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Double Dragon :: Continuum [Phantasm 2000] CD/2LP
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Basilisk
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Posted : Jul 8, 2005 21:04
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Double Dragon :: Continuum
Phantasm - 2000 (CD/Vinyl Album)
01 :: Pulsating Thing
02 :: Deep Thought
03 :: Black Project
04 :: Hairy Liquid
05 :: W.O.R.M.
06 :: Encrusted Filth
07 :: Soft Machine
08 :: Spiked
Double Dragon came out of nowhere with this impressive debut album released in 2000. Immediately it was clear this release could be compared to the brilliant psychedelic classics such as Hallucinogen's The Lone Deranger, Koxbox's Dragon Tales, and Hux Flux's Cryptic Crunch. Continuum is an incredibly intelligent and polished psychedelic masterpiece in a unique style - slower and deeper with extremely high production value.
The album opens with Pulsating Thing, a bubbly jumper of a tune where the kick doesn't dominate (it seldom does on the album). Sounds swirl at all levels of the frequency range, and the extremely intricate breakbeat cutting gives this tune an energetic yet precise feel.
Deep Thought tones down the action a little with a more sneaky and subtle attack on the senses. The breakbeat-laden grooves are back after a slow building sequence, though I could do without the airhead samples (I suppose its meant to be tongue-in-cheek). It is perhaps the weakest offering found here, though the production remains of a high quality.
Black Project is a rumbly tune theatrically orchestrated with the touch of class. Perfect samples at the major tension build fully grip the ears of the listener and sends them hurtling through the deranged sequences of chaotic melody that build and build once again, altering the mood from vertiginous to upbeat and is sure to layer smiles all over the dancefloor. The sounds of a teleportation sweep past, more builds and beats break through the barrier, and you're continually left wondering what's next? as the song is permeated by little suprises and fun twists. This track exits with some stuttering broken beats and tricks with the tempo - which, in this trippy tale, is welcome as another piece of the incomprehensible but utterly delightful puzzle.
Hairy Liquid is next, and what an amusing name it is! Much slower and chilled, with ethereal breaths of synthy goodness sweeping across the panorama of bubbling beats. No point in pigeonholing this - its just some damn fine interesting music, though not necessarily danceable.
W.O.R.M. picks up the pace after a sweet sounding intro, punching up the funk factor as well. Sick rolling bass wraps around this groovy tune thickly laden with chattering drums and subtle mid-tone synths. Fun stuff and not too heavy, it serves as a very nice introduction to the strongest track on the album...
Encrusted Filth is a devilishly wicked tune full of cinematic flourishes and weird beats. It sounds as if it could be the soundtrack to a movie, and the samples sure add to that effect (Darth Vader makes an appearance, amongst others). It is a psychedelic epic in many parts - saving the best build for last - continually evolving and innovating, with non-stop dance-induced euphoria in mind. The song stays strong right until the last beat drops - amazing.
Soft Machine picks up with a synapse-tickling intro wafting in over the hills, beautiful and disconcerting in equal measures... then the bass enters and strokes your ear drum with crisp bubbly goodness. The first segment mesmerizes and the noises grow sublime - ever-present but working their charm below perception at times. The drop, accompanied by the rise of the bass and the stimulating samples (so aptly used with emphasis from the effects), is just fabulous - really moving the story along and upping the ante. The pace doesn't drop, and the rest of the song pans out quite nicely. The sample "it will be a place both wonderful and strange" adeptly describes the album as a whole, with its incongruous elements of bizarre psychedelia and beautiful moments of divine inspiration.
The finale is a melodic offering named Spiked, which Double Dragon has remixed and released on a 12" follow-up to this album. Slower and more halcyon, with slinky drums snapping and flanging all over the place, this song is a sweet comedown from the psychedelic intensity of this fine album.
To summarize... aside from being a modern classic of psytrance, I consider this to be Phantasm's best artist album ever. Near perfect use of samples (all about physics, time, perceptual distortion etc), incredible technique and attention to detail, and the overall quality of the tracks make this one fine listening experience worth repeating over and over again. The unique sound may not appeal to everyone, but for those who have been captivated and mystified by the sonic wizardry of Psychopod or Simon Posford, this is essential listening.
