From Psychedelic Traveller

Russia (Russian: Россия, Rossiya), or the Russian Federation (Russian: Российская Федерация, Rossiyskaya Federatsiya), is a transcontinental country extending over much of northern Eurasia. It is a semi-presidential republic comprising 83 federal subjects. Russia shares land borders with the following countries (counterclockwise from northwest to southeast): Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Poland (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and Democratic People's Republic of Korea. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than an eighth of the Earth’s land area; with 142 million people, it is the ninth largest by population. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 11 time zones and incorporating a great range of environments and landforms. Russia has the world's greatest reserves of mineral and energy resources, and is considered an energy superpower. It has the world's largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world's unfrozen fresh water.

History

The very first seeds for psy-trance were deposited into mother Russia’s expansive terrain during the early 1990’s soon after DJ Gabriel (of St. Petersburg) and XP Voodoo (of Moscow) returned from their musical expedition to India. Though, it can be said that the roots of this psychedelic Indian tree have been transplanted into the limited soils of the two major Russian cities, the last 10 years have seen branches sprout all over the country’s vast territories. 

[2009] Faster than ever in RUSSIA

written by Unitone

Last year the Russian psychedelic scene seemed to grow faster than ever. Numerous parties and festivals spreading over the immense and nearly boundless country, top artists flooding the line-ups, the wildest world festivals decorated by Russian designers, and of course the new cutting-edge tracks of Russian artists which were never ever a bit of this productive.

The first psytrance parties were held in Moscow and St. Petersburg in mid 90`s and now only in Moscow there are more than a hundred independent promo groups involved in arranging parties from huge multithousand raves to cozy private gatherings offering all the variety of psytrance subgenres. Such an abundance resulted in spliting the scene into 2 contra groups: one mostly of teenage public attending the commercial parties with mostly well known full on artists, and the opposite one of a little bit more experienced audience digging not only more intelligent and underground psychedelic music, but in an alternative lifestyle also; you can easily find the true psychedelic spirit among it.

A completely new type of psychedelic event happened this fall in Moscow. It is a Spectral Eyes art show with leading Russian psychedelic designers represented there and fljuro guru Luke Brown creating his new masterpiece real-time accompanied by Peak records gang live act, right in the heart of the golden architectural fetish?

The psytrance scene in St. Petersburg the historic Russian capital is more homogeneous and underground. Great vibe can be found on Sunstation and Shanti S.S. parties, and the guys work really hard to make interesting gigs. Weekend warriors from Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Samara, Kazan, Izhevsk and other big Russian cities are also deep into a dynamic party environment.

The great progress was made during a couple of years and now there are 2 annual psychedelic gatherings in Russia with top international live acts which have been already held twice and are announced for 2009 too - Trimurti in June and Kalevala in October. To our great disappointment the Armageddon Festival with a mindblasting dark-oriented line-up last year had been put off till this summer but we nearly have no patience to wait until July when it will take place. And of course the Solar Eclipse Festival in magnificient Altai mountains will stay forever as a great psychedelic experience in the hearts and minds of those who was lucky to get there.

Last year was also very productive for Russian artists which are always being hunted by top psytrance labels. Not only the famous hard Russian sound but also psy progressive, chill out and full-on tunes are for international export for this year. New upcoming releases by Delirious Noon aka Furious, Sulima (Blitz Studios) and Glooex (SunStation) will definitely blow the minds of psyheads all around the world with a brand new delicious sound. Also a bunch of new releases is prepared by well-known labels from Russia like Vertigo, Insomnia and newcomers like Technical Freaks, PsySpy and Jolly Fill Music .

Now it's obvious that Russia is in a step from becoming the heart of psychedelic trance world for the next several years, nevertheless our promoters, labels, designers and other trance activists still have a space for self-development and growth as everyone of us does.

Facts

With an area of 17,075,400 square km Russia is the largest country in the world. Trance centers are Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan but regular events can be found in most of big cities.
Citizens of most European countries have to make visas to visit Russia and it is not so convenient procedure. Actually Russian people are very hospitable but keep in mind that good English is not a basic skill for local population, even officials may not speak it.