psytrance

Psytrance, short for psychedelic trance, is a subgenre of electronic dance music (EDM) that emphasizes hypnotic rhythms and psychedelic sound design. Typical tempos range from 138 to 150 BPM, with rolling basslines and layered synth textures. The style arose in the early 1990s from Goa trance, developed by producers in Goa, India who fused techno, trance, and psychedelic aesthetics with a trance-focused culture.

Musically, psytrance features prominent basslines, elaborate melodic sequences, and heavy use of filters, phasers, and reverb. Tracks build through extended crescendos and dramatic breakdowns, often shifting intensity to create a sense of journey. Arpeggiated synths, sample manipulation, and evolving textures are common elements.

Subgenres include full-on psytrance, which tends to be bright and melodic; dark psy, noted for its aggressive, nocturnal mood; and progressive psy, which emphasizes gradual energy progression. Forest psy and other variants also exist. Notable acts associated with psytrance include Infected Mushroom, Astrix, Vini Vici, Ace Ventura, Avalon, and Hallucinogen, among many others.

Psytrance has grown into a global scene with festivals and clubs in Europe, Israel, and beyond. International events such as Boom Festival in Portugal and Ozora Festival in Hungary attract large audiences. The culture blends electronic music with psychedelic art, visual projections, and immersive stage environments.