Dimension 5 was originally started up in 1989 and released their first single (Utopia) in 1990. They thereafter stayed with D5 records for a while, but fell out due to musical differences; and Kerry and Nick started up their own label (Intastella) to release their music.
Dimension 5 described their music as "space techno psychedelic trance" around the time of their debut album (Transdimensional) and cited Hawkwind, Gong, Tim Blake and Tangerine Dream as some of their major influences. The psychedelic rock influences were later toned down and became more of a crossover to what they called "spacey techno". This is evident on their second album (Second Phaze), which has a harder and more tribal feel. They were joined on this release by Norwegian Christer Borge-Lunde (Ra / Electron Wave).
Suntrip Records reissued their first album Transdimensional in 2007. In May 2012 they announced that new album will be released soon.
Dimension 5 described their music as "space techno psychedelic trance" around the time of their debut album (Transdimensional) and cited Hawkwind, Gong, Tim Blake and Tangerine Dream as some of their major influences. The psychedelic rock influences were later toned down and became more of a crossover to what they called "spacey techno". This is evident on their second album (Second Phaze), which has a harder and more tribal feel. They were joined on this release by Norwegian Christer Borge-Lunde (Ra / Electron Wave).
Suntrip Records reissued their first album Transdimensional in 2007. In May 2012 they announced that new album will be released soon.
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The usual D5 formula is to have a soft, floaty synth line in the background, which on they paint small effects and the lead melody(s). It's precisely the fact the frame (ie. background) on most of their tracks is kept the same through-out the track that has made grow out of their music. Approach from a positive angle and you could say the repetitive nature is actually hypnotic and danceable - which I wouldn't argue against. But for an avid long time bedroom listener like me the missing subtlety in the background details is enough to create a feel of unfulfillment. I give them the credit of doing very well the standard goa recipe, yet I don't find they ever went past the comfort zone pushing the envelope of psytrance. Only on a few tracks on 'Transdimensional' they've created enough varied, contrast soundscape that I'm able to go back again and again without getting bored.
The initial impact D5 had on me years ago was enormous, 'Transdimensional' was one of the reasons I felt for goa trance. But after listening to psytrance for a long time and coming back to their stuff now the bare truth is, especially if speaking of works around 'Transdimensional', they are spare of ideas and lack progression within a lot of their tracks to the point you could as well classify them hard trance as goa (edit: This would apply only for material between 95-97).
Not to be all negative. Dimension 5 is a great group to start if you're new to goa trance, you might enjoy their music from the very first listen even. I've not mentioned 'Second Phaze' in the review earlier as I find it rather average, point being you should go straight for the magnum opus 'Transdimensional', it's also the easiest to get as Suntrip records was kind enough to repress it.