Goa / Psy

Shimotsukei – Hardcore Summer Bash 2014

Posted by PlasmaDancer on November 15, 2014
Posted in: Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes. 2 comments

Shimotsukei’s Hardcore Summer Bash 2014 is one of the most highly recommended sets for a long time, but some teeth-gritting will likely be needed to get you through the first couple of (very nicely mixed) hardcore tracks. inner universe is the point where things really get going, and the set becomes a brilliant example of how to use some very tricky tunes.

That happy hardcore opening seems all the more incongruous when you realise where the set is really heading – the darker, psychedelic avenue of Betwixt and Alek Szahala’s freeform backed up by the best use of dark psy I’ve heard all year. Just check that connection from Reincarnation, while Hidden Radiance makes a really nice appearance. Some of the psy might stick around for a little too long, but that’s the nature of the genre – it probably says a lot about freeform these days that so many of us are pillaging other styles to get some darker atmosphere into our sets.

Higurashi isn’t my kind of tune, but it’s definitely worth sticking with until the brutal introduction of Battle of Dawn. How nice to hear it at its natural bpm, and so begins the high speed final section of the set, including a why-haven’t-I-heard-this-combo-before transition between Anmitzcuacah and A. Pink Magic will divide opinions at 200bpm and doesn’t blend as smoothly as the previous tunes, but no arguments about the use of 12 little fragments, it’s a perfect finale.

I can imagine some people wishing for a few more tracks of ‘normal speed’ freeform, especially given the wonderful transitions and atmosphere on show here, but this is a superb (if unusual) hour that really confirms Shimotsukei as one of the DJs to watch these days.

01. MesoPhunk – Within Those Eyes [F/C Lucky Lotus Records]
02. Elipton – Happy Forever [F/C Lucky Lotus Records]
03. Icon feat. R.Cena – inner universe [Exit Tunes]
04. Dark Whisper – Polymorphia [HSS Records]
05. Betwixt & Between – Hidden Radiance [ALiCE’S EMOTiON]
06. Betwixt & Between – Reincarnation (Remaster) [CDR]
07. Exemia – The Demons of my Reflection [Free]
08. Chum – Higurashi no Naku Koro ni [Exit Tunes]
09. Blender & Nomic – Battle of Dawn [CDR]
10. Alek Szahala – Anmitzcuacah [Electronica Exposed/FiNRG]
11. Le Dos-on – A [Free]
12. Alek Száhala – Pink Magic [FiNRG]
13. Betwixt & Between – 12 little fragments of silence [HARDCORE TANO*C]

Inoxia DJ – Buried deep in the nostral of your own demise.

Posted by PlasmaDancer on October 6, 2014
Posted in: Australia, Drum & Bass, Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes, UK, USA. Leave a Comment

Still a few sets I’ve been meaning to mention, starting with a psy-influenced hour from Australia’s Inoxia. There’s no faulting the ambition in this one, and the effort to take the listener on a trippy journey into psy and freeform really impressed me.

That said, there were a few missed opportunities after the fabulous intro and the Jesus Raves section – with such a demented (and nicely mixed) opening, the set seemed to be crying out for some Qygen, older Alek Szahala or Betwixt & Between. Instead there’s the slightly disappointing choice of Power of Universe, before getting back into the mood with some nice ikaruga and Vyral XIII selections. The set has lost some of the unique atmosphere by that stage though, and it’s more about enjoying the tunes on their own merits.

The final section (maybe beginning with Evolutionize’s Tandoku) heads into more typical, energetic territory, and ends things on a classic note. Plenty of interesting ideas here then, and lots of potential for future Inoxia sets.

Honourable Mentions – Hellfury / 7Sins

Posted by PlasmaDancer on September 11, 2014
Posted in: Canadian, Drum & Bass, Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes, UK. Leave a Comment

A quick look at the tracklist for Hellfury’s latest set made me wonder if it was quite my cup of tea, but after his fantastic Shin No Noir IX I was more than willing to give it a go. As expected there are fewer tracks that I really enjoy, but the quality is still very high – this time the unifying sounds are Le Dos-on’s trademark melodies and a more understated psy influence than in SNNIX. Look out for some ambitious mixes, one of my favourite Qygen tracks (Birth Within the Cosmic Storm) and a enjoyably ferocious finale.

