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After the first part released in October 2005 here comes our second selection of tales: ten brand new tracks written for this compilation having the focus on the psychedelic element. Music for the mind and also for the body : these are dancefloor friendly tracks selected in order to take the listeners for an 80 minutes long journey through different sound landscapes.
Review by Damion on Psyreviews
Parvati are an institution, and I don´t just mean that in the sense of a mental institution.
Time after time they´ve come up with seriously good, seriously kicking psychedelic music that delights on pretty much any level you care to throw at it. Psy Stories II picks up acts from Sweden, Japan, Macedonia, France, Russia as well as the label´s native Denmark, into one hell of a package that, yet again, is one step in front of the direct competition.
Psilo Cowboys kick off with Sneaky Vibes, starting with the parent-bothering sample "we´ve been injected with an opiate overdose." It´s pacey, fragmented stuff that bolts along at 149bpm, freckled with those liquid-y nosies that Parvati have made their own. Derango has evidently still got it going on after last year´s album, Oscilla being a frenetic and tight bit of doofage that doesn´t lose its focus for a nanosecond. Towards the end the kick becomes so shattering, you´re not sure you can take it any more; then, just in time, the bassline and the whole groove change into a more harmonious, comfortable pattern - though of course, it upsets you again before the track finishes. Yum.
Hokus Pokus Rock On is 200% freestyle, colourful stuff; plenty of ideas and images float in and out of the music while it keeps its deliciously simple footing on terra psychedelia. Red Eye Jedi returns with RP5, a track I wouldn´t let look after my houseplants, let alone my kids. Positively dripping with lysergic "wisdom", it´s also the track that rambles on and on to you at a party, banging on about David Icke and Consciousness before asking if you´ve got a spare beer, which you give him just to shut him up and then you realise that he´s well aware you did this just to shut him up, and he looks at you as if to say "I´ll be back for you, and possibly your girlfriend as well, if I can remember where I put my hacksaw."
Encephalopaticys´ Intellectual Homons is a more sophisticated track: the approach here is thoughtful, easing up on the gas and letting the music breathe and speak for itself. The sounds that pan around the stereomix are astonishing in places - this begs to be played out on a bit system. And then there is Galaxy Madness, a new name to me from Japan, and whose Parvati Cream is possibly one of the most queasy listening experiences I can recall. It shifts, it wobbles, it dissociates and then it dissociates some more. I couldn´t listen to it every morning for the rest of my life, but it´s a dazzlingly accomplished bit of psychedelia - which, after all, is what all this is supposed to be about.
Atriohm´s No Name Channels nudges back toward normality and recognisable psytrance standards. It´s also bloody lovely. Colourful sounds fleck and flock over a mulchy, I-mean-business backbone, and it makes you feel happy that you´re losing your mind. Kindzadza & Kaliflower´s Viva Tempo is like urban 2-step through a Parvati blender: the beats are so thunkily relentless, the groove so incredibly staccato, so deeply psychedelic - it´s nice to have Kindzadza back on form. Finally, Tsabeat from Israel does well with Magletcha, a distinctive array of mess, twist, and craziness that should by all rights carry an eighteen certificate.
So it´s more of the same madness from Parvati. I for one am glad that in this world of Skazi and Protoculture and Nano and progressive crossover, there´s still a place for Parvati - and there always will be. Sniff.
Review by Deathposture
Gob smacking trip tales pt. 2
Danish power house label Parvati Records is out with their 12th release following the brilliant debut album Mad Different Methods from Naked Tourist - which was released in January 2006. The first Psy Stories compilation was released in October 2005 - and what a release that was! It´s still rated as the BEST Parvati release in my book, so when it turned out to be a running series I was extremely ecstatic. When I saw the track list, there was no turning back - I creamed my pants! After I washed them, I received the CD, put it on and creamed them again. So now I´m wearing rubber undies writing this. Just in case.
Let me take you thru the tracks.
01: Psilo Cowboys - Sneaky Vibes [149 BPM]
"He´s been injected with an opium overdose. Couldn´t move or feel much of anything! . What´s your name? My name is "very fucking confused", what´s your name? What´s going on here?" Psilo Cowboys is an ancient Danish project by Roelike Jahbo (Jahbo/Meteloids/etc) and Thy Trung (Mussy Moody). This constellation hasn´t released anything since their track on the very first Parvati compilation First Step released five years ago! Naturally the sound has matured a great deal since then, and especially Jahbo has been involved in some jaw-droppingly amazing stuff since then. Anyway, this track is just what I´d hoped for - absolutely fucking soaked in twirling acid-lines, fragmented rhythm pads and several other trip tools. The Saw samples work really well here, and generally this is a brilliant tune. Great start!
