Psychedelic Demons 2

Psychedelic Demons 2 is a collection of original and re-released material from Germany’s Insolation, a label known to emulate Nova-Tekk in some respects. While modern releases must conform to the standard of original content (with only a few exceptions), this was released at the tale end of the era wherein good songs would receive several releases on different compilations with generic names such as this. Naturally this reduces the value of a compilation – especially if the music is inconsistent, as it is here on this album. The unfortunate dilemna for the dedicated collector is simply a question of how necessary it is to own a track that can only be found on such a compilation. For me, I waited years to pick this one up in order to acquire the rare Xenomorph track Satan’s Presence, and only purchased when I saw it listed at an online auction for a price that was practically giving it away. However, given that the bulk of my collecting in these years focused on picking up vinyl, it turns out I don’t own a single song listed here on CD, so that’s certainly beneficial. Other collectors may find this less appealing, so be aware of what you already have when considering the purchase. The choice of packaging is intruiging: a paper tray slides out from the case half-way, and the CD and liner notes are contained inside. It doesn’t seem very durable however. Here’s what I thought of the music itself…

Soma opens the album with Stygian Vista, a relaxed chill-out song that is probably sourced from the 1997 album of nearly the same name, released in Australia. I have never heard anything else from this group before or since, and in fact this was my first encounter with their sound. It isn’t all that close to the psychedelic ambient of today, but it is quite enjoyable for downtempo of this time. Big loping bass hits crawl along to the pace of some slow heavy drumming and nicely integrated work with a guitar. This is a nice piece of music, and I would be curious to hear more of their discography. What this is doing on this compilation is another question, but it works as an intro.

The Groupie Syndrome, formed by X-Dream and Tim Schuldt, is one of the finest collaborative projects to ever grace the scene. Unlike some co-productions, the song Pacemaker actually sounds like a logical fusion of their unique sounds. As good as it is, it has been released in several other places, including Aurinko’s Score compilation, where it was originally heard. The fusion is a complete success, diving deep into dark psychedelic realms with X-Dream’s killer bass lines and production, and Tim’s wicked guitar riffs and excellent atmospheres. I wouldn’t hesitate to call it one of the greatest psychedelic productions ever made. Years after being released this still sounds incredibly fresh!

Following that is Akanoid’s Godflesh, which appears on an album of theirs as well as a vinyl single. The sound here is very much in the domain of German trance, though it is hardly psychedelic at all. Stark melodies and a series of key changes provides the somewhat epic feeling, while the drum layers and bass lines show a clear influence from EBM. I never did enjoy the trance releases from this group, and would have to call this one a tosser. It is an awkward and anachronistic piece of music that hasn’t held up to the test of time.

Xenomorph is known for the blackest of psychedelic manifestations, and Satan’s Presence certainly lives up to the reputation. This single comes from the period between Cassandra’s Nightmare and Qlippoth, and is somewhat close to the sound on the Hexxenkessel EP released on Koyote a year later. This release is the only place you will find this song (and was the main reason I purchased this album). Stomping beats are persistantly prodded by diabolical atmospheres that creep and scuttle across the soundscape with sinister mirth. A wide assortment of unsettling samples find their way into the meandering storyline: unholy utterings, devilish laughter, and fearful screaming. The artist plays with the listener’s mind, constantly throwing in tricky hooks and unexpected transitions, always maintaining the menacing atmosphere. Xenomorph has a well-earned reputation as psytrance’s blackest producer, and this is certainly one of his most evil pieces. Recommended for any fan of the horror trance style.

Akasha Project – another Insolation regular – provides Trippin’ Pills, which is one of the originals on this compilation. The introduction is very standard, with a few minutes of pulsing sounds and slowly building percussion. The arrangement sounds very amateur – or more on the techno side – with sounds being slowly added with no particular direction in mind. The plodding mixture of banal elements reaches a breakdown half-way through that returns the beat with an unexciting sweeping sound. There isn’t much to the rest of it – just some droning sounds that perhaps identify this piece as an early part of the minimal trance movement. Either way it’s very dull and uninteresting.

Children of Paradise released a well-received album on Nova-tekk from which this song – Fairy in the Dragonforest – was taken. The group is a mixture of X-Dream and Phil Weiss of Gangguru, an obscure old Goa act. It wasn’t my favourite from the album, which is very much worth purchasing on its own, but here on this compilation it stands out as one of the better pieces. The beats are a mixture of muddy kick and heavy bass, and synthetic sounds bubble all over the place, providing a veritable old school mystical feeling throughout. There are some strange noises to be heard in the midst of all these fluttering melodies, and the song does a fine job of reflecting the evocative title. Certainly above average, though you’ll want to track down the full album if you enjoy this.

CHI-A.D. deliver another epic old school production with The Flame, which also appeared on the singles collection Infinitism. I suspect it is a different mix of a song titled The Flame of Eternal Life which appears on their second album Anno Domino. If you’ve heard Eye am the I, Celestial, or Biocandy, you’ve got a good idea of what to expect from this 12 minute long monster. The building of energy is a slow and ponderous effort that never grows stale – from the first pulsing kicks all the way to the soaring heights of euphoric sound, the artist has the listener enraptured. A pulsing kick, tickling mid-range acidic bass line, precise hi-hats, off-beat snare hit, and an appropriate use of the drum roll provide the percussive foundation for the proceedings. Atmospheric sounds are used liberally to create a very deep soundscape, and melodies are plentiful. Completing the picture is a sample: “I will show you what no other living mortal has seen – the flame of eternal life.” With this recipe in mind, the result is a classic of Goa trance – just the kind of spiritual high that will stay with a person for years to come once they have been indoctrinated. Given all that, it’s no surprise that you will still see this song on lists of old school favourites. Description doesn’t really do the experience justice – this must be heard to appreciate its beauty.

Multiple Choice (aka Man of the Last 3rd) close the album with Morning, which is an unsurprisingly easygoing affair. The song is composed with an old school feeling but a progressive sort of arrangement, with plenty of atmospheric sounds swirling around above the clattering beat. Fans of the old P.O.F. releases will certainly see a connection to that old sound, which has a drifting dream-like quality. There is nothing remarkably psychedelic about this production, though there is nothing really wrong with the song. The intent was to be sublime; something that fits comfortably into the background. Decent, but not a memorable way to close the album.

Essentially, this is only an album you’d want to purchase if you had a special affinity for a few of the songs here, though only the Xenomorph track cannot be found elsewhere. CHI-A.D. and the two collaborations with X-Dream provide wicked music, and the opening chill-out number by Soma may interest some listeners. Everything else here sounds bad or simply unremarkable. Given all the downsides to the release and the issue with many of the better songs here being available on worthier compilations, I’d rate this as being just below average. It is not something to go out of your way to pick up unless it were really cheap or you really enjoyed the Xenomorph track, as I did.

Release Data

Title: Psychedelic Demons 2
Label: Insolation
Format: CD compilation
Released: 1999