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  1. Artist: K.O.B. Title: Identity Mash Label: Suntrip Records Date: May, 2017 1. Check In 2. Folie a Deux 3. Klecks 4. Grandiose Thoughts (Original Version) 5. Inculcating Ideas (Filteria Mix) 6. Identity Mash 7. Cousin It (2017 Mix) 8. Check Out feat. BOTB "I'm two people in one!" It's important to know who you are. It's the very foundation on which you build your character and what you go on to accomplish in life. K.O.B. is Jannis Tzikas and the alternate personality if you will of his more widely known project Filteria. While the latter is defined by melodies and is pure goa music through and through the former is a mash of styles relying heavily on the psychedelic aspect. This album is more concerned with driving rhythms and allowing the music to evolve. Sometimes building, sometimes deconstructing. It's robotic (not meant in a negative way), futuristic, and oftentimes the sound choices can sound metallic and harsh. But there is no mistaking who is behind this project as his goa soul shines through quite clearly. And sometimes angrily (which I like). The title and artwork accurately describe what is located within, a combination of forest and goa all tucked neatly under an umbrella of psychedelic psytrance. While not my favorite release from the vaunted Suntrip Records it continues to prove that they are not all sunshine and rainbows and haven't forgotten that psytrance indeed needs to remain psychedelic. Suntrip Bandcamp Psyshop Beatspace
  2. Artist: Toi Doi Title: Synaptic Electrophoresis Label: Suntrip Records Date: January, 2016 1. Pixel Voyager 2. Elliptical 3. Spiral Dive Remix 4. Exostatic 5. Rossignol Perché 6. Exostatic 3rd Mix 7. Planet 4 8. Whale Way Express 9. Noise I've never cared for the music of Toi Doi. I bought Technologic long ago and really had trouble getting through it. This wasn't the type of goa trance that made me fall in love with the genre in the first place. I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but I couldn't find a review for that album here. Maybe y'all are just some lazy f*cks. Gilles Coia makes a different sort of goa trance that doesn't have a lot in common with projects like MFG, Astral, Etnica...His sound is more experimental and shies away from the intense layers and over the top melodies. I believe his sound takes some work to really absorb and process effectively. Then again, maybe I'm a lazy f*ck. The 2000's were pretty productive for him, yet it wasn't until the Mother Pitch EP in 2011 that I began to give his music another chance. So here comes Suntrip and DAT Records with their latest offering of music from the cagey veteran. These are tracks from the late 90's and early 2000's that promise a darker and more acidic sound. And right out of the gate he delivers. Pixel Voyager is a long, entrancing bit of nastiness that immediately becomes my favorite track from Toi Doi. It gives and takes while it grows. Granted the bar was low for me, but he certainly now has my attention. And then by the third track he lost it. Psychedelic? Yeah I suppose, but the Spiral Remix was also light on melody and manages to plod forward without many dynamics. Exostatic exhibits a violent electricity that I really liked. As the track went along it picked up intensity and I found myself in a deep nebula of bliss. Unfortunately this album is a bit of an up and down ride. Case in point, after the mildly eyebrow raising Rossignol Perche' track he lays the 303 hammer down with the Exostatic 3rd mix. Pure goa! Just when I think he's going to string a few bangers together, he kinda switches on the auto-pilot. Nothing bad mind you, but nothing that requires the back button. "Everyone who likes their goa-trance different..." That's the tagline from Suntrip's shop and it's accurate. Nobody is going to confuse this with Afgin or Artifact303. Different is a good way to describe it and it surely is a deviation from their normal stuff. As I mentioned it's a bit of an up and down ride with some really good tracks and some that could arguably be labelled filler. Certainly not the pinnacle of their catalog. However, the fa ct that they are taking chances and presenting something different is something that should be applauded. They have been accused of producing the same generic sound in the past and clearly they've listened to what their fans want. The sound quality is excellent and if you're a fan of his music than I can't think of any reason not to purchase it. I did. Suntrip Psyshop Beatspace
  3. Artist: Ray Castle & Collaborators Title: Mystique of the Metaverse Label: Suntrip Records Date: February, 2018 1. Insectoid - Tribadelic Nomads (Feral mix) 2. Insectoid - Astrotrekker 3. Rhythmystec - Plutonica 4. Rhythmystec - Plasmatik 5. Rhythmystec - Cathexis 6. Rhythmystec - Stellium 7. Masaray - Time Traveler of Trance (Joyfull Natives Mix) 8. Insectoid - Omniscient 9. Sonic Sufi - Optimum Flux "Follow your bliss and don't be afraid." Ok. Like most of you I am a fan of Suntrip Records, but as a reviewer of their music I have to put aside my fangirling ways and immerse myself into the artist's work. And most of the time I come away with a positive experience. Allow me to introduce the first hiccup of 2018. There are a lot of things wrong with this release which seems more like a history lesson than a Suntrip album offering. I don't own the label or have any say in what they release and I surely don't want to offend the artist, but... was there a lot of demand for a Ray Castle album? This is a definite niche album that to me is attempting to capitalize on the everything old is gold momentum. Ray Castle worked under several project names and according to the headache inducing word salad album blurb found on the bandcamp page he was "one of the most distinguished trail-blazing legends of the nineties Goa movement.." Really? Ok I don't have a masters degree in goa trance history so I'll accept that on its face. The head of this fine label are in a way better position than I to determine that. So let's just talk about the music because I am one of those that appreciate music from the past finding its way to the present day. This label did a remarkable job with the Shakta, Prana, and Denshi Danshi releases. The Rhythmystec tracks were released in 95-96 and are decent if not dated. Different time, technology, yadda yadda yadda. I was excited about the Insectoid tracks because unlike the stuff from Rhythmystec I had never heard of this project. Two tracks from that project take up the first 17 minutes of this album and to say they were underwhelming would be an understatement. Omniscient would also fall into this category regrettably as did the Sonic Sufi track. They have the sound of early goa without many layers to give it depth. The best track for me was the Time Traveler of Trance remix as it sounded more like the goa trance I like. Personal preference of course. So for me I cannot recommend this album. If you're looking for blasting old school goa trance with crazy melodies you will come away from this disappointed. As I mentioned I see this as a niche album (which I will still be purchasing to support the label) appealing to fans of this project and the early goa sound. Suntrip Bandcamp Psyshop Beatspace
  4. Artist: Night Hex Title: Viziuni Nocturne Label: Suntrip Records Date: November, 20015 1. Night Visitors 2. Sleep Paralysis 3. Distorted Visions 4. Nineve (Remix) 5. Katharsis 2015 was a superb year for goa trance with labels like DAT Records dropping the Pleiadians 3-disc holy grail, a 2-disc Doof release, as well as the Opale EP (seriously, check it out it's awesome), Neogoa released so many good albums for free that I'm just gonna give you a link to their treasure trove, and last but certainly not least Suntrip. They made a big splash in the old school pool by turning out classic albums by Asia 2001, Denshi Danshi, and a disc of Prana Remixes not to mention an album by superstars Celestial Intelligence and a legendary compilation called Aurora Sidera. Not one to rest on their laurels they deliver an EP from an artist that rules the goa kingdom. E-mantra threw 5 tracks together as his self described darker, more progressive goa trance project Night Hex. His style is instantly recognizable as the tracks delve into a hypnotic reverie. It's slower bpms which makes me wonder how you're supposed to dance to this. Pretty sure that's, uh...that's just f*cking awkward. Maybe you aren't and I sure didn't, but I can tell you that I had to listen to this over one hundred times because Mr. Melodies has the ability to make the mind take a vacation. His music is seamless and slowing down the bpm is akin to slowing time as I drift from one lead to another. The remix of Nineve is downright sinister. Fans of his music will not be disappointed as the attention to detail and atmosphere creation is what you would expect from your goa overlord. Suntrip Psyshop Beatspace
  5. Artist: Denshi Danshi Title: Fluid Dynamics Label: Suntrip Records Date: October, 2015 1. The Dancing Shiva 2. Mariposa Live Remix 3. Fluid Dynamics 4. Feed the Mugwumps 5. Vanaspati 6. Make Make 7. A Fast Trip Straight Down The Ladder 8. Mars Base Alpha 9. Tsuki 10. Maelstrom 11. Kraft Karamel Bonus Tracks: Temple of Heaven Cow's Blues Live Remix Ugh...so much music to listen to and so many reviews to write. This is fast becoming an all encompassing chore. "Mike I need you to clean the bathrooms today!" "Sorry babe I've got some work to do." Whew. Now that's a chore. A four year old who ain't potty trained and a six year old with terrible aim and that's a chore I'm looking to avoid. All right...let's see what we've got here...*swipes right to left on phone* No, no, no...hold up now, what's this? Denshi Danshi? Pffft...what a stupid name. And that artwork...look I know it can't always be fractals and dancing Shivas, but it's so...plain. Well, it's either this or the wrong end of a toilet brush. Wow. Double wow. Joske wasn't just hyping the sh*t out of this to boost sales. My man was speaking the gospel! The names behind this project are Chistophe Frere and Said Archer, artists from back in the day who never put out a proper album, but made some compilation appearances with tracks like Cow's Blues, Mariposa, and Feed the Mugwumps. Right from the first track you can tell it's going to be an acidic roller coaster ride. The Dancing Shiva bounces with crackling energy and groove while on the live remix of Mariposa they show that Seb isn't the only guy able to wreck a 303. Rising, rising and then unleashing. It's a bubbling sizzler. The title track is a monster that was made a few months ago just for this album. Pure and simple old school, in your face acidic goa trance. Now if you're anything like me you're asking yourself what the f*ck is a Mugwump? I thought it was a derogatory term for dwarf like Oompa Loompa, but it actually means an aloof or independent person. This is a remastered version and for those like myself who have never heard it a true treat. It's all over the place with chaotic acidic tribal wizardry. Vanaspati is ok, but doesn't shine like the previous tracks. Something had to follow the Mugwumps and unfortunately it was that one. Make Make and that sneaky lead had me dancing like no one was watching. It kept changing and adding new melodies, but kept it's consistent level of awesomeness. A Fast Trip also has that tribal feel, but only just cause you might miss it with the growly leads. The climax is a whole lot of twirling fun. Mars Base Alpha slows it down slightly with some shimmery sci-fi atmosphere and the climax of Tsuki is a mass of leads and 303 madness. Maelstrom is an accurate track name that keeps building until it erupts in a hugely acidic climax. Blistering. Closing things out is Kraft Karamel a downtempo track that descends from space and allows me to comprehend all that I have been deluged with. A welcome conclusion. Well, almost. There are two bonus tracks if you order from the Suntrip shop. Temple of Heaven can be found on Psychic Deli's Future Psychedelia and fits well on this album. Same type of acid chaos. Cow's Blues has a sound that really does sound like a cow mooing. Slower, but equally psychedelic. Are new artists making goa trance anymore? Seriously, the old timers are back in a big way showing the whippersnappers how it was and is to be done. Look I'm sorry I made fun of your name. You make music like this and call yourself psychedelic toilet brush and I'm going to buy it. It's old school all the way with a heaping helping of acidic power. You can get it at the regular shops of course, but as I mentioned if you order from Suntrip you get those two bonus tracks and you help out a label that's been delivering the goods since Katrina tried to swallow the Big Easy. It's a no brainer and if you call yourself a goa fan...essential. F*ck it. Get down Mugwumps! Suntrip Psyshop Beatspace
