What is Hitech Psytrance?
A Look into its Origins and Evolution
In the electrifying world of Psytrance, Hitech stands out as one of the most high-energy and futuristic subgenres, continuously pushing sonic boundaries. With its rapid tempos, intense sound design, and immersive experience, Hitech has become a global movement with a dedicated following. But what exactly is Hitech, and how has it evolved? Let’s explore its origins, its presence at iconic festivals, and the significant role that pioneering artist Paralocks has played in shaping its sound.
What is Hitech?
Hitech is a subgenre of Psytrance defined by its fast beats, glitch-heavy sound textures, and often otherworldly energy. Known for tempos that can easily reach 170 BPM to 220 BPM, Hitech creates an intense, hypnotic experience that leaves no room for monotony. While traditional Psytrance often explores mystical themes with steady rhythms, Hitech offers a futuristic twist, blending rapid sequences and unexpected changes that lead listeners on a journey of intensity and exhilaration.
Rather than relying on melody, Hitech focuses on complex, layered soundscapes that deliver a visceral experience. Each track takes listeners into a whirlwind of sonic textures, creating a feeling of total immersion. Hitech is crafted not only to be heard but to be felt, often syncing with impressive visual displays in live settings that further elevate its impact.
The Origins of Hitech and its Rise in the Psytrance Scene
Hitech emerged in the early 2000s, rooted in the underground Psytrance scene. Influenced by Dark Psytrance, artists began experimenting with faster tempos, glitch elements, and a more chaotic sound structure. This evolution attracted fans looking for an experience that went beyond traditional Psytrance and offered a high-energy, almost futuristic soundscape.
This unique genre quickly gained traction, where Hitech found a dedicated fanbase that embraced its intense and dynamic style. From there, it spread globally, resonating with fans and artists from many countries around the globe.
Evolution and Popularization
The inclusion of Hitech in major global festivals highlights the genre’s growing popularity and its ability to coexist with a wide range of Psytrance styles. Festivals like Boom and Ozora, have adjusted their lineups to meet the rising demand for Hitech’s faster and more intense sounds. This shift showcases these festivals’ openness to new musical branching, their capacity to adapt, and their commitment to presenting a broad spectrum of Psytrance sub-genres that appeals to diverse audiences.
In essence, Hitech has steadily gained a meaningful presence within festivals that celebrate pluralism in Psytrance. Influential events such as Boom and Ozora have been instrumental in promoting and popularizing Hitech, offering dynamic platforms where artists and fans alike can dive into and celebrate this high-energy and futuristic style alongside other facets of Psytrance.
Pioneering Festivals and the Inclusion of Hitech
Boom Festival (Portugal): Since its first edition in 1997, Boom Festival has evolved to encompass various branches of Psytrance, taking place in Idanha-a-Nova. Known for its multidisciplinary and sustainable approach, the event attracts a global audience interested in psychedelic and transformative experiences.
Ozora Festival (Hungary): Launched in 2004, Ozora Festival quickly became one of the largest Psytrance gatherings in Europe. The festival is celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and diversity of subgenres, with Hitech gaining prominence in its lineup over the years.
HillTop Festival (India): Held in Goa, the HillTop Festival is an annual event that celebrates Psytrance culture. It offers an immersive experience that harmonizes music, culture, and spiritual exploration, with Hitech featured as one of the main styles.
Universo Paralello: Founded in 2000, happening every New Year in Bahia's beach (Pratigi) at summer season, it is one of the largest Psytrance festivals in Brazil. With the growth of Hitech, the festival has added dedicated space for artists for this subgenre, reflecting the diversity and evolution of the Brazilian electronic scene.
Odysee Festival (Germany): in Berlin began over two decades ago and is held annually during the New Year holiday. Taking place indoors at the SEZ Berlin building on Landsberger Allee, the winter festival offers a warm, immersive escape from the cold with multiple floors dedicated to diverse psytrance genres.
