Hypnotised, a 3-CD release spotlighting US trance from 1992–2002
After exploring the trance landscapes of Europe, Hypnotised shifts focus to the United States, unearthing a scene that quietly carved its own identity between 1992 and 2002. Set for release on May 16 via Black Hole Recordings, Hypnotised: A Journey Through American Trance Music marks the fifth chapter in the acclaimed compilation series curated by Arjan Rietveld.
Rather than follow European trends, the American trance scene developed inward, shaped by local cultures and the experimental spirit of early ’90s raves. Early cuts like Aurasphere’s abstract The Greenhouse Effect and Rabbit In The Moon’s immersive O.B.E hint at a movement grounded more in atmosphere and tribalism than melodic euphoria. Meanwhile, labels like IST and Hallucination gave rise to genre-defining oddities that would later become cult favorites.
As the sound matured, artists like Aquarhythms, Chris Fortier, and Steve Porter helped steer American trance toward a textured, progressive tone, one embraced by both club culture and Europe’s underground. Tracks from Fade Records and Plastik illustrate this shift, with Markus Schulz’s You Won’t See Me Cry and Hyper-X’s Out There capturing the era’s desert rave ethos.
The collection closes on a high with anthems from Nettwerk America and Fragrant, including Delerium’s seminal Silence and Deepsky’s Stargazer. With 27 handpicked tracks across three discs, Hypnotised: America captures a decade of innovation often overlooked—but never lacking depth.
