Stereoide
Compilation Review | December 18, 2007 | Posted by Basilisk
02 :: Bitmonx - It (7:54)
03 :: Auricular - Wasp Or Fly (Edit) (8:16)
04 :: Prisoners Of The Sun - Lima (8:28)
05 :: Fabel - Trunk (8:48)
06 :: Timetech - Nothing Else (7:54)
07 :: Peak Pilots - Twisted Fancy (7:39)
08 :: Lube - Frogrock (8:45)
DJ Sascha AKA Bitmonx compiled Stereoide in the midst of the golden age of minimal psytrance. As one of the movement’s leading proponents, Sascha selected tracks for their overall sound quality and extreme level of reserve. Stereoide is nearly uniform in style—every song is deep, hypnotic, and groovy. Sascha emphasizes the central European sound. Aside from Fabel (from neighbouring Denmark), every producer involved in this release hails from Germany. Rumbling along somewhere around 138 BPM, this compilation offers eight exquisitely monotonous productions that may seem difficult to differentiate at first listen. Patience and careful listening may be rewarded.
Jacques Gelee sets the tone with Texas Flanger, dealing out pensive rhythms manipulated with ornate effects modules. Bitmonx’s It captures the essence of the minimal sound with a pulsating groove, elegant hints of melody, and considerable attention to detail. Every sound is completely controlled. The grim austerity of Auricular’s Wasp Or Fly is as dark as it gets on this compilation. Daniel Vernunft (Shiva Chandra) and Mapusa Mapusa serve up a tasty sample of their debut album Audion with this piece. Prisoners Of The Sun share their vision of “scientific darkness” on Lima, pumping out fat and chunky beats glazed in an assortment of sneaky noises. Fabel (Alhad and Jeppe of Phony Orphants) provide a taste of the early Iboga Records sound with Trunk, a song that chugs along with considerable squelch but not much else.
Timetech is Mario Reinsch of Haldolium and Sebastian Plehn AKA Buzz. The compilation really starts to get serious with Nothing Else. Monstrous kicks and a beefy bass line provide a strong backbone for slick synthetic leads to develop. The sample fits perfectly: “nothing else but life.” Very cyberpunk. Peak Pilots (a side project of Intact Instinct) continue in this vein with Twisted Fancy, a moody piece of techtrance similar to early offerings from Midi Miliz and Spirallianz. Deadly haunting stuff, but it could have used something more. Lube is the project of DJ Sascha (Bitmonx) and Mark Lorenzen—the other half of Haldolium. Frog Rock is perhaps the most memorable song from Stereoide. Intricate tribal drum programming creates such an irresistible groove that the rest—what little of it there is—doesn’t really matter. This is very nice for the dance floor.
Stereoide is a reasonably good collection of minimal psytrance tunes from 2001. It never really seems to take off, although it comes close with Timetech’s Nothing Else. Then again, pure minimal isn’t necessarily supposed to make much of an impact. Bitmonx fans are sure to love this, but it isn’t the kind of release that is likely to convince listeners who aren’t already into the style. For something a little more upbeat, have a peek at the next compilation from Medium Records, Vibration 4.
Rating: 5
Release Data
Title: StereoideLabel: Medium (Midijum Records)
Format: CD/Vinyl compilation
Released: 2001