  6. Title: Inti Label: Suntrip Records Release date: 19.04.2016 Tracklist: 1) Ovnimoon - Invocation 2) Triquetra - Renkinjutsu 3) Jagoa - Perverse Polymorph 4) Morphic Resonance - Varese Dream 5) Triquetra - Destroying Dinosaur 6) Celestial Intelligence - Distorted Visions 7) Mindsphere - Harmonic Garden 8) Crossing Mind - Entropy (First Edition) 9) Sykespico - Glimmers Of Sunrise Inti means "sun" in quechua. We have a cover art of a sun rising in all its glory and the release comes from SUNtrip. Convenient! Im not a big fan of Suntrip, especially not recently. Floating, sunshine-filled and butterfly infested soundscapes are not my thing. The reason why I am taking the initiative of writing this is because of the HUGE names I see in this comp. Now, the way I do these reviews is write the intro, play a track and write the first impression of it as that is what I value the most. So this going to be a raw, empirical and intellectually unbiased review! 1) Ovnimoon - Invocation: Now, I know Ovnimoon as a psy-trance artist, not goa, and that is why I was surprised to see him here. The track builds-up pretty quickly and Im surprised by the recipe here. Hardhitting and somewhat dark-ish. The tempo is amazing and the moment the acid kicks in its a bliss. I definitely wasnt expecting something like this! @4:00......... a salve of chills went down my spine! AMAZING. One climax after the other! Ovnimoon needs to take into consideration to do a full length goa album! 7/7 2) Triquetra - Renkinjutsu: Triquetra are Elric and Jurian Reinartz, brothers I suppose? They are pretty new and its awesome to see new faces in the scene! Again, hard and dark. I think Suntrip realised that the sun is also a 4.5 billion year old megaball of fire which will consume the star system as we know it one day. The feeling of the track reminds me somewhat of the feeling I had when I heard Howling At The Moon by Cosmosis, with its lightsaber-like melodies which feel like theyre slicing your brain into thousands of coronal sections. Orgasmic build-up all over the track. A great track! Good job, Triquetra! 6.5/7 3) Jagoa - Perverse Polymorph: Not to repeat myself, the album continues in its thematic direction.Ok, this thing is plain EVIL! A track for parties definitely as it's very rhythmic and simple. Its nothing special but it does it's job. Simply put, It's good! 5/7 4) Morphic Resonance - Varese Dream: We all know what to expect from this guy, AACCIIDD! A bit unconventional track considering his style in The City Of Moons. He builds up the track patiently and doesn't go overboard with chaos as he did in his album (which wasnt bad at all.) But even though it is a bit more serious as I said, there isnt much that is gripping my attention and its a bit crude to my ears. A touch above average 4.5/7 5) Triquetra - Destroying Dinosaur: These dudes again! They must be doing something right if Suntrip gave them 2 slots on their new release. Lets see... What I hear is youth energy, careful planning, a balance between an adrenaline rush and a story. The track is good IMHO! Their sound and style sits very well with me. 5/7 6) Celestial Intelligence - Distorted Visions: The kings of melodies are back! At some moments the track feels a bit foresty! Its pulsating in such a way and it feels very experimental to me. A unique experience. 5.5/7 7) Mindsphere - Harmonic Garden: HIER KOMMT DIE SONNE! and with it comes floatiness. God... This track feels incredibily out of place, but then again, I never liked Mindsphere's style. Even despite that fact, this track faired pretty well but its a thorn in my eye. It simply doesnt fit 4/7 8) Crossing Mind - Entropy (First Edition): Funny Crossing Mind decided to name this track Entropy, for it is its opposite. Melodies that remind me of BPC and at times it hints uplifting trance(?) All in all, a mid-tempo track with deep-minded and melancholic melodies. Dawn is upon us! 4.5/7 9) Sykespico - Glimmers Of Sunrise: You feel the X-rays warming your skin, you feel the wind's caresses and the sand tingling the soles of your feet. Its light, but its not floating. Its epic, sophisticated and vast just like the importance of our Sun. Its source is bright and endless, she resuscitates the hopeless. Without her, we are lifeless satellites drifting! I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to this compilation. It deserves my epic seal of approval! 7/7 Phew, what an experience! From the chaotic darkness that the first part of the compilation represents (to me) to the sunrise, kindness and blissful melodies... This release made me realise that I spend too much time indoors. I will definitely remember this release and I highly recommend it to everyone! Favorite track: 1. Stream it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk82AnCYxUsjkC5iKR0DvFzt6vKt2lmcg Buy it here: -Suntrip store: https://suntriprecords.com/product/item/SUNCD45/ -Bandcamp: https://suntriprecords.bandcamp.com/album/va-inti
  7. Nebula Meltdown - Stardust Chronicles Suntrip Records, 2013 Psychedelic Goatrance 1. One Eyed Reptile 2. A Higher Pathway 3. Psychic Beacon 4. Agape Sophia 5. Superluminal Connection 6. Stardust Chronicles 7. Mindstream Continuum 8. Alnitak Sunrise 9. Breakfast on the Balcony Stardust Chronicles is Nebula Meltdown's long-awaited debut Psychedelic Goa-Trance album. The artist has released several tracks on Suntrip comps, including Encrypted Illusion that numerous listeners found superb. The album is spacey, atmospheric, harmonious, and showcases some of the most enjoyable Goatrance work of the year. 1. One Eyed Reptile begins with warm ambient, atmosphere, and a Carl Sagan sample from the classic TV show Cosmos. These aspects establish the album's traveling, spacey feel. I love the synth lead that begins at 2:03, the supporting layers that keep up, and the returning synth lead. It's gripping and reminds me of what a sequel to Tandu's superb Multimoods album could sound like. The song grows a little repetitive as it progresses, primarily from 4:48 to 5:42 (the only thing holding me back from a higher score!). The artist could have trimmed a minute in that regard, and the song would have been exceptionally well done. But that part around 2:03 really sets it off; nice work! This energetic opening has some superb work on it, and grabs my attention right away. B+ 2. A Higher Pathway is less energetic than the opening, but it still has energy. The song establishes a really nice sound early on, although the melody/sound work is simpler here. The song plays out like chapters with variety; they flow and develop well. The leads, while nothing intoxicating, stand out. The last third has a fun, bubbly/psychedelic segment (via the sixth minute) that's great. Good track. B+ 3. Psychic Beacon stands out more than the previous one to me; I really like its layering and soundscapes, most of all the positive, skipping sound and feel. This song sounds to me like a distant, foreign relative of Etnica's stunning Vimana track. Okay, maybe a touch of influence; the artist did something very different. The synth leads are enjoyable and catchy. Solid song! B+ 4. Agape Sophia continues off the previous track's ending, complimenting the album's homogenous, cohesive feel. The short ambient intro sounds beautiful, celestial. The following several minutes are light, and will attract some (warm atmosphere, gentle harmonies). Others however may find the first 3-4 minutes uneventful, slow, and even a bit boring. There is a cloud walking interlude just after the third minute where the song grows more engaging. The artist incorporates a combination of elements along with catchier melodies. These additions are delectable and enhance the relaxing, spacey sound established early on. Overall the song gets better in the second half, and I like the idea of varying the more detailed tracks with ones less elaborate, to not overwhelm us. That said, the first half could have been better. This is a gentle, traveling number between the more arresting, dynamic ones. B- 5. Superluminal Connection I consider less ambitious as well. It continues off the previous track well I feel. The first third has more energy which is cool. It's filled with little details, but I'm not engaged. The second third grows more enticing just after a Carl Sagan sample. The psy-work stands out more. In the last third, a machine/fax-esque sound a la X-Dream's Radio (but different) enhances the synth work. It's catchy. I simply wish that the first few minutes were stronger. At least they're not bad and build up to the more engaging second half of the song. B- 6. Stardust Chronicles is the beginning of the second part of the album that I find stronger than the first. Maybe the artist will make his next album great from beginning to end, but until then... This song is a return to the melody skipping, wave braiding layers that comprised Psychic Beacon (to some degree). They're even catchier here. The whole song gets catchier as it progresses actually. There is some similarity however with that Vimana-esque synth in Psychic Beacon and the one here. Fortunately, much of the work is different. The song is great! This song is deserving of its self-titled album. Well done! A- 7. Mindstream Continuum has a beautiful introduction. What follows is many layers of deliciously flowing ingredients that produce a developing, evolving rhythm. There's a cool sample halfway through, and a calming of excitement before take off where the spaceship acquires a tasty synth, one of several that keeps things refreshing throughout. The atmospheric elements add to the immersion too, and don't even get me started on the soundscapes and the imaginative psychedelic work in the second half. Excellent track! A- 8. Alnitak Sunrise is an uplifting morning Goa-esque Trance number. I really like the drum work, skipping melody, euphoric sound, and voice samples (I love some of the voice sample selection). The song is relaxing and dreamy, upbeat and full of positive energy. There is just something beautiful about this finished product that speaks to me. Its unexpectedly different, unique, and catchy! A- 9. Breakfast on the Balcony is a solid, mildly Goa-influenced ambient track. It progresses nicely. The piano and subtle drums in the last third add to the floating atmosphere with a touch more energy. It doesn't stay with me like the previous three tracks, but it is a respectable closing to a memorable album. B+ Stardust Chronicles is a mature Goatrance release with atmospheric, spacey and evocative elements. Relative to the first half, I love the synth work in One Eyed Reptile, the variety in A Higher Pathway, and the melody/sound work in Psychic Beacon. Tracks 2, 4, and 5 showcase a less elaborate/energetic side of the artist with parts that are stronger than the whole, especially Agape Sophia and Superluminal Connection. Both are enjoyable, but lighter, or less elaborate and memorable compared to tracks: 1, 6, 7, 8. Good news is that the album is atmospheric, has well developed introductions, and is pretty homogeneous. I also like how every song sounds different, with exception to Psychic Beacon and Stardust Chronicles that share some similar sounds and ideas. For a while I thought I was hearing the same track only to realize the differences when hearing them back-to-back. Any other complaints or nitpicks? The first half of Superluminal Connection could have been better. Also I would have loved if the album was stronger in the first half. But the first half has grown on me, and I appreciate all of the time, energy, and creativity that went into this debut. The voice samples are great too, more aware, and thoughtful for those into the cosmos, our connection to the source, eternal love and light. I found the album interesting and catchy, for those into the more traveling, atmospheric, occasionally softer (although the album open with a bang and is generally stimulating/exciting), albeit less (non) maximal side of Goatrance which is great too! This album grew on me. It has some great work on it. I don't mean to sound smug or selfish either, but please do not underestimate the power of a non red (final) score from me. Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 B+ Sample / Order http://www.suntriprecords.com/product/item/SUNCD29/ http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/sut/sut1cd029.html http://www.beatspace.com/7761/Suntrip+Records/NEBULA+MELTDOWN/Stardust+Chronicles/detail.aspx http://www.goastore.ch/nebula-meltdown-stardust-chronicles.html
