Category Archives: Trance

Released on September 27, 2001, Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance was an album of hit songs by Asia's top diva, Ayumi Hamasaki, remixed by several of the world's top trance producers, from Armin van Buuren to Above & Beyond. The album was a huge success, selling some 700,000 physical copies.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this landmark album, a new enhanced edition titled Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance -COMPLETE EDITION- was released in September 2021, including not only the original masterpiece remixes that took countries around Europe by storm, but also some previously unreleased songs. A reissue of the follow-up album, Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2 -COMPLETE EDITION-, will follow on November 17.

The remixes on the original album were created by reigning trance megastars such as Armin van Buuren, a Dutch national treasure and dance music leader who has performed for the king of the Netherlands and has topped the No.1 DJ in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll a record five times; Above & Beyond, the two-time Grammy nominated British trance act who have ranked at No.4 in the same DJ Mag poll and who have regularly sold out stadium and arena tours in the United States; and Dutch trance legend Ferry Corsten, a pivotal figure in the global trance movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

At the time, it was the first such album to feature remixes of a single artist by so many top DJs and producers, and Hamasaki became the first Japanese artist to reach No.11 in the British club chart, No.2 in the German club chart, and so on, making waves in the European club scene.

Hamasaki's tracks released under the name Ayu (sometimes stylized AYU) such as M (Above & Beyond Typhoon Dub), appears (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star remix) and Depend On You (Svenson & Gielen Club mix) were played at festivals featuring big-name DJs, and tracks were included on numerous mix CDs including Ministry Of Sound's revered The Annual series, making Ayu a major presence in the European trance scene.

Now, this epoch-making album has returned, with 48 tracks including the original 14 songs, plus alternative versions that were only available on promotional 12-inch vinyl releases or in limited territories, and even some versions that have never been released until now.

The sudden re-release of this classic trance album prompted an overwhelmingly positive response from Ayu fans around the world, with a torrent of comments such as This ayu trance re-release is too awesome, This unexpected reissue is a shock I'm delighted and One of the best remix albums in history!

And now, following the success of the re-release, it has been announced that the follow-up album Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2 will also get the enhanced treatment, set for release on Wednesday, November 17 as Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2 -COMPLETE EDITION-.

Be sure to check out these remix gems, whose luster has not faded over the past 20 years.

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Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance -COMPLETE EDITION-

Available now for download and streaming:

https://avex.lnk.to/CyberTRANCE_ayutrance

Disc 1

01. Depend on you (Svenson & Gielen remix)

02. Depend on you (Svenson & Gielen Club mix)

03. Depend on you (Svenson & Gielen Club mix Instrumental)

04. Depend on you (Svenson & Gielen Dub mix)

05. M (Above & Beyond remix)

06. M (Above & Beyond Vocal mix)

07. M (Above & Beyond Vocal Dub)

08. M (Above & Beyond Typhoon Dub mix)

09. Trauma (JamX & De Leon's DuMonde remix)

10. Trauma (JamX & De Leon's DuMonde Vocal mix)

11. Trauma (JamX & De Leon's DuMonde Dub mix)

12. UNITE! (Airwave remix)

13. UNITE! (Airwave Vocal mix)

14. UNITE! (Airwave Instrumental mix)

15. UNITE! (Airwave Dub)

16. SURREAL (Marc et Claude remix)

17. SURREAL (Marc et Claude Club mix)

18. SURREAL (Marc et Claude Club mix Instrumental)

19. SURREAL (Marc et Claude Dub mix)

20. AUDIENCE (Darren Tate remix)

21. AUDIENCE (Darren Tate Extended)

22. AUDIENCE (Darren Tate Instrumental)

23. Fly high (Voodoo & Serano remix)

24. Fly high (Voodoo & Serano Club mix)

25. Fly high (Voodoo & Serano Club mix Instrumental)

26. Fly high (Voodoo & Serano Sound of Ibiza mix)

Disc 2

01. immature (Koglin & Heath remix)

02. immature (Koglin & Heath Vocal mix)

03. immature (Koglin & Heath Instrumental)

04. immature (Koglin & Heath Dub mix)

05. evolution (Goldenscan remix)

06. evolution (Goldenscan 12" Vocal mix)

07. evolution (Goldenscan Club mix)

08. kanariya (system F remix)

09. kanariya (system F Extended mix)

10. appears (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star remix)

11. appears (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star 12" Vocal mix)

12. appears (Armin van Buuren's Rising Star 12" Instrumental mix)

13. appears (Armin van Buuren's Sunset Dub)

14. Boys & Girls (Push remix)

15. Boys & Girls (Push Extended mix)

16. Boys & Girls (Push Instrumental Dub)

17. UNITE! (Moogwai remix)

18. UNITE! (Moogwai Vocal mix)

19. UNITE! (Moogwai Instrumental mix)

20. UNITE! (Moogwai Dub)

21. A Song for (Ferry Corsten Chilled mix)

22. A Song for (Ferry Corsten Chilled Extended mix)

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Cyber TRANCE presents ayu trance 2 -COMPLETE EDITION-

Released Wednesday, November 17, 2021!

