABLE
06. Forgive Me - Good message but there's a better song for it. Not this one. I don't hate it. It's just forgettable! And not fun nor really provocative either regarding listening, so why bother? Find a more catchy piece to communicate such energy, feelings.
07. Special Place is anything but special. This is another example of where IM is trying too hard to appeal to everyone.
08. In Front Of Me I wish would stay behind me, perminately. In the past. Can we please have an awesome follow-up with great songs and none the likes of these three please. That would be beautiful. These artists are so talented. I found these three songs so bland and uninteresting, not fun to hear. They're out of place, musically and lyrics-wise on the album.
To Infected Mushroom: Please stop trying to appeal to every genre. You're talented. We see that. Focus on excellent tracks, ones that people love and enjoy. You will build your praise. I'm not against having a couple tracks with lyrics, but please bring back the female voice in Muse Breaks (RMX) for a Psy masterpiece in the future. Put your energy into the best of the best. You can't appeal to everyone as humans. It's not possible. Read the boards, what listeners and fans world-wide say right here and now, and if you're going to have a track with lyrics, don't have a forgettable one. Have fun with it. And keep innovating great, new catchy works like Heavyweight. And build upon the gift given to you which is being one of the leading pioneers of Psy-Trance and Psy related music.
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CHI-A.D. - NEW TRACKS
TRACK-PER-TRACK REVIEW (subject to change if the songs change)
2008 (part of a new album or not, to be determined)
Dave of Chi-A.D., one of the best and most underrated artists of our time has invented a new style while I must have been asleep. It's interesting, atmospheric, and enchanting at times, mystical too which is good. It also seems slightly inspired by Juno Reactor [at times] which I don't mind because it doesn't feel ripped off like a kickass albeit unoriginal sounding track I heard on Mantrix's album in 2006. The style has alot of potential as does a coming album. It NEEDS more of that awesome celestial, work. It sounds incomplete to what it can be. Currently some tracks sound like a person before the individual becomes an angel. I'd love to see and hear more songs that sound like reflections of angels as this artist pulled off in his Goa works. Can this be achieved in a style that barely, if at all showcases new-school Goa will be very ambitious to pull off. But it can be done. The artist of Chi-A.D. is extremely talented and can do it if his heart so desires. That said I've bothered to go over each and every new individual track. I hope some of this is communicated or seen by the artist before the release of his next potential album.
Realignment showcases well the new style by producing a combination of extremely catchy elements. These include what sounds like a female soul echoing across the windy dessert (you really have to hear it to believe it). Also included that are children vocals. Both play off the other stand out sound extremely well. The song really stands. By the third or so minute I'm impressed by the atmosphere, current skipping, albeit simply melody work, and other various but less memorable sounds. The beat and bassline really compliment as give this spirit a drive forward. The problem is that by the time it ends I realize how repeticious in concept and sound the whole thing was. If this song is only 6-7 minutes long it surely felt like it. The melody work here isn't nearly as memorable in comparison to Chi-A.D.'s Goa Trance. This song has the potential to be a masterpiece. It's emotive and creative, but it capitalizes on its few parts throughout the entire song with little else added past the first several minutes to show fresh greatness and development. I feel like something big and celestial, heavely (like an extension, key/tempo, ASCENSION, bring the song up into a masterpiece) is missing from the last third or what would be an extra two minutes of this otherwise great, current opening. I feel like a big change needs to take place that REALLY puts things into Realignment, but it never comes. The artist can make this song amazing, (omg I know exactly how it would sound in my mind as I use words like "ascension" and tempo change, "going up" with combinatin to fresh, heavely melodies like a growing climactic finish to describe it) but the artist would need to realize it's not yet finished or at least create a second version, for this have a chance of seeing the light of day. I think this song has the potential to be amazing. It has few wonderful sounds that work together hand-in-hand perfectly. The problem is that all else isn't up to par with these few elements. It needs to become more than where it goes by the end. It has heavenly touches but it hasn't reached heaven as a whole, yet... God I pray he turns this song into a ethereal, devine masterpiece, heck, introduce GOA into the new style if you must!!! Do whatever you need to do to show us the spirit inside. -- JC to the artist) B+, but this thing could go higher. Much higher. If the artist adds an extra 2-3 minutes that just blows us away. Think of the concept by Cosmosis in the track "Higher Access" on 1998's Goatrance Synergy album. If the artist did that this track would be so amazing that he'd probably have to add it as the third song so the album builds up to it... or the listener would be disappointed if the album starts off with something so amazing, never to reach such excellence again.
