Mechanik Records label manager, Insanix and Gill Beraud aka Hyper Frequencies present the second part of the 'Psycho Laboratory' compilation. They are doing a great job at combining a series of known players of their genre.

The productions are refined and even bands like Neuromotor have come a long way in their studios. The best tracks here include 'Nightwalk' from Decerto with a brilliant strong sound, Hyper Frequencies with 'Oxxo Mafia' and Painkiller with 'Net Cash'. Digital Talk vs Outer Signal have a major psytrance tune with the frantic 'Higher Dimension'.

Other artists include Cosmochaos, Akros, Crazy Lions Cult, Lost and Found, Z3ro and Random vs Sentient.

Strong dose of psytrance but worth buying this one?

Free Radical Records 4th consecutive release is a compilation titled 'Toxic Allotment'. There is a no-nonsense approach to psychedelic trance music.

Most tracks run at seriously high speeds with signature fast baselines, often suffering from a lack of width and depth. The sounds are fairly familiar with some new ideas, mostly sticking to tried-and-tested formulas.

The music feels a little over-loaded with few breaks that can re-tune the dancer and allow him to breathe, so this is as full on as it can go.

The track that stands out by far is 'Chasm' by Spyrallus, both for the solid baseline and better production. It is a deep night-time driving song that leaves space and will satisfy any fan of this trance genre.

Overall maybe some interesting ideas but lack of production quality means a lot of it is not perhaps good enough for a great psytrance compilation.

Compiled by Faders, Utopia Records delivers 'Genesis', a psychedelic trance compilation with the latest work from established and new names.

The best tracks are delivered by new entrant Prospect with 'Break the Point', Audiotec vs Faders with 'World of Phantasy'. InterSys stand out with their production, melodies and structure of 'U Just Dance'. Delivers on all fronts for the dancefloor, this is the highlight.
The strongest track is delivered by Sundose with 'Rhythm of the Bass', an aggressive and impatient tune. 'Everything seems unreal' with Freaked Frequency, as they shine through the list of artists with a deep and mature track full of emotions and a steady drive. Magnificent.
Would be fair to also highlight a nice attempt from 3Fingers, fresh beats and ideas in their track 'Genesis' with a slightly more progressive flavour.

Other artists include Stereomatic and Soniq Vision.

Faders presents 9 previously unreleased tracks combining different styles from the stables of the psytrance scene and the compilation is worth checking out.

Tell us what you think.

You cannot look away when a pool of major artists get together to celebrate S.U.N. Project, one of the pioneers of guitar-filled psytrance when they are back with a compilation of remixes from some of their most famous tracks of all time.

Remixes II features many international trance acts, from the likes of Atomic Pulse, Bad Boys (Slider), DNA, Fatali, Freak Show, Insomnia, Neelix, Sesto Sento and others that have infused the old productions with some innovative and mostly powerful high-energy remixes.

Solar System have come up with one of the strongest tracks, a remix of well-known 'Let It Burn'. Maybe a close call but Spectral Hades are not far behind with their guitar-crazy remix of '380 Volt'.

Sesto Sento steal the show later with a great electro-fused remix of 'Wicked'. Some great ideas and lifts the mood up. Fatali have also come up with an innovative way to remix 'Computer Breath' into a much more relaxed progressive psychedelia affair. More great stuff from Dj Astralex featuring Roomnoise, this time remixing 'A Hard Ride' into a softer alternative listening. Innovative, yet still powerful. Slackjoint take a similar approach in remixing once again here '380 Volt' and very different from the Spectral Hades tune. A cleverly strong adaptation of the original, this track is also another interesting soundscape to listen to.

This compilation seems to be split into two. Starting off with the trademark full on style of trance maestros S.U.N. Project and then morphing into more experimental downbeat remixes. 

Which part was your favourite?  

The Argentinian outfit Dark Prisma records presents The Bestiary, a dark and sinister tale of psytrance. It features a fusion of Argentinian, Mexican, American and Serbian artists.

There are some very obvious influences by the Russian psytrance movement here and most artists adhere to this style. Deep but also chaotic. Psychedelic but confusing.

Some Frantic Noise tracks touch on the randomness and psychedelic vibe of the great Australian pioneers of that sound and they deliver the favorite here Bastechno Beast.

Good effort from Arabali too, as they try to place Chuck u Farley on the dancefloor.

This compilation is psychedelic enough but does it belong on the dancefloor?

Spun records pulls out the big guns with their latest compilation Back 2 The Future. The who's who of the hard psytrance scene is here.
To begin we have Logic Bomb smashing their way in with Earth Orbit (Soundaholic remix). Reminds a little of Etnica but develops in a strong and militant beat with deep floating sounds that implode along the way.

