Review: London DJ and producer Jules Von Daniken sets his phasers to fun, returning under his Phase O'Matic alias for another fresh EP-label inauguration (Blur Detection Program). His third release for 2025 (it's only May, god damnit), 'Behind The Glass' smashes through two-way mirror with gloomy glom-on acid, sparky redux design, slithery melodies and claspy 909 snareology, all of which together increment in intensity over a four-step dance inductor, seconding with the speak n' spelt post-new wave pranger 'Retroflex' and ending on the Robo-voiced 'Finetune (Darkest Day)'.
Review: Italy's go-to elder shaman Mauro Picotto has been a leading figure in the trance and techno scenes for over two decades, and his classic track Komodo is a relatively emergent track for the development of its hypier corners. As with the original radio edit on the A-side, this new 12" release homes in on five more exclusive mixes, primed for completely different scenarios ranging from deep, to serene, to crazed.
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Waterblip remix part 2 - Time Machine) (4:08)
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Bai Vatso & X-Termal Prostatsi On Acid remix) (3:39)
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Charter Murphy Homemade Pulse Drive remix) (7:28)
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Waterblip remix part 1 - Liquid) (4:01)
Review: Bulgaria's Prarhamansah is a duo that last released back in 2004, but they have remained active in the intervening years on their local scene. Their return is somewhat epic with this 11-minute-plus new single 'Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts' a real comic odyssey. It rides on proggy drums but has an ever-shifting eco-system of synths that bring sci-fi twists and intergalactic colour that keeps the mind locked in. After that, the tune comes as various remixes, from the more far-sighted and trance-tinged subtleties of Waterblip remix part 2 to Charter Murphy's Homemade Pulse Drive remix, which is dark, hard techno for strobe-lit raves.
Review: Hot on the heels of its digital release comes the fifth top-up to Melody Of The Soul's repertoire. The actual melody of the soul has an infinite song, unending as the universal spirit that unites us all; any representations therein can only be incomplete and numbered, though this four-track home-in is more happy to revel in this limitation, and find a kind of ethereal beauty in the fact. This time focusing on the production efforts of Proff, his progressive number 'Three Sisters' takes centre stage (the album cover is its namesake) and fundamentally proffers a kind of May Day queenly house, with rounding, ascendant female vocals bounding about the mix like a circlet - or coven, even - of magical sisters incanting a rejuvenative dirge.
Review: Promising/Youngster and Sound Synthesis take charge of one side each of this new outing from Maltease label Wave Modulation Series. Lush, high-grade electro is the order of the day and 'Eleoky' soon sweeps you off your feet and up amongst astral motifs where the zippy synths provide the movement. 'Theryneas' has an organic piano line to offset the synthetic synths and corrugated rhythms, then 'Wunterbow' cuts loose with spiralling synth arcs and kaleidoscopic colours. On the flip, Sound Synthesis goes more direct with zippy electro rhythms on 'Nature Of The Dreamer' and serene acid on 'Tifkira', before a closer full of lament sends you off wanting more.
Review: By now already a cult favourite label, Banoffee Pies Originals is back with new beats from Planet Euphorique label boss D. Tiffany and multidisciplinary artist and Rinse FM resident Ciel working together as Psychedelic Budz. The Canadian duo delivers two off-kilter club tracks here with a guest appearance by Adam Pits under his Lil Mushroom alias. That's on the title cut 'Wonk Donk' and it features a supple and hyper-speed rhythm with dubby undercurrent and deft vocal smears next to acidic squiggles. The other cut 'Vokal Fry' is a percussive jumble with broken beats, watery effects, chopped-up vocals and a generally beguiling vibe.
