Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan of trance music, and I’ve never understood those listening to it outside clubs and warehouses. Perhaps I haven’t been doing the right drugs at the right time, but usually I get insanely frustrated and annoyed with the complete lack of dynamics before reaching the required level of trance. Perhaps that’s why I’m really digging the sound of Finnish duo Haltya.

More on that later, because when dealing with electronica in general and trance in particular you’re immediately hit with a myriad of genre definitions. In Haltya’s case a few of the descriptions used are “forest trance”, “psytrance” and “Suomisaundi”, so I figured a little research was in place. Therefore the next bit will be on the factual side of things, but I want to share my newfound knowledge with you (experts on trance can skip the next two paragraphs).

Right, as far as I’ve gathered “forest” is one of two major terms used within the realms of psytrance, short for psychedelic trance. The other is “morning”. The latter refers mainly to the more melodic variations, while the first mocks about the darker side of psytrance utilizing creepy sounds and foreboding moods, aimed at the full on party on ill lit dance floors (Thanks to TranceCritic.com for enlightening me).

Haltya is referred to as forest trance, but they are also one of the main representatives of the Suomisaundi (“Finnish Sound”), a freeform style of psytrance. As “freeform” indicates the genre is free of the tight expression dictated, but does include basic trance elements like the four-on-the-floor kick drum. Other characteristics are the use of funky guitar/organ loops and sounds from or reminiscent of 1980s video and computer games and generally a more melodic approach. More songs than a state of mind, one could argue.

To recap: What we got here is Suomisaundi Forest Trance from Haltya – in essence a duo comprised of Tommi Sirkiä aka Pelinpala and Jürgen Sachau aka Outolintu, but this third full length, ‘Book Of Nature’, is entirely Tommi Sirkiä’s work (Sachau is working on a solo project). And it is just as dynamic as I need it!

From slap-bass ‘n bleep ridden opener ‘Rainbow Funksters’ to the surprising salsa-jazz gem ‘Borboleta Purpura’, seriously psychedelic ‘Mean Green Monster Theme’, melodic ‘Daisy Chain’ with its ‘Popcorn’-like theme, the manic salute to aforementioned video games ‘Firecracker’ and sweet’n’funky ‘Fry’ featuring a clavinet theme revisiting Stevie Wonder’s smash hit ‘Superstition’, this is an album fit for both stereos and night clubs everywhere.

Genre: Electronica/Psytrance/Suomisaundi
Who: Haltya
Title: Book Of Nature
Label: Exogenic Records
Year: 2008
Country: Finland
Language: Instrumental
DOWNLOAD VIA

Recommended tracks:
Rainbow Funkster – Borboleta Purpura – Daisy Chain – Mean Green Monster Theme – Firecracker – Fry