Spectral Light is somewhat ethereal like the previous song, very relaxing. I love the melodies. The chimes, and flute like echoes. It's all very enchanting and interesting as it moves forward. There's also what seems like a subtle choir in the background as the song progresses but I can hardly tell. Such catchy details really strengthens and develops an already creative, original, and enticing piece of art. I'm not in awe per say, but I really enjoy this one. It's upbeat, uplifting, and motivating I feel. B to a B+
Apparition (Ghost mix) is pretty good. I like the concept, theme, and melody work. The whole thing has playfully fun halloween vibe with a touch of seriousness. Like "what if" this is actually not a haunted house-type thing, but the house is really haunted, the ghosts are real. I really like the theme and the melody work! It becomes more developed as it progresses. Although very different from the previous song, I actually find this more complete for what it is. It's just so different from anything Chi-A.D. has done before and it's catchy. B / (maybe B+ ... I like its creativity)
Essence of Aether is very different from the others. I really like a main melody that arrives about 1-3 minutes into the track. It's catchy! The song is fairly dark too, supported by adjacent melodies and industrial sounds. Some of those celestial or soothing, sustained notes develop its character well too. I feel like this is smart music listening. It's not anything I expected from the artist of Chi-A.D. but it's stirring, almost cinematic at times music via an orchestral touch here and there. While far from spectacular I think this song is good. It's interesting and different. More importantly it's catchy and enjoyable to me. B
TK 080c beings with windy atmosphere compiled with industial sound. I feel like I'm in a car crushing yard. Then the beat kicks in. Subtle ambient noise in the background presents an adaquete atmosphere element. So far all current elements have created a decent enough foundation but I wait into the third minute where this is all going. A altered, distorted voice says something incoherent. It's unique and played as a sound component, a melodic bit at times. Maybe this is Chi-A.D.'s version of Psytrance without Goa. In that sense it's generally atmospheric and fairly driving but the driving melodies are forgettable. The overall work feels lackluster. The song is filled with little twirl, pops, and alterations around the beat, but I've heard stuff like this before. This song doesn't stand out to me. It needs stronger melody work. One eerie ambient melody arrives towards the very end. It's good, soothing... but by then I hardly care. If there was more infectious melody/ambient and emotive work before this calm ambient moment towards the end, it would be so much more engaging. This is a rather weak song with several strong elements in search of a better song, IMHO. C+ / B-
TK 09D Mix 1 - What is up with these technical, computer-esque named tracks? I have no idea. Maybe they're concept names, not yet fully decided track titles yet. Anyway this is where the energy of the potential new album becomes more driving and dark?! Yes dark. And I like it. I actually Chi-A.D. made a really powerful melodic dark Goatrance song because the artists darker work (Pathfinder, etc) was never that melodic. This is more atmospheric. I listen patiently as a melody arrives, finally switched over by another chopped up one. It's catchy. (Then silence..) This is better music for listening/driving to than dancing but I hope this album has at least one or two killer dance songs in this style. B- / B
TK 13c2 again sounds very different from the others. It's more driving. I wouldn't be surprised if a main melody during this driving song was slightly influenced in concept by Mona LisaOver Drive by Juno Reactor. Naturally most of the work sounds so original and I could be wrong. I like this song. Give me a song that really gets my adrenaline going while not being a nothing more than a pump. This song is cleverly mixed and that sustained echoed melody returns in the last half which reminds me of a diffferent layer variation of Mono Lisa Overdrive. Maybe I'd play with the beat combo's more if I was the artist. Any potential JR influence is welcome actually, long as it doesn't sound ripped off. Overall this is a good, pumped up (to some degree) song. I feel like it's classy and more complete sounding than several of the others but with some emphasis on that driving main melody (powerful drum work, stronger supporting melody work) it can be even more powerful and stirring. B
In conclusin, this isn't Goa, not entirely. It's Trance with some GOA influence and other various forms of electronica. It's not really Psychedelic either but that's okay. I like elements to this new musical style very much. While some songs such as Realignment sound great and have potential to become amazing in my heart, and while two or three others is very catchy, several songs don't move me like the others. This is some excellent work here, concepts, and parts to pieces. But several pieces seem to be in search of more strength and development if they are to be really great or fantastic.
