Declaration Of Unity - Optical Delusion

[Bill]

Declaration Of Unity

Optical Delusion

Ovnimoon Records

Tracklist:

1. Intrinsic Darkness

2. Parallel Deception

3. Optical Delusion

 

"This is a rather complex issue where we come from musically speaking. And it has to do with the fact that definitions change a bit through the years and new ones occur. Generally, we have the dark psy approach which is supposed to serve the pure pagan side of trance music. We also have the goa side which sometimes has the intention to be equally old-school. While many people may see huge gaps in the these approaches, we can observe some awfully common ground. What happens if you make dark psy a bit brighter or Goa instrumentations a bit more covert with forest principles in addition?" - Spectrum of Declaration Of Unity

I happen to like this project quite a bit, being a big fan of style mashing, and Declaration of Unity takes a very interesting and entertaining approach to that subject. Optical Delusion is a full-on stomper, a twisted and mystical dark psy and forest journey and a chirping and positive goa lift, all wrapped up into one bold, powerful, body-rocking package.

 

That said, if these three Greek producers continue tinkering and experimenting with this approach, for as good as Optical Delusion is, we may find that this EP is nowhere near as good as the material that may yet emerge.

 

"Parallel Deception" is the best track here and the strongest indication of the potential of Declaration Of Unity. It's a track where the layers of all three styles are excellently measured out. It is where the full-on drive is at its most invigorating, where the background forest mysticism tantalizes the imagination the most and where the goa effects add excellent texture to a dance floor gem making it as much a playground for the mind as for the body. It is where dark seance chants in the background can suddenly emerge in the foreground as uplifting positive shaman chants, where the dark most definitely corresponds to the light. Excellent stuff!

 

One-third of this trio is Ion Vader (his 2015 goa EP was reviewed here) who executes on some good full-on goa ideas on the title track and "Intrinsic Darkness." Spectrum and George Koutsourelis, the third member of this creative project, also bring some great levels of work to these tracks. The forest-y mysticism is pretty enticing and all the nifty effects add some very good layers that are pretty fun to pull apart on repeat listens. Good concoctions on both but not the complete package of quality that the second track contains.

 

Kudos to Ovnimoon Records for seeing the potential behind this one and putting their seal of approval on it. There are some very good ideas running through Optical Delusion and it's refreshing to see the label release an EP absent of any signs of progressive. As for Declaration of Unity themselves, here on their second EP, job well done, fellas! This is a good one and worth checking out.

 

Don't be surprised, however, if by EP number four or five these gents are releasing stuff that becomes absolutely astounding. This project has the potential to be something truly remarkable.

 

 

Beatport