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Deep Mental Trauma: The first Gram [Nabi Records]
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Rah
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 00:19
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Compilation: Deep Mental Trauma: The first Gram
Label: Nabi Records
Web: http://www.nabi-records.com
CAT: NABICD004
Sonic-energy: http://www.sonic-energy.net/core/content/view/206/2/
01.Catatonic Despair - Skin & Salt [148]
02.Baphomet Engine - Antas Acoc Sod Sergalim [150]
03.Celsung - Tri Assasin Dont Die [147]
04.Celsung - Broken Butterfly [149]
05.Strezz - Lyserg Saeure Diaethylamid [148]
06.Catatonic Despair - Flicker [148]
07.Noise Gust - Summon Spell [148]
08.Acid Goblins Vs Datakult - Bohemian Groove [155]
09.Catatonic Despair - Rusty Edge [148]
10.Infect Insect - Smoke Plastic [160]
What's this About
Nabi coming from Hebrew literary means Prophet, or a direct messenger instructed to communicate a vision from higher beings unto a certain group of people. The recently established French outfit has been faithfully spreading the message since 2004 and the aim here is clear: To push the envelope with a new roster of artists, Emanuel is proud uproot from the very same depths of inferno (where they all seem to reside), in effort to keep night-time psychedelic trance moving... somewhere. These folks take their twisted darkness in double shots and without salt nor lemon.
Per-Track
1. Catatonic Despair – Skin & Salt *
“… I know what you're thinking. ‘Pain is coming, but I'll take it like a man.’ But let me put you at ease. You won’t. None of them do. Men, women, children, they all weep. They all beg. They pass out. They piss themselves. They attempt negotiations. You won’t believe how many men I have seen lying right where you are lying now. Grown men with wives and children at home, offering all kinds of sexual gratification for a five minute reprieve, it’s pathetic. Are you afraid? Then there's that moment when they realize there's nothing left to negotiate. They're just mine and they're helpless. And the look. The look in their eyes, the level of surrender, it's almost pornographic.” Taken from the horror cult movie Suspect Zero, Tony has been previously released in Zavyrian productions and his tunes are malevolent to put it simply. He is also collaborating in a side project with Aldous B (Celsung), denominated Deimos Phobia. With no offense meant, Tony is messed up in the head three ways ‘till Sunday and his production makes it crystal clear. Evil lines, detuned notes without any sort of cohesion and the looming “are you afraid” sample…
2. Baphomet Engine - Antas Acoc Sod Sergalim
The project of Luiz and Fabio is currently heavily focused on getting Brazil on the map, under the ‘dark, groovy” cabinet and ‘Antas Acoc…’ something or some other makes that clear. The simpleton melodies juggling along aside the storm of effects work now and again, even if it gets mostly ‘blah’ in my taste.
3. Celsung – Tri Assasin don’t Die
Besides getting signed up for NHJO’s paid program ‘I will create a track name for you’ this one was obviously one of the free-bie ones. Celsung previously known as Aldous B, has already dipped in the release pool with his work in Predecessor which didn’t get around listening. The track keeps plodding all the way through much like it begun with interesting effects and twilight rhythms, reminds a bit of Cluster.
4. Celsung – Broken Butterfly *
This one admittedly hit a much sweeter spot than his previous track. The whole thing is just one chaotic looping of delayed mechanic convulsions, slowly gaining momentum in between the hypnotism. A little more diversity in the high octaves might have added the cherry on top. Interesting stuff, but I guess I do miss a small form of musicality in the production. Celsung is very good at creating dark environments and the sound is decent. Some form of collaboration or a remix perhaps, by Ghreg on Earth might spawn something memorable for the industrial heads.
5. Strezz - Lyserg Saeure Diaethylamid *
Constantine Laniv is a Ukrainian currently living on the holy land. With a few releases under his belt on Nabi, this one glides along well. Nevermind the overused theme, there’s a good doze of pump in here and the effects are meddled with appropriately. That said, I do feel like more stuff could have been crammed into this LSD. The track itself looks friendly enough to dissect under decks for more complex purposes.
6. Catatonic Despair – Flicker *
Tony’s second appearance makes his presence heard a lot faster than his previous offering. Once again Flicker presents some rather somber elements with aggression and dismay in mind. The flicker has a good start but seems to dim all too soon, as I loose interest. Inspiration seems loosely tangled alongside the industrial influences with vague intent. It has moments of lucidity though.
7. Noise Gust – Summon Spell *
Japanese born cage has been around with the Gust-o since 2003 and I’d say his work has bared fruits. I can hear dimming influences from Kuro on the techno touches, but in the end it’s his own work. And it is tight as nut, completely purposeful, musical, somber-dark and extremely energetic. Please bring this guy more often, as the spell has proved to be rather infectious.