I love Chi-A.D. and I'm greatful that he may be releasing another main album in the near future. Is this it or part of it, time will tell. I'd love to see more tracks at the general level of "Realignment" and beyond. Something so magical and stunning that comprehension seems to be put on pause. I know that what I just said may seem unrealistic, but this artist has put me and many others in AWE so many times with magical tracks such as Exit Eternity. Everytime I listen to Exit Eternity it sounds just as magical from the day I left it.
Like anything, a style is as great as what the composer chooses to do with it.
Samples: http://chi-ad.com/music/music.htm[/size]
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HONESTLY???
THE SAMENESS (as someone mentioned)
There's little surprise when one knows what to expect. Sure it's all alot of fun but certain things lose their allure by the 100th time. Some innovation would be nice. Not saying there's a TON of creativity and original ideas at some of these parties. I guess I'm getting decentisized to them. Also, so many people are like, you're cool man. You're awesome. People I don't even know. First I thought it made me feel special, but then when they turned around and said the SAME THING to several other people (numorous times in more or less different ways with numorous people) I began realizing these people were kind of the "same" so to speak. I realize their being positive and feel good and that's the point (I never saw a fight at any PSY party to date) but still... The whole thing comes across as a bit tacky or pointless in a sense, to spend so much time and/or action telling someone how awesome one thinks someone is -- who he or she doesn't even know!!
HARD READING PEOPLE
Sometimes the girls are so friendly that it's difficult to tell who is single and who is not. My friends have this confusion sometimes. They'll be talking to a girl and a guy approaches her, often times not. Some people would like to find a potential friend or partner in the same scene they enjoy, however many people act single even if they're not. Furthermore, a smile often means a smile and it can also mean so much more. Naturally in life the same goes for everything but at these parties there is ALOT of fucking smiiles. It's sometimes difficult to read the intent because it's so frequent.
NO GOA MUSIC
None. EVER. They NEVER play GOA. Not at the PSY parties I go to. I live in and around the Philadelphia area, the North-East coast in the United States. Go figure. Our culture is about as deep as the photo I last pleasured myself to. I never danced to GOA at a club or outside or inside party event in my life!!!
EXPLOITATION
I'm sick of people describing themselves as a FREE SPIRIT. Oh free spirit this, free spirit that... as if it's the most popular tv show in the world. The word, like ENERGY has become such a trend that the core meaning has become exploited to some degree. It's lost some of its appreciation, its truth clouded when so many people are saying the same thing so often. Find a new adjective. It's like, *sarcasm* "GREAT!!! . You're a free spirit. You do what you want. So do I. Let's fuck." No I'm just kiddin!!!
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Nice review abasio. I agree the samples were completely unnecessary in I Am A Freak. II'm glad various others agree. At least the "I Am A Freak" samples are in the beginning and don't return once gone. Musically I think the song is great, one of the albums top 3 songs.
In follow-up to my review..
If one asked me what defines greatness and excellence on the album. The opening track is a cherry, a totally drug and happiness-influenced piece of joy. I would include tracks 3 and 5 respectfully. Cut out those tacky voice samples from the opening of I Am a Freak to say the least. I don't know what they were thinking but I don't like it. The round-and-round vocals on Elephant Machine have grown on me in a poppish type of way. But it does alter the flow of the album. I can't help but think how much more edgy and effective dark-wise Elephant Machine would have without the poppish influence. Little details, for better or worse go a long way when it comes to mood. The samples in Elephant Machine are good for pop influence psy/downtempo anyway. I think they're catchy, playful here, and unique to an extent. However if Simon and company were trying to maintain a great dark edge throughtout that track, they failed miserably. Naturally I don't think too dark was the effect they were going for. I just want to be the one to put that observation out there.
Psychic Gibbon is the prettiest, most beautiful 2007 song I've heard all year. I would have loved to see more excellent and superb tracks on this album, but at the very least I find the album good or great. These artists really have the potential to make one of the best albums ever made if they go all out. They can make a magical mastepiece track-for-track. That would be amazing!!!!! A song like Psychic Gibbon is like a dream come true. I love it and the mood it puts me in.