I really like 7Sins’ taste in tracks, and here again we have a very solid, no-nonsense selection of melodic and filtery tunes. It’s fair to say that the set is more about the tracklist than the transitions, but the Hatral – Tormenting Flames connection is truly glorious and I’d love to hear more of the same in future mixes.

Cuedy – Freeformaniacs Round 11

Posted by PlasmaDancer on September 10, 2014
Posted in: Drum & Bass, Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes, UK. Leave a Comment

This was supposed to be The Week Of Mixes, as recently I’ve been really trying to catch up on sets in preparation for giving a few more recommendations. I’m already behind schedule though, so I’ll try to add one a day for the rest of the week.

We’ll start with a Cuedy set that’s now almost a year old, but I’ve only now managed to dig it out from Freeformaniacs’ mountainous back catalogue. Apologies to Cuedy, as this is another superb hour of music that does all sorts of things right, and really deserves to have been mentioned at the time.

The first thing you’ll notice is the excellent first 20 minutes or so, nicely rationing the lighter tunes before the sounds deepen up with tracks from Nomic and Re-form. That Silver Cube – Human Race connection is excellent, while the introduction of Fluorite midway through the section does a fine job of linking the two atmospheres.

The middle section of the set is also impressively mixed, but in the trancey UK freeform style that never sits that comfortably alongside Finnish equivalents like Frozen Flame. Just my opinion, mind, and even if Frankenstein isn’t my kind of tune, Cuedy’s blend into Unohdetut is one of those standout connections you’ll be looking forward to on a second listen. Full marks for ambition with the next mix into Scout, but the keys really have to be rock solid for this to work, and after listening on a couple of different headphones I think this one could have benefitted from a bit more tweaking – maybe there’s a ‘sweeter spot’ at a nearby bpm?

Dodomeki and the Lush remix are an excellent combo, and end the set on a very high note. There’s something for most of us here, and if you’re a fellow beard-stroking transition nerd then you’ll surely enjoy this hour from one of the scene’s finest DJs.

01. XIO – White Out (Le Dos-on Remix) [Asgard \ Japan With Force]
02. Horzi vs Amini – Don’t say a thing [fc. Return of the Jeb Eye \ Smiling Corpse]
03. Alabaster – Flourite [Worldwide Heavyweight Freeform \ Rebuild Music]
04. Re-form – Silver Cube (Extended Edit) [Free Release \ FiNRG]
05. Nomic – Human Race pt.II [fc. Return of the Jeb Eye \ Smiling Corpse]
06. DJ Rx – Frozen Flame [Free Release \ FiNRG]
07. Transcend – Spirit Of Hades [STMSLM008 \ Stamina Slam]
08. jD-KiD & Javi Dj – Purnima [BFB010 \ B-FormBeats]
09. Qygen – Supersonic Speed 2013 [fc. Freeformatted Vol 2 \ Ruffbeats & Freeformaniacs]
10. Transcend – Frankenstein [Free Release \ Facebook Fan Page]
11. Epyx & Cyrez – Unohdetut 2011 [Freeform Exposed \ Electrode]
12. Grimsoul – Scout [Melancholy Overdose \ Electronica Exposed]
13. Ikaruga_Nex – Dodomeki [fc. Return of the Jeb Eye \ Smiling Corpse]
14. Pain on Creation – Lush (Epyx & Cyrez Remix) [Free Release \ FiNRG]

E-Mantra – Between Two Worlds: The Boatman

Posted by PlasmaDancer on August 13, 2014
Posted in: Goa / Psy, Releases. 1 comment

E-Mantra? Shouldn’t this be filed in the long-neglected Goa Chill Out Corner?

Actually no, this one is indirectly freeform-related – you might remember me talking about my search for alternatives to drum and bass sections or (heaven forbid) dubstep-style breakdowns when adding variety to a mix. While we’ve seen recently that the former certainly works well in the right set, what I’ve been looking for is something that’ll complement (or even deepen) the atmosphere of other tracks while providing a change of pace.