02: Derango - Oscilla [147 BPM]
Swedish studio enigmas Jens Eriksson & Ola Eriksson released their absolutely amazing debut album TuMuLT on Inpsyde Media in the fall of 2005 - and their track on the 2006 Sanaton Audio compilation Sanatonic Audio was just as immensely trippy and super psychedelic as the stuff on the album. This track is perhaps even more psychedeliKk - the acid-lines are tweaked beyond recognition and the demented melodies are literally radiating nuclear shock waves which will penetrate your brain and FUCK you up! And the best part is that it´s all made in such a subtle, noble fashion. It´s subtle psychedelia! Lovely!
03: Hokus Pokus - Rock On [148 BPM]
Danish producers Anders Eskildsen & Christian Kaas Andersen (Dronebixie) had excellent tracks on both the first Psy Stories compilation and the above mentioned Sanatonic Audio. Talented guys for sure! As with their older tracks, this is subtle, held-back night trance that never gets too full-blown. That might seem like an odd observation with a track that runs @ 148 BPM, but it´s true nevertheless. This is bubbling, playful and rippling psytrance with a very special atmosphere - and in that regard this works better as a transition tool for DJs than as a dancefloor track. Not among the frontrunners on this compilation. It´s still pretty damn trippy though.
04: Red Eye Jedi - RP5 [150 BPM]
Stephanus Smit from Denmark spelled his artist name Red i Jedeye on the first Psy Stories compilation - and now he spells it Red Eye Jedi. But despite the name change, Stephanus can still whoop up a mean old bassline in an old-school inspired psychedelic stomper of a track. The intensity level is very high here, and perhaps even a little too intense in the first part of the track. It evens out very nicely after the break down though - and the last half of this track is just pure tripalicious psychedelia. Kick-ass!
05: Encephalopaticys - Intellectual Homons [149 BPM]
Behind the cryptic moniker Encephalopaticys is Vasko Velickovski from Macedonia. I´m only familiar with one of his previous tracks - the wonderful one on the 2005 Xilium Records compilation Over Identity. Just like that one, this is an extremely hard-hitting, fast-paced, über-dark track. The bassline is pounding away at an incredible speed and if it wasn´t for the surrounding FX it would have bored me to death. But this is Parvati Records after all, so luckily we´re treated to an influx of trippy FX, twists, turns, bleeps, bloops and tons of tweaked synth experimentation. It´s all fine and dandy, but somehow I still think this track is missing something. The X-factor is not present… It’s not a bad track at all – unfortunately it’s not as memorable as I’d hoped for either… But hey, it’s just because the competition is SO fierce on this compilation. This would easily have been a stand-out track on an average compilation.
06: Galaxy Madness – Parvati Cream [148 BPM]
Galaxy Madness is Suguru Akita – an upcoming artist from Japan who had a track on the infamous Phenix compilation released by Phreex Network in late 2005. And trust me – all subtly is long gone now… This is 100% in-your-face, wall-to-wall maximum night trance… Simple at first, but soon evolves into a raging monster that devours everything in sight… Holy trout – this is so freakishly intense despite its often monotonous nature… Usually I would oppose against music like this, but somehow I’m drawn in by it. Completely hypnotized! I’m turning Japanese! Genki! … Smashing track! Very original!
07: Atriohm – No Name Channels [147 BPM]
Everything I’ve heard from Leonid & Aleksandar Golcev from Macedonia has been above average quality… These guys are very talented, and this track underlines that fact once again… From the rusty, crackling intro to the spot-on sequencing and cleverly placed trip tools scattered all over this vicious track… This is eerie, haunting and very industrial-sounding stuff… But most importantly, the psychedelic edge is kept intact… Sweet!
08: Phonic Request & Akhoa – Bee People Abduction [148 BPM]
Wilfried Decaesteker (Phonic Request) and Olivier Charpier (Akhoa) have been in cahoots on a number of releases on different labels… I really like their humorous take on psytrance which kinda simplifies this nocturnal music, which can often come across as a little pretentious with all the darkness and acid all over the place….And sure enough, this track also relies on a little comic relief. Like the sampled bees used in the intro and several other places in the track… And it works really well – you really do get the feeling that you’re among those fascinating insects when listening to this somewhat claustrophobic track… It’s simple but effective! Beeeeeeeuitiful!