  8. E-Mantra - Nemesis Suntrip Records, 2014 Goatrance 1. The Entity 2. Wrath of the Nomads (Rmx) 3. Fall of Icarus 4. Gebeleizis 5. Xibalba 6. Ayahuasca 7. Mission Aborted 8. Orphic Hymn 9. Shae Nab E-Mantra is Emmanuel Carpus. His Goa debut, Arcana (2009) was praised for immersing listeners with strong atmosphere, soundscape textures, and dynamic (tweaked tempo) transitions, one of which is the coolest enhancement that I have heard in electronica music to this day. Although I found that Arcana lacked memorable melody leads, I can't deny its innovation. The exploratory element was great and Dansul lelelor proved that the artist could create memorable leads in addition to the atmosphere and everything else. Pathfinder (2011) incorporated some catchy synth leads, but lacked the absorbing soundscape textures to the degree of Arcana. Pathfinder had some great tracks, elements, and moments nonetheless. It was more melodic, and yet less immersive soundscape wise and atmospherically. Some liked it more than Arcana and vice-versa. Anyway , three years went by and Emmanuel's tracks continued to impress on Psy/Goa and Psyambient/Chill albums until the next massive Goa creature arrived. This brings us to Nemesis (2014). Every E-Mantra album to date has had a bit of a learning curve for me. Emmanuel's style is very distinct and complex, and at times overwhelmingly creative. Good news is that Nemesis is more ambitious, imaginative, and atmospheric than Pathfinder. It also has more of what many liked about Arcana, the soundscape textures (exploratory element). I'd love to hear an all ambient/chill album by this artist in the future too. But moving on to Nemesis... 1. The Entity is the best opening [goa trance] track by E-Mantra to date. It has a fantasy edge that I miss (since the old-school days of Chi-A.D.) coupled with immersive atmosphere, strong synth work, a driving beat and bass line, tasty soundscapes textures, and some great synths. This song is like moving through a galaxy of space candy. I love the female voice sample, even if I miss what she's saying half the time. Her "sound" alone enhances the track. Oh, and when I bitch about there not being enough memorable melodies in E-Mantra's first two albums, just wait until you hear the one at 6:44. It's very catchy! I really like the return of the strong bass line at 4:05, the atmosphere and melody/sound (synth) work. The echoed, female effects are nice too! My ONLY gripe is that after the beat drops out (which switches up the sound a bit), I am less gripped. From around 5:30 to 6:39 the song begins to feel repetitive. Fortunately, the melody at 6:39 leads to ear candy at 6:44 that elevates the song. Very little here could have been perfected (to me) for a nearly perfect score, as the artist did a great job overall. The Entity is excellent, one of E-Mantra's most solid tracks to date. A- 2. Wrath of the Nomads (Rmx) I find less dynamic and varied than the opening. The song moves in one general direction, but it has a strong beat and base line. The synth lead stands out among the heavy backdrop, and is accompanied by soundscapes/textures, as is E-Mantra's more typical style and approach. To be honest, I was a little disappointed here, primarily in the first half. The song starts strong with a solid synth but grows repetitive and predictable by the third and fourth minute. Fortunately, there's an interlude/ around halfway through. The beat and music return at 5:10 where the song grows noticeably catchier. The beat is accompanied with more engaging sound work. Better late than never I suppose. Simply put, the song could have trimmed a minute or two earlier on, or involved more enjoyable work in the first half which would have made it more enjoyable. This is a solid track that starts slow and rewards listeners in the second half. B 3. Fall of Icarus I find more interesting than the previous song which showcased a more typical E-Mantra sound. Earlier on I'm grabbed by the atmosphere here. The bass line that enters at 0:55 captures the driving, dark tone; it's good. Gradually details are added. There are many layers here; I just wish that the melodies hooked me more, as with E-Mantra's work there is sometimes more higher pitched synth streams rather than stand out Goa tunes. Having said that, the song innovates. It's like a fluid storm of debris shrouded in lightning and space snapping rattle snakes that sneak up and surprise. The more times I listened to this track, the more I found regarding the complexity and cohesiveness of it all. It gets catchier as it progresses naturally, and showcases some really good sound work in the second half that compliments the first. Having said that, more memorable melody work would have been nice. Good if not great song. B+ 4. Gebeleizis begins like a computer spazzing out, printing up algorithms left and right without rhythm or reason, but in a psychedelic space sense; this is no computer or printer. The curious introduction slams the senses with an impact effect, or echoed beat and synth at 0:26. This moment is brief, but powerful and gripping. It also introduces the first wave of energy/synth work to power the starship. There is an interlude midway that reminds me of stars blinking out in the night sky. It's immersive and intriguing. Then a new crescendo of sound arrives, comprised of atmosphere, soundscape textures, and a delectable combination of synth melodies. The song evolves into combining the powerful effects with actual melodies that have harmony and feeling. I simply find that the last 1-2 minutes, while very nice, could have incorporated more development to increase the songs greatness in the end. An artist that applies this concept well is Cybernetika relative to his general tracks (1, 3, 6, 7) in the atmospheric and also dark album, The Scythe of Orion. Gebeleizis is a super song that has a soft ending that makes me go between a solid A and minus. The song is possibly deserving of a higher score. It's fantastic. A- 5. Xibalba begins less chaotically than the previous track, with good atmosphere and an effective, lower-pitched bass line. The bass line adds to the darker tone and is very effective, primarily when combined with other sounds that go into effect at 1:58. The more versatile "synths" are deliciously braided. There is a drum roll that leads into a highly effective third minute, coupled with a strong lead and otherworldly textures. At around 4:00, an echoed synth enters; this is the sound that I like from War of the Hierophant's track interlude from Arcana, as well as the Metamorphic Resonance track (last third) from Pathfinder. Here it's used more as a pitch bending accent rather than a visceral synth melody lead. Nevertheless, it's catchy and compliments the track; it's just not as infectious as how it was utilized before. No worries. It works well with the core rhythm. The beat briefly disappears at 5:12, and returns with the driving feel and even tastier melody/sound work at 5:25. It's also enhanced by the accent effects that appear like space insects flying by the voyager. All of this takes place with great synth work. An ambient segment enters around 7:15, and adds to the song's mood; it could be perceived as a sense of urgency or consequence. This part of the song sounds serious, evocative. It's interesting and adds character and feel to this intergalactic album. The song isn't as eventful as some of the others, but I like it this way. Xibalba is imaginative and captures my attention from start to finish. Well done! A- 6. Ayahuasca is the next track that I warmed up to the most, along with The Entity and Gabeleizis. ​This is because of the melody approach. The synth work emotes with the overall exciting feel. Instead of one synth, the artist somehow incorporated three or four, maybe five. The work sounds so layered and complex. It grows stronger, catchier as it progresses. The part around 4:20 forward has an amazing, climactic feel. It showcases what is quite possibly the artist's best melody synth (leading) work to date. I am very impressed with this part and how it fits into the context of the whole. I love it. The last third (or rather act) includes a very nice melody lead that blossoms around 6:16. It's unpredictable and uplifting! I love how the artist realizes that complexity alone does not necessarily make a song good. Ayahuasca showcases fantastic sound/melody work by the artist, who raises the bar on how uplifting and catchy his Goa songs can be! Part of me feels that the song could have gone even further or higher into heavenly bliss (ascension) in its final moments, but I really like the last few minutes. The song closes strong and knows when to end. Ayahuasca is one of the finest tracks in electronica! It's beautiful, unique, and innovative. The song has feeling too. It's excellent. A 7. Mission Aborted begins dark, as if abandoned or alone, though the samples off-set this thought. What stands out to me the most here are the astronaut's voice. They're catchy as they echo across the music. The first third keeps the tone and driving (under-current) dark. The synths sound mechanical and grows catchier in the second act. I like how the artist supports these darker elements, and the ambient/atmospheric layer later on. These examples show how well the artist puts sounds together, however I wasn't that arrested with the overall song. The astronaut voice samples add character and I like that. However the synth work, while catchy, never stayed in my head. There's no tune that grabbed me, no climactic elements either and that's okay. The second half is quite nice I admit. I simply never felt completely immersed or addicted, and the ending isn't really exciting. Having said that, the overall song is very well structured; it builds nicely and has some interesting elements, solid synth work. It's also dark and moody (though I found Xibalba catchier in that regard). The astronaut samples compliment Mission Aborted in that they're catchy. I just wanted to feel more involved and hooked with the overall song after finding the previous three so exceptional in comparison. That said, this is a very good track that seems to separate two more ambitious and delectable ones. B+ 8. Orphic Hymn is another one of my favorites along with tracks 1, 4, (now 5) and 6. The introduction is solid, and the beat/effect at 2:15 is wonderful. I love the humming ambient, and the synth work that enters at 2:33 is so ridiculously catchy. OMG I love it. Then there's the third minute where this infectious sound combines with others that sound as delicious with it. The third minute involves one of the catchiest