Acid Trance

Acid Trance is a musical genre that emerged in the early 1990s in Europe. It is a subgenre of Trance and is characterized by its distinctive use of acid lines and synthesizers. The music is known for its upbeat, energetic and hypnotic rhythms. The origins of Acid Trance can be traced back to the Chicago House music scene of the late 1980s. Acid House, which was characterized by its use of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer, was a highly popular genre in Chicago and across the United States. Acid House was known for its hypnotic and repetitive rhythms which were designed to keep the crowd dancing all night long. It was not long before Acid House began to make its way across the Atlantic to Europe. In the early 1990s, European DJs started to incorporate Acid House into their sets. The genre rapidly grew in popularity, and European producers soon began to experiment with the 303 sound. They began to incorporate other electronic elements into the style, leading to a more varied and complex sound. One of the pioneers of Acid Trance was German DJ and producer Sven Väth. In 1992, he released his album "The Harlequin: The Robot and the Ballet-Dancer" which featured a mixture of Acid House and Techno. The album was highly influential and is credited with helping to establish the Acid Trance sound. Other notable Acid Trance DJs and producers included Paul Oakenfold, Adam Freeland, John 00 Fleming, and Ferry Corsten. Each of these producers had their unique take on the genre, contributing to its development and growth through the mid to late 1990s. During the mid-1990s, the Acid Trance scene peaked in popularity. Thousands of ravers were drawn to the hypnotic rhythms and energetic beats of the genre. Festivals such as the Love Parade in Berlin and the May Day celebrations in Frankfurt became significant events in the Acid Trance calendar, drawing thousands of fans from across Europe. As the 1990s came to a close, the Acid Trance scene began to wane in popularity. The music had become associated with drug culture, which led to a crackdown on events and a decline in its popularity. Many of the big-name DJs and producers moved on to other genres, leading to a further decline in the scene. Today, Acid Trance still enjoys a small but dedicated following. There are still dedicated DJ's, clubs, and events that specialize in the genre, with fans and enthusiasts around the world.

303infinity - Hailing from Israel, 303infinity is a well-known name in the Acid Trance scene. He is known for creating classic Acid Trance tracks with a blend of futuristic techno sounds. He is one of the pioneers of uplifting acid trance music, and his tracks have been featured in numerous sets and compilations. Simon Patterson - Simon Patterson is a British DJ who is known for his high-energy Acid Trance sets. He has been active in the electronic music scene since the late 1990s and has released numerous tracks that have become classics in the genre. Some of his most popular tracks include "Brush Strokes", "Thump", and "Latika". DJ Dag - DJ Dag is a German DJ who has been a part of the electronic music scene since the early 1990s. He is known for his Acid Trance sets that incorporate classic trance sounds with acid elements. His tracks have been featured in numerous compilations and his sets have gained popularity across Europe. 1200 Micrograms - 1200 Micrograms is a psychedelic trance act that was formed in 1999. The group comprises of Riktam and Bansi from GMS, and Raja Ram from Shpongle. Their music is known for its high-energy and trippy sound that incorporates elements of Acid Trance. Astral Projection - Astral Projection is an Israeli trance group that was formed in 1993. They are known for creating music that blends classic trance sounds with elements of Acid and goa trance. The group has released numerous albums and their live sets are known for being visually stunning. Ace Ventura - Ace Ventura is an Israeli DJ and producer who is known for his Psytrance and Progressive Trance sets. His music incorporates elements of Acid Trance, and he is known for creating tracks that are both melodic and psychedelic. Infected Mushroom - Infected Mushroom is an Israeli electronic music duo that was formed in 1996. Their music blends elements of psychedelic trance, electronica, and rock music. They are known for creating tracks that are both energetic and trippy, with a blend of Acid Trance elements. Astrix - Astrix is an Israeli Psytrance producer who is known for his energetic and uplifting sets. His music incorporates elements of Acid Trance, and he has released numerous tracks that have become classics in the genre. John 00 Fleming - John 00 Fleming is a British DJ who has been active in the electronic music scene since the early 1990s. He is known for his progressive and euphoric sets that incorporate elements of Acid Trance. He has released numerous tracks under his own name and has collaborated with other artists in the genre. Ovnimoon - Ovnimoon is a Chilean Psytrance producer who is known for his laid-back and melodic sound. His music incorporates elements of Acid Trance, and he is known for creating tracks that have a dreamy and ethereal quality. He has released numerous albums and his tracks have been featured in numerous compilations.