Favourites: all
Rating: 10/10
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Pulled this one from my archive of reviews after it came up in the short reco's thread. Not the greatest words about this album but perhaps it will inspire people to put this one on the decks again  it's only one of two albums that I've ever given a full 10/10 to.
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Surrender
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Jul 8, 2005 23:02
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one of the best psytrance cd's i ever owned  lovey review basilik! a trip from start to finish.
 "On the other hand, you have different fingers."
http://myspace.com/gadimon |
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Satyr
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Posted : Jul 8, 2005 23:38
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Quote:
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On 2005-07-08 23:02, Surrender wrote:
one of the best psytrance cd's i ever owned lovey review basilik! a trip from start to finish. |
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same here, goes for both the cd & the vinyl
after five years, still a refreshment for the brain.
never a dull moment and for sure a stayer!
gonna play it right now to intensify
the goosebumps i got from reading this review.
*nice one basil*
www.satyrsatellites.com
www.soundcloud.com/satyr
www.soundcloud.com/satyr-barbarossa
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DiMiTry
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Posted : Jul 9, 2005 03:46
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Amazing album. Not one weak track on this one.
Thanks, Basilisk. 
..it's just another party.. |
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Pavel
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Posted : Jul 9, 2005 14:31
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This is the way Progressive Psychedelic Trance should sound and not how it sounds today.
10/10 from me as well. Up there with KoxBox's The Great Unknown and Atmos's Headcleaner.
Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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Acidhive
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Posted : Jul 9, 2005 16:31
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I don't agree. This is a really good album, but the way things have evolved for progressive psytrance is a good thing. I wouldn't want to miss great stuff like Kooler, Son Kite, Antix, Freq, Beat Bizarre etc. etc.
"Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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Pavel
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Posted : Jul 9, 2005 17:11
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Beat Bizarre would be one of the only acts that followed Double Dragon's and Koxbox's sound. The other ones create great music as well but they didn't go they same route and preferred the Housy vibe.
Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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fullom
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jul 10, 2005 00:44
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yep wicked cd-not too fast not to slow and a lot of psychedelic goodness. The ideas were new,fresh and original and it just rocked on the dance floor. I was lucky enough to see Steve play many times while I lived in Japan it's a pity he has now left the trance scene.
(`*•.¸(`*•.¸ ¸.•*´)¸.•*´)
FULL-OM PSYCHEDELIC TRANCE
(¸.•*´(¸.•*´ `*•.¸)`*•.¸) |
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psy^soldier
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jul 10, 2005 00:56
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looking t0 buy this one for few months
hoping there is a few copies left |
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DiMiTry
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Posted : Jul 10, 2005 05:03
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i am pretty sure it's out of print. i have the vinyl of it, would love to have the CD also.
..it's just another party.. |
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Pavel
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Posted : Jul 10, 2005 06:41
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Quote:
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On 2005-07-10 00:56, psy^soldier wrote:
looking t0 buy this one for few months
hoping there is a few copies left
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Out of print and sold at pretty high prices for a second hand.
Everyone in the world is doing something without me |
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Nomolos(Zenon Rec.)
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Posted : Jul 11, 2005 18:02
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this cd was given to me by one of my students in the begining of 2001.....he was so excited when he found out that a school staff member is a trancer...hehehe....great cd for sure!
Cheers.
"....or is it???"
www.zenonrecords.com
www.myspace.com/thenomolos |
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karmakanik
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Posted : Jul 11, 2005 23:28
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yes indeedy, i remember buying this one on LP back in the day. took me a while (longer than most, methinks) to get into it, but once it hit, it suddenly all made perfect sense to me.
black project and encrusted filth are my two favorites. i might have to polish this off and bust it out some time this summer
PSI - the Philadelphia Shamanista Initiative |
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Dj Chris Planet
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Posted : Jul 12, 2005 01:47
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I was just having a look through some of my vinyl and there it was. I do love this album, although i havn't listened to it in a long time and now i don't have any decks, so i guess i'll have to borrow a deck and copy it on to my hard drive.
Let us take you on a journey, that will take you from are small world stage and orbit you beyond our fragile planet...... |
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ZeRo
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jul 12, 2005 22:16
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does anyone know where i can purchase this cd??
ie does anyone here have an extra copy that they want to sell...i heard encrusted filth at a friends apartment and I would really like to get an original copy. pm me if you are interested.
ein chadash tachat hashemesh. there is nothing new under the sun. --kohelet. |
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