segments in goa trance. After this phenomenal part, the beat leaves at 3:46 for an interlude (transition). This provides the opportunity to change up a few things and refresh the song. The returning music at 4:14 is nice. The atmosphere's enhances it. The melodies become brighter at 4:35 and I think it's good add light to the darkness. The second half of this song is attractive, don't get me wrong. I simply wish it was as infectious in the uplifting, positive and harmonious sense, as I love the idea. The melody/sound work is catchy. I just find them less captivating than the edgier work beforehand, which I found stunning. The song could have benefited from having a tastier final uplifting act in that regard, as it goes from darkly superb to beautiful good, in my opinion. Take Astral Projection's Liquid Sun, Radical Distortion's Star Dance, Goasia's Sunrise - ok those were morning Goa sunrise songs throughout and this isn't I realize (but for uplifting tracks that really impressed). Orphic Hymn does darker, edgier best and should have stayed that way with more development in the last third I feel. Or the brighter evolution could have used more work to make it more spectacular, just my two cents. I was so enamored by this song's first half and wanted to give it a solid A. Maybe a remix will get away with this. Orphic Hymn is another great track that showcases some amazing work. A- 9. Shae Nab, unlike the last two tracks previous E-Mantra albums is far from slow. Is slow uptempo an oxymoron? Regardless, the tempo is good. This final track has a smooth and fluid feel, with seamless melody/sound formations that develop in some subtle ways. The synth work is very good. I especially like the skipping synth that comes and goes. Shae Nab isn't very eventful (that's not the point), but rather one continuous movement; the song flows like water. This flow of energy concept ? track reminds of a little of Khetzal's opening on Corolle; this is completely different in sound and approach of course. A really nice melody enters around 5:00, and a more gripping (to me) one at 5:50. After the third or so interlude, the rhythm returns with even greater sound, deepening the hypnotic vibe. The ambient notes in the last minute are beautiful. It would have been nice if such feelings of euphoria were more present earlier on. The ambient notes add so much feeling and harmony; by the time they arrive, the song has almost finished. Nonetheless, the artist's blending of sounds here produce an old-school, goa sound that some will love. Shae Nab is a beautiful work of art. Its gentle approach may not stand out initially, as much as some of the other songs. This is a solid closing track that could have had more personality. It flows beautifully nonetheless. A- In conclusion, Nemesis is a strong album. If you're an E-Mantra fan, I think you'll be impressed, as I can be critical and pin point or over analyze even the smallest things at times. Every E-Mantra album I've heard to date has been impressive including his chill ones via Hermit Sanctuary (2013). The artist continues to improve and "perfect" his style on Nemesis and it shows. The album is dark and visceral, often immersive and at times magical. This album impressed me when I least expected, but it also took time to grow as Arcana did. I really like the power, rhythm and synth work of The Entity in combination with its fantasy elements. I was also impressed with Gebeleizis, Xibalba, and Ayahuasca for their strong synth work, arrangement, and sound formations. Orphic Hymn has an incredibly catchy first half (until 4:39 for me); the rest is pretty good, just not as addictive. Shae Nab is a pleasant closing track with an old-school feel. With the overall album, I enjoy the atmosphere, soundscape textures, and (being a huge melody fan) improvement in the synth department, though greater emphasis on tunes that get stuck in your head would be nice. There's a lot to explore thanks to the artist's attention to detail and interest in creating depth. The lower-pitched bass lines work well too, adding to the dark feel of the album. Constructive Criticism / Feedback 1.) Some of the melodies could have more development of arrangement. For this reason, I find Filteria's albums (DoOL and LitW) easier to get into. Emmanuel tends to scaffold his melodies more with trills on notes, whereas many Goa artists compose more arrangement. 2.) Sometimes this artist has something so perfect going, only to incorporate a last third that isn't as infectious (track 4, 8). I love songs that get catchier as they progress! 3.) I would love to hear more sleek interludes like the one in Arcana's War of The Hierophants track, from 3:58 to 4:50. Such work was wickedly catchy and sleek. The ones here are solid nonetheless. End of Feedback There are things about the other albums that make them special I realize. I have warmed up to Nemesis slower than Pathfinder, but faster than Arcana. This is probably due to Nemesis having more depth and exploratory elements/details over Pathfinder. Sure Arcana had some fantastic elements (atmosphere, textures). Pathfinder had the melodies (synth leads) that stood out where the debut was lacking. Nemesis is more refined, involved and deep; the synth work and melodies are catchier too. Thanks to numerous improvements, I think many listeners will consider Nemesis to be the artist's best [goa trance] album yet, but it took time to time for me to assimilate to this album for some reason. Not since moments in Arcana have I been so impressed with an E-Mantra album in the psy/goa genre (I also recommend E-Mantra's Hermit Sanctuary album for psyambient/downbeat). Nemesis puts the listener back in a voyage through intergalacitic space travel, atmospheric elements and exploratory psychedelia. It's a lot to process. A lot takes place, and while I personally favor certain styles of Goa over E-Mantra's (normal considering we all have our preferences), Nemesis was well worth the wait. Favourite tracks: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 A- Samples / Order Suntrip http://www.suntriprecords.com/release/cat/SUNCD31/ Suntrip Bandcamp http://suntriprecords.bandcamp.com Psyshop http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/sut/sut1cd031.html Beatspace http://www.beatspace.com/7916/Suntrip+Records/E-MANTRA/Nemesis/detail.aspx Goastore http://www.goastore.ch/e-mantra-nemesis.html Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Nemesis-E-Mantra/dp/B00HW1FEQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391013235&sr=8-1&keywords=E-Mantra+Nemesis
  9. Artist: Mindsphere Title: Mental Triplex - Mindream Label: Suntrip Records Date: March, 2017 1. Solitude 2. Circle Sphere 3. Seclusion 4. Fate 5. Orientelic Genetic 6. Serenity 7. Respiratory 8. Reformation 9. Far Away About a year after his last album Presence, this limited edition partially mixed CD is the second installment of the Mindsphere Trilogy. Of course you can also buy the digital version which is unmixed. Joske described it as "Drony, sometimes warm, sometimes cold, floating and here and there exotic!" And I would say that is a very apt description. Mindsphere is Ali Akgun and he is one of the premier names in today's goa trance scene. Solitude is a deep space ambient track that seems to have some Jean Michel Jarre influences. Dark and cold. Circle Sphere continues the futuristic and electronic cold of deep space. There is more motion with the inclusion of multiple melodies amidst a digital wash. Louder with more gravitas and drama yet still without a kick to be heard. Seclusion has an ominous air and the first hint of percussion, perhaps the booming of the sound barrier as the space craft leaves the atmosphere. The melodies are melancholy and bring to mind an astronaut on a solo mission thousands of miles away from home. And here is where I detect some Vangelis influence. Fate is a purely drifting vehicle. Ambient bliss that increases in intensity, but never loses that floaty feeling. Orientelic Genetic sounds like a word salad, but it's when his goa begins to shine through. It's also the first real, perceptible "beat." The flute is mysterious and the entire track resembles some Khetzal production. Downtempo goa trance that becomes quite busy. Serenity is just that, tumbling melodies and soft, gentle sounds that are well suited for catching a nap. Much like I did when listening to Tangerine Dream back in the day. Respiratory is another downtempo track that has a soundtrack feel to it. It's grand and many layered. Maybe a movie about a war where people pilot Mech Warriors. There is a tinge of regret here. The weird thing is the "supposed" ending where the music stops and then a new strain appears. Perhaps that transition could've been smoother. Reformation is probably my least favorite track on the album. It doesn't fit with the style of the rest of the album and feels like a mish mosh of sounds above an oscillating sine wave. Far Away fittingly ends on a beatless note. Unfortunately the track doesn't have the same verve and depth that a lot of the others had. It just kind of...is. It's gentle yet doesn't tell any story. At the 6 minute mark it leaves the flighty style and changes completely, resembling the atmosphere of most of the album. And without any subtlety. This is such a relaxing experience. I literally felt my blood pressure dropping as I prepared for hypersleep. A large portion is beatless ambient and I can see why Suntrip went with a limited edition for this release. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but like others have said it's very lush and floaty. Dude clearly has talent. However I felt the album failed to maintain its theme near the end and the quality and mood suffered because of it. While I found it enjoyable I would recommend people to give it a good listen to find out if this is what they're looking for. Suntrip Bandcamp Suntrip Shop
  10. Artist: Various Title: Blacklight Moments Label: Suntrip Date: June, 2013 1. Wake Up And Smell The Ashes - Daimon 2. These Talking Machines - K.O.B. 3. Black Sun - Psychic Voyag 4. Viral Breath - Cosmic Dimension 5. Aramean Dreams - Khetzal 6. Emotional Overload - Javi and Sko0ma 7. Beyond Lightspeed (E-Mantra rmx) - Artifact 303 8. Naltayada - Skarma 9. Depth Of Consciousness -Mindsphere 10. Cosmic Fusion - Uth This could not have been any clearer. Ok, I might've ummm...I might've added that last bit. Suntrip, the alpha and omega of goa trance is back at it again with their latest compilation. Blacklight Moments brings well known artists together with a few newbies in an incredible exercise in melodic goa. Surprise surprise. The Mindsphere double album Patience For Heaven was an absolute treat, but this label doesn't seem satisfied with resting on previous successes. These guys give the people what they want. Want some downtempo? BAM! Opus Iridium and the Sweet Sadness of Electrypnose. Need some darkness in your goa? May I introduce you to the Temple of Chaos. I wish my credit card company was this attentive. So is this a worthy addition to the Suntrip library? Really? Wake Up and Smell the Ashes- "Rise and shine, Mister Freeman. Rise and... shine. Not that I... wish to imply you have been sleeping on the job. No one is more deserving of a rest, and all the effort in the world would have gone to waste until... well, let's just say your hour has... come again. The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So, wake up, Mister Freeman. Wake up and... *smell the ashes*..." For my money the dark alter-ego of Antares slayed it with his track Codex on Temple of Chaos. End of discussion. Back again with a creepy sample from the Halo game (don't ask me which one I had to look it up. Too busy getting laid) he once again incorporates the randomness of a little darkpsy into his goa trance. While infinitely less powerful than Codex it was still nice and dark with great sequences near the end. Proving once again that this young man who cannot even drink legally in my country has accomplished