Another significant part of our scene is the so-called “Dark Psy” or “Dark Trance” phenomenon (though some may not totally agree with this name), a genre faster, more experimental and containing different elements from the ones of the “Full On” genre or the other branches of the Psychedelic community.
It is said that its roots go back to Germany (Xenomorph) and Russia (Zolod, Parasense), but I personally believe that artists from other European countries as well as from Israel, have contributed a great deal to this specific style (Neuromotor, Deviant species, Jahbo, Derango, Azax syndrome, Psycho micro). Many of them have drifted away from their past musical horizons but their influence remains great.
In the beginning, they may have only been influences that one could hear in several psychedelic creations (late ‘90s), however as time went by, it gained the recognition it deserved as a sub-genre of the Trance scene, mostly due to the support from its fans. Recently, the “Dark-Psy” genre started to become even more popular here in Greece as well as abroad. It seems that more and more people are starting to become fans due mostly to the fact that Dark festivals are being organized every year (Forgotten Ritual in Switzerland) and Dark stages have solidified their place in parties and festivals like
“Full Moon” in Germany. Another important factor is the variety of labels and of course the increasing number of artists.
Usually, the “Dark Psy” music, ranges from 146 to 165 B.P.M, but that may vary occasionally for experimental purposes (sometimes up to 180 or higher). In “Dark Psy” music, the sampling technique is always present while in most tracks the melodic elements are fewer. It can be influenced by music genres such as Industrial, Grind, Noise, Darkcore, Gothic or even Metal and yet be as firmly structured as any other typical Psychedelic trance track. The basslines are a little monotonous and “silent”, its leads more distorted and acid, the rhythm more tribal and its themes darker, with a great deal of ambient elements. The Russians have managed to establish a distinctive sound in their music, so do the French, the Scandinavians also have their own unique style (often referred to as “Forest music” or Suomi), not mentioning the Americans and the Japanese who belong to a different “school”…As for the Greek artists, it’s always a pleasure to see that people abroad think quite highly of them and that they’ve managed to establish the term “greekstyle” .
