Synsun - Symphonic Adventures

[Lemmiwinks]

 

1. Vampiria

2. Zygote

3. Ride the sky

4. Logic mami

5. Ceremony

6. Ave samael

7. Death machine (bonus track)

8. Tataria

 

General consensus among psytrancers is that this album, together with Space Cat's and Blue Vortex's albums form the "wholy trinity" must have melodic albums of 2004. Personally I found this one MUCH more different from Blue Vortex and Space Cat and more in the lines of The Misted Muppet album. Yes it seems that adding black-metal-like "epic" parts in trance is THE new trend and it's here to stay. I predict more and more artists will start copy-pasting this style and in a few years this will replace full-on just like full-on replaced the minimal trend about 2 years ago... ah well at least for the time being this sounds original and fresh until the others jump the bandwagon

 

I must also say that I'm happy to see that these guys have released a "professional" album, they have been around releasing amateur psy mp3s for quite a few years now. So to all those teens and young adults (even older adults? ) playing around with their synths in their bedroom, this is proof that you can live your dream and become a real psy artist touring around the globe and playing your favorite music!!

Oh and also, even if these artists are russian, it has NOTHING to do with the "usual" russian trance we get from the likes of Parasense, Kindzadza and such...

 

So on to how this sounds, well the general feeling of the album is dark in the beginning and gradually turns to morning stuff at the end. Of course, it has a lot of symphonic parts in it. I spoke about this album reminded me the Misted Muppet one although contrary to From the Legend , here the symphonical parts are developed throughout the track, they don't just come in the breaks. I also think a lot will also find similarities with IM's work (especially Classical Mushroom ).

 

 

Personally I didn't find the first 3 tracks Vampiria , Zygote and Ride the sky to be that good. I find they overdo it with the symphonical parts...

 

Then on to happier realms with Logic Miami ... ahh that's better, if you ask me, these guys do morning trance a LOT better than they do dark stuff. Although this particular one sounds a little too fluffy to me, almost commercial.

 

With Ceremony they get it just right IMO: it's happy, has a little oldschool influence and even the epic symphonical part. Not your conventional trance but I like it a lot!!!

 

Ave Samael (wonder what does it mean?) adds the "russian bassline": that continuous drone that sounds like you're behind some huge Kamaz truck... It starts happy but then turns a little dark and again the symphonic parts. I like this one a lot as well.

 

ah and now for a little... OLDSCHOOOOOOOL!!!!! Death Machine is a pure bliss for anyone who's nostalgic of the 96 era... ahhhhh It's included as a bonus track and you can obviously see that it doesn't follow the rest of the "flow" of the album, but personally I would've prefered a whole album with tracks like this one!! Maybe a double-CD next album with one CD "original" stuff and one with "oldschool"? I'd definatley like that

 

and of course, the last track Tataria is a downtempo one. It's nice but personally I would've done without the russian singing on top... it would've been a perfect oldschoolish chill-out track but the vocals ruin it IMO.

 

Conclusion Nice original album for the melodic fans out there reminiscent of The Misted Muppet and IM's Classical Mushroom . There are a LOT of symphonic "epic" parts although IMO using that in EACH track tends to overdo it. But big thumbs up to artists who dare step up and do something original!! 8/10

 

fave tracks: 5, 6, 7 (!!)

[delars]

GOOD!

if u like melodic adventures:)

still, i like the older works even more (and i haven't even discovered em all)

[shaman of sound]

an amzing cd!!

 

anothe great track by synsun is the remix to electric blue of astral projection.

[jarle]

oh man hah this is the best shit ever made : ))))))))

[Adam]

I completely agree !

It's in my fav's of the year so far.

The fusion between intense psytrance and deep melodies just makes me flip !

Like lemmiwinks says though, they use the symphonic stuff a lot, sometimes a bit too much; but at least the album follows it's meaning.

I personally don't find the album really dark, i find it pretty much the opposite!

