pr0fane Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 Artist: Triac Title: Mean Between Label: Ear Peaks Format: CD (Jewelcase with 8-page inlay and DJ-insert) Released: May, 2006 Cover: http://217.160.138.169/pic_b/epe1cd002_b.jpg Review: Israel is often criticised for only producing morning full on artists, but truth to be told, Israel has lots and lots of artists representing almost every corner in the psychedelic trance scene. The tech-trance scenes most well-known Israelis is the duo Triac consisting of Michael Reznik (also known for his progressive project Morax) and Ilan Lanz, who had their first release on Domo records back in 2002, and since then have appeared on releases from labels like HOMmega, Candyflip, Moonflower and Jester Records. Now, 4 years after their first release, they are ready with their debut-album "Mean Between" - a release consisting of 9 tracks, and released by the recently launched Ear Peaks Music Group, which contains the 3 labels Domo Records, Tupan Records and Gat Music. 01. Vaporized Triangles [138 BPM] "Vaporized Triangles" kick of the album, and they certainly don't hold back. There is a 1 minute long metallic, atmospheric intro, but after the rolling bassline kicks in, it's pure, powerful progressive with techtrance influences. The first half of the track is rather minimalistic and "cold", while they add some really deep and mighty pads in the last half. Great opener. 02. Encrypted Session [135 BPM] Things get a bit more edgy and techy with "Encrypted Session". Despite the lower BPM, it's more powerful and crunchy than the album-opener, with pads that sound they come from a distant future where machines have taken over the world, and generally they seem to be digging more into the The Delta/X-Dream style with this track - and with a quite good result if might add. 03. Threshold Part 1 [139 BPM] As if "Encrypted Session" wasn't techy enough, along comes "Threshold Part 1" - a dark and gloomy piece of brutal techno, where they explore the old The Delta sound even more. By far the darkest track on the album - not my favourite, but it certainly does the job. 04. Yatzek's Revenge [138 BPM] Things get a bit more to my liking with "Yatzek's Revenge". It's not quite as dark and brutal as the previous track, but it's a lot more intense and dancefloor oriented, with a rolling bassline, and slightly uplifting melodic structures that complement the darker elements of the track. The best description of this track is probably "full on meets tech-trance", and I think it's an outstanding tune. One of my top favourites on the entire album. 05. Mean Between [136 BPM] They slow things down a bit on the title-track "Mean Between". Gone are the relentless pounding beats, and instead we're left with an extremely melancholic and emotional piece of laidback, deep techtrance. Amazing piece of music this is - another highlight on the album. 06. Concrete Waves [139 BPM] Ok, no more laidback emo-trance - we're brought back to the hard, pumping X-Dream/The Delta influenced style with "Concrete Waves", and once again they do a very good job. I must admit that I preferred the previous tracks, but this one is quite fine as well, and I can imagine it being one of the most-played tracks from the album by techtrance DJ's. 07. Sink (Live Edit) [136 BPM] Next up is a live edit of the first ever release by Triac, the track "Sink", which was released by Domo Records on both a 12" and the compilation "Travelocity". Judging by this version, it's quite clear that the Triac-boys have come an extremely long way since their first release, as this rework is really top-notch - plenty of new layers, and massive production with hints to the millennial minimal wave. 08. Threshold Part 2 [139 BPM] "Threshold Part 2" maintains the groove from the first version, but is generally a more toned-down version. It's not quite as dark and brutal as part 1, and the added pads give it a much more subtle and thoughtful touch - and big thumbs up for the voice-sample work as well. Cool track, and I definitely prefer this over the first version. 09. Fast Food [132 BPM] All good things come to an end though, but luckily the amazing "Fast Food" closes the album in style. It's a very distinct track - an emotional, deep blend of progressive house/trance with techtrance, and the result is really beautiful. Although the fade-ending is quite weird, and to me sounds like a desperate solution to running out of space on the CD (or something like that), this really takes my pick for track of the album. Bottom line: "Mean Between" is among the very best techtrance releases this year. Of course the competition is rather weak, as there are basically only of handful techtrance releases this year, but this album is really a solid piece of work that should impress both fans of the older The Delta/X-Dream type of techtrance, and full on or progressive fans looking for hard, metallic techno sounds. By borrowing influences from full on and progressive trance the album is also given a fresh touch, and therefore doesn't seem like a reproduction of the techtrance releases of the past. All in all, this album is highly recommended. Favourites: 1, 4 (!), 5 (!), 7, 8, 9 (!!) Verdict: 8/10 Links: Ear Peaks Music Group: http://www.earpeaks.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak51 Posted June 22, 2006 Share Posted June 22, 2006 The production details on this record are top-drawer. They spared no effort to build a convincing, immersive atmosphere. All the corners are tucked in; no ragged edges protrude. It's mainly proggy psy-tech, and would fit easily with Coldgroove releases and/or some of the more progressive Horns & Hoofs tracks, plus I'd bet they have some old Future Prophecy echoes rattling around in their back-brains. This one works just fine on the couch, or at work to drown out the crosstalk and tuneless humming of the cube-mate. I haven't played it for a crowd yet, but I believe it will mix well, and/or effect a pleasant transition between, any proggy or techy sounds. 9/10 from me, this one's a keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunel Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 excellent work from this triac guys. Totally fresh for the techtrance genre. this one is one of the best albums of this year. fuck full on, hurra techtrance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizack_Twizack Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 one of the best albums i heard in a while!! bOm.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exotic Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 Brilliant 10/10 .. .. /triac pls dont change that style .. it fucking roxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krelmatrix Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 This album fucking rocks! Possibly the biggest surprise for me this year. Not much more to say now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goa Bill Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I have a feeling this one went without much attention here and without any reason i think. One of the best albums this year. /Bumped up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trolsk Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 It is indeed one of the best 2006 albums, but that's not saying much since 2006 sucked. Viewed in a brother perspective Mean Between is still an album that stands out among the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
advance Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Yeah, I haven't even listened to the samples of this album... don't know why. Triac perform in my back yard every month or so Haven't gone to seen 'em yet, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeletonMan Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 It’s been a while since the last tech trance album that really mastered the art form of darkness, simplicity and musicability. Cheers up to Triac for bringing the vibe back with Mean Between! Follow this sound to the vault of its sinister, appealing and appeasing inner self and brace yourself for a mind expanding journey. When dark becomes light, so to speak As with any authentic tech-trance release volume is essential, but if head phones, music portable, deaf neighbours, or festival surroundings ring a bell with you, MB will guarantee a ticket to Alice In Wonderland. These guys know their X-Dream/The Delta material, but where these seek to fry your brain Triac has a head-on dance approach closer at heart I find very appealing. And when they live up to their full potential in Encrypted Session, Yatzek’s Revenge, and Concrete Waves, you’d have to not have a pulse to not move. Outstanding! In addition, Fast Food must provide another innovative mark for progressive trance followers °.° As for the remainder, I’m sure, with the level of relentlessness, balls, and talent these guys flash it’s just a matter of time before I’ll appreciate them even more. Close to essential material for tech-trance followers, splendid cross-over material for progressive followers, and quality psychedelics for the rest of us open minded psytrance followers. Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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