Jun 5, 2007 12:48 PM, By Bryan Reesman

The ’90s Goth explosion brought us many exciting bands, and one of the most original, label-defying groups was Trance to the Sun, the brainchild of guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/producer Ashkelon Sain, who was supported by an ever-mutating roster of musicians (including three different singers: Zoe Alexandra Wakefield, Dawn Wagner and Ingrid Blue). The 13 tracks compiled in this collection transport listeners to a surreal plane, with echo, distortion, and feedback drenched guitars, murky bass lines, trippy synths, and eerie female voices swirling in a Dali-esque sonic soup. Simply imbibe these psychedelic, ambient rock creations, from the hypnotic, guitar-free grooves of “Olive the Slut” to the growling intensity of “Execution of the Stars” to the pastoral beauty of the dreamy instrumental “August Rain V.1”. The vocals shimmer, snarl, and seduce; they’re not always comprehensible, but are always emotionally resonant, sometimes akin to a sinister-sounding Cocteau Twins. For the uninitiated, this collection should whet your appetite to explore a band that has sadly disbanded but remains compelling today.

Producer: Ashkelon Sain. Studio: Lion’s Den (Santa Barbara, Calif.). Mastering: Doug Krebs/Dig Recording (Portland, Ore.).

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.