Psytrance

Psytrance is a genre of electronic dance music that evolved in the late 1990s. It is characterized by fast and complex rhythms, distorted synthesizer sounds, and repetitive patterns. The genre has its origins in the psychedelic rock of the 1960s, the electronic music of the 1970s, and the trance music of the 1990s. The term "psychedelic trance" was first used in the early 1990s to describe a style of electronic dance music that emerged from the Goa region of India. The music was heavily influenced by the Goa trance scene, which was characterized by a fusion of Indian classical music and electronic dance music. The first psytrance festivals were held in Goa in the early 1990s and attracted a large number of visitors from all over the world. The first psytrance tracks were produced in the mid-1990s by artists such as Astral Projection, Hallucinogen, and Juno Reactor. These artists used a variety of synthesizers, drum machines, and effects to create an otherworldly sound that was both hypnotic and energizing. The tracks were often very long, lasting up to 20 minutes, and featured complex soundscapes that evolved over time. In the late 1990s, psytrance began to evolve into a more aggressive and intense sound. This was due in part to the influence of other electronic dance music genres such as gabber and industrial, which were characterized by fast and distorted sounds. This new style of psytrance came to be known as "full-on" and was characterized by a faster bpm, intricate melodies, and a harder edge. The full-on style quickly gained popularity in the global electronic dance music scene and has remained the dominant style of psytrance to this day. In the early 2000s, a number of psytrance festivals began to emerge around the world, including Boom Festival in Portugal, Ozora Festival in Hungary, and Universo Parallelo in Brazil. These festivals attracted thousands of people from all over the world and helped to spread the psytrance culture to new audiences. In recent years, psytrance has continued to evolve and diversify. There are now many sub-genres of psytrance, including dark psytrance, progressive psytrance, and forest psytrance. Each style of psytrance has its own unique sound and style, but all share the same psychedelic and trance-inducing qualities that make the genre so popular around the world.

Astrix: A pioneer of Psytrance, Astrix has been producing music since the early 2000s, popularizing the genre all around the world with his energetic sound and captivating live performances. Ace Ventura: A master of his craft, Ace Ventura is renowned for his soul-shaking basslines and diverse range of beats. He's an artist who's constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with Psytrance. Vini Vici: A duo consisting of Aviram Saharai and Matan Kadosh, Vini Vici have taken the world by storm with their unique sound that blends Psytrance with elements of rock and techno. Liquid Soul: With over two decades of experience in the music industry, Liquid Soul's compositions effortlessly transport the listener to a state of pure euphoria with their smooth melodies and driving rhythms. Pixel: An artist who's been in the game since the early days of Psytrance, Pixel's cutting-edge music continues to inspire a new generation of artists with its diversity and complexity. Infected Mushroom: The trademark sound of this Israeli duo is one that's recognized all over the world. Infused with elements of rock, techno, and classical music, their unique take on Psytrance has earned them a legion of fans. Symbolic: This Dutch artist is known for his atmospheric tracks that seamlessly blend melody and groove to create a truly mesmerizing sound. Ritmo: With his expertly crafted beats and driving basslines, Ritmo's music has become a fixture in the Psytrance scene over the past decade. Electric Universe: This German artist has been producing music since the early 1990s, consistently delivering unique and forward-thinking tracks that explore the outer edges of Psytrance. Avalon: A favorite among fans of Psytrance, Avalon is known for his groovy and dynamic music that's perfect for dance floors all around the world.

1. Astral Projection - "Mahadeva" 2. Infected Mushroom - "Becoming Insane" 3. Shpongle - "Divine Moments of Truth" 4. Vini Vici - "The Tribe" 5. 1200 Micrograms - "Shiva's India" 6. GMS - "Juice" 7. Hilight Tribe - "Free Tibet" 8. Juno Reactor - "Pistolero" 9. E-Clip - "Chandra" 10. Talamasca - "Zodiac" 11. Goa Gil - "Kali Yuga" 12. Logic Bomb - "The Grid" 13. Electric Universe - "The Prayer" 14. Cosmosis - "Gift of the Gods" 15. Liquid Soul - "Revolution" 16. Ace Ventura - "Connected" 17. Zen Mechanics - "Psychedelic Borderline" 18. Captain Hook - "Human Design" 19. Interactive Noise - "Acid Test" 20. Raja Ram - "Gabrielle" 21. Aes Dana - "Memory Shell" 22. Son Kite - "Synesthesia" 23. Space Cat - "Power Up" 24. Zenon Records - "Wrong Turn" 25. Atmos - "Klein Aber Doctor"

