Dark psytrance
Encyclopedia
Dark psytrance is a darker, faster and more distorted form of psychedelic trance
music, with tempo ranges usually from 145 to 180 BPM, but reaches +220 BPM. "It is in Russia
where so called "Dark psy" (experimental genre of psytrance music, which traits include gloomy infernal aestethics in the tradition of Hardcore
, high BPM
level, dense basslines, lack of melodies, and the introduction of variety of samples from Horror films, screaming
, different noises and effects) is getting to the popularity of Full On originating in Russia
and Germany
, the style has recently expanded to other countries worldwide.
, though sampling
is common, with speech and other kind of samples usually being taken from different kind of movies (especially horror or sci-fi
movies), or from cartoons such as Futurama, South Park, etc.
The atmosphere and theme of the tracks very loosely resembles those from genres such as dark ambient
, musique concrète
, darkcore
, power noise
and industrial music
. At times atmospheric and "deep" sounds are used to create a haunting and Gothic effect such as those used by Xenomorph, Psychoz, Parasense
and Kemic-Al
. On the other side there is high-tech darkpsy, with a higher BPM (160-220), and powerful baselines, without a gothic or horror atmosphere. Other artists such as Baphomet Engine
and Whicked Hayo add in metal samples to darken the music, linking it to industrial metal
.
Recently, some artists who previously were dark psytrance artists, such as N3XU5, Darkpsy and Fungus Funk, have started producing a more melodic, South African-like sound, whilst some others are starting to experiment with using melodies and morning trance elements in dark psy like Deja Vu Fabrique (Zolod from Parasense
), Psyc0ma, and C-P-C
.
The beginning of the new decade has seen a tremendous rise in the popularity of high BPM music. With tracks going as fast 180-190, this type of music is generally associated with horror samples and evil and devilish atmospheric synths.
Psychedelic trance
Psychedelic trance, psytrance or just psy is a form of electronic music characterized by hypnotic arrangements of synthetic rhythms and complex layered melodies created by high tempo riffs. It appeared in the mainstream in 1995 as with reporting of the trend of Goa trance. The genre offers variety...
music, with tempo ranges usually from 145 to 180 BPM, but reaches +220 BPM. "It is in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
where so called "Dark psy" (experimental genre of psytrance music, which traits include gloomy infernal aestethics in the tradition of Hardcore
Hardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
, high BPM
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
level, dense basslines, lack of melodies, and the introduction of variety of samples from Horror films, screaming
Screaming
A scream, shout, shriek, hoot, holler, vociferation, yell, outcry, or bellow is a loud vocalization in which air is passed through the vocal folds with greater force than is used in regular or close-distance vocalization...
, different noises and effects) is getting to the popularity of Full On originating in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, the style has recently expanded to other countries worldwide.
Characteristics
Dark Psytrance generally does not use vocalsHuman voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
, though sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
is common, with speech and other kind of samples usually being taken from different kind of movies (especially horror or sci-fi
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
movies), or from cartoons such as Futurama, South Park, etc.
The atmosphere and theme of the tracks very loosely resembles those from genres such as dark ambient
Dark ambient
Dark ambient is a subgenre of ambient music that features foreboding, ominous, or discordant overtones. Although it had its roots in the 1970s, Dark ambient emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with the introduction of newer, smaller, and more affordable Effects units, synthesizer and sampling technology...
, musique concrète
Musique concrète
Musique concrète is a form of electroacoustic music that utilises acousmatic sound as a compositional resource. The compositional material is not restricted to the inclusion of sounds derived from musical instruments or voices, nor to elements traditionally thought of as "musical"...
, darkcore
Darkcore
Darkcore is a subgenre of jungle that became popular in the United Kingdom hardcore rave scene in late 1992. It is recognized as being one of the direct precursors of the genre now known as drum and bass...
, power noise
Power noise
Power noise is a fusion genre among noise music and various styles of electronic dance music. It should not be confused with "power electronics", which lacks rhythmic elements and is closer to harsh noise...
and industrial music
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
. At times atmospheric and "deep" sounds are used to create a haunting and Gothic effect such as those used by Xenomorph, Psychoz, Parasense
Parasense
Parasense is the name of a dark psytrance duo from Russia. The name is a short for "Paranoic Sensations".They played their first international gig at the Eclipse Festival in Hungary in 1998....
and Kemic-Al
Kemic-Al
Kemic-Al is Aldo Lombardi a dark psytrance musician from the islands of Malta main artist label is Butterfly RecordsHe started to learn music at the age of 10, forming a Ska/Punk style band when he was 16 called Gone Bonkers...
. On the other side there is high-tech darkpsy, with a higher BPM (160-220), and powerful baselines, without a gothic or horror atmosphere. Other artists such as Baphomet Engine
Baphomet Engine
Baphomet Engine is a Brazilian psychedelic trance project formed by Fábio Aurelio S. Japiassu in the city of Goiânia, Goiás .Fábio worked together with Louis since 2003 and have already played in Europe, Australia, India, Japan and Costa Rica...
and Whicked Hayo add in metal samples to darken the music, linking it to industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
.
Recently, some artists who previously were dark psytrance artists, such as N3XU5, Darkpsy and Fungus Funk, have started producing a more melodic, South African-like sound, whilst some others are starting to experiment with using melodies and morning trance elements in dark psy like Deja Vu Fabrique (Zolod from Parasense
Parasense
Parasense is the name of a dark psytrance duo from Russia. The name is a short for "Paranoic Sensations".They played their first international gig at the Eclipse Festival in Hungary in 1998....
), Psyc0ma, and C-P-C
C-P-C
C-P-C aka Vladislav Radostavin is a record producer and DJ. He has been producing music since 1992 when he began programming Z80 based computers, subsequently writing music for video games of that time...
.
The beginning of the new decade has seen a tremendous rise in the popularity of high BPM music. With tracks going as fast 180-190, this type of music is generally associated with horror samples and evil and devilish atmospheric synths.