8. Acid Goblins vs. Datakult – Bohemian Groove *
The Acid Goblins are new Hungarian outfit consisting of Gergo and Adam, under the guiding light of an old ex-droidSect member (Raphael Befort AKA Datakult). If there is anything this track has is one hell of a groove. The rhythm is down right stomping, showing of a veteran at work. The thunderstorm of effects replicating short circuit madness works really effectively. So, this one makes little sense, but I have fallen in love with sheer amount of discordia. Probably because it feels busy as hell and it seems to erupt with all the right noises at the right time. Best to keep these folks under the radar, good things might be around the corner.
9. Catatonic Despair – Rusty Edge *
I feel this one would have fitted better right after Noise Gust’s track, but let’s forget the order, it is clear little if anything makes sense in this compilation. The rusty part might be the painfully scratchy loop erupting here there like a mechanic fart. It picks up grandiosely by the second half with an uplifting darkness is hard to pass unnoticed by any idle listener. Probably his best work in this compilation abundant with evil lines and dandling, oscillating effects in perfect unison.
10. Infect Insect – Smoke Plastic *
Cleverly labeled as ‘the most experimental project ever released’ you can just imagine this going to be some crazy shit and Dame Insect does not disappoint. Calling this one hectic would be an understatement. Forget the metronome, forget notes, forget order and forget about beat matching. Saved for last, it seems the only purpose of this crazy unabridged banging is watching fellow dancers bear the most confused look of the night. Damme is also responsible for another side project that explores noise music and it seems this one is a bit of crossover.
All and all
The artwork is a worth the mention. I haven’t seen the previous covers from Nabi first hand, but this one is really well put together, showing it pays off to spend a few pennies to get a good graphic designer, like is the case with Swaroop Guhathakurta (http://www.sgdesigns.co.uk). Just because you are underground, it doesn’t mean you have to look like it was homemade.
As for the music, this is probably the craziest ride I’ve encountered to date this year and with good reason. Followers of Nabi are naturally hardened listeners without regard on what might be happening around the general pace of our psychedelic culture. We are tapping the underground here. So what is underground then? A loose group of musicians exploring different vibes at the expense of shady production techniques, looking for new results. The folks that re not afraid to experiment –for the good or the bad- in their up and coming careers. There is a downside to this: not all experiments will come out as dandy as we all wished. The good side… this is where new talent is born, and DMT: The First Gram has enough of it to validate the purchase for all those interested in this particular sound.
Where to Get:
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=5479
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/210097-01.h...mental%20trauma
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/nai/nai1cd004.html
  elementoftime.net
musique ŕ la carte in mp3 & wav.
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Shimmer
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 00:24
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Always been a big supporter of Nabi Records. Good to see them releasing quite of few albums. Nice review...
_______________________________-______________________________
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving. |
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Rah
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 00:28
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thanks, like nabi i'm just a messenger 
elementoftime.net
musique ŕ la carte in mp3 & wav.
Sonic-energy.net
Reviews, interviews, downloads, articles. |
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pete
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 00:28
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I really enjoyed this compilation, far more than psychiatric hosptial ahead. My faves:
Baphomet Engine-Antas Acoc Sod Sergalim-Driving track with a fat and funky bouncing lead synth throughout the first half, plus a fair amount of acidy lines and effects. While it’s not my thang and I wouldn’t have associated it with this sound, we get a repeating cocaine sample around 4:30 that I think works pretty well. While I didn’t care so much for their earlier material, I enjoyed “System Failed” from the compilation Light From the Depths of Chaos, and this track rocks me even harder with its serious groove.
Celsung-Tri Assasin Don’t Die: Dark, pounding, and unrelenting rapid-fire bassline that is reminiscent of Goa Gil’s sets. Fairly minimal at times, but I suspect there would be a wider range of bass sounds if I had an excellent system. Coinciding with the track name, we get some nice knife like sounds throughout, the kind you hear when your video game ninja is on the attack. “What are you gonna do with those knives, I hope you got some tomatoes in your back pocket cuz they ain’t touchin’ me.” Followed by a scream, and some driving synths. The energy level is off the charts. Some spooky tones come in later in the track. Percussive break at 5:30 that is oh-so-powerful and nicely integrates the knife sounds. At 6:35, surprise…a restrained, beautiful reed-like melody comes in to accompany the noisy synths.
Celsung-Broken Butterfly: Spooky pads with a somewhat churchy sound and another relentless bassline start off the second Celsung track on the comp. They pads drop out and percussive elements come to the fore, before the pads come back with some serious acid squelching. I have been subjected many times to criticism…I have been accused of being insane…This time around, the beautiful melody, again with that reed sound, comes in around 2:30. I’m really enjoying the juxtaposition of this sound with the uber hard bassline and synths. It’s repetitive, but doesn’t stick around too long, giving way to some acid lines, so it works for me. The melody returns at 6:45 and takes us through the track.