Review: Dance On The Beat offer up a once-in-a-blue-moon reissue of a rather incredible trance release (most others aren't so up to snuff) by Quench aka CJ Dolan and Sean Quinn. 'Dreams' was first released in 1993 under its own name (an earlier version of the track, albeit with the same sounds, appeared under the name 'Untitled' on a Sirius Music V/A); it was only the latter release that did the track justice, for the fact that it contained three further, equally ecstatic mixes of what was formerly just a one-off. Now reissued in its fullest and most loving capacity, 'Dreams' hears a worthy, well-timed second round for those next-gen listeners whose tastes are skewed towards the brighter, more inundant side of things, and who wouldn't mind hearing out the works of an Aussie veteran duo. The extended mix of 'Dreams' is crispy enough, but its superabundant ecstasy really only avails itself on the proceeding 'Space Mix', which adds belltower peals and pendulum-swinging hypno-leads, foiling the A-side's main-character, stadium-packing energy.
Review: Snippets Music is an emerging Russian label doing more and more to carve out its own niche in the world of trance, prog and Goa sounds. Rambal Cochet kicks off this one with some big-ass beats, tribal synth work and celestial chords to expand the mind. Dylan Forbes remixes into a more deep, spiritual prog-trance sound and 'Sasha The Explorer' then brings undulating, rubbery bass and modulated synth sounds that call to mind early era Sasha and Digweed work. 'Trancemental' shuts down with a darker sound that has all manner of synths spraying about the mix over phased bassline action.
Review: German label Terminal M's place in the techno world has long been established - it deals in fresh sounds for big rooms with hints of minimal. Mark Reeve now adds his work into the mix with this bold and inescapable two tracker. 'Golden' is a wave of techno with textural synth loops spraying about the mix like an untethered hose while chunky drums rattle the walls. 'All We Have' then gets even more extroverted and maximal with tortured synth stabs, big brain frying leads and more dark, all-consuming drums.
Review: Remotif is a fast-rising star with a sound being called 'trance fusion.' He makes his mark again to that end with a new one on Especial that brings more of his modern-day ethnic styles to the driving breaks of techno following outings on the likes of Coymix and Space Lab and sets everywhere from Fabric to Berlin's Warning parties. This one kicks off with 'U 15' which is a busy blend of shimmery timbres and sharp perc, spaced-out pads and psychedelic synths that are ever on the rise. More trance overtones define 'Glint's Pursuit' and 'The Elevated Place' is slick and sleek, ascending and always rising. 'The Sunken Place' shuts down with more slow and percolating dub mutations to round out a superb EP.
Review: Mikkel Rev presents UTE 013, a captivating sonic journey through the realms of trance music. This four-track EP on the Norwegian label UTE. REC showcases the artist's versatility and mastery of the genre. 'Zygo' pulsates with a frenetic energy, its psychedelic trance rhythms evoking an otherworldly sci-fi ambiance. 'Tone Control' leans towards Goa trance, its alien basslines and science fiction aesthetics creating a gripping narrative. For the second side, 'Whorl' offers a more uplifting and ethereal experience, transporting listeners to vast cosmic spaces. The piece of wax concludes with 'Tension', a 90s-style German techno track that showcases Rev's ability to fuse classic elements with modern innovation. Overall, a very strong window into a current artist's views of the history of the genre.
Review: Sancra's Echoes of the Infinitive is a standout second release of 2025, showing the producer's versatile and emotive sounds as he heads through techno's many shades. Opening track 'Oblivion' sets the tone with driving dancefloor energy and celestial melodies, while 'Androgena' dives into deeper, darker acid-techno terrain, which is refined yet intense. On the B-side, 'Exodus' blends neo-trance and electro with uplifting, spiritual pads for something that works the mind and body and closing track 'Until We Arrive' shifts the pace with a meditative live jam that feels introspective and serene. From peak-time power to after-hours reflection, Sancra delivers on all fronts here.
Review: Long regarded as one of Italy's most forward-thinking techno producers, Enrico Sangiuliano has spent the past decade carving out a niche between peak-time precision and philosophical intent. From his roots in the country's free party scene to headlining global festivals, he's become known for sculpting tracks that are as emotive as they are explosive. Here, he links up with psytrance icons GMS, whose trailblazing output since the 90s brings a charged, otherworldly energy to the collaboration. 'Transcendence' unfolds like a spacecraft launch, all rising tension and arpeggiated release, with Sangiuliano's signature cinematic monologue anchoring it in the present. 'The Inner World' strips everything back into a meditative synthscape, hinting at future directions while reinforcing his long-standing fascination with the inner journey.
