From Psychedelic-Traveller

[2009] Pioneers of psychedelic trance in DENMARK

• written by Pr0fane

Denmark is a small kingdom in Scandinavia with roughly 5.5 million citizens. Despite its modest size, Denmark has played a major role in the development of the psychedelic trance scene since the early days, and acts like Elysium, The Overlords, Koxbox, Psychopod/Saikopod, Jean Borell/Orion, Orichalcum and Bypass Unit/Colorbox are all considered among the pioneers of psychedelic trance.

Today Denmark is also playing a big role in the psychedelic trance scene, and two of the Danish labels, Iboga Records and Parvati Records are widely considered among the most important labels in the world in their respective fields. Copenhagen-based Iboga Records, which has existed for over 10 years, has a focus on progressive music, and some of the Danish acts include Beat Bizarre, Reefer Decree, Phony Orphants, Flowjob, NASA and of course the solo projects by label-owners Emok and Banel: Maelstrom and Behind Blue Eyes. Some of the other Danish progressive acts include Timedrained, Cujorius One, Bufo, Genetic Spin, Time In Motion and Phaxe.

Parvati Records on the other hand has a focus for darker, more psychedelic night-time sounds and among the Danish artists releasing on this labels are Jahbo, Mussy Moody, Onkel Dunkel, Maniac Bubbles and Papiyan - most of these artists are based in the 2nd biggest Danish city, Århus, which has spawned a lot of psychedelic trance talents during the years, as well as the now closed label CreamCrop Records.

At Danish parties you can find most sub-genres for psychedelic trance, including dark psychedelic trance, full on, progressive trance and house. The largest events, which are mainly in the capital Copenhagen, primarily focus in full on, but in the last year progressive has had a bit of a renaissance at larger Danish parties. The scene for dark psychedelic trance on the other hand is smaller, and the parties are therefore more intimate and harder to find.

In the last couple years there has been a significant rise in the number of party organizers, and parties now happen every weekend. The quality generally varies, and at the biggest parties the atmosphere can seem quite commercial. In the summertime when the weather is nice (usually from May to September) there are a lot of outdoor parties in both Copenhagen and Jutland though, some of which still have great atmosphere. Especially the beach-parties at Moesgaard near Århus are, despite being among the most underground parties in Denmark, known worldwide for their unique atmosphere and uncompromising psychedelic music.

If you're planning on visiting Denmark and attending a party, the website electrobeat.dk is at the moment the biggest Danish community, where the majority of parties are posted, apart from the secret, underground parties.