In his book "Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy," historian Barbara Ehrenreich wrote about the transformative power of music and dance in various cultures. In a section on the Goa trance scene, she noted that "many people report that they first experienced the sense of community and transcendence that they subsequently sought in raves through the psychedelic culture of Goa". Ehrenreich analyzed how the collective joy and rhythmic movement in a psytrance party can help one transcend beyond the boundaries of the self and connect with a larger community. In his book, "The Trance Experience: An Introduction to Electronic Dance Music," journalist Simon Reynolds noted that "psychedelic trance works like a consciousness-raising drug in the sense that it expands your awareness, turning you on to new experiences and perceptions". This seems to be a common sentiment among many who have experienced psytrance, and it's a belief that has been echoed by various DJs and music producers in the genre. Music producer and DJ Simon Posford, who performs under the stage name Shpongle, has been a leading figure in the psytrance scene for over two decades. In an interview with Mixmag, he said, "I think when people first are introduced to psytrance they’re drawn to it because it’s weird and alien... But once you get into it and start getting the vibe, it’s something that stays with you". Posford has often described his music as a "journey" and a form of storytelling that takes the listener on a psychedelic adventure. Another well-known DJ and producer in the psytrance scene is Hallucinogen. In an interview with Don't Panic magazine, he said, "I just try to make music that makes people feel good. It’s not rocket science". He explained that he wants his music to be accessible and enjoyable to people who have never experienced psytrance before. Music critic Simon Reynolds, in his book "Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture," wrote about the spiritual and transformative aspect of Goa trance and how it offers a sense of escape from the mundane world. He noted that "with its labyrinthine rhythms and ever-evolving soundscapes, [psytrance] offers the possibility of mind-bending journeys without the aid of psychedelics". While psytrance music has been widely embraced by a global audience and has evolved into different sub-genres, some critics have not been as kind to the genre. Music journalist Neil Strauss, in his book "Everyone Loves You When You're Dead: Journeys into Fame and Madness," wrote that "psytrance was the most annoying and unlistenable of all electronic dance music", and went on to mock the genre as "the sound of a fax machine with tinnitus".

One of the main factors that helped psytrance to come into existence was the hippie counterculture in Goa. In the 1960s and 70s, Goa became a popular destination for Western hippies who were attracted to the relaxed lifestyle and spiritual teachings of the region. They brought with them their music, which was often electronic, and blended with traditional Indian music. This led to the formation of a new style of music that was influenced by both the East and West. Another important social context that contributed to the birth and growth of psytrance was the global rave scene. As rave culture spread worldwide in the late 1980s and early 1990s, electronic music genres such as techno, house, and acid house became popular. The high-energy, repetitive beats of these genres provided a soundtrack for raves and other events where people were looking for an escape from mainstream society. Psytrance emerged as a unique genre that borrowed elements from these genres but also incorporated a distinct psychedelic sound and culture. Culturally, psytrance drew inspiration from various sources. The use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin was prevalent in the hippie culture of Goa and was also an integral part of psytrance events. The intricate, vibrant visuals and art associated with psytrance were influenced by Indian culture, as well as the psychedelic art movement of the 1960s. The emergence of psytrance was also influenced by technological advancements in music production and performance. In the early days of psytrance, producers and DJs relied on hardware such as synthesizers and sequencers to create and perform their music. As computers became more powerful and affordable in the mid-1990s, software programs such as Ableton Live and Native Instruments' Reaktor became popular tools for creating and performing psytrance. This allowed producers to create more intricate and complex tracks in a shorter amount of time and also enabled DJs to perform live and improvise with their sets. Notable record labels that played a significant role in the growth and dissemination of psytrance include TIP Records, Matsuri Productions, and Spiral Trax. These labels released seminal albums and tracks that helped define the sound and style of the genre. Journalists such as DJ Tsuyoshi Suzuki, editor-in-chief of Psylife magazine, also helped to promote psytrance and document its development. Other notable figures in the psytrance community include Simon Posford (Shpongle, Hallucinogen), Raja Ram (Shpongle, 1200 Micrograms), Goa Gil, and Tsuyoshi Suzuki. These artists and DJs contributed to the evolution and popularity of psytrance through their productions, performances, and promotion of the genre.