1. Energy 52 - Café Del Mar 2. 303infinity - Weekend 3. The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up 4. Brainbug - Nightmare 5. Union Jack - Two Full Moons and a Trout 6. Robert Miles - Children 7. DJ Taucher - Atlantis 8. Jones & Stephenson - The First Rebirth 9. Emmanuel Top - Acid Phase 10. Derb - Derb 11. Paul van Dyk - For An Angel 12. Hardfloor - Acperience 1 13. Cosmic Baby - Loops Of Infinity 14. Sunbeam - Outside World 15. Komakino - Man On Mars 16. Quench - Dreams 17. Signum - What Ya Got 4 Me 18. Kamaya Painters - Endless Wave 19. Jam & Spoon - Stella 20. Commander Tom - Are Am Eye 21. DJ Hooligan - Sueno Futuro 22. Ferry Corsten - Beautiful 23. Yves Deruyter - The Rebel 24. Cygnus X - Superstring 25. Scooter - How Much Is The Fish.

In the book "Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture," Simon Reynolds wrote about the origins of acid house and how it influenced the creation of acid trance. He noted how the acid sound was discovered accidentally when artists like Phuture and DJ Pierre began experimenting with the Roland TB-303. Reynolds praised the unique sound of acid music and the way it pushed the boundaries of dance music. He wrote, "For me, acid was a revolutionary sound that broke free from the bar-line tyranny of dance music, introducing a new sense of space, dynamic, and unpredictability." Similarly, in the book "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey," Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton described acid house as a "revelation" that transformed dance music in the late 1980s. They noted how acid's "squelching basslines and whirring hi-hats" were perfectly suited for the "sweaty, heady atmosphere" of rave parties. They also praised the DIY attitude of the acid house scene, which saw artists and DJs using cheap equipment and experimenting with new sounds. However, not everyone has been a fan of acid trance. In his book "The Ambient Century: From Mahler to Moby," Brian Eno criticized the genre for being repetitive and lacking in innovation. Eno believed that dance music in general had become too formulaic and predictable, with many artists relying on established techniques and sounds. He wrote, "Dance music seemed to have ossified into a series of increasingly predictable sub-genres, driven more by the demands of the marketplace than any artistic imperative." Despite this criticism, acid trance has continued to evolve and grow over the years. In the book "Global Tribe: Technology, Spirituality and Psytrance," Graham St John explored the connections between psychedelic culture, trance music, and spirituality. He noted how the "strange noise" of the Roland TB-303 has taken on a symbolic significance in the psychedelic world, representing the "evolutionary potential of sound." St John also praised the way that acid trance has incorporated elements from different cultures and traditions, making it a truly global genre. In recent years, acid trance has seen a resurgence in popularity, with new artists and labels emerging on the scene. In 2020, the music historian Tim Lawrence published "Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980-1983," which explores the underground dance scene in downtown New York during the early 1980s. Lawrence noted how acid music played a crucial role in the development of this scene, providing a "sonic space of escape and possibility" for its participants.

The social context of Acid Trance was shaped by the rise of rave culture in the UK in the late 1980s. Raves were all-night dance parties that took place in abandoned warehouses, fields, and other unconventional venues, and were often characterized by the use of MDMA (ecstasy) and other drugs. Rave culture was a highly individualistic and anarchic movement that rejected mainstream culture and embraced alternative lifestyles. This social context created a fertile ground for the emergence of Acid Trance, as it provided a platform for experimentation and innovation in music and sound. The cultural context of Acid Trance was shaped by the acid house music scene of the 1980s. Acid house was a genre of dance music that emerged in Chicago in the mid-1980s and was characterized by its heavy use of Roland's TB-303 bass synthesizer. Acid house was a form of rebellion against mainstream pop music and was embraced by alternative and marginalized communities. Acid house laid the groundwork for the emergence of Acid Trance by introducing the use of acidic basslines and the incorporation of different types of electronic musical instruments to create a unique sound. The technological context of Acid Trance was shaped by the advent of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and software synthesizers in the early 1990s. This allowed producers of Acid Trance to experiment with new sounds and create complex and dynamic soundscapes that were not possible with traditional hardware synthesizers. The rise of the internet also played a significant role in the dissemination of Acid Trance. Internet forums and file-sharing networks allowed fans and producers of the genre to connect and share music, leading to the growth of Acid Trance communities around the world. One of the most notable record labels in Acid Trance history is Platipus Records. Founded in 1993 by Simon Berry and Mike Golding, Platipus Records was at the forefront of the Acid Trance scene in the 1990s. The label released iconic tracks such as Art of Trance's "Madagascar" and Union Jack's "Two Full Moons and a Trout," both of which are considered classics of the genre. Another notable figure in Acid Trance history is the journalist and music critic Simon Reynolds. Reynolds's book "Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture" provides a comprehensive history of rave and dance culture, and his writing on the subject has been instrumental in shaping the discourse on electronic dance music.