Psychedelic trance

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Psychedelic trance
Stylistic origins Trance, Goa trance, hard trance, Eurodance, acid trance, techno, psychedelia
Cultural origins Late 1990s, Goa, India[1]
Typical instruments Drum machine, sequencer, sampler, electric guitar, synthesizer, keyboard

(complete list)
Fusion genres
Psybient - psybreaks
Regional scenes
Finland - South Africa - Israel - UK - Germany - Italy - France - Hungary - Russia - Mexico - Brasil - USA - Australia

Psychedelic trance, psytrance or just psy (derived from the Ancient Greek word ψυχή "psyche", mind; soul; breath; spirit[2]) is an electronic music style characterized by hypnotic arrangements of synthetic rhythms and complex layered melodies created by high tempo riffs.[citation needed] It appeared in the mainstream in 1998[citation needed] as with reporting of the trend of Goa trance.

Psytrance lies at the hardcore, underground end of the diverse trance spectrum.[3] The genre offers variety in terms of mood, tempo, and style. Some examples include full on, dark, progressive, suomi, psybreaks and psybient. Goa Trance continues to develop alongside the sub genres.


VooV Experience 2005 – one of the longest-existing psytrance openair events
An indoor event

Root of the movement[edit]

The first hippies who arrived in Goa, India in the mid-1960s were drawn there for many reasons, including the beaches, the low cost of living, the friendly locals, the Indian religious and spiritual practices and the readily available Indian hashish, which until the mid-1970s was legal.



The music played in the 80s was a blend of styles loosely defined as techno and various genres of computer music e.g.: high energy gay disco without vocals, acid house, electro, industrial gothic, electronic body music, exotic wacky styles of house, electronic/rock hybrids[citation needed]. The music arrived on tape cassettes by fanatic traveler collectors and DJs[citation needed]. It was shared (copied) tape to tape amongst Goa DJs, which was an underground scene, not driven by labels or music industry[citation needed].The artists producing this 'special Goa music' had no idea that their music was being played on the beaches of Goa by cyber hippies[citation needed]. The first techno that was played in Goa was Kraftwerk in the late 70s on the tape of a visiting DJ[citation needed]. At the time, late 70s, the music played at the parties was live bands[citation needed]. Tapes were played in between sets[citation needed]. In the early 80s, sampling synth and midi music appeared globally and DJs became the preferred format in Goa[citation needed]. Two tape decks driving a party without a break, continuous music, continuous dancing. There had been resistance from the old school acid heads who were devout that only acid rock should be played at parties, but they soon relented and converted to the revolutionary wave of technodelia that took hold in the 80s[citation needed].Cassette tapes were used by DJs until the 90s when DAT tapes were used[citation needed]. DJs playing in Goa during the 80s were Fred Disko, Dr Bobby, Stephano, Paulino, Mackie, Babu, Laurent, Ray, Fred, Antaro, Lui, Rolf, Tilo, Pauli, Rudi, Gil. The music was eclectic in style but nuanced around instrument/dub spacey versions of tracks that evoked mystical, cosmic, psychedelic, political, existential themes[citation needed]. Special mixes were made by DJs in Goa which were the editing of various versions of a track to make it longer. This was taking the stretch mix concept to another level, trip music for journeying to outdoors. Trance dancing to mind expanding dance music on hallucinogens was the mantle of the Goa mantra[citation needed]. It was not a night club furnaced on alcohol. Hash and acid were the principal heighteners. It was an anarchistic alternative counter culture[citation needed]. DIY in psychedelic exploration driven by future rhythm machine music[citation needed]. Goa Trance as a music industry and collective party fashion tag did not gain global traction until '94. By '90 '91 Goa had become a hot destination for partying and was no longer under the radar, the scene grew bigger. Goa style parties spread like a diaspora all over the world from '93 and a multitude of labels in various countries (U.K. Australia, Japan, Germany) dedicated themselves to promoting psychedelic electronic music that reflected the ethos of Goa parties and Goa music and Goa specific artists and producers and DJs[citation needed]. The golden age of the first wave of Goa Psy Trance as a generally agreed upon (genre) aesthetic was between '94-'97[citation needed].


Performance at a Russian psytrance festival, 2008

By 1992 the Goa trance scene had a pulse of its own,[citation needed] though the term 'Goa trance' didn’t become the name tag of the genre until around 1994.[citation needed] The Goa trance sound, which by the late 1990s was being used interchangeably with the term psychedelic trance, retained its popularity at outdoor raves and festivals rather than in nightclubs.[5] New artists were appearing from all over the world and it was in this year that the first Goa trance festivals began, including the Gaia Festival in France and the still-running VuuV festival in Germany.