Cyber TRANCE links

Cyber TRANCE official YouTube channel: https://www.YouTube.com/c/CyberTRANCE?sub_confirmation=1

Cyber TRANCE official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/cybertrance_jp

Ayumi Hamasaki links

Ayumi Hamasaki official website: https://avex.jp/ayu/

Ayumi Hamasaki official YouTube channel: https://www.YouTube.com/user/ayu?sub_confirmation=1

TeamAyu, the official Ayumi Hamasaki fan club: https://global-fc.net/teamayu/

Ayumi Hamasaki official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ayu_19980408

Ayumi Hamasaki official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/a.you/

Excerpt from:

Classic Ayumi Hamasaki Trance Remixes by Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond and Ferry Corsten Re-released on 'Complete Edition' Album, Streaming Now...

Reviews by Jonathan W. Hickman

Review Rating: 5/10

The MCU reaches a low point with Eternals, an odd team-up adventure that teases a franchise the future of which might be better suited for Disneys streaming service.

Boasting an all-star cast, Eternals follows an inconsistent collection of immortal beings who protect planets from the destructive forces of the monstrous Deviants. After dispatching the Deviants from our world, the Eternals are instructed to wait anonymously on Earth for future instructions. Thousands of years pass, and the villainous creatures reemerge. Naturally, the Eternal gang of superhero types must get back together.

Featuring a grouping of primarily unknown heroes, Eternals attempts to develop their origin stories while also delivering the typical action essentials that culminate in a slam-bang conclusion. And to be fair, some fun is had with the individual personalities. While the center of the narrative focuses on Gemma Chans Sersi, its Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo who steals the Show.

Kingo is the most relatable of the cold, inhuman Eternals. We meet him in India, where hes become a Bollywood star. His constant companion and all-around best pal is a human, the hopelessly devoted Karun (a standout comedic performance by Harish Patel). As comic relief, this duo is welcomed, but they also come off as the most authentic in the bunch.

Less successful is Angelina Jolie, making her MCU debut as Thena. Because the character is emotionally disturbed, Athena is continually losing herself in a violent trance. Its a frustrating distraction as Athena tries to kill everyone around her, including fellow Eternals. A lighter, less dramatic approach may have made this character more appealing.

The failure of Eternals shouldnt rest exclusively at the feet of Oscar-winning director Chlo Zhao (see last years transcendent Nomadland). The film does possess the qualities of the soft and filmic pastoral imagery that marks the directors previous successes (see her amazing 2017 movie The Rider). But because theres so much going on in this movie, it devolves into a hopelessly convoluted affair. And by the closing act, I found myself giving up on trying to keep track of the characters and their motivations.

Eternals is the first big misstep for the Marvel/Disney machine.

Review Rating: 7/10

Benedict Cumberbatch plays 19th-century painter Louis Wain in this colorful, stylish biopic.

Wain is best known for his paintings of large-eyed cats and kittens.

An odd fellow with remarkable artistic talent, his life was impacted by the unfortunate illness and untimely loss of his loving partner Emily (played by The Crowns Claire Foy). And, after that, by throwing himself into his work, he became a sensation. But despite his significant talent, his career was affected by schizophrenia.

A very gaunt Cumberbatch is terrific as the tweaked Wain. The attractive and diverse cast includes Andrea Riseborough as Wains sister Caroline. The IT Crowds Richard Ayoade also shows up. And dont adjust your television set; the movie is presented in 4:3 aspect.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is streaming now on Amazon Prime.

Continued here:

Movie Reviews: Eternals, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain - Newnan Times-Herald

Iranian-American artist and social activist Mamak Khadem is regarded as an establishment of world trance music. With roots sewn from Tehran to Los Angeles, to Athens and Mardin and beyond, she is also considered a true nomad both musically and geographically. Her new single, Across the Oceans, pays homage to these roots, inspired by Khadems work with refugee camps. There, she plays music and hosts workshops for underprivileged youth, encouraging children to find inspiration and strength in music.

Although Khadem has not been able to work with kids in person as much over the last year, she could remotely record a childrens choir that enlivens her new composition. Its music video features stunning cinematography by director Sam Javadi, shot in Bushehr, Iran, and Northern California. In just over eight minutes, Khadem is joined by a group of children who tell a story of reassurance, healing, and reverence for the world we inhabit. It also highlights the stirring realities of climate changefrom global warming to environmental degradation and overarching water issues. From acoustic and electric guitars to duduk, gaida, and guzheng, a swirl of instruments invoke a palpable spirit into the track.

Chris Martin, of Coldplay fame, notably joins Khadem on Across the Oceans. Throughout, he plays hypnotic piano and offers an extra layer of soothing vocals to the tune. Coleman Barks also recites his rendition of a Rumi poem over the meditative track.

Director Sam Javadi says, The story of this music video is about connectionamong humans, and with nature. No matter how far apart we are, all that matters are our feelings that bring us closer together.

Across the Oceans releases on 5 November. Its available to pre-save now.

