This is indeed a very hard album to review because Koxbox has such a legendary status in the trance scene, and always paved the way for others to follow. They've typically been right up there with Hallucinogen in terms of creativity, skill and willingness to change and try new things. Their last full length 'The Great Unknown' was simply brilliant, never letting go of your ears, demanding repeated listens. This album, though, I still can't decide whether I like it or not.

'U-Turn' is the epitome of a beautifully produced, but often unmemorable listening experience, disjointed and lacking cohesion (aptly pointed out by the last reviewer). I definitely cannot stomach tracks 1-4, with the gimmicky machine gun basslines. To hear Koxbox, of all people, adopt this formula is heartwrenching. Incredible production values, for sure, but I just can't take them seriously. However, that's not to say there isn't something to be found and enjoyed in them, and repeat listens do reveal impressive intricacies.

The next two tracks are interesting, but still nowhere near the Koxbox level of greatness we've come to expect. The tracks noodle along and never really grab my attention. I definitely do like this hybrid 'psy-techno' style, but I think fans from either scene will not be too impressed. There's not enough "meat" there, IMO.

Fortunately for me, the further we continue, the harder and darker it gets. While the first half really lost me with its psytrance formulas and so-so hybrid pieces, things start picking up with 'Acid Drome.' Forget the 16th note basslines, predictable breakdowns and constant sound fx. Here we have well thought out, pounding dark tracks that truly open up a new side to Koxbox. They've always had a knack for the dark and psychedelic, but here they are decidedly EVIL. Woohoo! Keep it coming!

All in all, I still can't make up my mind on this disc. I am impressed again by the pristine production and mastering, the creativity involved, and the willingness to try some new things. But I am still disappointed with the formulaic approach in the beginning of the journey. It's just not "Koxbox" for me and I refuse to think otherwise :) Maybe in a few years I will appreciate it more. Who knows. The fact I wrote an essay on this release means there must be something there worth hearing.

Not an easy one to review...
Very incoherent and more of a compilation than an album. In one hand Frank'e follows the trend and gives his interpretation of the Full-on genre in the first half of the album, than towards the middle of the album the sound becomes less intense but more intricate and than there are 3 tunes with Ian Ion that sound exactly like the Kox Box that I've learned to love.
My personal opinion is that this is a totally worthy album. It has at least 5 excellent tracks that will surely blow any given dancefloor. Although it has absolutely no story or flow between tracks (only towards the end) and it surely doesn't get anywhere near the insanely high standards they have set with The Great Unknown, it still is a good purchase for home listener and essential for Dj's.

Within the niche that Goa trance is Koxbox early on managed to create their own niche. Literally within seconds any learned listener can detect Forever After or Dragon Tales from the crowd – how many acts can you say that about? So how does Koxbox fare in 2006 with a sound much more reminiscent of other contemporary acts.

Still like an act with a statement! True, Koxbox has embraced the full-on sound and in a sense become a follower rather than a leader, but if you’re worried that means Koxbox has abandoned offering something for the mind, you can rest assured that Koxbox is still ahead of the crowd. This is dance music, no doubt, but very intelligent so and packed with enough details and ideas to make this equally enjoyable at home.

The first half of the album could possibly be characterized as intelligent full-on while the latter sticks to a more aggressive techno-true sound. With tracks 6 and 7 This Can’t Be Real and Acid Drome being the masterpieces here. I dare any dance floor not to move to this! And any psychohead not to start packing and enter spaceship psychedelia.

Comparisons with Forever After and Dragon Tales are probably just as unavoidable as they are superfluous. Koxbox has long since turned a corner and even if their distinct characteristica is not as present as it used to be, Koxbox is still an act to watch out for. As I heard it stated somewhere: The ol’ man’s still showing the youngsters how it’s done +_+

All in all I was impressed by this album & have listened to it a lot since I first got it. If you want another Dragon Tales or another Great Unknown then look elsewhere. As those two albums differed in style this is another complete overall of Koxbox's style. The 1st 6 tracks are very full on & most have the rolling baseline which is probably going to put of a lot of people. If you can get past your prejudices though you'll see that quality does indeed shine through & you can see that there can be very good fullon.
The last three tracks have a different feel, more progressive sounding, if very very heavy sounding prog. I don't think these are as good as the earlier tracks so the album has a lopsided feel for me.
Fullon/progressive with a very tech trance edge. It's a good album. If you don't have any preconceptions about this album you'll probably like it more.

An absolutely essential Koxbox album which has immediately earned itself a place in the annals of psytrance history. As always the Koxbox sound has matured, evolved and sought new directions – which undoubtedly has left old-schoolers and purists disappointed. Not me though – I love how this album flirts both with disaster (full-on) and gives the finger to the same full-on crowd (techno) and still manages to pay homage to legacy of ancient goa trance at the same time.

There are no bad tracks here, but obviously some are better than others – and seen in that light I prefer the technoid tracks over the full-on ones… But as a whole this album works as the near-perfect entity underlining that Koxbox is still very much alive and well. Hats off to Frank’e + friends for creating something so special and eclectic. This will stand as a benchmark album for years to come. Trust me.

The stand-out tracks rub shoulders here and especially the second half is absolutely riddled with one monstrous track after the other… The star parade of guest stars all contribute interesting input and Frank’s touch is still as magical as it was back in 1991. The subtle, but lovely artwork also sends a friendly nod back to the artwork of 1995s Forever After. Well done Twisted Records for once again catapulting Koxbox right onto the psytrance A-list. This album is absolutely essential and I’ll give it my warmest recommendations… Enjoy!

Favourites: 2, 3(!!), 5(!!), 6, 7(!!), 8(!!), 9