Review: They say that everything goes in 20-year cycles, from music to fashion to film. The reissue of this trance-dance classic just about chimes with that - it was a huge crossover club and radio hit at the dawn of the new millennium and embodied the Ibiza superclub era with its shiny beats and euphoric melodic overtones. It is one of a few that Sash! turned out back then but remains his most iconic. The more youthful end of the dance spectrum is very much into these sounds at the moment, as well as hard dance and trance, so it is likely to be huge all over again this summer, no matter which of the different times you pick from.
Review: Final Fantasy VII is one of the most influential computer games of all time. It came on the Playstation and also left a great mark on the electronic music scene with its legendary soundtrack. "As a DJ I vividly recall the euphoria it sparked on dancefloors with its complex yet catchy trance melodies" says Themas Schumacher who, inspired by the game, has penned this new 12". It is sure to ignite a frenzy of hands-in-the-air moments with a timeless rework of this classic. It comes infused with his signature techno drums and has already been road tested to great effect around Europe.
Review: Technohead were a married couple of Lee Newman and Michael Wells who also famously recorded under the other names Greater than One (GTO), Tricky Disco, Signs of Chaos and Church of Extacy, They were well known in the late 80s and early 90s for their raw techno and rave tunes that explored every genre in the electronic dance kaleidoscope from Gabber to ambient music, even scoring a UK number one single with the warwormy pop gabba of 'I Want To Be A Hippy'. In 1993, their hardcore hit 'Passion' was a huge success. Now, a little more than 30 years later, German veteran Thomas Schumacher updates the track into another anthem worth checking out. Whichever side you choose, expect this slice of techno history to reign over the dancefloor. An unforgettable tune.
Review: Future Romance's Collector II release is a futuristic trek into through the realms of melodic trance and techno, featuring four melodic tracks by different distinct artists. Solee's 'Euphoria' takes trance into the future with a smoother, more reserved approach, toning down the over-the-top elements for a refined experience. Paul Angelo & Don Argento's 'Harpe' delves into a deeper style of trance, characterised by snappy percussion and growling basslines, with influences from goa trance. On the flip side, Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic's 'Ultra Hex' offers celestial-sounding techno that builds euphorically. Closing the EP, Off Night's 'Definition' presents the most peak-time trance track, with epic and big-sounding elements. If you are looking for the future of the trance and neo-trance, check this out this EP from the birthplace of the genre.
Review: Hess Public has not been in a hurry to put out new music having debuted back in 2021 and only now has it hit release number three, but the last two sold out in quick time and the second surely will too. It is a collaborative affair that sees French artists Arnaud is Dancing, Solma and remixer Maelit share the production duties. All four of these cuts are punchy deep tech with a penchant for progressive melodies as on 'Sugar Snake' which takes you deep into the cosmos. 'Stomatal Conductance' is riddled with bacterial sounds and the Maelita remix of 'Incomplete Integration' is a fluttering and cut of loopy, deft breakbeats.
Review: Given his profile and the fact that much of his music is released via the Diynamic Music imprint he co-founded way back in 2006, it's something of a surprise to see Solomun pop up on Running Back - a testament, perhaps, to his friendship with RB chief Gerd Janson. 'Can't Stop' is undoubtedly a peak-tine classic in the making - a breathless, non-stop sprint in which waves or raw electronic lead lines, TB-303 driven bass and tech-house flourishes ride a jacking house beat. It comes backed with more percussive, beefed-up 'Dub Mix' and bonus cut 'Follow The Disco Ball', a sparkling blend of stomping house, Eurodance style lead lines and pulsating Italo-disco bass.
Review: Lithuanian hardcore techno producer Somniac One returns to her very own Somniverse imprint for a rabid new EP release, 'To All My Soggy Creatures Of The Night'. Chronicling four eldritch horrors on a goopy green vinyl record, this 12" opens on a sense of berserk immediacy with 'Poly Nightmare', its crunching hardstyle kick-tears seizing upon a restless crossrhythm that only then settles back a four-beat bed after giving us a certain fright. The EP continues as rhythmically expected from there on out, although 'Damp Dreams' is similarly prodigal and pliocene, its huge overhead string synths set against hard acid, and implied to sound as though they were the harmonic calls of a leviathan rearing its huge head above water.