See original here:

Mamak Khadem's "Across the Oceans" Is Inspiring (premiere) - PopMatters

Steve Martin| Special to The Palladium-Item

Nov. 8 in history:

The world-altering Richmond news the first week of November 1899:

Friends of Garrett Johnson placed a pair of young possums in his bed. When Garrett later hopped into it, the possums in their efforts to escape furrowed their tails about his legs and dug their claws into his body. With a yelp Garrett leapt out from the sheets, sky-bound, nearly bumping his head on the ceiling. Upon returning to earth he ran out blindly, plunging headlong down the stairs and in consequence got considerably bunged. He currently spasms at sudden loud noises and goes into a trance; his nervous disposition is untenable at best and grievous at worst and threatens serious emotional instability if he does not snap out of it. Let this be a warning to pranksters.

The Francis E. Willard W.C.T.U. (Womens Christian Temperance Union), at their meeting here yesterday, adopted the following: We herein desire to make it known that we do protest against shows of the character of the one given at the Phillips Opera House last Saturday evening in which the can-can, or the display of the female limb, being amply flaunted in exhibition was paraded in that obvious immoral dance. As this leads to the corruption of youth, and goes very much toward the destruction of certain particular males blasting their lives away with carnality urges and thoughts of sex-sin, we believe it to be the Christian duty of the ministry, the educators of the city, the professors of the Earlham school, and all those who desire to keep flawless purity in their homes and maintain unalloyed stainlessness and protection for their children and youth, to make their voices heard in opposition and condemnation against aforesaid vices and to keep bare-fleshed female accoutrements from being given display in fair Richmond. Bare ankles are not to be showcased! ANYWHERE! Very sincerely, Womens Christian Temperance Union.

(Note: The hoochie-coochie, a sexually provocative sort of belly-dance, replaced the can-can by the turn of the century. No information on how the hoochie-coochie went over locally.)

From Mrs. Vaughn to Mrs. Pinkham Dear Friend: Two years ago I had child-bed fever and womb trouble in its worst form. For eight months after the birth of my baby, I was not able to sit up. Doctors treated me, but it was no help. I had bearing-down pains, burning in the stomach, kidney and bladder trouble, and my back was so stiff and sore, the right ovary very badly affected, and everything I ate distressed me, and there was a bad discharge that stunk. I was confined to my bed when I wrote to you for advice and followed your directions faithfully, taking Lydia E. Pinkhams Vegetable Compound Liver Pills, and using the Wash. After doing this, I am now able to do the most of the housework. I am again a strong, useful woman and I believe I should have died if it had not been for this Compound. I hope my testimonial letter may have the result of benefiting other suffering women who desire to re-enter her rightful sphere, in performing household duties, and being of use. I recommend the Compound to everyone. Mrs. Mary Vaughn, Richmond, Indiana.

Webster Several from this place attended a pie supper at Webster, Friday evening. They report a fine time and a large crowd, save for Miss Larsh who, upon eating something tainted, went home sick. The rhubarb is supposed.

Boston Bert Packer came near having a runaway horse-team last week, but no damage was done, as he reigned in tight and prayed hard.

Germantown The Germantown boys in the 33rd regiment were under fire, for the first time last Sunday, at the battle of San Jacinto. Their landing from the transport Sheridan was also thrilling. They were taken off in lighters and had to wade some distance through several feet of water. All this time the Filipinos were raining Mauser bullets at the Wayne County boys, but were eventually driven off by shells from the gunboats. (Note: The Battle of San Jacinto was fought during the Philippine-American War on Nov. 11, 1899 between Filipinos and the United States. Some East Germantown men evidently took part.)

Dublin Corn will, with little exception, be in the crib this week, if good weather continues. All here are excited and rejoicing!

Dalton Mrs. Hannah Parker had a narrow escape from being run over by the railway cars at Losantville, Thursday. She lay prostrated for sometime by the shock from the mishap, and is yet jittery.

Contact columnist Steve Martin atstephenmonroemartin@gmail.com.

Read the original here:

Out of Our Past: Womens Christian Temperance Union objected to racy can-can - Palladium-Item

After 2 years, Tomorrowland is back! The first Tomorrowland of 2022 will take place from March 19-26 and is now already officially sold out after launching the ticket sales just a few weeks ago.

Welcoming 18.000 People of Tomorrow in the beautiful ski resort and mountains of Alpe dHuez (France) and bringing Tomorrowlands fabled set design and star-studded line-ups to the picturesque French Alps for a whole week, the festival is very excited to host a unique winter festival experience with the worlds finest electronic artists amidst a magical winter wonderland setting on an altitude of more than 2000m.

The eclectic line-up of Tomorrowland Winter 2022 is stacked with some of the finest electronic artists in the world, catering to fans of all genres and sounds in electronic dance music from house to techno and trance, theres something in there for any music fan around the world.

Among the hundreds of renowned acts performing at the 2nd winter edition of the iconic dance festival are Adriatique, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Klsch, Kungs, Lost Frequencies, Martin Solveig, Ofenbach, Paul Kalkbrenner, Quintino and Yves V playing at some of the most dazzling stages with spectacular views of Alpe dHuezs mythical slopes and the surrounding mountains. More artists will be added to the line-up in the coming months.

