Horizons — The Mind Flayer (incl. Cosmithex, Timewave Remixes) [Forescape Digital]

Artist(s)
Horizons
Release title
The Mind Flayer
Label name
Forescape Digital
Release date
Nov 16, 2020
Release type
EP
Link to external store
https://forescape.ampsuite.com/releases/links?id=92

Propeller

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2020
686 Posts
428 Thanked
UK
Cosmithex remix for me.... nice energetic tempo with psy elements and when the synths and other melodic parts come in it goes to another level. Look forward to hearing the full version.
Like the Z Paradox too, another uptempo track. The main melody kicking in suddenly after the breakdown is a nice touch and the melody is simple but effective. Again I'd like to hear the full version and hope that the melodic parts are utilised in longer segments in tracks like this where the melodies are subtle and the basslines have a proggy feel.
 

Daysleeper

Lost in Trancelation
Jul 13, 2020
2,495 Posts
1,713 Thanked
Sweden
Really bland stuff.

It sounds like a practice session trance template v 34, not even proper full developed tracks. There a serious lack of direction or theme or whatever in these tracks. To me it sounds like somehthing you would use a a backbone for a build or background base but extended to a full lenght track.

When a track doesnt rely on melody, they need something else thats really strong or sticks out that gets your attention, and these simply doesn't. they are good foundation for some more prog/acid/oldshool flavoured trance, but as full tracks they really lack, sorry to say.

For arguments sake, just listen to the Resistance D trance Eclipse from 1993, its dark and acid heavy, but the bassline really sticks out giving the track lots of flavour with its changing rhythm. Listen to all the good prog tracks from the late 90s/early 2000s. I bet every single one of the them has one or more lements that makes the track stand out.

 
Last edited:

Enlusion

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2020
441 Posts
523 Thanked
Age
30
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
facebook.com
Really bland stuff.

It sounds like a practice session trance template v 34, not even proper full developed tracks. There a serious lack of direction or theme or whatever in these tracks. To me it sounds like somehthing you would use a a backbone for a build or background base but extended to a full lenght track.

When a track doesnt rely on melody, they need something else thats really strong or sticks out that gets your attention, and these simply doesn't. they are good foundation for some more prog/acid/oldshool flavoured trance, but as full tracks they really lack, sorry to say.

For arguments sake, just listen to the Resistance D trance Eclipse from 1993, its dark and acid heavy, but the bassline really sticks out giving the track lots of flavour with its changing rhythm. Listen to all the good prog tracks from the late 90s/early 2000s. I bet every single one of the them has one or more lements that makes the track stand out.



Thanks, that's an interesting opinion even though I don't agree with you.
 

Enlusion

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2020
441 Posts
523 Thanked
Age
30
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
facebook.com
Cosmithex remix for me.... nice energetic tempo with psy elements and when the synths and other melodic parts come in it goes to another level. Look forward to hearing the full version.
Like the Z Paradox too, another uptempo track. The main melody kicking in suddenly after the breakdown is a nice touch and the melody is simple but effective. Again I'd like to hear the full version and hope that the melodic parts are utilised in longer segments in tracks like this where the melodies are subtle and the basslines have a proggy feel.

You gonna love the full versions I'm sure!
 

Propeller

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2020
686 Posts
428 Thanked
UK
You gonna love the full versions I'm sure!
I do indeed! The Cosmitex remix is a stunner, the main melody segment goes on for about 2 minutes, which I really like. It's a very subtle and haunting melody and fits really well into a track like this. Sometimes you need that melodic segment to go on for longer because it builds up the emotional feel and impact of the track, particularly when there are other things going on at the same time as there are a nice bassline and other effects in this track.