Review: Originally pressed in 1997 on Manchester's Pleasure Records, this reissue of James Zeiter's 'Spacer IV' EP marks a detour from his dub-techno calling card into richer house-rooted terrain. A pivotal figure with deep ties to trance, ambient and the deeper ends of techno, Zeiter's work here sheds the fog of his more monolithic material, turning instead to emotional clarity and rhythmic warmth. 'Sirocco' is the opener and the standoutia halcyon blend of dubbed-out breaks and airy pads that drift and glimmer above a slow-motion acid line. 'Mono' edges further into house, with its loopy Detroit swing and sunset-kissed bassline nodding gently to Italian dream house. On the flip, 'Jetson' steps back into more familiar, trance-inflected territory: spacious, hypnotic and driven by crisp, propulsive drums. 'Dust' closes the set with writhing acid lines and spaced-out FX, balancing tension and lift with Zeiter's signature restraint. All four cuts, originally sequenced with just an Akai S950, ESQ-1 and a Novation Bass Station, still sound uniquely vitalimelodic but unshowy, club-focused but never rigid. Slush's remaster preserves the nuance while the full-fat 2x12" format gives these deep cuts the dynamic range they deserve. A stunning archival rescue from a true underground operator.
Review: Alex Stein's Delusion EP is a sonic rollercoaster of techno innovation. 'Delusion' thrusts listeners into a mesmerizing fusion of heavy techno and trance, dominating the main floor with its colossal sound. The bone-crushing bassline anchors the track, while its futuristic undertones flirt with psy trance, creating a vortex of heavy beats and hypnotic rhythms. On 'The Leap', Stein delves deeper into the realms of acid techno, crafting an intense journey tailor-made for massive rave mainstages. The track's monumental build-up crescendos to euphoric heights, setting dancefloors ablaze with relentless energy. Stein's mastery in constructing immersive soundscapes is evident, ensuring 'The Leap' will leave an indelible mark on the techno scene with its head-turning beats and futuristic allure, sheer intensity and sonic complexities.
Review: Reissued through Dance On The Beat, Storm's debut self-titled EP from 1998 gets a fresh reissue, doing best justice to the incarnation of the release put out via Positiva Records, which heard the original club mix sit side-by-side with remixes from Man With No Name (real name Martin Freeland) and Rollercoaster (Koen Groeneveld, Addy van der Zwan & Jan Voermans). Storm, in turn, were Markus Loffel & Rolf Ellmer, whom together laid down this debut dirge as a new exploration in trance music. The titular 'Storm' is an authentically tense, cyclonic trance whirl; the track proves that the genre need not just be thought of in gushingly emotive or ecstatic terms, that it can also be unnervin, sublime. Freeland and Rollercoaster's versions harness increasingly more barometer-shattering beats, like Raiden gods in command of supercells.
Review: Ubsism is back with more sonic adventures that explore hybrid and aquatic sounds and blend shifting atmospheres, spiraling variations and adventurous rhythms. Inspired by the ocean's deepest zones, this dawn dance album invites listeners into a world of sonic immersion with its pulsating dub basslines, ethereal pads and high-energy grooves. Hadale creates an otherworldly experience here as he oscillates between tranquility and intensity. The EP's unique approach offers a journey through deep, immersive soundscapes that mean it is perfect for both reflective listening and the dance floor alike. It's a bold and fluid work.
Review: The mighty Drumcode is back with another one of its beefy techno 12"s, this time with Sudo bringing the noise. The whole of the a-side is given over to 'Real World', a taught, twanging techno cut with scintillating snare rolls and pulsating pads driving it forward beneath raw vocals. On the flip, that knack for industrial sound design also reappears with more metal clangs but also some trance-inducing chords which will zone out dancers on 'Construction'. Last but not least is 'Mercury', a bright, upbeat trance-techno cut with euphoric feels washing over the jacked up beats.
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