Festival visitors will be treated to unforgettable performances throughout the entire day at different beautiful stages in the mountains until sunset also accessible for non-skiers and pedestrians. Afterwards, people can continue their festival experience in the evening at multiple stages in the ski resort of Alpe dHuez and party through the night in the brand-new, covered and heated Mainstage.

See the rest here:

Tomorrowland Winter 2022 is officially sold out! - Rave Jungle

Carlos Hallowell was the one who called 911 on the evening of July 13, 2019, to report his mothers death. Although he claimed that he was fast asleep and not involved in Denise Hallowells murder, evidence soon hinted otherwise. Dateline: Horror at the Lake draws a vivid picture of the murder and shows how the police gradually unfurled a terrifying plot fueled by blind rage. Lets dig into the details of the crime and find out where Carlos Hallowell is at present, shall we?

Denise Hallowell adopted Carlos from Guatemala when he was just four years of age. Already an intelligent kid, he proved to be a brilliant student and even won laurels in athletics and academics. Initially, life seemed quite happy, and Denise even adopted another child who became Carlos younger brother. Unfortunately, by age 11, Carlos fell into bad company and began exploring the vices of alcohol and drugs. It was quite a heartbreaking moment as the once brilliant child began falling behind in school and ultimately got expelled in 2019 when he was 17.

Although Denise got to know of this development later, she was understandably pretty hurt. She decided to be strict and began cutting down on Carlos bad habits. However, the teenager was quite annoyed at what he believed was overbearing parenting. His anger for Denise knew no bounds, and the two shared a tumultuous relationship. When emergency responders reached the Hallowell residence on July 13, 2019, they found Denise murdered in bed with an ax still embedded in her head.

Carlos was the only one present in the house. However, he claimed that he was napping and discovered his mother dead upon waking up. However, the forensic evidence pointed at Carlos being present on the murder scene, while pictures from CCTV cameras recovered from an adjacent lake proved he wasnt asleep. Moreover, the police also recovered the victims phone from the lake and location tracked Carlos phone to refute his alibi. Thus, Carlos was arrested and charged with Denises murder.

Even when faced with the evidence, Carlos insisted on his innocence and claimed he had nothing to do with the murder. Nevertheless, once forensic evidence proved his involvement beyond the shadow of a doubt, he finally gave in and confessed. Carlos mentioned that he was enraged and was using an ax to cut wood as a calming technique. He further insisted that anger almost put him into a trance-like state and made him attack his mother with the same ax.

Even after providing a confession, Carlos surprisingly pleaded not guilty at his trial. However, after deliberation, the jury convicted him of first-degree premeditated murder. As Carlos was not an adult at the time of the murder, the death sentence could not apply in his case. Thus, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Fall 2021, with the possibility of a sentence review after 25 years.

Unfortunately, Carlos Hallowell does not come up on the state prison records, and hence his present whereabouts remain unknown. Still, with his sentencing now confirmed, we can safely assume that he is carrying out his life sentence behind bars.

Read More: Denise Hallowell Murder: How Did She Die? Who Killed Her?

More:

Carlos Hallowell Now: Where is Denise Hallowell's Son Today? Update - The Cinemaholic

It was just over a year ago that Giant launched the new Trance X 29er, which was followed shortly by the pricier carbon-framed Giant Trance X Advanced 29.

While both the alloy and carbon Trance X 29 models were aimed at being the ultimate do-it-all trail bikes, it seems, according to Giants marketing material at least, that the new Trance X is here to shake things up a bit.

The new bike rolls on 27.5in wheels, offers more travel than its 29er counterparts and boasts the kind of numbers youd expect to see on the geometry chart of a full-blown enduro racer.

Although the numbers might suggest otherwise, Giant still classes the new Trance X as a trail bike, stating: Its not a race bike, but it can help you ride faster. Its not a pure DH or enduro bike, but it can give you the confidence to charge harder. Its smooth, its quick, and most of all, its fun.

That certainly gives you some indication of what Giant had in mind when creating the new Trance X.

The adjustable geometry was the big news last time around when Giant launched the Trance X 29 and its definitely worth a mention here, too.

Thanks to flip chips located in the rocker link/seatstay pivot, you can easily tweak the new Trance Xs geometry.

Flipping these oval inserts allows you to adjust the head and seat tube angles by 0.7 degrees (or 0.8 degrees on the size small) as well as raise or lower the bottom bracket by a significant 10mm.

Whats really noteworthy though, is just how relaxed Giant has made the head angle. In the low setting, Giant claims the new Trance X sits at a super-slack 63.8 degrees (or 63.7 degrees on the size small), which is close to downhill bike territory.

This can be changed to 64.5 degrees in the high setting if youre looking for a slightly more agile feel up front.

The upper rocker arm of the Maestro suspension system has a flip-chip that lets you choose a steeper or slacker head and seat tube angle, depending on your riding style and the terrain. Giant

Compared to the big-wheeler version, the new Trance Xs seat tube angle isnt quite as steep at 76.3 degrees in the low setting (on the size small its 77.2 degrees ) but can be steepened to 77 degrees in the high setting.

