Electronic · DE · Active since 1992

Sunbeam

High-energy German trance with cinematic sci-fi samples and soaring synth leads. Essential 90s rave anthems for peak-hour dancefloors and late-night drives.

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Intro

Sunbeam represents the golden era of German trance, where cinematic ambition met the relentless energy of the 90s rave scene. Their sound is defined by massive, shimmering synthesizer leads that feel like they are reaching for the stratosphere, anchored by the driving, propulsive kick drums typical of the Frankfurt and Berlin club circuits. It is music that feels both futuristic and nostalgic, capturing a specific moment in time when electronic music was discovering its power to create vast, immersive worlds.

What sets them apart is their masterful use of atmosphere and narrative. By incorporating iconic vocal samples from sources like the anime classic Akira, they added a layer of cyberpunk grit to their otherwise euphoric melodies. This creates a tension between the 'outside world' and the internal, communal experience of the dancefloor. Their production is characterized by high-resonance filter sweeps, gated pads, and a sense of scale that makes every track feel like a main-stage event.

To understand the Sunbeam experience, start with 'Outside World.' It is a quintessential trance anthem that perfectly balances its dark, spoken-word samples with a melody that is impossible to forget. From there, explore 'Arms of Heaven' for a more melodic, uplifting take on their signature sound. This is music designed for movement, best experienced at high volume when you want to disappear into the rhythm.

Sunbeam is a German electronic music project. The band consists of Florian Preis (born 1972 in Bensheim) and Michael Gerlach (born 1973 in Tehran). Since 1992, they have made progressive dance/trance-productions and remixes. Their biggest hit "Outside World" (1994) contains two vocal samples from the anime film Akira ("You know we aren't meant to exist in the outside world" and "I came to get you").
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Our Catalog1 Album · 1997
Known ForWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
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