And the Z Paradox is a bit of a stunner as well. It's got a good bassline and when the main melodic segment kicks in it's got great emotional impact and intensity without being cheesy in any way. It's a very simple yet intelligent melody when it's backed up by the other production effects in the track. The melodies in the breakdown are very different from the main melody which kicks in suddenly. So, I love tracks like this where the track is thought out from the beginning to end. Intelligent trance in other words, and most importantly it still makes you want to dance and go crazy on the dance floor. Well done Forescape Digital, consistently putting out great releases. (y)
 

Enlusion

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2020
441 Posts
523 Thanked
Age
30
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
facebook.com
I do indeed! The Cosmitex remix is a stunner, the main melody segment goes on for about 2 minutes, which I really like. It's a very subtle and haunting melody and fits really well into a track like this. Sometimes you need that melodic segment to go on for longer because it builds up the emotional feel and impact of the track, particularly when there are other things going on at the same time as there are a nice bassline and other effects in this track.

And the Z Paradox is a bit of a stunner as well. It's got a good bassline and when the main melodic segment kicks in it's got great emotional impact and intensity without being cheesy in any way. It's a very simple yet intelligent melody when it's backed up by the other production effects in the track. The melodies in the breakdown are very different from the main melody which kicks in suddenly. So, I love tracks like this where the track is thought out from the beginning to end. Intelligent trance in other words, and most importantly it still makes you want to dance and go crazy on the dance floor. Well done Forescape Digital, consistently putting out great releases. (y)
wow that's awesome feedback, thanks so much!

Next up is a single from myself and I'm a bit afraid to create a topic for that one here hahaha
 

Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
The originals are really something! Unfortunately, I don't like the fact that they build up to ultimately nothing. You have all of these long, gorgeous, stunning builds, and then the "climax" is just beats (and perhaps some acid).

Now, I'd really like to hear about the decision-making there, maybe I'm missing something. Airwave used to do it (and nail it) 20 years ago, but he had much less elements that were also simpler (which stood out more). Days is a bit too harsh on these, but he does have a point.

Don't get me wrong though, these tracks are great and I don't mean to shit all over them. But my opinion is, they could've been better.
 
Jul 20, 2020
139 Posts
158 Thanked
I do indeed! The Cosmitex remix is a stunner, the main melody segment goes on for about 2 minutes, which I really like. It's a very subtle and haunting melody and fits really well into a track like this. Sometimes you need that melodic segment to go on for longer because it builds up the emotional feel and impact of the track, particularly when there are other things going on at the same time as there are a nice bassline and other effects in this track.

And the Z Paradox is a bit of a stunner as well. It's got a good bassline and when the main melodic segment kicks in it's got great emotional impact and intensity without being cheesy in any way. It's a very simple yet intelligent melody when it's backed up by the other production effects in the track. The melodies in the breakdown are very different from the main melody which kicks in suddenly. So, I love tracks like this where the track is thought out from the beginning to end. Intelligent trance in other words, and most importantly it still makes you want to dance and go crazy on the dance floor. Well done Forescape Digital, consistently putting out great releases. (y)

Thank you so much, I've sincerely appreciated your kind words! 🙏 Full-extended previews, btw, are also available on YouTube, just realised it this morning.
 
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Reactions: Propeller
Jul 20, 2020
139 Posts
158 Thanked
Really bland stuff.

It sounds like a practice session trance template v 34, not even proper full developed tracks. There a serious lack of direction or theme or whatever in these tracks. To me it sounds like somehthing you would use a a backbone for a build or background base but extended to a full lenght track.

When a track doesnt rely on melody, they need something else thats really strong or sticks out that gets your attention, and these simply doesn't. they are good foundation for some more prog/acid/oldshool flavoured trance, but as full tracks they really lack, sorry to say.

For arguments sake, just listen to the Resistance D trance Eclipse from 1993, its dark and acid heavy, but the bassline really sticks out giving the track lots of flavour with its changing rhythm. Listen to all the good prog tracks from the late 90s/early 2000s. I bet every single one of the them has one or more lements that makes the track stand out.




The originals are really something! Unfortunately, I don't like the fact that they build up to ultimately nothing. You have all of these long, gorgeous, stunning builds, and then the "climax" is just beats (and perhaps some acid).

Now, I'd really like to hear about the decision-making there, maybe I'm missing something. Airwave used to do it (and nail it) 20 years ago, but he had much less elements that were also simpler (which stood out more). Days is a bit too harsh on these, but he does have a point.

Don't get me wrong though, these tracks are great and I don't mean to shit all over them. But my opinion is, they could've been better.