Giant is offering four frame sizes (small to extra-large) with reach measurements varying from 427 to 497mm in the low setting or 435 to 505mm in the high setting.

For reference, a medium frame has a reach of 447mm (low setting), which is roughly in line with many other brands out there.

All Trance X models come with the new Giant Romero trail saddle, purpose-built for trail and enduro riding. Ryan Cleek Photo

Unlike a lot of bikes that have launched more recently, the Trance Xs rear centre/effective chainstay length remains at 430mm across all frame sizes.

This could potentially mean that while small or medium riders may feel well-centred between the wheels, taller riders on large or extra-large frames may feel too far over the back wheel, especially when climbing sat down.

Giving a clear nod to the Trance X intentions, a 160mm-travel fork with a 37mm offset sits up front ready to do battle.

The new Trance X is currently only offered in Giants ALUXX SL aluminium a 6061 alloy which Giant claims provides best in class stiffness-to-weight ratio.

However, Giant does use a forged composite carbon fibre upper rocker link, which it claims to be lighter, stiffer and stronger than the aluminium equivalent.

At the rear, Giants tried and trusted Maestro twin-link suspension platform delivers 145mm of rear-wheel travel thats just 1mm less than the Reign 29, Giants enduro bike.

The updated Maestro rear suspension system delivers 145mm of smooth, active rear-wheel travel. The Advanced Forged Composite upper rocker arm reduces weight and boosts overall frame stiffness. Giant

That said, the Reign SX, which also sports 27.5in wheels, offers up 160mm of travel (and comes with a 180mm travel fork), so the new Trance X isnt exactly treading on toes just yet.

Giant says that the Maestro system is able to produce a neat vertical rear-axle path (most single pivot bikes arc forwards for the most part while high-pivot bikes arc rearwards for a portion of the bikes travel) and a linear spring curve.

Giant claims this makes the Trance Xs suspension sensitive enough to absorb any impact big or small, no matter how repetitive, without packing up.

The underside of the top tube includes mounts that can be used for additional carrying capacity. Riders can mount an additional bottle cage or other accessories, including tool wraps or bags. Giant

Managing the 145mm of rear-wheel travel and soaking up the bumps is a 18555mm trunnion-mounted rear shock.

Theres plenty of integrated, rubberised frame protection on the underbelly of the Trance X to help protect the frame against rock strikes and trail debris, and on the chainstay to ward off irritating chainslap and keep the bike nice and quiet.

Not everyone will be a fan of the press-fit bottom bracket, though.

In a world where were seeing more and more brands shift to either bigger 29in wheels at the front and rear, or even offer a mixture of both, known as a mullet setup (with a 29in wheel up front and a 27.5in wheel at the rear), it seems were seeing fewer and fewer bikes with two 27.5in wheels.

Thats not to say the Trance X will enter the market without any competition. In fact, bikes of this ilk currently out there are seriously good and the fight for the top spot will be fiercely contended.

First off, theres the Transition Scout, which we had a short spell with last year. It may have a little less travel than the new Trance X, but its geometry and character on the trail won us over instantly.

Then, of course, theres the Santa Cruz 5010. Again, while the 5010 only boasts 130mm of rear-wheel travel, its playful nature and solid build make it a real riot on the trail.

Well keep you posted on just how well the new Trance X stacks up against these two heavy hitters in the coming months.

The new Giany Trance X range consists of three different builds, all of which use the same ALUXX SL aluminium frame, complete with geometry adjusting flip-chips.

Scan the spec sheet in detail and youll notice some nice touches from Giant as you move up the frame sizes.

From backcountry trails to backyard dirt jumps, the new Trance X helps trail riders push new limits in whatever way they wish Giant Factory Off-Road Team DH racer Matthew Sterling enjoys some playtime away from the racetrack. Ryan Cleek Photo

Giant offers different length grips depending on what size Trance X you opt for (120mm on the small and medium, 130mm on the large and extra-large) as well as different length stems (40mm on the small and medium, 50mm large and extra-large).

Giant doesnt spec its own dropper post, though, instead opting to use the TranzX dropperwhich can be altered to change how much drop is available.

Cleverly, Giant also offers different posts across the different frame sizes (the post used on the small can be changed from 120 to 150mm of travel, the medium offers 140 to 170mm of travel and the post on the large and extra-large can be altered between 170 to 200mm of drop), which should allow riders to better tailor the bike to their specific needs.

First-year elite DH racer Matthew Sterling uses the new Trance X to have some fun with friends on local trails near his home in Santa Cruz, California. Ryan Cleek Photo

All Trance X models use the same wide Maxxis tyres, front and rear.

Up front sits a Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO 27.52.6in, while at the back theres a Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO 27.52.6in tyre, both of which will be set up tubeless by Giant.

