The history and subgenres of trance: from early raves to global festivals. Artists, facts, and the influence of one of the most emotional genres in electronic music.
Trance is a genre of electronic music created to immerse the listener in a special emotional and almost meditative state. It is defined by the combination of powerful rhythm and melodic synthesizer lines that create a sense of flight and euphoria.
History of Trance
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Early 1990s:
The genre originated in Germany and the Netherlands. Early tracks were often classified as techno or house, but stood out for their long melodic progressions and gradual arrangement builds.
One of the first examples is Age of Love – The Age of Love (1990). -
Mid-1990s – Rise of the genre:
Trance became the main sound of European raves. Artists like Paul van Dyk, Sven Väth, and Tiësto began attracting thousands to their sets. -
Late 1990s – The golden era:
Epic tracks with emotional breakdowns and massive builds defined the sound. Classics include For An Angel (Paul van Dyk) and Adagio for Strings (Tiësto). -
2000s–2010s:
Trance diversified into subgenres such as progressive trance, uplifting trance, and vocal trance.
The radio show A State of Trance by Armin van Buuren became a global phenomenon. -
2020s:
Trance retains a loyal fan base and blends with melodic techno and progressive house, experiencing a revival at modern festivals.
Key Features
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Tempo: 125–150 BPM
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Repetitive rhythm with gradual energy buildup
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“Breakdown” — a melodic and emotional pause before the climax
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Atmospheric drops and euphoric peaks
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Main instruments: synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers
Subgenres of Trance
| Subgenre | Description | Artists |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Trance | Smooth progression and subtle transitions | Above & Beyond, Sasha |
| Uplifting Trance | Energetic, emotional, euphoric | Aly & Fila, Giuseppe Ottaviani |
| Vocal Trance | Vocals combined with melodic synths | ATB, Gareth Emery |
| Psytrance | Psychedelic, fast-paced rhythm | Infected Mushroom, Astrix |
| Tech Trance | Fusion of techno and trance | Marco V, Bryan Kearney |
Trance in Culture
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Festivals: Transmission, ASOT Festival, Luminosity Beach Festival
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Symbol of the genre — the musical “journey”
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Visuals: cosmic themes, laser shows, abstract projections
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Fashion: neon, sportswear, rave accessories
Notable Artists
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Armin van Buuren — the face of global trance
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Ferry Corsten — legend and innovator
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Above & Beyond — masters of emotional progressive
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Aly & Fila — guardians of the uplifting tradition
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Cosmic Gate — balance between melody and club energy
Interesting Facts
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The term “trance” comes from the hypnotic, trance-like state the music induces.
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The show A State of Trance is broadcast in over 84 countries with millions of listeners.
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In the early 2000s, trance was the most popular electronic genre in the world.
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Many classic trance tracks are 8–10 minutes long — far beyond the pop format.