more than I have in more than twice his years. F*cker. Those Talking Machines- I'm not the biggest fan of this Filteria side project as I prefer his chaotic style more. This is an older track with dark mechanical intentions that more closely resembles tech-trance than goa. It's not very interesting to me, but what it lacks in evolution it makes up for in atmosphere. Not bad, but not great either. Black Sun- We're Psychic Voyag and we leave off the e cause our track is excellent. Why yes it is, chock full of twisting leads and spiraling strands of sunlight with no downtime. Not the deepest track you'll hear, but if this was Jello wrestling, Jannis just got a mouth full of strawberries. Viral Breath- The second newbie in a row must've impressed Mars & Anoebis. Good luck getting the acidic taste out of your mouth with this one. Melodic and powerful it's the sound that makes Suntrip what it is. Aramean Dreams- Responsible for one of the greatest goa trance albums ever in Corelle Matthieu Chamoux is back and it's like he never left. Melodic mysticism floats on electrically charged air as the ground itself pulsates with life. Volume and intensity increase as I try to focus on each new addition. Masterful. He just dropped the mic and left the stage with your girlfriend. Emotional Overload- As I mentioned in another review, these two are the Chang & Eng of goa. Always together. Off topic, but if you have sex with conjoined twins is it really a threesome? Just some of the things I think about. While you're discussing that, they deliver another power player that tumbles over itself with sharp melodies. Constantly evolving, maneuvering as if rocketing through an asteroid belt it leaves the melodies hanging in the air to guide you safely to the other side. Beyond Lightspeed (E-Mantra Remix)- Are these guys fighting? They're remixing each others' tracks in what seems like a goa pissing contest. With all that urine flying around the winners are the ones that don't get peed on. That would be us. E-mantra shows his hypnotic style with levels of melody climbing clouds like I do stairs. Screaming 303 madness with more aggressive knob twisting than gay porn. Ok, too far. The track of course is brilliant. Naltayada- They did it! They f*cking did it! I knew Suntrip would be the ones to get the band back together. After all this time and all the delays, you think this day will never come, but they did it. They managed to get Astral Projection to release some new goa material. What? That's not them? You gotta be kidding me...But it sounds just like...Oooh, this is awkward. You know what? F*ck 'em. Skarma you are now the new Astral. Great job with the sounds and layers of melody, but I'm gonna need 4 classic albums in...let's say 3 years. No pressure. Depth of Consciousness- The titans just keep on coming. After pseudo Astral Ali still has enough in the tank after PFH. It's slower, but deliciously complex. The melodies intertwine like an Indiana Jones snakepit warming the soul and supporting the body. This is so delightfully foreign and ethnic, I could never play this in my town. Might as well open up an Al-Quaeda travel agency. Not good to stir up the rednecks...they tend to get all shootey. Cosmic Fusion- Uth is Alex Lytvyn and his release Distant Instincts was stupendous. He shows his dreamy and downtempo skills with more layers than my sandwich. It's easily the most beautiful track here and a perfect way to end this compilation. I'm glad he got his opportunity with Suntrip to show what he could do. I'm getting tired of saying it (and I'm sure you might be getting tired of hearing it), but the boys from Belgium have done it again. Tracks full of melody and intricacy bring the trance like state to your front door. They've still got the Midas touch. Kudos to the artists who continue to paint the dreamlike tapestry that goa can be and also to Mars for carrying on with all that he's been going through. Another gem in the crown of the kings. Long live the king! Suntrip Psyshop Beatspace GoaStore Mdk
  11. V/A - Ten Spins Around The Sun Suntrip Records 2014 CD1 - Goa Trance 1. E-Mantra - Sumoning Necromancer 2. Sirius - Not From here 3. Cosmic Dimension - Universe of Destruction 4. Celestial Intelligence - The Oncoming Storm 5. Imba & Nova Fractal - Sevilla in Trance 6. Crossing Mind - Goathmic Pulsations 7. Skarma - Thysselian 8. Cymatics - Celestial Sunrise[/font] BONUS TRACK: 9. Asura vs Aes Dana - Elie CD2 - Goa-Trance Remixes 1. E-Rection - Out Here We Are Stoned (Imba Remix) 2. Crossing Mind - Cyclone In Your Heart (2014 Remix) 3. Power Source - Skywalker (Filteria Remix) 4. Ra - Gateway Eight (Cosmic Dimension Remix) 5. E-Mantra - Afterglow (Nova Fractal Remix) 6. Crossing Mind - Hydrophobic Visions (E-Mantra Remix) 7. Merr0w - Blue Planet (Adrenalin Run Remix) 8. Khetzal - Djaningar (Filteria Remix) CD 3 - Ambient / Chill Out 1. Amos - Ghost World 2. Mindsphere - Defective Cell 3. Hybrid Leisureland - Moment 4. Neurotonal - Earth Frequency 5. Solar Fields - Insum (2014 Remix) 6. Jagoa - Vibe[/font] 7. Crossing Mind - Sunlight 8. Jagoa - Finding Some Light 9. Neurotonal - The Enlightenment 10. Hybrid Leisureland - Friction Glow In celebration of Suntrip's ten years in Goa Trance. Ten Spins Around the Sun is a triple CD compilation. CD1 is Goatrance. CD2 is Goatrance remixes. CD3 is Ambient (Downtempo/Chill). A full review ensues. CD1 - GOA TRANCE 1. E-Mantra - Sumoning Necromancer kicks off the compilation with a solid digit. The first part that grabs my attention is the detectible intricacy at 1:53, and the new move at 2:46. I like catchy layering like that. Good sound usage, but the overall song feels light on imagination and excitement. As we go deeper, a powerful effect hits before the forth minute. The song loses some steam after the interlude and improves around 5:52. The artist keeps things developing, though the last act and the overall song could have been more engaging and memorable. All in all a nice track to lead us into the higher energy numbers. But this is not what sells an album to me. It's a solid opening with some great elements. B 2. Sirius - Not From here has a very nice introduction. Ambient layers add feeling to the driving rhythm. This song feels more energetic than the previous due to a faster beat and synths. I like the ambient notes. The overall song however utilizes similar synth work throughout that to me grows tiresome after a while. Thankfully the second act lets go of some layers; the soundscapes breath. An interlude emerges in the third minute; the track takes off. I like the drum roll. I'm trying to give this a chance. I just wish that the melodies, arrangement, synth selection and overall direction was smoother (more creative and varied), not just layered and fast. To me the song feels redundant, too rough and similar sounding in ideas/synths throughout. The brief siren effects are cool. But I'm not impressed overall. This is the only song I don't care for on CD1. It's not bad or good (to me). The less melodic synth style here I find less fluid, smooth and digestible compared to the surrounding tracks. C+ 3. Cosmic Dimension - Universe of Destruction is the best song I've heard by Cosmic Dimension since the artist work via In A Special Kind of Space album. I heard new songs by this artist on recent comps and this is the best of the bunch so far. Imaginative and powerful, detailed and arresting, this song grows stronger, more intelligent and unique as it moves forward. The middle interlude is where things get interesting, the pit stop for opportunity and change. In this case, dramatic improvement to something already solid (albeit layers over infective rhythm) takes place, thus going the extra mile via excellence. What sounds like a low pitched gong rings. The effect is evocative and delectibly distinct, enhanced by the synths' returns. The artist continues to find ways to rise above the surface, tasty melodies, little details that intertwine with a plethora of soundscapes, textures and ambient notes. In cases that less is more, this track shows that more is sometimes a very good thing and thankfully there's not too much of it here. This is one my favorite tracks by Cosmic Dimension and of the year. It's excellent, especially where it goes after the first several minutes. Excellent track. A- 4. Celestial Intelligence - The Oncoming Storm is more energetic and climactic than the previous track. The lower pitched sounds integrate beautifully with the melodies. The result is a healthy balance between the fluid and the rough. Things grow more climactic at around 2:14. Melody leads often engage each other with strong results while segments in-between remain interesting before the next event. The process repeats, as a tastier concoction enters around the forth minute. For a climactic track, The Oncoming Storm is great. It enters the last third with refreshingly catchy elements. Aside from the catchy FX, the seventh to eighth minute could have taken things further, sounded more refreshing. The song plateaus for me around 6:12, though remains good and changes up. Overall this is a very good, danceable track that gets better as it progresses. That said, I enjoyed the previous track more. B+ 5. Imba & Nova Fractal - Sevilla in Trance has a strong opening, but the entire track blows that away. I love the synth work in this song, the melodies and sound arrangement. What sounds like a synthetic flute works well. Additional leads soon arrive that top it. The first interlude lets me breath. Then the music returns, so fluid and engaging! The song flies through terrain with the paradox of forceful elegance. The tunes are very catchy here, a huge plus. Also noteworthy is the sound usage, such as throughout the fifth minute, the mixing, and the overall direction. Seville In Trance has great evolution. It's dynamic in arrangement, varied in sound selection, and has a strong climax in the last act. The artists did a terrific job. Super track. A- 6. Crossing Mind - Goathmic Pulsations has good buildup, but not to climax. Being dynamic in nature, the artist seems to keep most of his arsenal locked away until the third minute. The intro's nice. The beat alteration at 1:40 is great for instance, along with the melodic combinations and rolling bass line. There's a lot of intricacy and alterations taking place here. The music becomes more prominent in the second act, with an emphasized beat in the third. Having said that, I was not as impressed with this song as I was with the artist's Virtual Mind Cleaner track on the Future Architecture 2 comp. The sound usage grows a little repetitive at times. Virtual Mind Cleaner is more refined, varied (in sound usage), and delectably crafted in comparison. That said, this is a good track with some great elements. I simply find it less infectious than some of my favorite tracks by this artist. B+ 7. Skarma - Thysselian returns from Suntrip's Blacklight Moments comp after releasing an Astral Projection influenced track that made AP feel nostalgic again from their classic days producing Goa. Skarma has again produced a beautiful, smooth number with today's production values. The uplifting melodies and harmonies add to the undercurrent sound and rhythm throughout. The first act is great. The second and third incorporates a more uplifting feel (love this); each act has healthy development. The melodies aren't in my face thankfully; their fairly gentle, allowing the backdrops to breath and resonate. The song has feeling and heart. The artist understands AP enough to imaginatively producing his own visions, both nostalgic and new. The song's a little light compared to my favorite tracks by AP, but the light approach here works. I'd love to here a wonderful sunrise track (as AP's Liquid Sun is) by Skarma that's inspired, not similar of course. Sometimes I feel that a little more innovation could have taken place in the end. Other times I feel it's just right. Thysselian is a great track from start to finish. A- 8. Cymatics - Celestial Sunrise