Noise Gust-Summon Spell: Spooky tones and drum hits make for a dramatic intro. The overall spooky sound continues throughout the track. This one has a more formulaic structure than the rest of the album, with more long breaks and builds. I don’t view that as a bad thing, though, as it would certainly get me moving on a dancefloor. Plus you could be pretty damn weird and still be formulaic relative to most of the stuff on here. The production has come a looooong way since I first heard Noise Gust on Run Motherfucker Run. The funky break at 4:30 rocks my world.
Acid Goblins v. Datakult-Bohemian Groove: Not familiar with Acid Goblins (til I read the above review), but I’m definitely a fan of Datakult. Here, their collaboration clocks in at a mild 155. Full powah! The intro gets under way with some raw beats, and soon we’re in fast, pounding territory with some grating sounds (in a good way) and spooky sounds interacting with one another. As I usually find with Datakult, the relationship between the elements at the fore of the track and background is perfectly executed for an interesting mental journey. At 2:12 we get some pounding, squelchy notes similar to the beginning of skin and salt. This really cranks up the energy level, what a brutal track! Soon, gutteral male screams/groans are introduced. By the track’s final run, there is some serious madness as all the grating sounds, acidy bleeps and boops, and gutteral noises interact. Wow…this is pretty intense, the kind of thing you might enjoy towards the end of a serious night set that gets more and more crazy throughout.
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celsung
Celsung
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 08:24
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Quote:
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Celsung – Tri Assasin don’t Die
Besides getting signed up for NHJO’s paid program ‘I will create a track name for you’
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Ha ha, maybe I should have used NHJO's paid program. A slight typo (actually spelled Tri Assassin Don't Die), this title is the invincible code for Game Cube's "Blood Rayne". All the samples come from the game as well. |
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PsYcH0naUT
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 09:54
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i think this compilation is the bomb!
very great dark atmosphere, i have this being torchered in some rusty basement feeling definately best cd this year so far
my favs: all catatonic despair tracks, thumbs up! Acid Goblins vs. Datakult also killer track
i like other tracks from insect more than this one, but i think its some kind of "hey lets try to audiolize the dmt rush"
keep it up nabi! |
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Manash
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 18:43
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thumbs up for this release!
i would call it terror psychedelic trance! 
my favourites are all from catatonic, celsung and the one from baphomet
for sure this is not easy listening
ps. i really love the bass and the quick breaks on tri assasin don't die! Dead Tree Productions
www.dead-tree.net |
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crovo
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 8, 2006 21:52
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great review, Rah!
i think this is one of most innovative album in these days. really underground. really mental.
as about my taste, "Tri Assassin Don't Die" from Celsung is the best track in this album ever. really traumatic and mindblowing track. great combination of synths, creating a darkish synth-melody.
i'm sure if Celsung makes a collaboration with Ghreg, it will smash my brain! i love the industrial feeling in both of artists works.
go Nabi, go! 
all the best!
Obiit - Industrial Ambient
www.dead-tree.net/obiit
Dead Tree Productions - Obscure Psychedelic Trance Label
www.dead-tree.net
Uroboros Productions - Psychedelic Progressive/TechTrance Label
http://uroboros.dead-tree.net |
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volvox box 2
Infect Insect
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Posted : Apr 10, 2006 16:49
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i like rusty edge by catatonic lots of power in it. |
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psychedelic pineapples
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 12, 2006 21:07
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great music ....i love 1,,7,8,10- |
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The Journey Man Project
Inactive User
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Posted : Apr 16, 2006 05:56
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Excellent release, Nabi really take step into the darker side, much more intense.. as a huge Nabi fan this has already been listened to plenty of times, and is definitely considered a must have...
fav trax: 7, 9 and 10 |
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cosmic_natraja
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Apr 16, 2006 08:51
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Noise gust...summon spell!! crazy work...the hammertones after the 5th min...just get me floored 
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most... |
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Bone
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Posted : May 4, 2006 04:18
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icredible cd!
In one way or another all the tracks are very good. Another great compilation from Nabi records, keep on the wonderful work!
And besides, the introdutory text pretty much translate my intentions as Dj. tanks! |
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Greennun
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Posted : May 9, 2006 22:39
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A very nice compilation in the true nabi form, all songs very well picked out.
In comparision to their prevoius comp the artwork on this rocks
Boom
"If Pac man had affected us as kids we'd be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive music”. |
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Fuzulu
Fuzulu
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Posted : May 16, 2006 15:24
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