Introducing Bloodlight Horizon

My side project Obsydian Fox's new album just dropped to streaming! Check it out wherever you like to listen to music. 

Experimental ambient/electronic:

https://youtu.be/NqA4yLmmzyg?si=5nQIoW-mkRAR2TRI

https://open.spotify.com/album/7xiHw0CRVkx1efl8Gehrhe?si=rByJxz3vSXCQmKLDti3yqA

https://obsydianfox.bandcamp.com

Echoes of Light video

https://youtu.be/SgWVFDA5CXs

A video that I made for Echoes of Light, by Alien Navel Cord. Images were made by me using Midjourney, Dall-E, Leonardo.ai, and others.

Alien Navel Cord

About 12 years ago, I was unemployed. I often listened to music while laying on the floor, half-dreaming and half-paying attention to the soothing sounds of psychill and the energetic sounds of psytrance music. On a shelf nearby, was a lava lamp. The lava lamp had been on at a recent time, and the wax inside was grotesquely half twisted and contorted into what looked like an alien with an umbilical cord attached to the top. Instantly, the thought, "That looks like an alien navel cord" popped into my head. 

A picture of me from 2013 next to the lava lamp that displayed what appeared to be a baby alien attached with an umbilical cord. 

It wasn't until now, though, that I put that term to use, as Alien Navel Cord, a side music project of mine producing psychedelic electronic music. 

I have a Soundclick profile with 2 psybass tracks that I think are finished:

https://www.soundclick.com/AlienNavelCord

and I have a SoundCloud that has more than just the 2 tracks, but some psytrance and darker stuff:

https://soundcloud.com/aliennavelcord

Check them out, when you have time and leave some notes, I'd love to hear what you think!

DMB @ Ruoff 7.12.25

Went with my lovely lady to see Dave Matthews Band @ Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN on the 12th. The band played on the 11th too but we aren't made of money.

Setlist:

It was a decent setlist. I've been spoiled by the Gorge. The setlists they play at the Gorge are really great. And Ruoff, since it is in the midwest, has a lot of rain so the stage and seating area has a roof which is weird to me, it isn't 100% open air. So me & my gal promised each other we would always gets seats -- the lawn looks terrible there.

The skies opened up about 2 hours before the show - I mean just poured cats & dogs. It was intense, and crazy rain. We stayed in the car mostly and didn't really have a big tailgate. 

We waited a half hour in line at the merch tent near the campground/parking area, and bought the 'weekend poster' and a t-shirt. The weekend poster features a red Bison. The tour poster for that particular night, shown here:       just wasn't as pleasing so we didn't buy it.

When we went to get in line to get inside the amphitheater, we waited in line for about an hour. Apparently they were trying to make sure it didn't rain again or delay the show. FINALLY we got in and got to our seats, ate some nachos, and then the band came out and performed. I am happy they played JTR (why wouldn't they, I mean, it rained a lot!) and Joyride was fun, I hadn't seen that one live yet.

Overall I give it a 3.5 stars out of 5. Decent, but not like going to the Gorge.

Fun times, though. 

The next weekend, we went and saw Kesha perform, which she put on a very good show as well. 

Psytrance! - Introducing AlienNavelCord

So my whole time 'making music' since 2000 was mostly just me messing around with samples and loops, and not being serious about it that much. But lately I've been taking it more seriously, trying to make awesome music that people will love.

ManiK Fox is kind of a non-serious project of mine. The music is kind of 'light' . I love psychill and downtempo music but my tracks always end up as mid-tempo. I can never feel patient enough with the tempo I guess.

So I started Obsydian Fox as a side project to allow that patience to sink in, with some experimental ambient music. Still not the best in terms of mixing and sound design.

But I am here to learn now, to be patient with myself as I do so. 

A few weeks ago, I took a pause from creating downtempo/chillout (that ends up being more mid-tempo) and decided to fuck around with 4 on the floor. Breakbeats is usually my style so I wasn't sure what it would end up as, but that is when I realized I am enjoying making psytrance.

It isn't perfect, and I've been rather frustrated trying to get my psytrance music the way I want it, but it is a good frustration. It's an excitement. It is fresh, new, and fun. 

I've been getting some really good advice and feedback, and I feel this may be where I belong. Maybe If I can get good at this style, I may be able to do chillout/psychill better in the future. I'd like to produce some psybass!

Check out my music here!

https://on.soundcloud.com/yZAvecoBfxqL8PaDrv

Obsydian Fox - Moonwaves!

Moonwaves out now on Spotify! And perhaps other streaming services already!

Check out my new experimental ambient album on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/album/54mmOIwz5A6JH0ccWcl9nB?si=YVraJfdER0mb895YmemkqA

Introducing Obsydian Fox

Back in 2013 I was listening to a lot of ambient music. Steve Roach, Rapoon, AUN, Robert Rich, and the like. I wanted to experiment with ambient so I came up with 4 tracks under the name Ohi, that I eventually compiled into an EP this past year. It isn't very good.