09: Kindzadza & Kaliflower – Viva Tempo [149 BPM]
Russian producer Leo Greshilov (Kindzadza) is a Parvati regular – and among the most productive frontrunners of the so-called darkpsy artist pool… On this track he’s joined by some Russian dude only credited as Dasha (Kaliflower) and AFAIK this is his debut release… Anyway, this is a monstrous track – right from the massive electro-soaked intro the power level goes thru the roof! Energetic, relentless, propane-injected hyper trance that will appeal equally to dancers and sofa trancers… I like the sharp contrast between electro and trip-tastic psytrance – as well as the sheer level of energy… Often energetic music tends to loose focus, but that’s not the case here – fortunately! This is just pure, psychedelic night trance… Awesome!
10: Tsabeat – Magletcha [147 BPM]
Israeli producer Elad Weinberg kinda scared me with his demented almost drill&bass-like track on the Mistress Of Evil compilation Trauma Trance released in late 2005… And this track is another extremely hardcore tour de force into the deepest, darkest and weirdest realms of hyper trance… But damn, it TOTALLY works here! If you’re the kind of pervert that takes your psytrance über dark, totally twisted and extremely hardcore, well then this track will send you straight to heaven… I like most of what I hear here – but admittedly some parts are still too damn intense even for me… But generally this is very interesting and it’s destined to send chock waves thru the trance floors this summer!
Another fan-fucking-tastic Parvati release! That’s right, I might sound like the biggest whore around, but when it comes to Parvati there is never a dull moment or a mediocre release! This is top-drawer stuff from the leading label in hyper trance! And yes, that means more creamed pants!
It’s only natural to compare this with the first Psy Stories compilation – and after some careful consideration and judgement, I can conclude that Psy Stories 2 is *almost* as good as Psy Stories which wins only by a nose hair… But that one is gonna be VERY hard to top, as it’s definitely my fav’e Parvati release ever! Anyway, with only a couple of minor gripes, this compilation is packed with hard-hitting, gut-wrenching, jaw-dropping psytrance… Trippy as ever and totally danceable!
The cover art by Batunn is lovely, and whilst the parental advisory sticker gag perhaps is a little outdated, it doesn’t ruin the impression of another high quality Parvati release! Well done! An essential purchase for any dedicated fan of relentless, nocturnal and trippy psytrance… Nuff said! Enjoy!
Favourites: 1, 2(!), 4, 6(!!), 7, 8, 9(!), 10
DeathPosture
Review by Scobbah on www.mandarin.nu
Parvati continues on the path of their Psy Stories-series and the tracklist looks, at least by judging from the paper, to be among the most interesting ones I've seen from Parvati in quite a while. Swedish representation is to be found on the second track with Ola and Jens on a roll but, what also catches my attention, is the Japanese contribution on track six with Galaxy Madness (a.k.a. Atrocious Berserker) and the round-up by Tsabeat, as the latter mentioned has caught my curiousity over at the Isratrance forum.
The cosmetic styling gives a varied impression since the front of the four-paged booklet is a bit mediocre and so I find the inside, which just covers the discography of Parvati throughout the years, while the backside is really fresh and neat and so is the inlay (the piece which is located behind the disc, thus acting backside simultaneously of the jewelcase itself).
So let's check out the temperature of Parvati's twelfth release (time flies...).
01 – Psilo Cowboys – Sneaky Vibes (07:51)
"He’s been injected with an opium overdose. Couldn’t move or feel much of anything”". One hasn't been able to spot Psilo Cowboys since the very first release of Parvati, First Step, which saw its first light in July, 2001. The cowboy-duo is a constellation between Jahbo and Mussy Moody, and of course it's Danish sounds of Aarhus streaming out of the speakers. While the samples might feel a bit strained, the track itself is a lot better. I wasn't too impressed at my first listening session but, after a number of times near ten or such, I started to find moments which have their specific charm and the more I listened, the more I enjoyed what I heard. The Aarhus sound is something most of us should be familiar with by now and whilst this doesn't contribute with something very new and innovative, it's yet classical Aarhus trance to the bone which will get the floor moving.
