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Etheogenic`s new album: Spontaneous Illumination
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DJ Neerav
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Posted : Jul 18, 2003 16:58
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Entheogenic, “Spontaneous Illumination“, C.O.R.N. Records (to be released end of August), and Spirit Zone (out now as part of G.P.T. vol. 9).
Entheogenic are Helmut Glavar and Piers Oakrhind. After their stunning self-titled debut release on 3D Vision, many were appropriately impressed by these relative newcomers. Their music featured textures, emotions, and a level of psychedelia normally found in the Shpongle realm exclusively. So the only question was: ‘What´s next?’ The answer: a brand new album on a brand new label. Spontaneous Illumination represents a years worth of work in the studio for Entheogenic, and offers up a sumptous feast of psy-ambient sounds. They´ve preserved their trademark sound: a fondness for water and bird sounds, an even greater fondess for Terrance McKenna´s elf-like voice, pads, snappy percussion, fat basslines, enthno chant samples, and ahyawasca inspired soundscapes. But they´ve beefed up the arpeggios for some extra trippiness. As an interesting side note, Global Psychedelic Trance is normally a double cd compilation: one dance the other down tempo, but this time Spirit Zone liked their album so much that the whole downtempo CD is actually the Entheogenic album! Track by track, it goes something like this:
1.) ‘Ground Luminosity’: running water, crow and bird sounds, ethno singing, Tabla, and Terrance Mckenna samples set the mood. Things start to build, and then divine arpeggios kick in to wake us up a bit. All these elements combine to form one of the most accomplished tunes ever realized in the genre of psy ambient. This song keeps reaching up from the earth to the sky, and to my ears is eleven minutes of pure heaven. Entheogenic uses natural and artificial sounds to make music on a shamanic level for the purpose of illuminating the otherwise invisible world, and I can´t think of too many other artists who are able to do it quite as well as they can.
2.) ‘Habitual Overtones’ features a very tripped out, slightly ominous beginning with what sounds like some DMT elves chanting, busy but light percussion, and a kind of Doctor Who keyboard sound. Many of the sounds used seem to be inspired by the animal or spirit life of the rainforest (bubbling water sounds, birdlike sounds), and the arpeggioes used on the keyboards are just unbelievable. This is a track that manages to be beautiful, high, and intense all at the same time.
3.) ‘Pagan Dream Machine’ starts with some Gregorian chanting, a very high warbling sound, and more water inspired sounds. A resonating pad sets the space for some more of those delicious argeggios, and ethno chanting. Soon enough tabla, a jews harp, and other instruments are thrown into the mix, and somehow it all makes perfect sense, as the bassline keeps it together. And just when you think it can´t get any better, it does! Check the slightly acidic keyboard line (sparingly) used; all I can say about this track is: Wow!
4.) ‘Mindless’ offers up yet anther fantastic soundscape via the intro; these guys should surely consider writing soundtracks for films, as their music is extremely textured, and has incredible sonic colour. So, once again arpeggios come in to wipe the slate clean, and then we get a very fat acid sound to heat things up. Things get pretty intense from an ambient point of view; not heavy, not fast, but definitely intense. And then the bassline and a new melody comes in, bringing a lot of sparkling light with it. This song moves like waves in the ocean, ebbing and flowing, building and receding; and is a beauty to behold.
5.) ‘Invisible Landscape’ was featured on the 3D Vision ambient compilition ‘Module 1’. It starts off fast but ambient, and then kicks into a four-four beat for some dancefloor action. Very nice and high flying, with some fierce arpeggios tempered by lovely enthno sounds.
6.) ‘Night Eyes’ offers a slower and more femine approach, but the ‘breaks’ style percussion still keeps the bones moving. I love the very gentle sounds that break out like sunbeams from behind the clouds, and the gorgeous operatic voices. Lovely.
7.) ‘Spaced’ ends the journey, and is very deep, and almost simple sounding. It’s the most relaxing piece on the album, and washes away any residual tension left from the journey. It´s the perfect end to a perfect trip.
Conclusion: This album is a work of genius. Immacutely produced, it features seven audio jewels and sounds equally killer on headphones or a loud sound system. This is an extremely deep release that is not at all obvious at first, but gets better and better with multiple listens. It´s missing some of the innocence and feminine aspect of the first album, but is more psychedelic and has a timeless quality. When I listen to this album, I actually feel as if time is suspended. In my opinion, this album is a major accomplishment, has everytime I listen to it I am completely blown away! In point of fact, I´ve never hear anything quite like it. Simply put, if you´re looking for psychedelic-ambient music that will inspire you for years to come, get this. Entheogenic are pure gold. |
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full_on
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Jul 18, 2003 19:21
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Seems very good... Already waiting for this one.
Just one doubt: two labels (C.O.R.N. Records and Spirit Zone)?
Respect!
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...Be gentle with the earth...
...Dance like nobody's watching...
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...I don't mind not going to Heaven, as long as they've got Coffee in Hell... |
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amit_vazana
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jul 21, 2003 15:02
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yes yes !, the best artis i know today
"Entheogenic are pure gold" this for sure my friend i can wait for this one to come !
In A Deeper Motion |
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Panzer
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Posted : Jul 21, 2003 16:29
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Damn, I already bougt the Spirit Zone compil...One useless CD extra cause I am not too fond of the first disc and I rather would have purchased a sole Entheogenic CD with sleeve and stuff...
Nonetheless...'Spontaneous Illumination' is one fine chillout album although its very reminscent of the debut album. Therefore it lacks the 'wow and awe' factor of the selftitled debut as stylewise it adds little but qualitywise its on par with that one. And that alone makes this a worthwhile listen. Best trax 2 and 6.