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I think it's track 3 on the album... theres some kinda growling in the back of the heavy guitars... sounds like a mix of death metal and psy... Not my taste
Growling? lol. That's a funny way of decribing it if I ever heard one. Yes, this angry, "throaty" vocal work is very common on various metal and hardcore/heavy metal albums. I.e: Death, Velvet Acid Christ, etc. I commented on this in my opening post. I DON'T like it. I ordered this album, *fingers crossed* most tracks will not be like that. It's annoying, in my opinion. Some of the psy, metal, atmosphere, and overall melody work sounds very good however. Considering there seems to be few stand-out and anticipated dark Psytrance albums each year, this is one of them whether you like it or not. It's theme is intriguing too, whether it's entirely true or not. I don't want to discuss politics here.
NIN did their version regarding a similar topic related to the one on this album (more or less) with 2007's mixed review-ladden "Year Zero,". Smashing Pumpkins too with the government vs its people type thing, rising up, revolution. These are interesting observations anyway. It's becoming a growing energy, a potential phenomenon.. as if our very own culture (and various others) are trying to communincate to their people this subject matter.
I'll post a comment here and/or on a review thread when I've received and heard the album in its entirety several times. Should arrive shortly (next 5 days).
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This chart is the most accurate (to dipict and characterize the Psytrance genre) I've seen yet to date.
It can be tweaked a bit, (perfected) sure. Overall, it's extremely well done.
Nice work!
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Aren't these guys supposed to release their next main album soon? Tracks with High Society I think??
What's taking so long? What's the status??!!
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From the Heart
Track Review
2007
I think your new track is beautiful.
I love the warm, opening melodies, sustained notes, and other various melodies. The song is very emotive. You take your time to build up the track, its more meditative and doesn't rush to impress, the core essense of GOA simply is, in being, not trying to be. Or trying to impress with twists, turns and cork screw sounds within loops. But being, in reflection of the heart, the body, mind, and spirit.
The change around the halfway point is good as well as the transmission around 7:00. Is the L.s.d. sample really necessary I don't know, because this is coming from the heart, and unless the artist or the heart loves l.s.d. than I suppose it makes it more passionate. Otherwise why bother when a sample relative to "love" or "the heart" can take its place. Just an obsevation.
All in all, wonderful job. For those unfamiliar this is more contemplative and dreamy New-School Goa than it is a big climactic party track.
B+
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COSMOSIS- SYNERGY
TRANSIENT RECORDS
01. 08'51" The Ultimate Sin
02. 07'43" Intergalactic Fluoro Funkster
03. 09'34" Spores From Space? (A Microscopic Trace)
04. 09'31" Moonshine
05. 10'06" Higher Access
06. 09'25" Turn On, Tune In...
07. 09'06" Down At The Crossroad
08. 09'23" The Big Bang Boogie
Synergy is the sequel to Cosmology. It's very psychedelic, melodic, and packs a good amount of spontaneous moments, twists, and turns. It's more Psytrance than Goa oriented, and I'll start out by saying that I preferred the debut. Full disclaimer: I'm not a big fan of Blues, Funk, and Jazz (elements) so my review may come off as a little biased. The style and overall direction has vastly changed since the debut.
By music definition, Funky means: "Combining elements of jazz, blues, and soul characterized by syncopated rhythm and a heavy, repetitive bass line."