I’d suggest E-Mantra’s wonderful take on dark ambient as one option, as it’s not hard to find elements that atmospherically match with the darker/more melancholy strands of freeform. We’re clearly heading into dangerous territory here though, as it’d be all too easy to misjudge how much dismal, drumless atmosphere will actually add something to the set – the drums in BTW:TB make things a bit easier, but at last month’s CODEX I gambled on also using a large-ish section of the preceding darkness. I followed it up with a classic (and very hard) freeform tune, but maybe I’ll talk more about that in the eventual look back at CODEX itself. It was a farly successful little experiment, but I’ll be continuing to think about other ways to switch things up and (hopefully) make my sets a bit more interesting and coherent.

The track itself appears on The Hermit’s Sanctuary, E-Mantra’s excellent album that was released last year by Altar Records. There are plenty of darker tracks to experiment with, but it’s also highly recommended if you’re simply after some extremely deep, downtempo listening.

Cyberdyne Seba – Eye of the Freestorm

Posted by PlasmaDancer on August 10, 2014
Posted in: Canadian, Drum & Bass, Finnish, Goa / Psy, Mixes, UK, USA. Leave a Comment

After Dyzphazia’s Smiling Corpse mix, here’s another set that shows how a creative DJ can wring some quality out of the modern(ish) drum and bass scene, while meshing it nicely with freeform. Cyberdyne Seba has quite a dnb pedigree – and the selections here are as good as you’d expect – but it’s the transitions that make this a set to pay attention to.

The first third is solid, warming up with that nice little sequence of Nightmare on Base – Take Me Away – Hawaiian Snow, before things go up a level as more freeform is introduced. There are a few ambitious connections here and there, but the standout section of the set has to be from Something Sick to Dream Invader Network – very smooth, there’s a nice, consistently dark atmosphere that then goes psychedelic with DIN. That mix from Love 2 Death is top class, and it’s just a shame that Qygen’s track doesn’t have the bassy power to makes things as seamless as you might like. Unfortunately Pure Evil clashes a little too much with DIN and is jarring after the previous smooth blend, but the final two tracks do at least keep things dark and aggressive.

Lots to like here then, and if you’re a drum and bass head you’ll be merrily carried along towards the best sections of the set, while freeform-only DJs/listeners will really enjoy the progression into the darker second half.

1. Dylan – Intoxication (Outbreak Records)
2. Audio X – Hyväksyminen (Audio Reanimation Digital)
3. Le Dos-On – Mental Madness (2012 Regenerate) (free DL no longer available)
4. The Acolyte – Mind Control (Electronica Exposed)
5. Tom U4EA & James F – Nightmare On Base (Electronic Recordings)
6. Concord Dawn – Take Me Away (Commercial Suicide)
7. Crossfire – Hawaiian Snow (Crossfire Recordings)
8. Substanced – Jinpachi (Rebuild Music)
9. Vyral XIII – Librium (free DL no longer available)
10. Qygen – Kimura Kaoru No Densetsu (Tribute To Betwixt & Between) (Smiling Corpse)
11. Paul B & Subwave – Something Sick (DSCI4)
12. Cyrax & Transcend – Disruptor 2014 (Freeformatted -> free DL: Freeformatted – Transcend-cyrax-disruptor-2014 )
13. The Machinist & Rika – Love 2 Death (Electronica Exposed)
14. Qygen – Dream Invader Network (Smiling Corpse)
15. Re-Form – Pure Evil (Electronica Exposed)
16. Morita yuuhei – You (All) Have Eaten You (Freeformatted -> free DL: Freeformatted – Morita-yuuhei-you-all-have-eaten-you-ffmep004)

 

 

Icon & R. Cena – Inner Universe

Posted by PlasmaDancer on July 16, 2014
Posted in: Goa / Psy, Japanese, Releases. 1 comment

Inner Universe is a big current favourite of ASAHI’s, and it’s thanks to him that I discovered this one – an almost-awesome tune that now has me hoping for a genuine freeform version. Typically for Stand Alone Complex, the original track is full of hipster-friendly ‘foreign vocals’ (Russian and English, this time), but the melodies are wonderful and tailor made for melancholy sets.

This remix works well, but toning down the J-Core and handing production duties to one of the FINRG crew would be a pretty exciting prospect..

Smiling Corpse ‘Dead Happy’ Podcast, Episode 20

Posted by PlasmaDancer on July 15, 2014
Posted in: Drum & Bass, Events, Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes, UK. Leave a Comment

A little bit late with this recommendation, but anyone who hasn’t yet checked out Proteus and Dyzphazia’s SCDH podcast should definitely do so.