Iconic Festivals
As Hitech grew, it found its place on the stages of major Psytrance festivals worldwide, solidifying its place within the electronic psy community. Some of the most influential festivals for the Hitech scene include:
Noise Poison Festival (Slovakia): held its first event in 2012 and last on 2015. The festival took place in Slovakia, providing a platform for Hitech artists and enthusiasts to gather and celebrate this high-energy music style.
Hitech Revolution Festival (Brazil): began in 2015 and has been held annually in January, taking advantage of the summer season in Brazil. Originally hosted at some farms around São Paulo, the festival has found a permanent home in recent years at Aldeia Outro Mundo in Lagoinha, São Paulo. From Friday to Monday.
Hitech Universe (Germany): Aptly named, Hitech Universe offers a cosmic escape into Hitech’s realm, gathering the best artists in the genre. Known for its powerful performances and dedicated fans, the festival has become a core event for the Hitech community. Wittstock around 100 km far from Berlin.
Master of Puppets (Czech Republic): is a week-long event held each June during the European summer. Set in the scenic mountains of the Czech Republic, the festival draws both artists and fans from around the globe.
Paralocks: A Defining Influence on Hitech
One artist who has been instrumental in shaping Hitech is Paralocks, also known as Jerry van den Heever. Based in South Africa, Paralocks entered the Psytrance scene in 2007 and quickly carved out a niche with his uncompromising approach to Hitech. His sound remains genuine to the genre, avoiding influences from other styles and staying true to the high-speed, glitch-heavy textures that define Hitech.
Paralocks is known for his meticulously designed lead synths and dynamic soundscapes, which embody the genre’s spirit of intensity and innovation. His work captures the raw essence of Hitech, and his dedication to pushing the boundaries has earned him a reputation as a guiding figure in the genre.
Notable Releases by Paralocks
Throughout his career, Paralocks has released numerous impactful tracks and albums that have left an indelible mark on the Hitech community:
"Underground Arrangement" (2011): Released under Free Radical Records, this debut album introduced Paralocks’s intricate and powerful sound design, solidifying his place in the Hitech scene. The album is celebrated for its creativity and ability to captivate listeners with intense, immersive tracks.
"Key Generator" (2015): This album, released by Kamino Records, showcases Paralocks’s evolution as an artist, with tracks like "Telekinesis" and "Equilibrium" that highlight his skill in blending high-energy beats with intricate, dancefloor-ready arrangements.
"Portable EP" (2024): Featuring tracks like "Cyanescens" and "Universal Collective," this EP explores the concept of transportation to other dimensions, further expanding the boundaries of Hitech with fresh, innovative sounds.
"Channel EP" (2024): A recent release, the "Channel EP" includes five full-power tracks that reflect Paralocks’s continuous commitment to pushing the genre forward, with highlights like "Channel" and "Ascension."
These releases exemplify Paralocks’s distinct approach to Hitech, where each track is a journey through layers of sound that resonate with fans and fellow artists alike.
The Masterclass with Paralocks: Learning from a Hitech Pioneer
For those captivated by Hitech’s unique sound and eager to dive into its production techniques, Alien Noise Academy is excited to present a new Masterclass with Paralocks, launching this Black Friday. In over 10 hours of pre-recorded lessons, Paralocks takes students through his production process, from designing signature lead sounds to creating the immersive soundscapes that define Hitech.
Paralocks’s dedication to Hitech has shaped the genre, and his insights provide a unique window into the artistry behind it. For electronic music producers, whether seasoned or just starting, this Masterclass is an invaluable resource for expanding their knowledge and learning to create music that resonates with the intensity and depth of Hitech.
Hitech isn’t just a genre—it’s an experience that challenges, excites, and immerses listeners in otherworldly energy. With this Masterclass, Alien Noise Academy invites you to step into the studio with Paralocks, learn the secrets of Hitech production, and discover the full potential of this powerful genre.
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