01. The Ultimate Sin really kicks off the album with a wonderful taste of things to come. It starts slow, downtempo-esque and very mysterious. It's like going up a seemingly endless track on a rollar coaster, not really sure where the top is. This track which gains speed as it progresses sets the album up for anticipation. As it moves forward, both the speed, and other various sounds and melodies are developed as they make their way into the sentences of connected intricate voice bits, a la Hallucinogen - Twisted. Cosmosis has his own style and it's great. The progression, change up, and melody work of this song is excellent. The overall song is playful and animated, becoming more dynamic as it skips along the yellow brick road. A-
02. Intergalactic Fluoro Funkster is very different than the previous song in that it's the first track to negate Goa influence by the artist. The song begins interesting and soon grows to be more driving and energetic than the previous one, albeit less dynamic and expressive as a whole. The first act is pretty catchy. Insect psy-scapes litter the atmosphere around some good synth work. Lacking are warmer (more euphoric) melody combinations that grabbed our senses on Cosmology. Act 2 continues the SAME general sound from Act 1 with new psy-scapes, and this is where the song begins to sound a bit repetitive to me, idea wise. The artist doesn't seem to be pushing himself here. Despite incorporating some psychedelic effects, it isn't until the transition at 4:21 (to the last act) that the song goes someplace different, offering us a nice melody around 5:15, but only briefly. My interest was fading prior to that, something I did not say or feel ONCE on Cosmology. After this brief melody, Act 3 settles for a variation quite similar to the first act. While far from bad, I was less interested in the fairly repetitive music as it progressed. B
03. Spores From Space? (A Microscopic Trace) is a smashing return to GOA influenced Psy-Trance and the difference is instantly noticeable. This artist is incredible when it comes to combining and creating melodies and influences from Goa-Trance and crossing it over into Psy. Fast, dynamic, stylish, adrenaline-pumping, intricate, flavorful, and detailed are good descriptions of this track. It's one of the best songs both in Psytrance and by Cosmosis to date. A
04. Moonshine is atmospheric, unique. The melodies stream throughout as the speed/tempo changes up multiple times. The female voice samples help give the track an elegant, emotive edge. They make the song seem almost fantasy-like at times, ethereal, floating. Other various sounds such as echoed liquid drops are very cool and effective. A-
05. Higher Access is one of the best songs on the album. But getting to its Heaven is about as exciting as getting to the long-winded build on MFG's famous track WHY. In other words, the various sounds, melody-work very good, great, but not particularly stunning until the final third. The song flows and builds expertly well to what many may describe being a devine moment in Goa/Psy-Trance. It's really powerful, magical, heavenly. The part from 6:50 to 7:19 is only an intro to this. If one doesn't think to much but shuts their eyes and is present with the wonderful sound permeating from the track, filling up the room, overflowing the senses and and caressing the soul. Though I found the first two thirds on the previous song more addictive, this number reaches a new high on its final third where a combination of beautiful, streaming and infectious melodies capture the senses and push this number to the stars. More imaginative tracks like this one please. Expand consciousness! A-
06. Turn On, Tune In... is a return to more Goa-LESS Psy. It's very fast, energetic, and psychedelic as one would expect by now. As with track 2, there are many alterations in the sound and melody department, less on the melodies than the cleverly twisted Psy-work. My problem is that the wonderful, deep driving melody factor and emotive feature that the last three wonderful songs had is gone. These elements are what I think Cosmosis does best with. They at least affect and capture me the most. Notice how few people seem to favor this song relative to general reviews throughout the internet, hence the world. Some may like this. I don't. Sure the production and mixing values are great. However I feel nothing while listening to this song but an urge to skip to the next track. B
07. Down At The Crossroad is the most funkadelic track on the album. Here's a Western influenced Psytrance song to hear while driving through the desert, bayou, or whatever you envision. The speed and tempo changes make the song feel more dynamic and interesting. This is a pretty good song. It's just not my preferred style or cup of tea. B+
08. The Big Bang Boogie is more melodic and changes up more in sounds, direction, and structure than the previous song. It feels like a sequel to The Ultimate Sin in some ways. This Psytrance style I prefer compared to tracks 2 and 6. Track 7 was the artist doing something different, not included in this example. The bonus moment after the brief silence sounded interesting at first, but unfortunately didn't go very far before ending. B+
Synergy is a solid but unexpected (in some ways) follow up to one of the best Goa albums ever released. While only a few tracks seem to be more Goa-influenced Psytrance (Psytrance with Goa elements), the artist basically re-approached electronic music for Psytrance (just as he was coming off Goa) and the result is sometimes impressive, and sometimes not what everyone may have been expecting or wanting. If you like Synergy over Cosmology, great. It has some terrific tracks and moments. If you prefer his purer Goa approach on Cosmology OR enjoy both albums, that's great too. I like both albums but I enjoyed Cosmology (as a whole) more due to finding more that hooked my senses with Cosmology. Some of the tracks here are very catchy though, and I tend to gravitate towards the more melodic songs (3, 4, 5 > the latter for the finale) because they bring me closer to what I love... those infectious sound/melody (ingredients of Goa) influence within the Psytrance influence. For Psytrance, the album showcases some great work. I simply found more that satisfied and resonated with me with Cosmology. That's not to say I don't enjoy the songs on this album, although tracks 2 and 6 do very little to interest me. Track 7 is catchy but could have developed/impressed a little more in the second half. It's still catchy! That said, I don't want to take anything away from the Psytrance achievements that Bilbo unlocked with Synergy. It's one of the stronger, more psychedelic albums out there. That said, I feel that the artist peeked highest when he was most present with Goa on Cosmology, rather than the many crossover (non Goa) influences throughout Synergy. It's an interesting album no doubt, with a variety in tracks and a lot of good work! Simply put due to all of the stylistic inspiration and influences, some people may find less consistently (to what they love) to enjoy here while others may be ecstatic at the expanded Psytrance approach by one of the most talented artists in electronic music.