Something a little bit different from your standard freeform set, Proteus’ hour in particular is another great example of how to ease casual listeners into the freeform sound. I’d usually run a mile from the initial bpm, but with Proteus at the helm you’re pretty much guranteed a DJing lesson that’s worth taking in. So it proves here, with some ‘normal club’-friendly hard trance (?) and industrial leading into the Substanced-styled finale.

Recently I’ve been ranting to anyone who’ll listen about how depressing I find the drum and bass/dubstep sounds that seem to be infesting every other freeform track these days (actually my CODEX set last weekend was an attempted reaction to that). Perfect timing from Dyzphazia then, with this heavily dnb-infused set showing how to incorporate it into a quality hour of tunes. Crucially there’s plenty more going here though, with some psy-style sounds and darker tracks holding things together – the standout is surely Guld’s upcoming Gozenzeuna. I won’t pretend to be a fan of the stuff in between the darkness, but Dyzphazia has done a great job of forging an identity for the set and I can imagine it sparking off all kinds of inspiration among other DJs.

A unique and really interesting SC then, while the next one (this weekend) features Olly Addictive and Arkitech.

 

 

Hellfury – Shin No Noir IX – Soul Abyss

Posted by PlasmaDancer on June 8, 2014
Posted in: Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes. Leave a Comment

Looking for a new, creative set that does a little more than you’re used to? Hellfury’s Shin No Noir is definitely worth a listen then, a fine hour of dark, thoughtful freeform that really does a heroic job of showing what the genre can currently do.

The 7-minute opening of downtempo psy shows that we’re in for something out of the ordinary, followed by TYFYH’s own Across the Ancient Universe and then into some more conventional freeform. That uncurrent of psy/goacore never quite goes away though, and is another sign of a very well-constructed set. Some connections work better than others (Zusammengehorigkeit – Guardian Spirit and Inner Universe – Simulate are especially nice) but from start to finish there’s no faulting Hellfury’s commitment to a deep, emotional atmosphere. This is the kind of set we should see more of, and so Smiling Corpse also deserve plenty of credit for featuring it on the recent Dead Happy Podcast.

01. Memphidos – Touch the Universe [Sonic Loom]
02. Qygen – Across the Ancient Universe [Thank You For The Horse]
03. Betwixt & Between – Zusammengehörigkeit [ALiCE’S EMOTiON]
04. Blender & Nomic – Guardian Spirit [CDR/Unreleased]
05. Betwixt & Between – Matter of Fact [PREget Music]
06. Icon feat. R.Cena – Inner Universe [Exit Tunes]
07. DJ Sash – Simulate (Nightforce 4-Beat Remix) [CDR/Unreleased]
08. Metropolis feat. Martina – Liquid Nights [New Essential Platinum]
09. Nomic – Chaos Maker [Selfreleased / Nomic Soundcloud Page]
10. Pain On Creation & Nomic – Make me Real [FINRG]
11. Anon – Memaze (Remix) [CDR/Unreleased]
12. Qygen feat. Leo Hartley – Mediterranean Summer [Rebuild Music]
13. Alek Szahala – Xochitln [FINRG]

What We Missed

Posted by PlasmaDancer on May 24, 2014
Posted in: Australia, Finnish, Goa / Psy, Japanese, Mixes, Releases, UK. 2 comments

Whistling in the wind a bit here, but I thought it’d be worth a look back over the past few months and select a few standout moments that normally would have made it onto TYFTH. Sorry about the bullet-point format, but hopefully that’s better than nothing –  if anyone’s still reading the site and feels like adding any major ommissions in the comments, that’d be most welcome.

Pearsall’s excellent look back at freeform in 2013

Quality tracks from Aryx, Nomic, Qygen and others in Rebuild’s final compilation release

Another wonderful Freeformaniacs set from Nomic

Guld plays The Superbeast at Dark Dimension / SUKE’s dark psy at Dark Dimension

Some of the finest releases so far this year, from Freeformatted

A gallery of photos from February’s 12 Years of FINRG

A quality Freeformaniacs set from Transcend

Some highlights from January’s CODEX

Qygen’s first artist album – successfully funded on indiegogo, to be released via Smiling Corpse