The Epic symphonic trance just makes me smile everytime.. i don't see the dark in there..

 

Lemmi you were comparing tracks to IM and misted muppets..

I'd add that the last track of the album makes me think of an Astral track.

It sounds a lot like ambiant galaxy, which i just love !

it could have been better like you say !

 

but the album in general is pur gold in my cd's collection !

[kagdila]

hello to all,

 

i would like to thank all for the great compliment about synsun album.

 

hope you all enjoy.

 

big respect

 

shu-ki@kagdila

[Shimmer]

Highly anticipated! I heard some samples of the tracks from trance-galaxy.net and I had to get it. I love big orchestra type of trance. This is heavily influenced by Propellarheads though. Sounds similar to their DECKSANDDRUMSANDROCKANDROLL release, which was friggin’ awesome. Here SynSUN take orchestra and add psy. It is a nice combination. The artwork on the front cover is simply inspired. Who is this demon? Why is he connected to SynSUN? SynSUN’s music seems much more light than what the cover makes it out to be. Like they say, ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’, they should change that phrase for the sake of this album. Here goes…

 

Vampira – Starts fast, continues to pump its beat, while injecting these light crazy sounds which sound like a drill implanting itself into someone’s brain. Then the quiet background which you sense something is about to fuck with your brain. The stereo use is nice but a little cliched. Then the orchestra comes in. Soft at first, then a bit of techno trance, and then builds to a nice beat with the melody quite danceable. This turns into a very addictive track. Your ears are trained to the simple construction and your body rocks along with that beat! Everything happens at once although the sound isn’t quite full on as it could be.

 

Zygote – Very intense, movie composer sort of opening, it pumps though. The beat is clean and very nice. The bass is pumping, I love the way the harmony is dodging the rest of the track. It’s like it is coming in and out of consciousness. The simplicity of this track is very worrying because at any moment it’ll take you to a place you haven’t been before. I love the rise and fall of the computer beeps. And the distorted drums sounding like they have been processed through a hundred different filters. Nice. Different one of the highlights.

 

Ride The Sky – Starts of slow. Really sluggish. Can’t get into a suitable rhythem. Then a nice tune comes across and gets the track into gear. Your ears could follow either the bass or the harmonies, and you’d be in different places. Really nice and repetitive, although the simplicity does get overdone. Then you sense a darker side of the track. There is something waiting in the wings. Something unexpected. But then it just repeats itself again. Not necessarily a bad thing but you want a bit more at this stage.

 

Logic Mami – I enjoy the beginning of this track. Very endearing. And the bass fucking kicks the shit out of your heart beat. The cymbols of the drums is distracting and very 80’s. However, the orchestra is very freakin’ cool on this track. You get lost in this track. A friggin’ highlight. It just keeps on going!

 

Ceremony – Starts out very assuming. What is this? What is this sound? Is this going to be some Isratrance rip-off? And for 2 minutes you think “yes”. Then the most awesome sound comes through. That line construction is so perfect to my ears. It is so catchy, it is so danceable, it is so many things. You can get lost in this track if you were willing to let yourself go. I love the build and then suddenly it goes to the bass and drums again. The symphony are exhausted and now you are taken on a car chase through the streets of some busy city. Then at 7 minutes, the build is excellent. It takes your pulse and raises it, raises it, raises it, raises, raises, raises until JACKPOT! Get swept away again and then…the end. Love it!

 

Ave Samael – Wastes no time in cutting to the up tempo bass line and awesome pounding symphonic orchestra. I love the way this track just wastes no time. You are in a hundred different places at once. Then we get a sampled voice, then the track takes a different turn. This hasn’t turned out to be what we expected. We are given a different genre. But then at 5 minutes. We’re back! That same bloody brilliant piece of construction. The legs are pumping, jaws are clenched, and sweat is pouring!