02 – Derango - Oscilla (09:18)
First, I have to confess that I wasn't too moved by Jens's and Ola's excursions on the latest Sanaton Records compilation, Sanatonic Audio, so I was slightly worried that I'd experience another disappointment here. I just have one single shoutout to everyone that felt like I did after they'd heard Sanatonic Audio: Derango is back! This is a real mental sledgehammer worked out by Derango's amazing layer-upon-layer sound, and they cause a serious stir up in the brain office of mine! For some weird and unknown reason, the chorus from Thin Lizzy's classic 'The Boys Are Back In Town' hits my mind...
03 – Hokus Pokus – Rock On (09:16)
Hokus Pokus is a constellation between Christian Kaas (a.k.a. Dronebixie) and Anders Eskildsen, and the project has previously been featured on just mentioned above Sanatonic Audio and also on the first piece in the Psy Stories-series of Parvati. Here, we're offered a quite monotonous bassline and above that we're being fed various twists of Aarhus. This track doesn't catch any special attention of mine and it feels a bit repetitive, which could be great if it's hypnotic but, I'd percieve this one to be of the more lengthy kind.
04 – Red Eye Jedi – RP5 (07:25)
The red eyed jed (here credited as "Red Eye Jedi" but, the project was credited as "Red i Jedeye" in the booklet of Psy Stories) slightly increases the tempo compared to the previous track and we're now rolling at a pace of 150 BPM, which is the top-speed of this compilation. Above the sharp-rolling bassline, there's a lot of activity all the time and the groove it renders should give people a hard time to stand still on the floor. The track itself doesn't steal too much attraction from my side, but it's definitely a good tool for the DJs around.
05 – Encephalopaticys – Intellectual Homons (08:04)
Behind track five, we find Vasko Velickovski from Macedonia and the project of his with the name I never learn to spell correct. He's previously been exposed through labels such as Israeli Doof Records and Russia's finest, Vertigo Records. The track on this compilation brings, at times, my thoughts to the sound of the Derango guys and, if I hadn't known who had composed this track, my first guess would probably be aimed at Derango. Apart from the stylish similarities, the track is really good and it's a real mood-booster. This is definitely one of the best deliveries on the disc with its beautiful contrasts and flipped-out moments.
06 – Galaxy Madness – Parvati Cream (07:38)
I don't know what has happened here but, it feels like Suguru Akita's 'Parvati Cream' lacks bottom, because this track differs a lot from the rest of the tracks on the CD and it hasn't the same pumping feel to it. A bit sad, because else the track has some interesting ideas and details.
Addition: After I wrote this review, I was in touch with Guiseppe of Parvati to check out things regarding this track. Indeed, he was a bit sad as well with the outcome of this track, because somewhere in the creational process there's been some flaws woven in causing a lack of lows in the final product. Shit happens, but I'm quite sure we'll see more of Akita-san on Parvati in the future.
07 – Atriohm – No Name Channels (07:41)
What may be the biggest surprise on the disc is to be found on track seven as Leonid and Aleksandar Golcev from Macedonia gives us a wonderful atmospherical journey. Rich of contrast, bleeps and moving moments, this track really deserves to be labeled with the expression "travelling without moving". After about four minutes of the track has passed, I give in for a total serotonine chock. This is really something for the first hours in the morning at an outdoor party and this gives an excellent example of twilight trance.
08 – Phonic Request & Akhoa – Bee People Abduction (07:57)
We're approached by the Frenchmen Wilfried and Oliver and they buckle up for a groovy and twisted trip with an ensmemble of details. We've heard some of the sounds before and the track itself might not feel as the most fresh wind around but, I believe this will work out better in the environment of a dancefloor rather than the such at a critical homelistening session.
09 – Kindzadza & Kaliflower – Viva Tempo (07:45)
Kindzadza has been featured on all compilations of Parvati except the first two ones, and, as easy as it has been to spot and identify the contributions of KDD on the previous compilations, it is to identify this one as a KDD delivery. Kaliflower is previously unreleased and this is an unknown territory of music for me, so I found myself having a difficult time to place which elements that may have been contributed to this track from Kaliflower's part, yet from KDD we're experiencing the classical elements: the sharp kick and a rolling fat bassline which together with the aggressive leads forms the figure of a dancefloor giant. Worth to mention is that glitch techniques, that has been more and more common in use over the past recent year, are featured here as well.
10 – Tsabeat – Magletcha (06:57)
Elad Weinberg from Israel rounds up the CD with a groovy delivery which offers a quite broad spectrum of ingrediences. It's a piece of rolling art which is at times quite twisted, and, there's definitely a few moments here where one just wishes to close one's eyes and flow with the music in a dreamy state. Thumbs up!
