Apr 24, 2002 - Text: Sequential-X

Wizzy Noise are probably the most famous psychedelic band in Greece. After an impressive strive of releases for many international labels and a debut LP for ZMA they return with "Cyclotron" on new formed Candyflip Records.

With great surprise, I must say I am amazed by this album. I expected a commercial non-inspired album but instead I got a concept-based good produced one. I believe I should point out that this style is not my favorite but Wizzy Noise are doing it well... In fact much better than many of their european counterparts. It is releases like this that really put our country into the Psychedelic map.

Follower "Painful Memory" seems to get out of the cold by being warmer with a little sense of melody. Nice house stabs ala Gabriel Le Mar, create a housier feel and a more open air feeling in this one. As its name suggests "Tribal Dawn" hits high on percussion. Tribal rhythms push the track more into the light and less into the darkness. I hate the bassline though its stupid. Apart from that though everything else is pretty O.K

As this album moves more and more into the light tracks like "Unfulfilled Desire" find their way into this album with their warmer sound. An old school lead line at the end may also bring some quirky memories.
   
Opener track "Cyclotron" is a well produced dark track. Well layered rhythms and nice pads make a futuristic atmosphere that seems to hunt this release from start to end. A great track that personally I could hammer in a trance party, in order to get things more "serious"... Follower "Radius" borrows some Final Fantasy samples and keeps the same path , dark and futuristic.

Picture 1 : Cyclotron CD Artwork
   

"Oxidizer" opens up with a nice pad sound and minimal trance rhythms before kicking into a nice break oriented 4/4 track. Nice arrangement and sequencing keep the vibe alive before "Velocity Engine" takes lead. Moving into more traditional waters this track shows in-fashion break-trance arrangement and heavy feedback usage delays. Funkier breaks drive the track midway transforming it into a multi-rhythmic monster.

Next is "Tau Keti" which is my first real disappointment from this album. "As I Child I Could Walk In The Ceiling" is the famous Delta track that this track copies so obviously, that I do not consider this a track but a monkey.

"Teknophobia" sets the game fair again though and insists in the futuristic element. Outworld pad sounds and effects create a nice canvas where the flanged drums do their thing. This track also acts as a passage track. From this time onwards the mood changes a bit with tracks being a little more warmer.

Last track "Exodus" end this audio experience by moving back into the dark and also to familiar old school trance waters with its ring modulated leads and simple rhythms.

What I liked a lot about this album is that first as a concept it feels original. That clinic futuristic feel is a something that nobody has done before in the trance scene.

Secondly it is an album that takes the listener into a journey from dark to light. The progressive passage from one mind state to another has been properly adjusted too so the trip feels and actually is psychedelic. Without dead moments or out of concept tracks. Even the monkey track fits well the concept.

My overall estimation is that this is the best psychedelic album ever emerged from planet Greece. Nicely produced with some interested ideas explored. Balancing with great style between commercial and forward thinking music it certainly doesn't feel like a rip-off. We should be proud for these guys.