 

Death Machine – What a nice kick! It blisters through your skin! Then the little gremlins tear through the speakers to create a nice track. The overall mood of the track seems a little slower, however, the digital effects are on speed and they create an awesome sound. This becomes a highlight in the end. It just doesn’t stop and it gets dark and faster, and becomes so different to the other tracks on the album. It has definitely been created after the rest of the album.

 

Tataria – Hard to define. It doesn’t fit in with the rest of the album and has a kind of wind down tempo (as all psy trance albums do) but this one sort of sounds like it is in reverse, not because of the female vocal but because of the beat and the computer-like melodies. I like it but only because it’s a nice finisher. The track experiments with different ways to present the style. And I predict that the next SynSUN album will be similar to this track. They sound like they are having a blast with this track. Imagine what they could do if this was the opener!

 

 

Overall, I am very impressed. Maybe not as earth shattering as I had hoped for but it gives me my fix and is money very well spent.

 

8.5/10

 

Highlights: Ceremony, Logic Mami, Zygote, Death Machine

[Ormion]

Seven reasons to get that cd:

1)It's melodic

2)It's original. I never listened something similar

3)No GMS kick at all

4)Most of the tracks are very hard and psychedelic also

5)Zygote is U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E!!!

6)The intro of Ceremony is the best in music history

7)Want more? Go and get it NOW!!!!

[Lepton]

don't shoot me :

 

I didn't like the album at all and gave it a way for free. Don't get me wrong it is wel made but for me it is just an other full-on album only with more melodies. I don't understand why everyone hates full-on but loves this album since this is just melodic full-on.

 

Don't believe the hype :

*It does have some gms- kicks

*it is in no way hard and psychedelic (derango can be hard and psychedelic !!!)

*it isn't that original, just melodic

 

conlusion : a well made album, nice sounds, feel good music:

 

*if you like melodies and the feel good full-on sound than this is a must have !!!

* if you want some more action buy the misted muppets album

* if you're looking for some madness or darkness : stay away from this one !!

[Ormion]

I respect your opinion Lepton but I really think it's hard and psychedelic also.

Of course Derango are harder and crazier but they are another style.

[Anoebis]

well, for once I don't agree with Lepton either

 

The kicks are much harder then GMS no 1112 1112 melodies on the 4/4 beat and no annyoing high hats, the climaxes are not full on like at all, and the melodies/sounds are much different... He dares to use sounds that some would describe as "old school" sometimes 303-like Acid sounds (which I love)

 

But I understand some people don't like this album because the melodies are too much "in your face" and cheesy for some... But I just like the album, don't love it, but like it... I would give it an 8/10 (best songs number 2 and 5)

 

ps: Derango is a total different style indeed, this is much more melodic with "gothic" melodies, that's why it's called dark I guess (altough I don't think it's dark either)

[Alek]

Pretty good album, but I really expected more from it... I like the symphonic ideas... very fresh!

 

Best tracks have to be Zygote and Ceremony.

[Guest al3xandar]

Artist: Synsyn

Album: Symphonic Adventures

Label: Kagdilia Records

Year: 2004

Media: CD

Genre: Symphonic dark full-on trance (my perspective)

 

 

Traklist:

 

01 Vampiria

02 Zygote

03 Ride The Sky

04 Logic Mami

05 Ceremony

06 Ave Samael

07 Death Machine (Bonus)

08 Tataria

 

When I sow the cover of this album I was amazed of it. It is really dark cover that reminds u more of some metal album, with the capricorn's half face on it with those scary eyes as u may see above. Before this album I have heard of some tracks of Synsun, some of them are really kickers some are nonsens, but I sure do adore "Cosmic Experiment" as good oldschool goa trance track. To be hounest I have never heard before this kind of trance, as u see in the Genre, I wrote Symphonic dark drance, but I was not sure and yet I am not, if this is dark at all. The will to do dark trance is really present, but how much they have succeded in that, the true dark-trance experienced lovers can tell that On moments u got feeling that u are watching J.A.G., the other moment u got feeling that "Nosferatu" begun, and at the end u almost forget what u listen. So..