is one of the most unique tracks on CD1. It has an organic, nature oriented opening that reminds me of California Sunshine if Har-El Prussky still made Goa today. The melodies throughout the song are warm, emotive, and optimistic (uplifting). Details, such as the gentle lift-off part at around 2:45 for instance is great! The melody work is very nice, though for a Sunrise (morning Goa) track, I wasn't hooked as much as I was hearing AP's Liquid Sun, Goasia's Sunrise, or Astrancer-Inhabitants of the Sun (Gnostic Theory). Other delectable elements take place here quite well. The gentle interlude is pleasant, including a sample on consciousness. The music's return (after this bit) evolves with new arrangement that's good. The nature-esque accents are never overused. No idea seems to hang on for too long. The song is tight from start to finish, but it lacks that special OMG thing that made me love my favorite (sunrise Goa) songs. I feel that the artist can take the sunrise concept further, creating a more infectious signature lead that's heavenly. Nevertheless, what he's achieved here is catchy. Celestial Sunrise is an uplifting, morning Sunrise Goa number that's filled with creative touches and positive energy. B+ BONUS TRACK 9. Asura vs Aes Dana - Elie was conceived around 1999. Initially I thought it was a chill piece until I heard it and WOW. Why haven't these artists produced more GOA-influenced tracks before (together or separate?), at least occasionally over the last two decades? To start off, I could have done without the male hymns that begin around 0:24 and reprise several times, such as at 7:52 throughout. I find them distracting from everything else that's great! Strong ingredients include melody/sounds, effects, and evolutionary elements like a stellar spaceship. I love the musical work throughout, the FX, atmosphere, and direction! I love the echoed voice samples, especially in the last act. They're gripping. The hymns though make me feel unsure as to if we're moving through celestial bodies or chanting on a mountain top? Overall, it's great to hear two super talented artists worked together on something so strong and imaginative. Why wasn't this released before? Maybe one day Asura will release more uptempo work that's just as intellectually satisfying. Same with Aes Dana. This is an excellent track. A- / A CD2 - REMIXES 1. E-Rection - Out Here We Are Stoned (Imba Remix) starts out with the catchy tune from the original. I was never a huge fan of the original, save the main, signature lead so I may seem a bit biased. Considering how catchy the opening tune is, I was expecting a little more to engage me in the first third, though it builds nicely. A a symbol clash via 3:36 is where I get into the song. The track could have began at 3:36 since the song gets tastier (for a while) from here. A dynamic drum beat section enters. The beat evolves. Hi hats enter. The signature lead in various forms soon arrives, and then the voice sample arrives. This part is excellent. The lead is supported well past the fifth minute, and the song remains tight for some time. The ambient is catchy too. To me however, the song begins to lose some appeal from around 7:37 to 9:50. The artist incorporates more layers around the general sound. The last few minutes though are not nearly captivating as everything that preceded it. The tasty lead reprises one last time, like a good bye before the song ends. That's nice, and the overall remix does justice to the beloved tune with strong, complimentary work. I simply wish that even greater delicacy was produced around the middle third, signature ingredients. B+ 2. Crossing Mind - Cyclone In Your Heart (2014 Remix) is a surprise. The original on Temple of Chaos was one of the only tracks I felt was noticeably weaker, compared to the other tracks on that otherwise stunning compilation. So maybe it's no surprise to some that the artist would improve upon it with a wider range of sounds, ideas; basically the evolutionary elements we've come to enjoy from Crossing Mind. This remix adds hills and valleys, color and complexity to the original's driving albeit rough, rugged, and repetitive sound. That said, its novel additions could have included unpredictable territory; the song could have evolved past the original's undercurrent feel and had a tremendous final third, whereas this is solid as opposed to extraordinary relative to where it goes, its direction. More risks would have been nice, yet the new added ingredients and changes here are a nice improvement over the original. Good track. B+ 3. Power Source - Skywalker (Filteria Remix) is the first song to really impress me on CD2, as a whole that is. Filteria took a classic Goa track from the mid 90's, a song that shares special feelings in many people's hearts. He then turned a classic [goa song] from the golden era into a fluid, dynamic and illuminated beauty. The remix dramatically builds upon the original while keeping its essence in tact. The first act's layers delectably enhance the original around the signature voice sample and rebirth of leads. The interlude fronts the second more delectable act; not that the first wasn't great. The last third gets more psychedelic, edgy and arresting, all while keeping its signature ingredients intact. The remix has heart, excitement and imagination. It has healthy development and evolution, just like the original. Also important is that it gets catchier as it progresses. There's not a moment when I lost interest here. Sure I've heard stuff more complex by Filteria (his impressive Lost in the Wild album), but I've also heard stuff less fluid (same album). I can't imagine Power Source not being pleased. They found the perfect artist to remix one of their best songs from back in the day. Now we have to get Filteria to remix other Power Source classics, i.e: Memory Bubbles, Vorlan, Hyperspace, Goaway, and Granada (the original). This is an awesome remix. A 4. Ra - Gateway Eight (Cosmic Dimension Remix) is another great remix. It takes one of the best RA tracks and does great things with it. I love the ambient elements and find them more enjoyable in addition to the sounds than than when the layers are most present until the second half. That's when RA's original lead appears with the beautiful ambient. The psychedelic layering is catchy too, though I find it a bit much at times considering the beautiful work underneath. I realize the artist wanted to incorporate his creativity and much of it works, such as the last act. I'm just a huge fan of catchy arrangement over layers (though I love both). having said that, the song basks in beauty; it's showered in sounds to the point its beauty is almost overwhelmed at times in psychedelics. Then the ambient arrives and brings its beauty to the forefront; suddenly all of those layers fit right in because RA's ingredients are being pushed up rather than immersed. Maybe I seem a bit critical here but it's only because of my love for the original. The artist did a great job overall. Sometimes like in the previous one though, less is more. A- 5. E-Mantra - Afterglow (Nova Fractal Remix) has one of the best openings I've heard. It's powerful. The raw power of the beat and FX is attention grabbing. So now we get to Act 2. It's good, though that powerful opening beat could have returned in the middle (you know where). It doesn't grab me as tightly in the forth to fifth minute as it could have. Then at around 5:25 an interlude takes place. The song evolves, and the track is revived unexpectedly with a terrific, climactic section that's very catchy and atypical from E-Mantra's style. This part's eventful, memorable. Unlike E-Mantra's tasty opening track on CD1 that lacked a strong ending, this remix achieves greatness, though it could have trimmed a bit (off the forth) to tighten things up a bit. The last act's great too, with new combinations and energy. This is a strong track that enhances the original. There are some superb parts and a great buildup, climax. A- 6. Crossing Mind - Hydrophobic Visions (E-Mantra Remix) remixes CM's track from V/A's Shaltu. The original was solid, but fairly uneventful around its dynamic approach at times. E-Mantra has incorporated more feeling with this remix, while maintaining some of its dynamic appeal. E-Mantra's melodic style is emphasized around 1:37 forward, though I was never a huge fan of scaffolded melodies. To me, the echoing-like effect causes some clarity to be lost with the actual tunes. The ambient notes around 2:20 are beautiful, yet for a second things sound a bit busy. The ambient notes soon flow into an island (interlude) without beat usage, before reaching 3:33, whereas lies zestier work. From 4:06 forward (mainly the forth minute, second act), the song sounds a bit too busy at times, like two separate songs. There is a second interlude. Upon the burst of energy, music's return, the ideas sound more cohesive and collected, more focused. The last third is clearer, more enjoyable in this regard. There is also good synth in the sixth minute. Overall this remix is a bit overwhelming at times. The second third could have sounded more unified. The song is less dynamic than the more aggressive and staccato original that I preferred. There are however deeper feelings. It starts off nice, has beautiful ambient elements and a tight final act. B 7. Merr0w - Blue Planet (Adrenalin Run Remix) has a wonderful first third that's uplifting and unique. I love it. The second half is magical too. I could give this thing a perfect score into the 4th minute. The melody/sound work is lush and harmonious, and in some ways dynamic thanks to imaginative, musical composition. The song showcases unpredictably fluid mixing and direction. There is a brief transition around 5:20. The voice samples add character. The last third is good too, but just a little something I feel is missing to make it more magical like the second half. More could have been done in the 7th and 8th minute. The song feels a little light here in that regard though the last act's catchy! This is a great remix filled with harmony, feeling, beautiful melody/sound work, mixing, and direction. The positive sound throughout is awesome. The first two acts are quite characteristic and tighter, simply put, than the energetic and still enjoyable last one. I really wanted to give this a solid A and was close before the last act that's still very good! Excellent remix. A- 8. Khetzal - Djaningar (Filteria Remix) is another beautiful and fluid remix. I consider the original superb. So I'm glad that Jannis re-approached it with his vision, rather than the original's sound with his. To begin, the opening is beautiful, immersive and atmospheric. This is an awesome opening. Also great is the melody around 2:50; the ambient is harmoniously supportive. I prefer the artist's eastern-influence emphasis here too considering it's more to Khetzal's essence. Another noteworthy part is around 4:40. The melody arrangement is beautiful; it's vibrant and engaging. The sounds have range; their varied and nicely balanced. The second interlude is smooth and floating before the finale, a buildup that begins around 5:54. It's excellent! This artist doesn't overdo climax anymore, so the climaxes stand outand I enjoy them more. The overall song isn't as organic, nor as ethereal; the ending climax isn't as grande as the original. Khetzal's track felt more like a breathing, living world, at times with greater touches of life. That said, this remix sticks to the artist's strengths and does justice to one of Khetzal's best (top 2 or 3 IMO) tracks. What surprised me is how different the remix is! Just listen to them back-to-back to see what I mean. This is basically a brand new song. Both are beautiful works of art. While I adore the original, this is a super catchy remix. A CD 3 - AMBIENT (CHILL) 1. Amos - Ghost World takes a while to get going. I was fading the first few times I heard this. Then it began to grow like an opening to a song, slow and