Rating: 8/10 |
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rodram
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Posted : Jul 26, 2003 00:14
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Ok, here my review for Spontaneous Illumination:
1.) “Ground Luminosity” A close to 12 min. brilliant piece of psy-ambient.
Slowly building up with water, heart beat Bass and tablas, then some lovely female voice and a gradual coming of drums and synth parts.
The brilliant synth built up in the middle of the song is just mesmerizing. There are flute parts, a finish Kantele and massive psychedelic sound manipulations.
“A work of Art”
2.) “Habitual Overtones” Weird psychedelic kind of rhythmic voices start the song out, followed by some dramatic built up. There are outstanding combinations of synths and voices. Quite a show of craftsmanship! A great trip
3.) “Pagan Dream Machine” Starts out with some kind of chanting, - slowly getting into some beautiful hypnotic melody. Then the bass keeps the song moving and captivating. Combination of voices, strings, choirs and guitars, just beautiful.
4.) “Mindless” Starts with rhythmic water drums intertwined with melodies until some kind of monster voice synth takes over.
At about 5 min the song changes structure and becomes more rhythmic and – yes- danceable. The song ends with some kind of Zihamonica?. Breathtaking
5.) “Invisible Landscape” I will not even try to describe this one. There is just an amazing combination of twists, melodies and instruments. I probably will need a few months to decode it. A psychedelic symphonic triumph
6.)” Twilight Eyes” Slowly rolling soft melody meets big sound and heavy drums. I would call it a modern psychedelic composition. Again lot’s of mesmerizing melodies. And then when you less expect it, the song changes completely into quicker rhythmic and then again Gamelans and wicked synth lines.
7.) “Spaced” Maybe one of the most beautiful musical dreamery pieces I know of. Waves of gorgeous sounds built up to a dub kind of rhythmic. A female voice takes it all to the sky and beyond. Strikingly beautiful.
Conclusion: Spontaneous Illumination is a major piece of art. Obviously a lot of work went into it. It’s one of those albums you listen to countless times, and still discover new sounds and twists all over. It is more psychedelic then the first one, a bit less innocent, but certainly psychedelic downtempo at its finest!
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ISRAlost
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Posted : Jul 26, 2003 16:32
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hehe i cant wait till i get my copy 
im more interested in the entheogenic side, like panzer sayed it would be better if the entheogenic could be selled alone.
cant wait to hear what those guys cooked up 
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Hippie
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Posted : Jul 26, 2003 17:45
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after Shpongle, Entheogenic are my favourite artists! ...i realy love these guys, their music ....just amazing ..they have that feeling to move things to the music ...can`t wait to hear Spontaneous Illumination .....thanks for reviews ...
Dream is my world. Goa is my motherland. Trance is my religion. Flying is my life. |
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rodram
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Posted : Jul 26, 2003 20:51
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ISRALost, you just have to wait a couple more weeks, then you can buy the Entheogenic album alone. ( they say end of August released on C.O.R.N records)
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ISRAlost
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Posted : Jul 26, 2003 21:42
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hey thanks rodram , i didnt knew that it will release alone.
so i need to cancel my order now and wait some time 
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peter
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Posted : Aug 10, 2003 16:52
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Entheogenic created another true classic. This is a beautiful and timeless psychedelic album. Not a conventional album, the mixture of many different ethnic influences, and the psychedelic strangeness, makes this a courageous piece of work.
It demands something from the listener, at least his full attention.
I would categorize this as one of my all time psychedelic favourites, not an easy come and easy go album, as it is the habit with most productions today.
A real treasure for those who like to go deep into the world of sound!
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DJAmanita
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Aug 18, 2003 23:53
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This album is good. I think it would be nice to see these guys break away from the sound of the first album just a bit but...This is beautyful music
(\__/)
(o'.'o)
('')_('')
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nirvana
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Posted : Sep 5, 2003 12:20
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Fascinating album.
Good to see there is still somebody out there making psychedelic music. In this case even with some symphonic undercurrent.
It’s a bit darker then the first one, maybe also a bit more demanding, but very rewarding. Not your standard easy listening chill album. It’s a bit like looking at one of those 3d pictures, at first you don’t see the real picture, but then you shift your way of perception and suddenly you enter this amazing soundscape.
I recommend this to anybody interested in psychedelic ambient!
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elektric sheep
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Sep 25, 2003 19:18
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Entheogenic = Ethno-generic
Entheogenic have ripped off the Sphongle sound. I dont see anything original in this, lots of random arpegiator riffs, more samples of Terrence McKenna etc....and clumsy overcomplicated percussion...these guys should get some dope first! -~...anyway, technically I spose its ok
Shulman pulled this off brilliantly and added some very interesting chants and prayers....look forward to the new one from him....
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Zombi
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Sep 25, 2003 19:30
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i didnt hear the album yet, but what i liked to see that ppl who released it - CORN rec that is a sub label of PORN, that is great progressive label, one of the best. nice to see them release psychedelic and high quality music, hope u guys will give some credit now to this pornstars ppl that run the label. good music is a good muzak, no matter what style is it.
Believe your soul ! |
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traveller
IsraTrance Senior Member
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Posted : Sep 25, 2003 19:37
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Quote:
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On 2003-09-25 19:18, elektric sheep wrote:
Entheogenic have ripped off the Sphongle sound.
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Just replace Entheogenic with Elektric Sheep and Shpongle with GMS and add the word "totally" infront of ripped and it's a perfect sentence to describe your work..
what goes for this album.. it's fucking fabulous.. even better than the first one IMO.. real psychedelic candy for the brains.. not too many artists in our scene know how to create psychedelic sounds..
"The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program."
- Larry Niven |
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