Favorite tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8.
A-
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Double post. Will just start the more recent, page 3.
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Kind people, my purpose was to post samples. I did not see them above. After reading a good music review I often want to hear the album right away. I look below for samples. I like Solar Fields and this new style came off as a refreshing style and surprise to me; I decided to add few words of excitment based on the samples. To say what sounds cool to the listener (the style/tracks, in short) doesn't mean he/she is reviewing samples. That wasn't my intent. I even shortened my post after initially quoting PSYSHOP to associate it to the respectful review section. Let's cut the chat. And the unnecessary posts. The PURPOSE was to ADD SAMPLES for all of you. My intent was compromised by my inability to be direct and to the point. I apologize for my weakness. I'm working on it.
I've just added the Saikosounds samples above. See below for short cut.
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=6978
There should be no reply to this.
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Hey thanks for the impression and for the photos lumpi. That third one looks like something right out of the Gaian Mind tribe, maybe because it was?
Yeah I don't like the addition of singing one bit. Naturally it seems that this takes place on several tracks. Musically it sounds fantastic at times, but I haven't received the album yet to judge it in its entirety.
Part of me is just relieved to finally hear a new, long awaited dark psytrance album, one that has potential being good. I wish he'd cut out the singing entirely though.
(lumpi @ Dec 4 2007, 06:41 PM)
His guitar acrobatics and singing didn’t help either.
Yikes! What was he doing, fucking flips??
I don't know wither to laugh or cry. Can you elaborate?
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I agree. I've thought of that too. I woud love to see a new IM album with tracks like Heavywright. I thought the song was very good but the first half was excellent. I also thought the self-titled Vicious Delicious track was good but Duvdev didn't have to put his finger prints all over the song by singing "OOOH-YYYEAHAA." It was so pretentious. Musically the song was solid. The lyrics often take me out of the awesome state the music puts me in unless the song has lyrics and a VOICE that compliments the song, like on Muse Breaks (RMX). Aside from that song, I admit the song "In front of me" isn't my style or the lyrics, but the singing works with the song. I can see that.Heavyweight makes you wonder what could've been done instead of "Artillery, rata ta ta ta"...
IM is trying too much to appeal to everyone. Duvdev is making the group look silly. The group is losing core respect while gaining enormous recognition from fans that come like a trend. Then, after the first 4 tracks excluding Artillery, the VD album turns into a compilation of new idea singing songs for a third before returning to Psy. This messes up the flow and gives the album a serious identity crisis. Then IM puts three more or less kickass tracks in the end as if to say to us... "Yeah, we know it was anal rape sitting through the last couple tracks. Here you go, a good lasting impression. The rest will kickass!!!"
And I sit back and think, why the hell don't they just release two separate albums??! One for tracks like Heavyweight and another for singing songs like Artillery which really sounds straight off a Linkin Park album, literally. Take "Change The Formality" now, which unlike the others, tries to incorporate both PSY and singing at one second-act time. This song has one of the best climaxe to driving take-offs IM has EVER done in my opinion, after the singing. The singing wasn't necessary in that track because it's [at heart] a pumped up Psy-Trance song. You can't compliment the sheer, electronic pump with various singing sections! The lyrics seem so out-of-place in "Change the Formality" because it's already put the listener in a blazing mental ride not related to dialogue. The climax saves the song in a sense. But the song comes off like a beautiful girl with a limp. IM should stick to singing throughout the song, or avoid singing or saving a verse to randomly add where it's NOT in support. With the final track "Before," they got it. They did something right. The non-vocal tracks at times makes me realize how amazing this album could have been if they were consistent to what they do best, which is Psytrance, including great, innovative Psy like Heavyweight.