In 1993 the first 100% Goa trance album was released, Project 2 Trance, featuring tracks by Man With No Name and Hallucinogen to name two.[citation needed] Goa trance enjoyed its commercial peak between 1996 and 1997 with media attention and some recognised names in the DJ scene joining the movement.[citation needed] This hype did not last long and once the attention had died down so did the music sales, resulting in the failure of record labels, promotion networks and also some artists. This ‘commercial death of Goa trance’ was marked musically by Matsuri Productions in 1997 with the release of the compilation Let it RIP.[citation needed]

While the genre may have been incubated in the goa trance scene it went on to proliferate globally.[6] Its impact was felt in western Europe, Israel, North America, Australia, Japan and South Africa.[6] Psytrance is linked to other post-ecstacy music genres such as big beat, electroclash, grime and 2-step.[7] The genre evolved in conjunction with a multimedia psychedelic arts scene.[6]


Sample of a typical psytrance track

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Many consider the difference between goa trance and psychedelic trance are minimal at best and really just a matter of opinion.[5] Psychedelic trance is distinguished from other sub-genres because of the unique sounds it typically features.[5] Psychedelic trance has a distinctive, energetic sound (generally between 140 and 150 BPM) that tends to be faster than other forms of trance or techno music.[citation needed] It uses a very distinctive resonated bass beat that pounds constantly throughout the song and overlays the bass with varying rhythms drawn from funk, techno, dance, acid house, eurodance and trance using drums and other instruments.[citation needed] The different leads, rhythms and beats generally change every 8 bars.[8] Layering is used to great effect in psychedelic trance, with new musical ideas being added at regular intervals, often every 4 to 8 bars. New layers will continue to be added until a climax is reached, and then the song will break down and start a new rhythmic pattern over the constant bass line. Psychedelic trance tracks tend to be 6–10 minutes long.[9] Psychedelic trance makes heavy use of the cutoff frequency control of the modulating filter on the synthesizer. Reverb and delay are used heavily, with large, open sounding reverb present on most of the lead synthesizers in the track. The Roland TB-303 (acid) sequencer, Juno 106 and Roland SH-101 are heavily used and sampled in psychedelic trance, usually processed through a distortion effect.

Related sub-genres[edit]

In 1996, the music had changed so much from its Goa beginnings that the term Goa trance no longer seemed suitable, and the new term of psychedelic trance, or psytrance for short, was coined to refer to this new style of music. The multi-layered melodies of Goa trance were stripped away, and a darker and more repetitive form of music concentrating on rhythm and groove appeared.[citation needed]

In 2002, melodies became popular again, heralding the beginning of full-on psytrance.[citation needed]

Currently, there are many sub-genres within the psytrance scene[citation needed], including ambient psy (psybient), minimal/progressive psy, morning psy, full-on psy, and dark psy. There has recently been a movement attempting to ‘return to the source’ and bring back the original Goa trance sound. Examples include Metapsychic Records (2006 - December 2007) and Suntrip Records. These labels are dedicated to reviving the roots of the scene, and promoting artists trying to recapture the original feeling of the music.


In the early days of psychedelic trance scene a side project was established by the pioneers who produced special tracks intended to be exclusively played at chosen parties around the world.[citation needed] The sound of this incognito movement reportedly contains high levels of intense and full power, twisted structures of patterns which has a far richer quality and entirely difference in style when compared with the standard commercial releases. The tracks were shared exclusively among similar-minded acts and to a very few number of DJs and was impossible to obtain by people outside that `inner circle´ which has generated the development of the new and wholly different genres dark/forest in 2004 by mainly former audiences.[citation needed]


Psybreaks or psychedelic breakbeat is a form of psychedelic trance originating in the late 1990s, splicing breakbeat basslines and rhythms into otherwise heavily psytrance-influenced tracks. At times there is a fine line of a difference between Nu skool breaks and Psybreaks, but usually you can distinguish the difference depending on the synth lines. Psybreaks tracks would be closer to Goa and Psy trance with 16th note arppegiated synths and or bass line driven tracks with lots of sound effects. Where as many Nu skool breaks tracks use the same elements but a different way and tends to use distorted heavy basslines with lots of glitch edits. Another noticeable difference between the two is Nu skool is more club driven in the sense of upbeat and rowdy as opposed to Psybreaks which leans more towards dark and mysterious.[citation needed]

Full on[edit]

Full on is psychedelic trance that originated in Israel during the late 1990s. The expression “full on” is taken from the first out of a seven compilation albums series and the first album ever to be released under Hom-mega Productions in 1998, titled Full On, which comes from English slang. Other sources say it comes from the "Full" "moon" festival's name, whilst others argue that it is derived from a phrase widely used to describe particularly high-energy music ("That tune is really full-on!"). Full On is with out a doubt the most popular form of Psychedelic Trance. Owing to big basslines, catchy hooks and some borderline commercial and pop elements this style has the most mass market appeal.

