About

Ektoplazm is a site devoted to psychedelic trance, a distinct form of electronic dance music with a vibrant worldwide following. Founded in 2001 by DJ Basilisk, Ektoplazm has grown to encompass many different initiatives related to the global psytrance movement. Most recently, Ektoplazm has evolved to become a netlabel with a focus on professional-grade psytrance releases.

What Is Psychedelic Trance?

For the uninitiated, psytrance is a type of electronic dance music characterized by hypnotic arrangements of synthetic rhythms and mesmerizing melodies. Of course, there is considerable variety in terms of mood, tempo, and style within the confines of the genre—psytrance can provide the “full program” of emotional possibilities. Psytrance has a unique history that can be traced back to the post-hippie traveller scene of the late 1980s situated in Goa, India. Since then, psychedelic trance has evolved into a thriving global counterculture with a massive following. Fans gather at events to dance and celebrate life, enjoying music provided by DJs and live acts at massive festivals and indoor events.

The central idea of psytrance is the union between our collective tribal past and the promise of an enlightened and conscientious technological future. Merging the rational with the romantic, psychedelic trance bridges the gap between distinct eras of human history. People have been coming together to dance and celebrate since the dawn of time; the psychedelic trance movement merely renews this ancient ritual for the 21st century. While the music can be enjoyed simply for what it is, many adherents consider psychedelic trance to be a way of life.

What Is Ektoplazm?

Ektoplazm is named for the immaterial or ethereal emanation that surrounds a person in a deep state of trance. Although the root word “ectoplasm” was originally a biological term, parapsychologists and the occult adopted it for their own uses in the late 19th century. In the new millennium, the term serves as a reference to the elusive “vibe” revellers experience at proper trance gatherings. Imagine it as a sort of inexplicable luminous glow that can be perceived surrounding a fully activated dance floor. If that seems slightly too obscure and mystical, consider the beaming smiles and bright-eyed excitement that accompanies a deeply satisfying musical experience—and the social connectivity such a state encourages. This is what the psychedelic trance experience is all about!

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