Summary
This is a piece which definitely stirs up the brainoffice and leaves prints all around. Even though not all tracks are bombs, the disc keeps a decent level of quality and with deliveries as those by Derango and Atriohm, one cannot do anything else but to smile. This disc should be a good choice for both DJs as well as record collectors, and there are moments woven into this piece that works absolutely great on the floor as well as to create a dreamy atmosphere in one's home.
Favorites: 2 (!!), 5, 6 (!) and 10.
Review by Rah on www.sonic-energy.net
I faintly remember the night my story began. Before the sample from Grapes of Wrath had finished, Psy Stories I was already underway to my doorstep. I needed to hear no further evidence - the internal sixth sense was at play here, or so I thought. Music wise it proved useful for a couple of weeks but despite big names and attractive collaborations, the interest hooks eroded in warped ramblings and impenetrable material. Psy Stories II relies a bit more on new talent returning from the first installment, coupled with fresh faces and a number of sure shot artists that suggest this might be a different approach to story telling
( 1 ) I had never encountered the psilo-kids before in my journeys, so the mixture of Jahbo with Mussy in the pot aids the situation, building an intricate atmosphere while Thy cranks up the synth’s, that is after all what she does best. Insane tweaking and foreign sounds from the Danish landscape of warped Psychedelia.
( 2 ) Derango is back from the first Psy Stories saga with Oscilla, that is kind of like Godzilla without the superiority complex. Inside, the usual assortment of baleful pads and tweaked, ominous surroundings conjure alongside their infamous synth belches. Is not up there with “Clairvoyage” but I sense it in that direction. *
( 3 ) After Kaas & Eske’s latest appearance on Sanaton along with the Vicious Spiral, I was eagerly awaiting for some Pokus magic to Rock On and this one ends up mixing a hell broth of delays and scuffled noises, strapped to an elfish rhythm like is standard.
( 4 ) The second appearance of Stephanus Smit roughs his way through a fiendish episode with the self. I really tried liking his previous track on the first installment but nothing stuck from the chaos ensuing. RP5 provides more juice with distortions and bubbly scintillation triggering the shivers. *
( 5 ) Interesting seeing Enphapaloticys again, the work has definitely improved as far as I can remember, which was a while ago. I Don’t recall the production being this clear and complex either. Twisted all the way towards a general direction, which is quite stimulating at the wee hours of the morning. *
( 6 ) The rumor goes Saguru is teaming up with Savage Scream as the moniker Nyarlthotep (Try to pronounce it one more time), for a split album with Baal (Savage Scream & Noise Gust) on Phreex network… god knows when. In the meantime, Parvati Cream is a complete dissolution squeaks and blips in a riot of unchanging cadence. I will be looking for forward to the versus collaboration a little more expectantly next time though, as I prefer my tracks a bit more beefed up with effects.
( 7 ) Leonid & Aleksandar have been profiling lately with chill out offerings and their dose of nighttime to fit this story. No Name Channels is heavily bent on marooning, squeaks and corroded lines amidst the chaotic surroundings they have conjured. I like it. *
( 8 ) I found out late in life I’m allergic to bee stings, especially if they are hornets and my ex roommate has to carry around a syringe full of… some vaccine every time he goes to the park in case he ever gets stung by one. So you could say bees, including Bee People Abduction are scary shit around here. This one is the cherry on top though, more frantic than a summer in the Haight. Brace this hypnotic job comfortably numb. *
( 9 ) Viva Tempo is a 400-pound enraged bull kicking and ramming stuff with out a cowboy on top to actually ride the beast out, let alone tame it. This whole sound I am just calling the Noise Poison style. You know what to expect, fast rhythms, distortion and the glitch treatment.
( 10 ) I have only heard a couple of tracks by Tsabeat but they don't sound too much like this one, which is a bit of a revelation. Magletcha managed to bring forth all the wickedness the west coast in the US is producing, to imprint his own demented style. Friendly lines and riffs, heavily immersed in effects and the proper psy treatment in a delightful resolution. *
The way I see things, this second installment from Psy Stories sweetened the saga a bit more for me. For what is worth it is still warped, deranged trance with a number of decent offerings. Picture Azathoth in a bicycle and you might get the idea… so hang on tight, enjoy the chapters that do it for you - or get off and shuddup.
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