The most easily recognizable elements of full-on psy-trance are the so-called "rolling" bassline, which crams two or three short bass notes in between each hit of the 4/4 drum, the fast changes in music sequences (max 32 beat for sequence), and a more energetic melodic/uplifiting nature. Often heard in clubs or during the nighttime hours at festivals it is popular in Israel, Brazil, Goa, Florida, Victoria and the United Kingdom. Some big names of Full On style on nowadays:Talamasca, Alien Project, Azax Syndrom, Bizzare Contact, Bliss, Bubble, Gataka, XSI, Sesto Sento, Spectro Senses, Ananda Shake, Quality Sound, Solstice, Freaked Frequency, Atomic Pulse, Faders, Digital Tribe, Liquid Sound,Ohm Project ,Burn in Noise ,Vibe Tribe and System Nipel.


Dark psytrance (neuro, dark psy, forest trance) is a darker, moodier and faster form of psychedelic trance music. With tempo ranges generally from 145 to 200 BPM. Originating in Denmark, Russia and Germany, the style has developed a loyal following over the years. Becoming popular in 2004, it has continued to grow. Dark psytrance is a popular variation and can include melodies from morning trance, though these tend to be more haunting than uplifting. 'Forest Trance' is a style within the dark sub genre that inspires and creates a "forest" like mood. Mainly produced in Denmark, this type of trance is popular at outdoor events. The 'Neuro' style is more abstracted and experimental, less reliant on melodic musical aspects and formulas. The speed of the music and the experimental nature it embraces makes it more appealing to a younger crowd. Owing to its non-conformist approach to the normal conventions of trance, this style is almost considered to have a "punk rock" element to it. Many rookie trance producers learn techniques in this medium as creativity is emphasized over technique. Some examples of Dark Psy Labels; Parvati Records (Denmark), Lost Theory Records (Belgium), Insomnia Records (Russia).[citation needed]

Suomisaundi or freeform psytrance[edit]



Arronax performing at The Gathering, a psychedelic trance festival, in 2009

Large psytrance festivals are both culturally and musically diverse.[6] They have attracted a following amongst international backpackers. Earthdance, the world's largest synchronized music and dance festival for peace, has its roots in the psychedelic trance scene.[6] In Australia, Earthcore occurred between 1992 and 2008 and predominately featured psytrance. Rainbow Serpent Festival, Maitreya Festival, and Yemaya Festival are by far are the most popular ones and held in Victoria.

The Boom Festival in Portugal was originally a psytrance festival but now includes world music. It is held every second year in August and combines social activism with cultural and spiritual elements.[10] In 2004, the Glastonbury Festival dedicated a full day on the Glade stage to psytrance.[11]

South Africa has numerous psytrance festivals.[12] The favourable weather and beautiful landscape have made it part of a number of global destinations for the party traveller.

There are three well-known recurring psytrance festivals in the USA: Chilluminati's Sacred Earth Open-Air Festival, T.O.U.C.H. Samadhi's Equinox and Spacecamp Psyfari.

Sub-cultural research[edit]

In 2006 research was conducted on the global psytrance scene. 600 people from 40 countries provided detailed information via an online questionnaire.[13] The results were published as "Beyond Subculture and Post-subculture? The Case of Virtual Psytrance" in the Journal of Youth Studies.[14]

In 2013 Graham St. John published Global Tribe: Technology, Spirituality and Psytrance on Equinox Publishing.

Notable albums[edit]

See also[edit]



  1. ^ "Goa Trance". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 August 2012. 
  2. ^ Etymology of the English word psychedelic. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. ^ Reynolds, Simon (2012). Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture. Soft Skull Press. ISBN 1593764774. Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  4. ^ a b Eugene ENRG (aka DJ Krusty) (2001). "Psychic Sonics: Tribadelic Dance Trance-formation - Eugene ENRG (aka DJ Krusty) interviews Ray Castle". In Graham St John. FreeNRG : notes from the edge of the dance floor. Altona, Victoria, Australia: Common Ground Pub. p. 166. ISBN 1-86335-084-5. Retrieved 28 March 2011. 
  5. ^ a b c Gupta, Om (2006). "Goa Trance". Encyclopaedia Of India Pakistan & Bangladesh. Gyan Publishing House. p. 805. ISBN 8182053897. Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  6. ^ a b c d e Cardeña, Etzel; Michael Winkelman (2011). Altering Consciousness: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. pp. 212–213. ISBN 0313383081. Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  7. ^ Collin, Matthew (2010). Altered State: The Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House. Profile Books. p. 335. ISBN 1847656412. Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  8. ^ Trance music. A definition of genre.. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  9. ^ Easwaran, Kenny. "Psytrance and the Spirituality of Electronics". April 2004.
  10. ^ Gemma Bowes (20 April 2012). "Boom time: Portugal's top psytrance festival". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  11. ^ Anushka Asthana (4 April 2004). "Clubbers fall under spell of Psytrance". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  12. ^
  13. ^ Heath, Sue; Rachel Brooks, Elizabeth Cleaver, Eleanor Ireland (2009). Researching Young People's Lives. Sage. p. 168. ISBN 1446203972. Retrieved 25 May 2013. 
  14. ^ Tracey Greener & Robert Hollands (September 2006). "Beyond Subculture and Post-subculture? The Case of Virtual Psytrance". ingentaconnect. Publishing Technology. Retrieved 25 May 2013. 

External links[edit]