So I wanted to create something better in ambient, something that was still experimental with my own unique sound, but that was more serious and delicate.

I changed my ambient music project from Ohi to Obsydian Fox. And I am now working on material that I am more proud of than anything before, I think it is good and hope everyone likes it. I'm calling it "Moonwaves."

Top 10 Psychill/Psybient Albums of 2024

Get ready to dive deep into the psychedelic abyss! Our annual Top 10 Psychedelic Chill Albums of 2024 is here. Remember, everyone's trip is unique, so what's trippy to one might be mellow to another.

This year, we've been completely captivated by the mind-bending sounds of psydub. While I'm not not usually into psydub as much as the other styles, 2024 has delivered some truly groundbreaking artists who've redefined the genre.

We'll start with #10:

10. Squazoid - Electronic Heart

Squazoid's 'Electronic Heart' plunges deep into the psychedelic abyss with a sonic tapestry woven from shimmering reverb, echoing delays, and filters that warp reality. Pulsating beats intertwine with tantalizing hints of ethnic flavors, creating a mesmerizing soundscape that demands your undivided attention. (Did you know 'Electronic Heart' was recorded entirely live in a single session, capturing the raw energy and spontaneity of Squazoid's performance?)

9. Kick Bong - Elevation

Kick Bong's 'Elevation' crafts a deeply emotional psychill experience, a sonic journey through ethereal soundscapes. Delicious basslines pulse beneath layers of mesmerizing synth textures, creating a sense of soaring elevation and satisfying the inner adventurer's craving for sonic exploration. The album features flute by Mylene Coubronne on the tracks "Escape Time" and "The Wave". This adds an interesting element to those specific tracks.

8. Sundial Aeon - Aquamorphosis:

Sundial Aeon's 'Aquamorphosis' invites you on a tranquil voyage through sonic landscapes, a departure from their more intensely psychedelic past. While the journey may be smoother, you're still floating on a cloud of pure bliss, surrendering to the music's gentle currents as it carries you to uncharted sonic shores.

7. Moon Tripper - Echoes of Freedom:

With 'Echoes of Freedom,' Moon Tripper weaves a tapestry of sound, where psychedelic textures intertwine with soothing melodies, creating an atmosphere of pure enchantment. It's a journey into the heart of magic and wonder, a sonic escape that resonates deep within.

6. Psyrius - Return to Sol: 

Prepare for liftoff with Psyrius' 'Return to Sol,' a reimagining of their 2015 release, 'Sorry Pluto.' This album is a cosmic tapestry woven from shimmering psychill textures, creating an out-of-this-world atmosphere. While the inclusion of vocals (a full song and vocalizations elsewhere) didn't fully resonate with me, the instrumental sections are pure sonic bliss.

5. Globular - Lifts The Curse of the Grey Goo Assimilators : 

Globular unleashes a sonic antidote to monotony with 'Lifts The Curse of the Grey Goo Assimilators,' a funky, dub-infused explosion of bubbly, bass-driven goodness. This album is pure sonic joy, a guaranteed mood booster that will have you grooving from start to finish.

4. Ott - Hiraeth: 

Ott's 'Hiraeth' is a mind-bending journey into a kaleidoscopic soundscape, a jumbly, jittery, and utterly funky explosion of sonic textures. Prepare for a wild ride through distorted basslines, glitchy rhythms, and otherworldly melodies that will leave you feeling simultaneously exhilarated and delightfully disoriented.

3. Zymosis - Memento: 

Zymosis showcases their mastery of sound design with 'Memento,' a dynamic exploration of up-tempo and midtempo grooves. This album is a showcase of slick instrumentation and intricate production, delivering fast-paced mind-benders that will impress even the most discerning listener.

2. Auratech - Shambala: 

Auratech's 'Shambala' is a sonic pilgrimage to a mythical realm. Imagine swirling textures, pulsating rhythms, and soaring melodies, all underpinned by a truly badass bass that resonates deep within. This album is a feast for the senses, a journey through trippy beats and mind-bending FX that will leave you spellbound.

And #1 goes to...

1. Cabeiri - Beyond Time: 

With 'Beyond Time,' Cabeiri crafts a sonic world that transcends the ordinary. Haunting mysticism intertwines with supreme electronic vibes, creating a captivating atmosphere. Excellent synth lines dance across brilliant beats, while smooth pads provide a lush backdrop for the involving story that unfolds across the tracks. This is upbeat and midtempo electronic music elevated to an art form.

2024 proved to be a veritable treasure trove for psychill and psybient enthusiasts. The sheer volume of releases made the task of curation a challenging but ultimately rewarding endeavor. After countless hours of listening, these ten albums emerged as true gems, each offering a unique and captivating sonic journey. I'm confident that these selections represent some of the finest offerings the genre had to offer this year.

Have a listen to these YouTube clips of each album and tell  me which one is YOUR favorite!