GMS fight it out with Dr. Hoffman (read previous post about his latest album) next. The clear production is dressed with melodies and psychedelic infused soundbytes to build up a monster of a track.

Shanti is next with Green Room, a decent tune with a slow build up delivering very powerful electro melodies with hard psytrance beats when it kicks back in.
Earthling vs Poli contribute with a less lively The Grasshopper. Special mention to Perplex that stands out with tech-house inspired, but still very psychedelic, Bad Habbits.

New boys in the hood Solar System remix Blind Spot by X-Noise and they make a great job to keep things fresh and clean. Te-Tuna disappoint with Sweepers. Animalis vs BioTouch have something better with Countdown.

Other artists include Last Man Standing, Cycle Sphere and Random vs Torin remixed by Kinesis vs. Mindstorm.

The start took me by storm but did you like the rest of the compilation?

For the die-hard psytrance traditionalists Geomagnetic TV is bringing you the debut album of Dr. Hoffman, Ride On. This is a homage to psychedelia from the 90s with the fractal structures and acid flavor some are used to.

There is no holding back from the outset with Ride On getting to the point and sticking with it. The next two tracks follow up with strong kick and bass lines, first Drop Out featuring Blue Lunar Monkey with it's twisted melodies and trippy feel and then Logic Crash with deeper melodies and a darker vibe.

Turbo charged psytrance all the way, but always with a twist. The psychosambadelic Trance Del Caribe Pt.2 is evidence of psychedelia creeping in and swirling you around. The euphoric melody is next with Mexican Acid and again the mood is old style trance with new beats and clear sounds. Kymatica is less impressive but can hold on its own. The Apics reminds of the earlier GMS sound and although a well put together track, it is less original.

The gangsta Don't mess with the Mafia is a strong track with the wrong attitude.
One before last Mutant Virus returns to the melodies and softens the mood to bring the compilation to a close with an energetic Jumpingjack, some fresh ideas and old melodies.

Overall a confusing album with peaks and lows. Worth listening to, worth supporting by buying?

Another psytrance gem by brand new Italy based Intelligent Monkey Records label of DJ PsySari, from Turkey titled Chandra Natya or 'Moon Dance'. There is a selection of tracks heavily influenced by the Russian trance scene. Most productions are acceptable, somehow missing some of the shine of the larger studios.

The psychedelic element is strong across the compilation and the Nord lead sounds prevail. Expect turbo trance charged baselines, blipy leads and the classic atmospheric sounds of night-time psychedelic trance.

Tracks that stand out are 'Chandra Natya' by Intelligent Monkey, a very strange 'Cowboy Sunset' by Krussedull and 'Shaman' by Dark Ozz.

Darkshire, Fracktal Error, Hagnetih and Tromo are also included.

Back into more familiar psychedelic trance waters with the debut compilation album from Germany based Digitalfrequenz Records named Druckfrequenz. Dj 'Der 5.Gedanke' is showcasing new local talent and the vibe is running baseline psychedelia with a distinct melodic style.

Some very solid music here with melodies and pads that will bring you to the trance state on the dancefloor. No major innovations but the music does the job.

Tracks that stand out include Direct Impact from Fractal Frequenz, the melodic Planet Earth from 2012 Connection and Sun Implant from Reactor.
Other psytrance music artists featured in this compilation include Slackjoint, Haridasa, Bounder, Damender, Electric Shimana, Sab, Neuroimpact and Lyric.

Promising stuff from Germany or it could be better?

Infected Mushroom are back with a studio album titled 'Legend Of The Black Shawarma'. This is a collection of vocal-rich tracks with a new (or old) added element of heavy guitar riffs and a 'rock' sound at times.

The record kicks off in typical Infected style with Poquito Mas, a spaced out introduction with a strong middle eastern flavor and some old style 303 blips. It evolves into a break beat with the experimentation you would expect from the Mushrooms.
The second track Sa'eed brings us into familiar waters, a strong beat with the classic Infected Mushroom robot voice sounds and singing that have broaden their appeal to dance music fans worldwide.

Right after we find them at the End of the Road, another experimental straight beat with many influences from electro music, still keeping things interesting on the dancefloor.
Smashing the Opponent features Jonathan Davis and it is one the most vocal-heavy tracks from Infected to date. The melodies take you closer to trance styles from Germany and here we have a departure from psytrance elements.