Thank you guys, I always appreciate reading constructive feedback, obviously I know that when it comes to melodies it is very hard sometimes to make everyone's happy. I will only speak for myself, but as a producer: the current "mood" really does the difference (I mean, the whole year 2020). It's been quite a hard year to everyone and this has probably affected my mood too and, therefore, the way I've produced my recent tracks melody/harmonically wise.

I totally see your point though and, while I'm super happy with what I've done, I'm still eager to make more and more tunes focusing on getting those melodies shaped perfectly throughout the whole track structure. Some might have noticed that I've never really built anthemic/powerful riffs with most of my Horizons tunes since day one, that's probably more like of a style choice, a music preference of mine since I've switched to making Progressive instead of uplifting.

Still, long way to go to improve, definitely, and will keep all of these feedback with me for the next tracks I've got in the making with both my main aliases.

So, once again, thank you for you feedback, keep them coming all the time! 💪
 
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Propeller

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2020
686 Posts
428 Thanked
UK
Thank you guys, I always appreciate reading constructive feedback, obviously I know that when it comes to melodies it is very hard sometimes to make everyone's happy. I will only speak for myself, but as a producer: the current "mood" really does the difference (I mean, the whole year 2020). It's been quite a hard year to everyone and this has probably affected my mood too and, therefore, the way I've produced my recent tracks melody/harmonically wise.

I totally see your point though and, while I'm super happy with what I've done, I'm still eager to make more and more tunes focusing on getting those melodies shaped perfectly throughout the whole track structure. Some might have noticed that I've never really built anthemic/powerful riffs with most of my Horizons tunes since day one, that's probably more like of a style choice, a music preference of mine since I've switched to making Progressive instead of uplifting.

Still, long way to go to improve, definitely, and will keep all of these feedback with me for the next tracks I've got in the making with both my main aliases.

So, once again, thank you for you feedback, keep them coming all the time! 💪
I don't understand the feedback that the tracks don't build up to anything, they clearly do, in particular the Z Paradox. It has a clear structure of build up, breakdown and main melodic segment. The original mix of Mind Flayer less so as the melody after the breakdown isn't so pronounced but then not every track has to follow the same formula. As you say, your style is more progressive than uplifting.

Anyway, I really like the melodies in the Z Paradox, classy in the build up and breakdown, and after. The main melody is really simple yet somehow sounds epic at the same time. I think maybe you could have utilised it more, maybe making the main melodic segment a bit longer or adding another melodic segment further along. Anyway, great tracks, keep up the good work. (y)

 
Last edited:
Jul 20, 2020
139 Posts
158 Thanked
I don't understand the feedback that the tracks don't build up to anything, they clearly do, in particular the Z Paradox. It has a clear structure of build up, breakdown and main melodic segment. The original mix of Mind Flayer less so as the melody after the breakdown isn't so pronounced but then not every track has to follow the same formula. As you say, your style is more progressive than uplifting.

Anyway, I really like the melodies in the Z Paradox, classy in the build up and breakdown, and after. The main melody is really simple yet somehow sounds epic at the same time. I think maybe you could have utilised it more, maybe making the main melodic segment a bit longer or adding another melodic segment further along. Anyway, great tracks, keep up the good work. (y)


Well, the world is beautiful because of its true colours, innit? ;) It's absolutely fine if someone doesn't feel the way I did while making the track, it's part of the game and I find it the way it should be.
On the other hand, I obviously appreciate when someone shares some nice feedback and words like these one for instance, everything helps! Z Paradox was born and written in about 24 hours. Then I've spent the rest of the days fixing some minor issues I had with the original melody I wrote which I then replaced with the one you could hear now. Differently than what I used to do in the past, with this EP I've probably focused much more on the general groove, ryhtmics trying to give it more a Club feel rather than a easy-listening feel (like you would probably feel listening to some old tracks of mine such as Last Stop Bloemendaal or the Mexico EP).

Again, thank you for your comment! 🙏
 
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Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
The Zhuangzi Paradox is the best here. Quite a lot of old-school sounds and melodies, can easily imagine a more "uplifting" mix of it being released on ASOT in the first few years of the label's existence.