 

01 Vampiria

 

Great track, u got nice opening, pretty fast kick intro and deep bassline that makes ur interest stay for the whole album. Then some of the dark effects u can hear. All goes fine, u are thinking of some better kick and u got perfect dark trance here, nice concept and perfect realisation. And then as the name says we got to be reminded of Vampiria, the land of Vampires and crappy creatures. The symphonic melody begins...I am 99% sure that we were listening this music that is sampled here when we were narating crappy tales in the darkness, lightenned only by few candles. Oh My God! This Is So Good!!!! But, imagine what!? The "Gnome voice" begins to speak...02m19s .. noooo...it reminds me from one hand on Shpongle's tracks, on the other one it reminds me of the modern fullon trance as Trauma makes...yes listen to Trauma's Revolution, this effect that I call "Gnome's Voice" is present through the track. Hopefully to stop, and it does...the track is perfect. At the end u get fullon-like melody covered by the true sample from some of the soundtracks of Dracula (was it the one with Reeves from '92?). Yes, the effect I didn't want to hear...I'll forget it...say...8/10 for this one!

 

02 Zygote

 

Zygote: A fertilized egg with the diploid number of chromosomes formed by the union of the nuclei of male and female gametes. At least that is what google says, and reminded me of 1st class in high school when cythology was my most interesting subject. However when the track begun all the sudden I got a vision of a battle-field...the guys from Synsun really play this melody original on their keyboards. Again we got a mixture of original sample from the (mentioned) soundtrack, and played melody on keybs. Then the building of the track really reminds me of something that left at Synsun's concept for tracks from their Goa tracks. Only the true Goa lovers can recognize that concept...snares at each second kick, the effects...but the kick again is dissapointing me. Can't say that it is good, which makes me to lower the rating for the track.

05m25s you get that feeling as I said that "He-Man saves the eternity and together with the soldier run before a river of lava"...very optimistic melody but I wouldn't want to hear it in a dark album...c'mon, this might have no any relation with dark...effect proceeds and at the end u get only the melody that carries the content of the track...Zygote...developping into Life form..perhaps the dragon would be born soon? 7/10

 

03 Ride the sky

 

...so it does. Now u can ride the sky, with the dragon born before. The sceptics would say: "What is this? Another remix by original soundtrack", cause this track also begins with that melody, really chills my skin...the bass introduces the melody, the kick starts and the adrenalin goes in ur head...when in sudden...the "gnome voice"...noooooooo. It is slower than the others tracks and that effect makes me puke now!! I hopped it is forgoten...nothing particular, except the cuts of melody and fast keyboard riffs that reminds u on the name of the album, after all it is Symphonic adventure...isn't it...can't write anything else cause I don't know what...this track is like: "Bridge that isn't necessary" and nothing gives me vision of Dragon riding the sky. 05/10

 

04 Logic Mami

 

Pukeeee...this is so fullon-ish...the symphonic melody here, trust me, is the only light in this track. Not sure what Mami is, if it is some synonim for Mummy I'd say..."where is the logic here, mommy?" Standard track for today commercial trance...04/10

 

05 Ceremony

 

Percussions. Ahh..effects, nice, nice...so we got a kick, and a promising bassline. But it is like "We have the power of the Gnomes now! We can simulate their voice all through our tracks". This is the most FullOn-like track on the album. The bassline is nothing special, the effects are heard before (in the other tracks)

and the symphonic melody seems that anynow will go into climax and then into total histeria...repeating itself, making the whole track boring..boring...and even I ask myself, would this album be that great if the samples from Dracula weren't imported. So the end of this track really gives u view of what this album is...wanna-be-darkish-but-gotta-get-the-full-on-so-that-we-can-make-some-more-audience-for-more-$$ .... what is this, (6,5,4)/10, what is next 3? yes! 03/10

 

06 Ave Samael

 

Ok if anyone of Synsun reads this I want u to tell me why this track is on the album?