The guitar Can't Stop next. Vocals again throughout the track and a heavy guitar riff that reminds of Tim Schuldt and other guitar trance outfits.
Herbert the Pervert is also a guitar affair and this will have the psytrance heads jumping on the dancefloor. Very strong stuff with outbursts of clean guitar riffs that add to the atmosphere of the track. Perhaps the most psytrance song of this album.
A surprise follows with a collaboration with Perry Farrell, of Jane's Addiction fame, named  

Killing Time. This track laid by vocals has a stronger rock feel to it. Not the usual stuff from Infected here.
Project 100 is another experimental downbeat track. The heavy guitar blends in with melodies and the break beat to make for an interesting lounge listen.
Things take a psychedelic turn with Franks, an inspired track that surprises all the way. Some clever melodies and combination of sounds.

Slowly is a slower track with a memorable beat. Good pace for the morning and a great production. Bordering with house and electro, this track is innovative and fresh.

Album title track Legend of the Black Shawarma is a strange mix-mash of heavy guitars and haunting sounds that builds up and crosses through weird sonic paths.

The last track is another major surprise from Infected Mushroom. It is a remix of the well known Doors song, Riders on the storm. This closing tune plays with samples of the original with Jim Morisson's voice dominating and some experimental psychedelia on top.

Overall this is another Infected Mushroom album that twists and turns through many sonic landscapes with heavy experimentation. Some very interesting music and fresh ideas from the Israeli duo.
If you liked their previous album, Legend of the Black Shawarma will keep you happy.

Good music but is this psychedelic enough and psytrance proper?

The Tantrance compilations gained some momentum from the early days of the first release in 1995 until the 12th release in 2004. Five long years later the Leguan label compilation is back on the shelves. 18 tracks spread across 2 CDs Vol 13 showcases talent from various artists including top trancers Atmos, S.U.N. Project, Polaris, Talamasca, Tikal and Perplex.

The sound warms up with some progressive trance tracks initially and then moves to harder musicscapes.

Some of the best tracks include Special Dedication from Perplex vs. Onyx, the anthemic Black Space from Tikal and a melodic but strong Afterglow from Polaris. Talamasca bring back memories with the retro Tribalagan, SUN Project are climaxing with one of their latest favourites 'Let it Burn', which by no way refers to a guitar, the dominant element in most of their tracks still, after all these years.

Atmos contribute with a chilled out morning track in the cheeky 'Stay Awake' and in typical immaculate Atmos production style.

Many tracks for different tastes from Tantrance, leaning on the progressive side of psytrance in Vol 13.

For the fans of full on psychedelic trance, the Mexico based Tzolkin Productions is bringing a violent turbo-charged compilation self-titled "Tzolkin" and compiled by label DJ San Isidro and Glin.K.

Very hard and twisted music throughout this compilation with emphasis on fast baselines, hard kicks and frantic sounding lead sounds and samples.

Some favourites are Orca with Lucky One, Frozen Ghost with Frame of Mind and Kode Six with Tonights Entertainment.

What do you think about psytrance from Yucatan, Mexico?

Fineplay records released a double impact CD and DVD containing footage from their events. "The Beach 2009" features a list of major psytrance artists including 1200 Micrograms, Pixel and Bizzare Contact, GMS with Space Tribe, Space Cat with Perplex, Absolum and others.

There are no big suprises here (apart from the increasing use of female vocals) but you can expect top productions from established artists and some of the latest dancefloor favourites.

The tracks that stand out are: Irealise from the collaboration of psytrance mega-artists GMS and trance veterans Space Tribe. The 'Benny Benassi on acid' Green Room by Shanti and the anthemic All That Remains from Black and White with Epiphony.

Perhaps worth mentioning Basic Survival Instincts from Absolum vs. Menog for the night-time full on psytrance enthusiasts.

If you like psytrance but have an inclination for it's softer side then you might want to try out the new Progressive Trance network website. You will find a series of well known underground DJs alongside some more familiar faces of the commercial trance scene.

Best thing is that you can vote for your favourite DJs and acts from every spectrum of the trance scene.

If you are looking for a fresh compilation to listen to, search for "Kaleidoskopolis" from Cosm records. The label is trying to re-color and redifine what psychedelic trance is. An eclectic line-up of artists with the well known Spirallianz leading with a hypnotic morning track. The tracks border on minimal and progressive but there is enough weirdness, power and style to call this psychedelic.

There are influences from every corner of the music spectrum and the tracks take you through a microscopic journey of psychedelia. The two break beat tracks did not really do it for us and there a couple of tracks unsuitable for the dancefloor but overall this is a great listen.

Most notable tunes, Machine by Electric Sheep, 6th Floor with Dawn of a new error, Golden String from Sunburned and Paranoid and of course Isn't from German masters Spirallianz.

