Stepping just oustide Goa, Koxbox pioneered the Psytrance sound with their massive album Dragon
Tales. Recorded in Sweden in 1997, Dragon Tales consists of a hard and dark psychedelic sound. Tracks like Electronic Brainwash live up to the name with fast, hypnotic and trippy beats. On first impressions the album may seem inaccessible as is common with Psytrance, but after repeat listens you are guaranteed to appreciate the evil, mutating soundscapes. The songs themselves could be described as monsters they sound so alive.

The greatest track, Doktor Mesmer begins with a mysterious screaming and crashing and whirring synths, and you know that you are in for a trip in the following 10 minutes. Stratosfierce 2001 is another fast, pumping adventure that feels like it is running out of energy, then powerfully kicks back into action near the end. Searching for Psychoactive Herbs breaks the pattern, and is a slower, dark forest piece that conjures up imagery and sends you into another dimension before the album ends.

Downsides include some of the middle tracks that are simply less adventurous than the other outstanding compositions. All in all however, Dragon Tales is a fascinating achievement that came way before it's time, and it makes most Goa trance sound light. Koxbox haven't really come close since in my opinion, after losing two members.

The cover looks cool in 3D glasses too.

I came in contact with goa trance two years after this album has been released, and listened to it for the first time in 2008, 10 years later. If I knew what I have missed all these years ...
Anyway this is the greatest album I've heard for a long long time. Also the artwork, as already mentioned above, is stunning, it's always a pleasure to look at it while listening. Favourite tracks are 1, 2, 3, 6!, 7!!.

It's very rare I can recommend an album and say that all the tracks are absolutely masterpieces... When this album was released, I was totally blown away hearing the creativity in this album. At the time it was released, it got mixed feedback from the global Goa trance scene, because it brought something new to the scene; less typical Goa melodies and more far out psychedelic vibes than we had ever heard in this scene before. But, the album has grown on people, and is now considered as a real classic in the psytrance/Goa scene worldwide. Back then, Koxbox was three guys, something I feel helped to make this album to such an outstanding result. Peter Candy with all his creativity, Ian Ion the studio wizard and Frank E with his crazy ideas made them to dream team! Back then, I had the honour to see the three of them live at a rave party in Oslo, Norway, where they served most of these tracks. A live set that made me go totally mad on the dancefloor. I have actually never danced like this ever since! It was the ultimate head trip to listen to these tracks on a great soundsystem. What a memory! To my frustration, I was filmed by the national TV (without knowing it) while I was dancing, something that was shown on the next days news, focusing on drugs related to rave parties... Phone calls from family, friends, teachers etc came in, wondering what the hell I was on... Anyway, after this album Peter candy left the band, and Koxbox took a new direction with more minimal sound. This album is my best memory from 1997, with a unique sound which will probably never come back... Those were the days! Also the cover art is wonderful. A must have album for everyone interested in the psychedelic side of electronic music.

I heard this album during my punk years back in '99 and I was absolutely stunned, I couldn't believe this kind of music exists. To me this is still the best goa trance album I've heard.
The sounds here are incredibly psychedelic and the atmosphere is just hypnotic. It tends to set you in ver weird mood with every listen. I hope there were more music like this.
Have to mention that the cover art is just beautiful.

One of the most psychedelic albums in electronic music (just look at that cover). A very unique sound that reminds me of insects for some reason.