I won't even bother to comment it, but the lovers of what synsun use to make with their oldschool skills will understand me ... really astrix' like...except the symphonic melody! 01/10

 

 

07 Death Machine (Bonus)

 

I was hoping on guitar here.

But If u have heard the Vibe Tribe's album "Melodrama" this track can remind u of that..so better than the previous 3 tracks on the album, however the symph seems to be gone in this track, perhaps it is here after all the others tracks are made, that is my guess for it is bonus and nothing to do with symphonic melody...nope...I was wrong, this has also the Dracula's melody...playing with it, speeding it up/down...then the track turns into total crap! And it has thousends of effects that can qualify the track as oldschool...Ahhh noo why..all was so fine at the beggining...this is so boring, but the begining was not that (THAT!) bad. 04/10

 

 

08 Tataria

 

Was that an area of Russia? And some of it was mentioned in "Taras Bulba" from Gogol. Chilling track, nice way to finish the album, but not as it begun. Synsun tells that they can do more ambient tracks too. good flagerish pan/flipping effects with good melody. I never find the ambient tracks boring or I can't see them as bad/good, I can listen to every ambient so can't give u real picture of what this track tells...the voice is (I suppose) russian female singing something...yes! This is good track! 07/10.

 

 

Conclusion would be...

 

Not sure who mentioned the same thing, but I got a feeling that this album won't be masterpiece after 3 months. I think only few tracks will leave as reminding of what Synsun made for us in 2004. After I heared some remixes that Synsun have done and the Cosmic Experiment track, I was hoping that I will get more old school music from their Symphonic Adventures album. And I think that this concept with Symphonies sampled from the Dracula's soundtrack (if that is correct), would fit perfectlly in Goa tracks...imagine the melodies as Transwave or Electric Universe did in their masterpieces, followed by this groovy samples..but honestly what I got from my expectations was only dissapointment of Synsun. I am goa-freak, and sometimes I do listen Dark psychedelia (Kindzadza/parasense/Deviant Species) but this is on the boundaries of FullOn (as we know it today) and some new form/kind of symphonic trance....so I cannot tell u exactly what it is!

 

Judge for urself...

Edit: Total grade 06/10.

 

Aleksandar Balalovski,

a.k.a. Lord Falcor

[Lemmiwinks]

yep, I must admit that this one got old REALLY fast... those symphonic parts are just annoying after a while...

[Basilisk]

The old thread:

 

http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?sh...20918&hl=synsun

 

More reviews (mine's on the 2nd page):

 

http://forum.isratrance.com/viewtopic.php/...c/42252/forum/9

[Klas]

Zygote is the bomb!

 

Never getting tired of that track.

 

Would´nt buy a new album from them though...

[ptn]

I have mixed feelings about it. From the first listen two thoughts are still floating in my head:

 

1. Lots of those symphonic moments sound like harder version of Vanessa Mae (UK violinist playing some sort of classical-techno-pop fusion) or metal/rock band losing few guitars and going orchestral. I'm not feeling it.

2. The guys from SynSun had a phase on 'yyy-aaa-eee-aaa' sound (You know, 'the talking lead'). I've heard it in at least five different tracks.

 

Definitely not for everyone's taste. Maybe it was great for 2004, maybe I didn't listen to it at the right moment, don't know. I like IM, Misted Muppet or Talpa and thought this will fit nicely judging by other folks reactions, unfortunately I don't think this album will be played lots of times in my headphones.

[Sawfly]

On 2/18/2005 at 5:29 PM, Lemmiwinks said:

yep, I must admit that this one got old REALLY fast... those symphonic parts are just annoying after a while...

I just listened to this the first time a while ago and I am listening to it again right now and I can already feel it