Psytrance has always been an ever-changing beast. The community was created and then diversified in the first 5-7 years. From there on, it was split between progressive trance and the traditional faster and harder psytrance. The people remained the same, their taste become a barrier often, but the community was still going strong.

The popularity of other dance styles such as techno, electro and house influenced psychedelic trance from the early days, however after a decline in sales and less parties in key locations such as the UK and other countries brought change once more to the forefront.

So in 2009 we saw the 'Acid family' old-guard entering in progressive waters. Infected Mushroom have long converted, before them, Juno Reactor and X-Dream strayed from the traditional forms and now the latest Hom-Mega Productions compilation with much slower entries from Growling Mad Scientists fame, Riktam and Bansi and Lish are showing a new direction. Are the artists 'forced' to change due to commercial reasons, are tastes becoming different and more diverse, is it the moment when we will see all brothers and sisters dancing again, unified, free of form and musical prejudice?

Or is this a betrayal of the style we learned and loved?

Is everyone going to hold hands and celebrate the culture of no barriers, the moment of truth, where we are all the same, full on and progressive, morning trance and dark beats, utter weirdness and techno-trance? Do we want to be better and bigger again, to attract people into joining us because we cater for the music of the future and not the music of the past?

Or are we loosing our identity and psytrance artists should respect it's early form more?

My wish is that in 2010 we will once again walk into the party without knowing what is going to hit us, which music piece or style is going to twist our brain and extract all our creative thinking. Something to make the intentions pure and the smiles flowing. Let's have fun.

What's your wish for 2010?

At last something very interesting to write about. Anomalistic records have released the compilation 'Against The Grain' with a mix of fresh artists with new ideas. And they are not the latest cutting-edge ideas, this is traditional psytrance with influences from previous European movements in Denmark, Germany, Scandinavia, Greece and France with a dose of Australian experimentation.

The forms for the bass and the sounds are familiar, the arrangements we have heard before, but these guys make choices and combinations, sometimes simplistic that really work.

You are always unsure of what is going to happen next and how much more twisted this can get. The sampling is fresh, nice voice sounds, lots of lazers (if you are into that sort of thing) and slightly a little too much of the classic Nordlead sounds that many psytrancers would recognise.

There are 11 tracks, things kick off with Faxi Nadu track called I am the night, color me black with a very funny 'zombie' sample. Kalilaskov As, Terranoise and Netrosystem supply very good night tracks, but Freakazoid stand out with the atmospherically psychodelic Crystal Aum. Digressio Traviato win the chaotic tune award with Electrified Water (maybe they had a little too much of that).

Star track by Primordial Ooze with the very complex but solid Building Boxes. Ayalien provide a perfect finish with the playful (but completely crazy) Small Kings Jump.

Worth checking out this one.

If you need to get your fan or artists website noticed it is a good idea to start by doing a submission at the DMOZ directory. The information is used by Google to evaluate a website so it will be very beneficial for your traffic:

For general sites:

Dance/Trance/Psychedelic_Trance/

For artists:

Psychedelic_Trance/Bands_and_Artists/

Also check the space often for sites you never knew existed.

To listen to music live or via mp3 download visit the radio section:

Psychedelic_Trance/Radio/

Prepare to enter into a strange world of the unknown. Travel through spaces and images that captivate the imagination and curiosity of the psychedelic mind.

Enjoy this with your favorite piece of psytrance music. Turn of the light and lose your self in the sound and the feelings within:

http://zoomquilt2.madmindworx.com/zoomquilt2.swf

The best tools for trance music producers are their equipment. Better than a normal PC is a custom built PC which will fulfill all your needs. Cryo will create a custom desktop for music professionals. You can have a performance computer and also selective upgrades where you can upgrade any component, test new components or swap old ones.

Your PC will be fit for music making and there is flexibility over what will go inside your desktop computer: if you prefer a certain sound card to support those demanding trance tracks, for example, you can discuss with Cryo team and have things your way but also get advice and recommendations.

With some of the best computers you can get the CryoBoost technology - a combination of design, optimisation, cooling and more to help you get performance with your PC. For music makers, Cryo recommends its model Extreme or above, with any Quad Core processor, enough memory to keep up with your creativity (4GB+), storage RAID0 for performance, or RAID5 for reliability, 1TB and above. A must have will be the sound card with a strong chipset, hi definition for low noise audio and also one with digital and analogue output options. You can select any component you would like to customize your desktop computer. For instance, for your sound card you can choose from Creative Xi-Fi Titanium to Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 or Asus Xonar Essence Sound which has the lowest noise and highest resolution.