gradual, nice background music (to me)l. The first act is subtle; it may feel lengthy and repetitive (because it is IMO, and it's an ambient track). The song develops a little, though remains somewhat meditative in nature. It's pleasant but quite simple and for me, almost too gentle. Maybe I'm just impatient, but this is my least favorite track on CD 3. I'm sure some listeners will appreciate the simplicity here(more than myself. B- 2. Mindsphere - Defective Cell is more to my liking. The first act is gentle and evocative. The arrangement develops like a story being told. The sounds that enter support the story and enhance the immersion. There is a nice cloud floating moments, soon followed by new sounds and arrangement. The sustained hymn-esque ambient/atmosphere is strong. I love the musical buildup in the 6th and 7th minute, how the artist achieved this effect musically, without a beat is creative. I was never really hooked by this artist's ambient in the past. I really like this song. Its development is interesting and involves magical key touches. The last third's unique tapping-esque sound (in place of beat) adds character. The melody/sound and direction here is heartfelt. Great track. A- 3. Hybrid Leisureland - Moment has sadness with beauty. The song is [/size][/font]reflective and introspective. That's my view anyway. The song is like a moment captured in time, filled with hope. The subtle beat in the last act is nice; it tilts the song towards ambient. It's nice to see Suntrip releasing ambient tracks here as opposed to downtempo/Psy-Chill ones (Opus Iridium) which was goo The moment of this track feels uplifting and inspired, and reminds me a little of Solar Field's in a good way. Although simple in its execution and fairly short, quality over quantity goes a long way here. Give it some time and come back to it. This is a poignant song. A- 4. Neurotonal - Earth Frequency's distinct sound grabs my attention right away. It's as if we're scanning the deserts of Mars, searching for remnants of potential, past life. The atmosphere and ambient usage add to the chapter/story (cinematic) feel. I'm hooked by the general sound. The song is fairly psychedelic too, being downtempo. The beat's effective. The ongoing (opening) low-note sound however could have taken a break, or changed up later on. The song grows a bit repetitive, more or less, as it progresses via the last act because of this. And yet it manages to develop. There is a very nice interlude too! Sometimes I think I'm overthinking this little gripe, but sometimes I feel that the song could have benefited from more of a complimentary evolution in the second half. The song seems to run out of ideas around the 5th minute roughly, but man is it gripping. Earth Frequency stands out. It has a vision. The ambient and atmosphere is strong too. B+ / A- 5. Solar Fields - Insum (2014 Remix) is filled with harmony and feeling. It's floating and euphoric. The subtle female hymns are attractive. Same with the Goa touches. The song incorporates three healthy acts and lifts off in the third. I love that part, the feeling of transcendence, ascension. This is why many people love this artist, his work, because it helps them to feel better, lighter in life, more free and alive. I realize that the artist has exercised ideas like this before, creating buildups to beautiful segments and I'm never tired of it. Magnus always taps angles to done concepts, breathing new life into every work of art, finding new ways to explore the dimension of creativity and beauty through music, love, and imagination. He makes something old in concept feel magical all over again, and that takes talent. This is a beautiful track and my favorite (the most accessible IMO) on CD3. A- 6. Jagoa - Vibe begins with an interesting combination of ambient, beats, and tribal influence. The echoed FX are crisp and catchy along with the melodic ingredients. The floating island interludes nearly eliminate repetition. The ambient notes along with subtle female hymn-esque notes create an ethereal feel. The song flows, though lacks surprise and discovery like the previous track. Still, the track is catchy throughout, and improves as it progresses. It has a mystical feel too which works to its advantage. B+ 7. Crossing Mind - Sunlight begins really nice, atmospheric and mystical. The opening 1-2 minute's are good. From 2:22 forward though, the song reminds me of the Sega Genesis game, Streets of Rage. I'm referring to the baseline, beat, and even the melodies (minus the alterations). I bet this was unintentional. I couldn't help but notice. The song unique, with pretty catchy melodies. I think it would have sounded better with a different baseline and beat, as I begin to grow tired of its emphasized sound (towards the end it's quite nice though). The interlude is good too. The song could have developed more and I'm curious what an [excellent] ambient track would be like by this artist, as this isn't it. Nonetheless, there are some nice elements here. B- 8. Jagoa - Finding Some Light is another contemplative number that begins sad and gradually moves to hopeful. Due to the gradual mood shift, I often experience mixed emotions, from contemplative/sad, to more upbeat and hopeful throughout the first half. The artist wants us to feel and has executed the title (moving from darkness to light I infer) effectively. The vehicle is floating and relaxing too. For the record, the song grows catchier, more optimistic and hopeful as it reaches the end, light. B+ 9. Neurotonal - The Enlightenment stands out less (to me) than Earth Frequency. This ambient piece took time to grow on me. It's fairly light, lackluster, and slow. A stronger variety of ideas would have been nice, and a more evolved final third. Sometimes I'm content with the way it is. A strong, ambient hum flows throughout. The song is gentle and relaxing. There is nice melody work. Overall I found Neurotonal's Earth Frequency catchier, more enjoyable. But this is pretty good. It's grown on me some. B- 10. Hybrid Leisureland - Friction Glow is ambient for the most part. It's uplifting, dreamy. There are some beautiful elements, though the second half shares ideas with the first. This actually doesn't bother me that much. It's an ambient track and very pleasant in harmony. I can float away. Solid closing track. B+ Concluson - Ten Spins Around the Sun is loaded with great Goa-Trance originals (CD1), remixes (CD2), and Ambient/Chill work (CD3). That's almost 4 hours of quality music. FOUR HOURS?!! The songs are strong and memorable for the most part. CD 1+2 are great. Each has super songs, no bad ones (just one I didn't care for). CD3 (Ambient/Chill) took longer to grow on me; I expected more initially, but it has since grown on me. I almost always find a few songs I'm not in love with on compilations. Good news is that there's only one song (track 2) I don't care for on CD1. Every song on CD2 is solid or great, superb to me. CD3 has some beautiful work; some tracks were simply not so accessible on first listen (I'm thinking track 1). As is the case, let it grow. It's a Suntrip Release after all and every compilation to date has showcased great work. Ten Spins Around the Sun is one of my favorite compilations of 2014. It's a beautiful triple album. Happy 10th Anniversary Suntrip Records and thank you for another great release. Favorite tracks CD 1 ... 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 CD 2 ... 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 CD 3 ... 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 .... (followed by 4, 10) A- Sample / Order http://www.suntriprecords.com/shop/ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Spins-Around-The-Sun/dp/B00JV4LRF8 http://www.goastore.ch/compilation-ten-spins-around-the-sun-3cds.html http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/sut/sut3cd032.html http://www.allmusic.com/album/ten-spins-around-the-sun-mw0002675188/releases
  12. Artist: E-Mantra Title: Pathfinder Label: Suntrip Records Date: November, 2011 1. Pathfinder 2. Metamorphic Resonance 3. Dansul Ielelor (Neurosect Edit 2011) 4. Valley of the kings 5. Above the skies 6. Distant Signals 7. Afterglow 8. Approaching Nibiru (Eleusyn rmx) 9. Deep Descent 10. If there is nothing Gesundheit. You know, in 2011 our cup truly runneth over. If you love goa trance as the majority of us do, then you cannot help but be pleased with this years output. The dust has just begun to settle from Artifact303's Back to Space and the label that has resurrected melodic goa trance has delivered another release from a titan of the genre. Romanian Emmanuel Carpus is responsible for the absolutely stellar space exploration goa trance epic Arcana in 2009 and aims to pick up where he left off. Questions abound of course since he is the reigning king of goa at the moment. Did his style evolve? And if so, what shape did he take? Will we all like it? Will there still be people that complain? Pathfinder- "If intelligent life could evolve here on Earth, then why not elsewhere? We'll be the first generation alive to find out." The beginning breathes like something alive and this track could very well have been on Arcana. Filtered leads spiral through space as the layering increases. It's a meteor shower with chunks of melody that break up as it hits an alien atmosphere. Shimmering and sparkling with some light touches that you could actually reach out and hold. Metamorphic Resonance- The space vibe continues with more bubbling synths and warm layers. There is a feeling of great distance and mammoth size with tracks like this. As if light speed wasn't fast enough. Churning and turning over as nameless moons pass by in silent watch. Welcome to deep trance. Population...all of us. Dansul Ielelor (Neurosect Edit 2011)- Here is the first remix of a track that was on Arcana and it isn't long before that recognizable melody appears. But only briefly. I look up and 5 minutes have bone by in the blink of an eye. Sharp 303's snap in the friction of space as one lead tumbles over another. All in a race to reach the planet's surface. Delicious. Valley of the Kings- While not a Nitzhogoa track per se, this is as close as Emanuel gets. The kick says nitzho, but the melodies sparkle with goa energy. Leads twist and ricochet off each other in his most powerful showing yet. His signature dark and drifting style is present with loads of layers. It doesn't get more outer space than this. Above the Skies- Clearly we have crossed a line into a more aggressive style as this one comes out swinging. Leads crawl from dark places like tendrils from some unknown beast. His breaks are short and only there to change the direction of the track. The leads blur and shimmer like a mirage as they stike and then fade. Wow. Distant Signals- What sets this track apart is the length of the break as the intensity builds. The leads continue to echo and even seem more tactile with sharper attack rates. It plows straight ahead like a comet with numerous off shoots. Afterglow- Melodic droplets stir the surface of a vast body of water. This is a lighter track with its feet firmly planted in deep trance as much as goa. The drifting continues with a 303 sparkle and bite. Layers increase as the track moves on. There is a mystery about this one as if unearthing a tomb from long ago. Approaching Nibiru (Eleusyn Remix)- This is the 2nd track from Arcana to be remixed. Floaty and distant like watching a pitched battle from a safe vantage point. It's short, but has powerful arpeggios that act as guide rails with a screaming 303 in protest. Deep Descent- Here is where this album separates itself from Arcana. No stranger to downtempo, Emmanuel brings a slow, pensive feel to this outer space jaunt. Astronauts converse as mystical synths uncoil. Warm pads reveal a massive horizon or maybe the rubble of a destroyed civilization. The winds of change are blowing my friend as this melancholy tune fades away. If There is Nothing- The 2nd downtempo track has a wonderful