IM can make great tracks with vocals. I agree with you, Jon, that Duvdev's vocals suck. But since he wants, I think, to be the famous lead-man and a "superstar" - he sings. He doesn't even stand near the DJ instruments, he jumps on stage and sings, looks at the guitarists and drummer (they have one now!), jumps around... doesn't bother to pretend he has anything to do with what's being played.
lol. That pretty much sums it up. No further words.
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I posted so much on this topic back in the day. Just read what I wrote on "B.P. EMPIRE" (in the review section here) when I heard they were going to "sell-out" so to speak. I went nuts. People thought I was acting like an idiot but I loved IM's music so much and didn't want to see what I loved changed.
Naturally the thought of IM changing was worse than what came to be. They still create an awesome track or tune every now and then. Their new main albums without singing will forever stay in glory with the first three.
My favorite album by them is, no surprise, CLASSICAL MUSHROOM, which I called a "musical masterpiece" in my review. After 10 years relative to around 1998, Infected Mushroom decided to attempt to appeal past the Psy and Goa-Trance realm, and why blame them? Only those into Psytrane and Goa had mostly heard of them until now. They're still widely unrecongized to many people in the United States. Their more "mainstream" album(s) aren't even in our retail stores to my knowledge.
Anyway, after almost ten years of producing non-vocal-related Psy-Trance, they saw an opportunity to do something different, however related, and took it. Money. Fame. Whatever.
Most of you would would change to for millions WITHOUT selling your soul. Notice how I said most, not all. You just don't realize it. I don't think IM sold their soul. They changed to something we generally like less (some ALOT less) because many of us knew their music when the mainstream was still wearing diapers so to speak; before the mainstream was aware they existed. We know how strong the roots are because we saw them grow, thinking it would only grow one stylish, psychedelic path, the tree went an entirely different direction.
IM chooses to make what they make whether we like it or not. Sure I'd love another Psy-Trance masterpiece like the days of yesteryear but don't bet on it. And move on. You're beyond it. Focus on the positive, even if it means hearing their albums from the past again and again and again, etc.
What I'd like to see from them (which is more realistic currently to ask for) is more singing tracks without that guys singing! For the love of whichever GOD you believe in... please....(!!!)
The actual singing and vocals on Converting Vegitarians - The Other Side and the female vocals on Muse Breaks (RMX) on IM the Supervisor was really good. More of that please. If IM can introduce a wider range of elegant female vocals that compliment the music, I'm all for it. If they want to make more tracks (once in a while) like the opening on "CV - The Other Side" with the guys voice, go for it. Because we can have more fun when someone isn't taking themselves so seriously and sucking at it.
I have accepted IM change. There's no point in arguing what isn't. And their evolution doesn't mean "better" per say. It's just a change during a progression forward. I'm greatful for albums like Classical Mushroom and B.P. Empire especially and will probably like them until the day I die.
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Cool. I just decided to order it along with Goasia's debut. Both should be no less than good!
Lumpi, be curios to hear what you thought of Xenomorph at that party last night.
New Mantrix album set for Dec, 2007
in General Psytrance
Posted
Samples are now available.
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=6994
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/suu/suu1cd003.html
I'm surprised to see so few comments on Mantrix's new album, this thread. The first one seemed to have alot more buzz. It was also one of the best Psytrance albums of 2006 according to many people on here, including myself.
Sounds relatively different from their debut. More Electro and Trance than Psy as the synoposis suggests. They seem to be branching out into more electronica styles here, taking aim at more sub-genre's. These include Trance, Tech-Trance, Psytrance, Electro, Breaks.. Via the samples, End of Time sounds more to my liking. I like the last number. Voice work sounds like a smoother, more clear Tricky (the artist) in a Psy-Tech Chemical Brothers-esque way. But the singing on Infinity...
Why mess up a completey cool dance song with cheesy dialogue and singing like that? I can tell based on a sample right away if something sounds cool or not.
Currently I'm not ordering this. Mantrix is trying too hard to appeal to too many genre's I feel and in doing so many people will find few songs they like.