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manxcat

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    Dimension 5 - TransStellar (2013)

    in 2013

    Posted

    D5 - TransSteller

    2013

    Suntrip Records

     

    1. Iron Sun Rmx

    2. Temple of Chaos

    3. Blue Pyramid

    4. Ganymede

    5. Phoenix

    6. The Zarkon Principle

    7. Intastella

    8. Tribes of the moon

     

    2013 saw D5's TransAddendum, a rare Goatrance album showcasing tracks that didn't make the visionary choosing on Transdimensional. I find this interesting because some work on TransAddendum is better than Transdimensional, and vice-versa to be fair. They're both great albums. Suntrip then released TransSteller. This album includes rare vinyl tracks and other, rare D5 songs, remastered: The second dose of old-school goatrance.

     

    1. Iron Sun RMX is an improvement over the original in some ways. The entrance is darker. The overall song is more intense, gritty, arguably more rhythmic, and less drawn out. I still find the first half fairly monotonous (my gripe with the original). It improves nicely later on though. The evolved segment we all know from 5:17 to 6:08 sounds great; it seems enhanced here along with everything else. Fans of the original will like this remix; I predict, though the song I've always felt was predictable too until the final third. Solid remix! B+

     

    2. Temple of Chaos couples faster, more aggressive movement with elegant, eastern influence. The first several minutes are engaging and infectious; the layers integrate seamlessly. I don't care for the hocus pocus fire ball effects, though they add to the characteristic approach in a somewhat cheesy (if not catchy) B-Movie kind of way. Everything else sound. Actually, the swirling first 2:34 is excellent, and the rest remains great after a wild synth enters to compliment the ethnic, eastern influence. This is a very good song. B+

     

    3. Blue Pyramid is the first non-remix track that you may fall in love with. The ambient notes are magical. The song is consistently gripping, reinventing itself with loving harmonies, elegant soundscapes, psychedelic rivers, and streams. This is a superb song with strong and memorable melodies and sounds throughout. Beautiful work! A

     

    4. Ganymede strangely has an opening virtually identical to that of Caprica from D5's TransAddendum album. Still this is a great track with outstanding work. I'll save it for your ears... I think I would have found this track more impressive if it preceded Blue Pyramid. That said, it's excellent. A-

     

    5. Phoenix I find lackluster, messy, and repetitive in melody, sound, arrangement, and direction. It isn't the worst thing I've heard. Some will like it. I find it rushed sounding, like the layers were quickly piled on. This is probably my least favorite D5 track. C

     

    6. The Zarkon Principle begins with that wonderful, gentle male voice associated with D5 in various tracks. The song gradually builds in the first half, and becomes more arresting in the second, 3:38 forward. The song works well in subtle ways, and has a gentle, warm feel throughout. Those who enjoyed D5's Second Phaze may appreciate this lighter (though the beat has oomph) approach. The last few minutes could have been a little more catchy, stood out more. Great track. B+

     

    7. Intastella is another old-school number with great, mind-bending melodies and rhythms. The beat changes up more; the music cuts off and returns to dynamic effect. The group's use of gentle sounds combined with edgy ones works to exceptional effect. The song evolves after the 4th/5th minute into one that's more evocative and arresting. The melody/sound work is excellent! A-

     

    8. Tribes of the moon is an imaginative and gripping closing number. Solid track. A-

     

     

    In conclusion, this is a rare release in Goatrance, and it's very good if not great. I would have waited closer to Christmas or at summer to release it, but Suntrip probably has something else planned. Overall I enjoyed TransAddendum as a whole in comparison more, but I'm comparing diamonds to rubies. For fans of D5, morning trance, melodic goa, and the collection of rare gems in the genre, this is a tasty treat. Thank you D5, Suntrip, and Tim Schuldt for making this possible. I heard none of these songs, save for sampling before the album came out. This made me feel like they released brand new work today, from their sound I enjoyed most back then.

     

    Favorite tracks - 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,

     

    B+

     

    Sample / Order

    https://www.suntriprecords.com/release/cat/SUNCDLE02/

    Good call on Blue Pyramid, im halfway though, and really enjoying myself.

    Ekoplex - Discovering The Ancient

    in 2012

    Posted

    His previous album, Journey of the Turtle was the first album I listened to when I was just getting into this style of music. Although I am a Goa fiend nowadays, I still really appreciate that album, it kinda has everything.

    An analysis of why Hallucinogen - "Twisted" is so great

    in General Psytrance

    Posted

    Banned.

     

    :P joking joking.. But that is odd. Do you like older goa in general?

     

    For me the reason lies in a "perfect storm" of a few things. Namely, Simons intricate understanding, and at that time no doubt, absorption of the psychedelic mindset. He really captures and creates psychedelic sounds like no others.

     

    Of course along with doing a lot of them, he had to have the incredible synth and production mastery that he had, which came from his dedication at the time, and the fact he was working in a studio throughout his beginnings.

     

    The third part is his musical knowledge. Phrasing, point and counterpoint, understanding of tonalities and basically just knowing solid musical theory as a base. He knew the rules and then was able to go ahead and creatively break them. Something all musicians should strive for.

     

    So yeah, the perfect storm, at the perfect time.

    I started my Goa journey when I stumbled on Astral Projection on YouTube, enjoyed it and then got into the Neo Goa from there. I might give Hallucinogen another chance but it sounded too much like a Megadrive game.

    I do really like that Alien Pets from Prana though.

    Need A Certain Mix In High Res

    in General Psytrance

    Posted

    Hi manxcat,

     

    not sure if you noticed, but most of the material on that mix are from two albums: 1) Goasia - From Other Spaces 2) Amithaba Buddha - Myself In The Mirror

    Check out those two and you'll have most of the music.

    I see thanks, but I haven't a clue how to mix it myself.

    Anyone know what genre this is?

    in Other Electronica

    Posted

    I'd just call it psytrance. It belongs to that subgenre that's popular in the UK and that usually has a characteristic b_bb bassline rhythm, and as far as I know that kind of music doesn't have a more specific name than "psytrance" (though that term is also used to refer to psychedelic trance music more generally, including Goa, fullon, darkpsy, progressive psytrance etc.). If you want similar music then check out Nano records; I think there are several tracks in the mix that are taken from this album.

     

    I c, thx. The album you linked to does sound a bit similar.

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