alien ambiance as whatever remains from the destroyed civilization crawls its way to the surface. It's cold and futuristic with a post apocalyptic timbre, as a bubbling lead slowly meanders through the wreckage. The first thing I want to say is that there is not one single 303 ripping stormer of a goa trance track here. If you want that go check out the Portamento album. But that's not what Emmanuel does. His tracks can be likened to a massive oak tree. The trunk is the solid foundation and as you climb farther up the tree melodies spiral and branch off in a myriad of directions. If you continue to venture further onto a branch, there are a massive amount of twigs you can follow. But the trunk is the solid foundation. His sound is truly entrancing and not focused on Arabic or Indian melodies we often see in goa trance. Nope, he is all about the farthest reaches of space and a mystical component. Like layers? There are tons of them here. It's like climbing into satin sheets the way leads and synth juxtapose for position. So smooth. The production sounds marvelous even on my sh*tty headphones. And on top of that he ends his album with two very nice downtempo tracks. You know, I suppose it's normal to become spoiled as time goes by. The technology helps make the music better, the sound quality improves, and we even become jaded by cover art. Reading the thread in the Label Announcements section you'll see people complaining about him sounding like Astral, the cover art sucks...yadda yadda yadda. I suppose I could've written the same descriptions for the first eight track. They all have the space vibe in his dark melodic style that will carry you away. If you loved the dark, drifting style of Arcana then you should love this. There are more melodies of a darker tone and atmosphere, but they are just as hypnotic with an insane amount of storytelling. The two downtempo tracks are a treat and a great way to end the album. It is my opinion that this is just as groundbreaking and awesome as his first album. Congrats to E-Mantra and Suntrip. Long Live the King! http://www.goastore....roducts_id=4676 http://www.beatspace...er+/detail.aspx http://www.psyshop.c.../sut1cd023.html Mdk
  13. It’s been 4 years since the last Goasia album ‘Dancing With The Blue Spirit’ was released on Kagdila Records, okay, three if we count the re-release at Dimensional Records. Since than, many Goasia fans had huge expectance for a new record due to the fact that they were able to raise the bar with ‘Dancing With The Blue Spirit’ album. For all people who might be living under rock in last couple of years, Goasia is project between Balint Tihamer & Vladislav Radulovic, releasing melodic Goa trance music for a long time. God, Good Morning Amphibians On Spacedock The New Orient Mental Mutator Dolphins Of Jupiter Promised Land Sundance Orbital Saturation Tetrodotoxin When I received my promotional copy of a new album entitled ‘Amphibians OnSpacedock’ released couple of days ago under Suntrip Records banner, I stated that I feel the the relation between last and this album is like relationship between Terminator and Terminator 2. For sure ‘Amphibians On Spacedock’ can be seen as an upgraded version of it’s predecessor, especially because the formula of a great Goa trance record is present on this one, and the key factors suchas: great production, the sense for storytelling and being able to create memorable moments/tracks can be found on AOS. I don’t want to spoil the fun with this review by analysing and reviewing each track, since many people are awaiting their copies to arrive and to check it in person, but for all people who might be afraid that some things gonna miss here I have to say – you’re wrong. Remember the great morning anthems from the last record such as Terra Incognita’ or ‘Dancing With The Blue Spirit’, on this one the very first track, opener – ‘God, Good Morning’ is in the same league with thoose two tracks, and after hearing it almost on daily basisi in last two weeks, it’s getting even better. Tracks such as ‘Amphibians On Spacedock’, ‘Dolphins Of Jupiter’ and ‘Orbital Saturation’ are the best example of the upgraded sound. The trademark Goasia vibe and feeling is still there but it’s enriched with new interesting and psychedelic sounds and blended perfectly so that you in the end got that feeling that you’re listening to a new record. One great positive shocker on this album was the last track entitled ‘Tetrodotoxin’ which is a representation of more experimental Goasia sound, a less melodic track with nice driving beats and retro-Goa feeling. As I mentioned earlier this album got all the key ingredients and one of them is the sense for storytelling and flow. The only thing that I see as a negative factor on this album is ‘Sundance’ track, which is a great track already released earlier, but the sound is kinda out of the foucs compared to the rest of the album and it feels like it doesn’t belong here, but hey, it’s a great track and I’m sure guys from Goasia wanted to have this one on their new album. Conclusion – Amphibians On Spacedock proved the fact why it’s been one of the most anticipated Goa trance releases in last two years and people who are into melodic Goa trance music should have this album in their collection because it represents the new era of Goasia production. I feel that the most memorable moments on this one were tracks such as ‘Orbital Saturation’, ‘God, Good Morning’, ‘Tetrodotoxin’ and ‘Dolphins/Amphibians’ combo. Goasia demonstrated once more why they’re one of the few who are on the top of the Goa trance pyramid nowdays and without any doubt, with the new record they will gain even more attention from people who might not heard about their work. Let’s not forget that Goasia duo is one of the few who proved that music got no limits, and their work-routine is the best showcase, Kanc (who is living in Croatia) and Balint (who is living in Serbia) are successfully producing music even they’re hounderd of kilometers away from each other. In the end I have to say that mastering of the album is flawless thanks to Tim Schuldt who made a beautiful job. Amphibians On Spacedock gets 8,5 glasses of rakija (out of 10) Review by Richpa (iparic70@gmail.com) http://www.facebook.com/ohitsrichpa Buy this album at Suntrip webshop: http://www.suntriprecords.com/release/cat/SUNCD33/ Like Goasia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goasiamusic
  14. Artist: Asia2001 Title: Psykadelia Label: Suntrip Records Date: April, 2015 1. Anafuzz 2. Orion 2 3. Eolis 2 4. Kalimba 5. Replicants 6. Sherkan 2 7. Reykjavik 8. Flirt Filter $350.94 Let that number sink in. Lotta money. You could do a lot with that kind of green. You could get about 15 private lap dances in a row in West Philly. Or...you know, one if we're paying by the metric ton. Damn...that sh*t is straight hood. You could get an absolute f*ckton of Twinkies. Why you gotta be like dat? We had some good times. Or...or...and hear me out. You could've said f*ck my car payment like someone from Discogs did and purchase this album. Yes, just the album. That's right, buy the original and a n*gga be walkin' to work. This is arguably one of the best goa trance albums that Gilbert Thévenet ever released. We all want this album yet we also don't want to ditch our whip and have to take the f*cking bus. 37 minutes into a 5 hour bus ride and Short Round fears that his celebratory Taco Bell bon voyage lunch will soon arouse suspicion. And let's be honest most of us only have the download. Don't act like you don't. So I think a little gratitude can once again be thrown towards Suntrip for channeling their inner DAT Records and re-releasing this beast from the golden days. Starting with the artwork it's highly recognizable for those of us in the know. A psychedelic Buddhist alien practicing meditation? He's so shiny! And now with increased shininess! The kind folks at Suntrip have kept the artwork in its original form for the most part. There is a new CD tray and the art on the CD was tweaked a little bit. An album however is always going to be judged on the music contained within and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. Spiraling melodies abound, twisting and extending. It's vintage, but instead of smelling like the bathroom after one of grand dad's "thinking sessions" it's old school. Layers, aggressive leads, and a seemingly endless supply of bounce to the ounce. This is one of those classics that starts out in beast mode and gets stronger as you get sucked further into its psychedelic vortex. Looking at the tracklist is like reading the ten commandments. Anafuzz sizzles like Though some of the sounds are dated, it works. Supremely well. Having trouble figuring out how to totally kill a dance floor? Have your recent DJ sets driven the kids to treat the dance floor like it was covered in land mines? This is one long dance session where you can push play, go get a drink, have a smash and the crowd will still love it. My personal problem with the CD has nothing to do with what Suntrip has done. Nope, it's Orion 2 which suffers from sample fatigue, but even with that I can see how that would entrance the masses. Other than that this is another jewel in the Suntrip crown bringing a thin slice of heaven from the past back to where it rightfully belongs. An album like this needs to be heard and is now accessible to a wider swath of fans and people who are soon to be fans. It's a collector's dream come true. Thanks Suntrip. You just saved me over $338. Suntrip
  15. Dear Psynews'ers, https://soundcloud.com/ironsun/the-ascension-of-helios-a-decade-of-suntrip-trance Take a cosmic ride amongst the stars as we delve into the backcatalogue of thé melodic Goa Trance label in the world: Suntrip Records! I have recorded this set especially for the celebration of their ten years of existence, both as a birthday present and as a thanks for all the wonderful music their artists have created and they themselves have released. This journey starts off with floating harmonic goa trance and steadily transforms into an absolute supernova of acid and melody. Tracklist: RA - Road To Shiraz (Intro) Uth - Cosmic Fusion Nebula Meltdown - A Higher Pathway Cymatics - Celestial Sunrise Antares - Astral Plane Khetzal - Indian Attic (E-Mantra’s Tellurian Remix) Dimension 5 - Zarkon Cosmic Dimension - Time Beyond The Universe Celestial Intelligence - The Coming Storm Mindsphere- To Infinity Innerspace - Innerspace Filteria - Birds Lingva Franca (2013 Edit) Comments, tips, criticism are more than welcome! Enjoy the ride!
  16. Goa Madness presents : Psychedelic Wild West powered by Alternakult Innerspace live + Dj set (DE, Suntrip records) Agneton live (BE, Sita records) Ephedra live (BE, Dimensional records) Asmik live (RU, Phonyrik records) Maka Baobab live (BE) Anoebis (suntrip records) Chakras (dimensional records) El Druidos (BE, Goa Madness) Rama (Goa Madness) Mighty patch dub on september 22/2012 Deco by Goa madness and Xibalz. The party will start @ 2 in the afternoon and will be outdoor untill 10 in the evening. We will continue indoor untill the morning ! Location: 100 % confirmed! a western village in the region of Luik (Belgium) Easy to reach with public transport ! Price: 15 €. BBQ and vegie food ! Fire shows ! Location: only after reservation to: goa_madness@hotmail.com 2 Free drinks if you're disguised in cow-boy
  17. Just a placeholder for now, without any info nor samples, but knowing Suntrip it's gonna be released in 2-3 months: http://www.arabesque...d=2831&Itemid=1 Somehow I was never a big fan of his 1st album, probably because it all sounded 'samey' and the production was 'weird', slightly dirty and unfinished (although I understand those track were mastered from old recordings). I have to say though, I'm really curious for the new album, as musically the last one was very interesting. Just like any Suntrip release, I will 100% purchase it, so bring it on, guys!
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