Etnica – Alien Protein

Alien Protein catapults listeners into the heart of the Goa trance movement. Released in 1996, this album is a masterclass in psychedelic soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms.

From the outset, "Screaming Butterfly" grabs your attention with pulsating energy and captivating vocal samples. Each track on the album is a carefully constructed journey, brimming with intricate melodies, hypnotic rhythms, and a sense of otherworldly exploration.

"Chakra Active 8" seamlessly blends Eastern influences with the driving force of Goa trance, while "Party Droid" delivers exactly what its name suggests – an infectious groove that's impossible not to move to. "Z Plane Sunrise" is pure sonic bliss, with its uplifting melody and driving bassline creating a euphoric atmosphere.

"Microdrive" dives deeper into psychedelic territory, its swirling synths and pulsating rhythms taking you on a mind-bending journey. "Starship 101" is a high-octane adventure, propelled by relentless energy and a powerful bassline that blasts you through the cosmos.

The album closes with the ambient gems "Deep East" and "Trip Tonite." These tracks showcase Etnica's versatility, demonstrating their ability to create soundscapes that are both beautiful and evocative. "Deep East" conjures images of vast desert landscapes, while "Trip Tonite" is a melancholic yet hopeful conclusion to this extraordinary album.

Alien Protein is essential listening for any fan of Goa trance or electronic music. It's a classic that continues to inspire and amaze, showcasing the power of music to transport us to other realms.

Funny how I'm the first one to drop a comment about one of the genre's most talked about and praised albums... Whatever.
For what it may matter now, anno 2008, "Alien Protein" has Etnica taking control of the scene and calmly sitting on the throne.
Spectacular melodies, constantly morphing and evolving sounds and effects, memorable and well orchestrated leads with adequate production vaults, reckless attitude shifting from one track to the next, energetic and bombastic I-don't-give-a-flying-f**k party music, but simultaneously coming across as surprisingly trippy and thought provoking for listeners ready to get submerged into an irresistible head on psychedelic experience.
This IS goa trance just like I want to hear it. No cheese, no fluffyness, no nonsense samples about pseudo mystical spiritual rituals, just fantastic timeless music which is clearly not aiming to break the genre's limits, yet confidently resides within them like few other releases I own.
A must own for every old schooler and a solid place to start for new comers, along with stuff like Astral Projection's debut or Total Eclipse's "Violent Relaxation"! It has been re-released a few years ago, so chances are you can get a new and sealed copy without breaking a sweat.