Heres how the 2022 Giant Trance X range looks:

The Trance X 1 is built up with a Fox 36 Performance Elite 160mm suspension fork, Fox Float X Performance Elite rear shock and a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. Availability varies by country. Giant

The Trance X 2 features a Fox 36 Rhythm 160mm suspension fork and Fox Float DPS Performance rear shock. Availability varies by country. Giant

The Trance X 3 features a RockShox Yari RC 160mm suspension fork and Fox Float Performance rear shock. Availability varies by country. Giant

View original post here:

Giant launches new Trance X with 27.5in wheels and adjustable geometry for 2022 - BikeRadar.com

The electronic music curated by Black Wands real name Alex Maya is a club-oriented, cinematic swirl thats both ephemeral and grounded. Glistening synths and oscillating arpeggios reach for the stars as centered, precise percussion keeps listeners glued to the dance floor. But despite its broad international appeal, this sound has only recently been introduced to the Colorado mainstream, with artists such as Lane 8 and Above & Beyond playing large venues like Red Rocks.

As a Denver DJ, Maya has supported many of the top players in his genre, including Jeremy Olander, Matt Lange and the late i_o. His track Revenant has also been played by the trance-music icons inCosmic Gate on their Wake Your Mind radio program, and his Candlelight has been spun on the Anjunabeats Worldwide podcast.

Now Maya has just released his new single, Myth, on the globally renowned Future Sound of Egyptlabel.Its an ethereal progressive techno dance-floor filler, with undulating, distorted synths and dark, industrial undertones.

We spoke with Maya about the release, and how the sound is slowly but surely being integrated into the conversation of Colorado music.

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Westword: Describe your genre of music for people who might not be familiar with it. Its pretty new for American ears. Black Wands: I like to call my style "melodic and progressive" dance music. Its a blend of progressive house and trance, with influences from techno, as well. I use the typical four-to-the-floor rhythm, but I put a lot of emphasis on melody and chord progressions to guide the listener through the story in my songs. Within these genre guidelines, I like to paint a cinematic picture, whether its dark, epic, energetic or light, beautiful, chill just depends on how Im feeling at the moment.

I use a lot of analog sounds in my tracks TR-909 drum samples, vintage synth emulators, mono Moog-like bass lines which throw back to the early days of electronic music in the 80s and 90s and give it that retro character.

What outside of your genre influences your sound?

I take a lot of inspiration for my music from film and cinema. Whenever I watch a new movie or show, I often rush right over to my DAW [digital audio workspace] and start writing music, trying to translate how it made me feel. I envision some type of scene in my head, as if Im writing a soundtrack or score.

Musically, I feel that everything Ive actively listened to throughout my life has somehow influenced the artist Ive evolved into today. As a kid, I was exposed to a lot of world music, like Latin and Afro-Cuban dance, and also Motown by my parents. I picked up the guitar in high school and went from post-hardcore rock band to folk singer-songwriter in college. However, I always had an ear turned toward electronic music, as I would experiment with writing beats on my computer along the way. What originally got you into this sound?

I discovered dance music in the early 2000s, when my sister gave me this trance and progressive compilation album called Dreamland 2000. It featured the iconic DJs of the scene ATB, Chicane, Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto and others. I had never heard anything like it before, and I fell in love with the energy and composition of those songs. It wasnt until years later that I was competent enough as a producer to start writing this type of music myself.

I fell deeper into dance music during the EDM boom, and ultimately discovered Above & Beyond and their radio show Group Therapy, which really opened my eyes to the diversity of progressive house and trance. It wasnt all, Everybody throw your hands up, 1-2-3 jump! They were playing emotionally and intellectually complex songs dance music that isnt always happy and fun, but heavier, darker, driving...even ominous, menacing and brooding at times. That darker side of dance music is really what started to resonate with me and shape my current sound.

FSOE is a well-known label internationally; however, its not like it has pull in the United States, where the sound is in its adolescence. Yet often, Colorado producers aim to get on these labels rather than just self-releasing or finding a U.S. label. Why have you decided to get on these labels and give up royalties to your music, despite them not being able to hook you up with shows in the U.S.? This is a very interesting question. For me, its a priority to release music with a label that already has a massive audience for my style of music a place where I know my music will fit in and reach potential new fans. Labels like Future Sound of Egypt are reputable internationally and considered by some to be legendary in the trance and progressive dance-music world so I consider it a huge honor to have them support and feature my music. They also have a promotional network that reaches the worlds top DJs and radio shows for this genre, so there is greater potential to have my music supported by those outlets and reach even more people.

Personally, its about reaching as many listeners as possible, more than I could garner on my own. I think most artists would agree but we dont create for the money; we create for the expression and for connecting with others in a way that words never could. So when it comes to royalties, at this stage in my career Im more concerned with building a fan base and connecting with the most people possible. Ideally, the bigger my audience grows, the more live-show opportunities would arise. Id argue that there are still promoters Stateside that book progressive acts, although those shows may not be directly supported by the record label.

Black Wands' "Myth" is out now on Future Sound of Egypt; stream it here.

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Black Wands Illuminates the Dance Floor With New Single "Myth" - Westword

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin is due to put a new twist on the found footage horror franchise, which is now on its seventh installment. This latest film is directed by William Eubank and written by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day), and follows a young girl (Emily Bader) tracing her family roots back to an Amish household out in the country. As she gets to know her relatives, she makes some disturbing discoveries.

While originally planned as a theatrical release, Paramount Pictures has altered their release plans for Paranormal Activity 7. Find out where to watch it below, and where you can stream the other Paranormal Activity movies for a full-on marathon.

Paranormal Activity 7 will start streaming Friday on Paramount+. It will not be released in theaters like the previous six films in the franchise were, because the pandemic has already delayed its release several times.

The seventh film in the Paranormal Activity franchise is a reboot of the series that tells the story of Margot (Emily Bader), a young woman who wants to learn more about her mother. A friend accompanies her out to the house in the Amish countryside where her mother grew up, filming parts of the experience. Several relatives begin to behave a bit strangely for example an elderly woman seems to have drifted off in a trance and started peeling the skin on her wrist instead of potatoes, and Margot asks a little girl about her doll whose name is the same as Margots mom, Sarah, and the little girl says Sarah is still here. As Margot and her friend do more research, some frightening elements come to light.

Paramount Pictures

Some of the first six Paranormal Activity movies are available to stream but not in the same place. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video dont have any of the films. Hulu offers Paranormal Activity 4 to those with a subscription. Paramount+ has Paranormal Activity 4, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, and Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, but The Ghost Dimension will leave the platform on Nov. 1. Pluto TV offers The Marked Ones and The Ghost Dimension for free. EPIX offers Paranormal Activity 4.

Story continues

The first and second films in the franchise follow sisters Katie and Kristi as they deal with a supernatural force later determined to be a demon haunting both their houses and families. The demon comes to possess certain members of the family, which leads to dire consequences. The third installment rewinds 20 years to when the sisters first meet the demon who Kristi calls Toby. Toby haunts Katies neighbors, the Nelson family, in Paranormal Activity 4. The Marked Ones, or the fifth film, visits 18-year-old Jesse Arista who has visions of Katie and Kristi as children. Jesses friends loop Kristis stepdaughter Ali Rey into the plot in order to help Jesse. The sixth and most recent film finds the Fleeges family living in a house built on the same foundation of the home where Katie and Kristi grew up. The Fleeges daughter Leila can see Toby, who leads her to do some terrible things. The sixth film seemed like the final installment in the series until the announcement of Next of Kin.

Watch the trailer here.

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How to Watch Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin': Where the New Sequel Is Streaming - Yahoo Entertainment

The consciousness becomes confused, there are frightening hallucinations: the afflicted sees the devil, a scary man or something of the sort; she begins to scream, sings, rhythmically hitting her head against a wall, or swinging it from side to side, tearing her hair out.

This is how a typical episode of this peculiar disease was described in the early 20th century by doctor Sergey Mitskevich, after examining a Yakut woman. This culture-bound syndrome became translated into Russian as miryachenye - from the verb miryachit - being overcome, or being in a state of total submission. The word is a Russian bastardization of the Yakut word Menerik - with various terms across the northern hemisphere (and beyond) describing essentially the same trance-like, disoriented condition. The choice of word is arbitrary and dependent largely upon what Arctic culture one is referring to. Russians, meanwhile, began to encounter the condition in the early 19th century, noticing that only people in the north were afflicted with these sudden states. Sometimes, they affected individuals, at other times - entire groups.

The symptoms were very similar across the board: the person suddenly found themselves completely detached from physical reality, entering into a virtual trance state; episodes were accompanied by tremors and spasms. Ethnographer Vaclav Seroshevsky observed very powerful physical and mental anguish that would befall them. The sufferer wails, shouts, snivels, tells incredible tales, while also breaking down and being thrown about the place, until, completely drained, they fall asleep.

The episodes are marked by the person repeating the words and actions of those around them, becoming extremely susceptible to external control, even when the commands given are dangerous and/or nonsensical. If someone in the presence of the sufferer were to jump or hit themselves, they would do the same; they can smash a dearly valued item, or even let go of a baby in their arms, if someone in front of them were to perform the action of throwing, researchers would note. Meanwhile, if one were to try and limit the actions of the afflicted person, they would sink into a raucous state, demonstrating unusual physical strength. There is plenty of evidence of cases where several adult men would not be able to restrain a teenager during an episode.

Lapland expedition A. V. Barchenko (1922)

However strange, while some episodes could be chalked up to temporary confusion, insanity or a prank, when an entire group of 70 people experienced the condition, researchers had serious reason to suspect that something much more worrying was at play. In 1870, a case was registered among the Cossacks of the Nizhne-Kolymsky unit in the midst of doing drills. The company suddenly began repeating their instructors commands, as though they were parroting him for fun. The commander was incensed and quickly became angry, then was taken aback by his own threats being repeated right back at him by his soldiers. The company then all simultaneously dropped their rifles.

Serious research on the menerik was not conducted until 1922. There was already plenty of evidence of the phenomenon by then. Psychiatrist and researcher Vladimir Bekhterev took an interest after receiving word from a doctor and former exile in the district of Lovozero, on the Kola Peninsula. Having observed spontaneous episodes of the sickness as they took place in neighboring communities as well, the doctor finally drew the connection with instances of aurora borealis - Northern Lights, which earned it the nickname The Call of the Polar Star. Menerik was the result of external natural occurrences, according to the doctor (only known by his last name - Grigoryev).

Vladimir Bekhterev

Bekhterev founded and headed the Institute of the Human Brain, which, aside from studying physiology and psychiatry, also searched for scientific explanations to things like telepathy, telekinesis and hypnosis. He traveled to the Kola Peninsula with a party, headed by Aleksandr Barchenko - a prominent esotericist and researcher. In reality, the main objective of the expedition wasnt the study of a polar psychosis, but the hunt for the remnants of a mythological hyperboreal civilization (one the Nazis had previously searched for, believing it to be the progenitor of the Aryan race). However, Soviet intelligence took a special interest in menerik, with VChK chairman Felix Dzerzhinsky personally supporting the idea. So, when Barchenko arrived on the scene, he would spend the next two years rigorously studying and collecting data on the sickness - even falling prey to it himself.

. V. Barchenko (upper left) with the expedition at the "sacred" Lopar underground cave at Lake Lovozero. 1922.

Around Lovozero, he attempted to get local shamans to let the expedition through to the sacred island of Rogovoy. Having been denied, the group went anyway. While on their journey, near Seydozero lake, they began encountering smoothed-out rectangular granite rocks, reminiscent of pyramids, as well as what looked like remnants of paved roads, followed by a strange path that led underground. The group didnt manage to get inside, however. According to their testimony, everyone was suddenly struck by an inexplicable feeling of sheer terror - theyd all lost control of their emotions.

The Lapland Expedition of A. V. Barchenko

Upon return, Barchenko presented a closed report on the phenomenon, but the reasons for its occurrence remained a complete mystery. The report was classified. Modern researchers later tried to research it through FSB archives, but were told that all the data was completely destroyed in 1941, when Nazi forces were on approach to Moscow. Barchenko, meanwhile, was accused of spying for Britain, as well as creating a Masonic counter-revolutionary organization and was executed by firing squad on the very same day - April 25, 1938. Other participants of the group also faced Stalins repressions in the late 1930s.

Northerners believe menerik to be the harbinger of the so-called shamans sickness, owing to the similarities in how people act during spiritual seances. Both phenomena are explained by spirit possession; however, if the shaman invokes the presence of the spirit at will, those afflicted with menerik have no choice in the matter.

Psychiatrists have drawn similar parallels, but believe the root of both conditions is hidden in the northern peoples increased malleability to psychotic epidemics. The concentration of a large number of persons sharing similar traits of heightened malleability created in the native societies of the North and Siberia a particular psychological climate, conducive to a heightened sensitivity to the cultural meaning of shamanism. Its no accident that the death of a shaman frequently led to a spark in psychogenic illnesses, scientists note. The epidemic would usually stop as soon as one of the sick became a shaman.

Researchers point to similarities in these expressions of hysteria witnessed among other indigenous peoples: there is latah among the Malay, jumping among the Native Americans, imu among the Ainu and so on; and a number of parallels can be drawn with screaming types of hysteria that incorporate additional religious connotations: the screamers cannot stand to be around Christian symbolism - be it objects or rituals, prayer and the inability to perform a sacrament.

This specific psychological constitution was not borne out of nothing, scientists believe. Lovozero, which the Soviet expedition visited on its research trip, is located smack in the middle of the Kola Peninsula. There is tundra and swampy taiga for miles around, with the occasional volcano. The place experiences winter for most of the year. And the polar night - the period when the sun does not reappear in the sky - lasts an entire month. The polar day (the opposite), meanwhile, lasts 52 days. All of that increases the strain on the nervous system and has a negative effect on a persons health. Psychiatrist and ethnographer Pavel Yakobi wrote that the psychogenic epidemic develops only in an exhausted, weakened people - physically, culturally and mentally.

Skin primer in a camp of lapps

Ethnographer Vasily Anuchy recalled stories of political exile to Turkhansky Region (an area in Eastern Siberia, today Krasnoyarsk Region). The punishment was in wide use in 1905, after the first Russian Revolution. The exiled would often complain of insomnia, migraines, heart palpitations, stomach pains, visual and auditory hallucinations, irritability and hospital in Tomsk a mere year later, he wrote, noting that the practice would later be banned by the government, owing to its excessive cruelty (the Soviets would resume it later).

Northern lights

Psychotic episodes coinciding with Northern Lights can be linked with the organisms ability to react to changes in the magnetic field (the brightest Northern Lights usually happen during magnetic storms). Its no accident that northern shamans often time their rituals to coincide with the natural phenomenon. It would seem then that menerik can be explained by a combination of climatic, socio-cultural and physio-geographical. Especially as it wasnt only the local that got sick, but outsiders as well, after spending a substantial amount of time there.

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Menerik: The CREEPY unexplained disease of the Russian north - Russia Beyond