The Dog Of Tears

The Dog Of Tears is the moniker of Los Angeles‑born, now Sonoma‑based producer David Chaim Cohen, a solo artist known for his deep‑cut psychedelic trance and experimental electronic releases. Emerging from the early‑2000s underground rave scene, he blends analog‑driven noise walls with hypnotic psy‑trance rhythms, carving a niche that resonates with listeners who favor the darker, more cerebral side of the genre. Searches for The Dog Of Tears often stem from curiosity about his distinctive “rust‑trance” sound and his role within the Xexify Records community.

Artist Overview

David Cohen began making electronic music in elementary school, inspired by industrial pioneers like Skinny Puppy and the early IDM of Autechre and Aphex Twin. In 2004, after reading José Saramago’s Blindness, he adopted the name The Dog Of Tears for a project that initially explored dense, meditative noise. Early live shows in Los Angeles featured collaborations with artists such as Asom, W.V. Kabal, and Knob Goblin, forming a short‑lived “Dog of Tears Orchestra.”

Around 2008, Cohen’s interests shifted toward the high‑energy trance scene. He deliberately re‑engineered his sound, retaining the abrasive edge of his noise roots while embedding it in driving 4‑on‑the‑floor beats. The result was a “rust‑trance” style—distorted, pulsating, and unmistakably underground. Today he resides on the Russian River in Sonoma County, continuing to produce and release music through Xexify Records and the Sealion Collective.

Musical Style & Genres

The Dog Of Tears operates at the intersection of psychedelic trance, dark techno, and analog experimentalism. Tracks typically sit between 140–150 BPM, featuring rolling basslines, layered synth arpeggios, and heavily processed modular patches. Cohen favors hardware—Moog, Eurorack modules, and vintage drum machines—giving his productions a tactile, gritty texture that digital‑only productions often lack.

His soundscape is characterized by:

• Rust‑Trance Aesthetic: Distorted leads and crunchy filters sit atop trance‑style kick‑drum patterns, creating a feeling of decay within a danceable framework.
• Analog Noise Layers: Subtle hiss, feedback loops, and field recordings add an atmospheric depth that feels both meditative and unsettling.
• Dynamic Arrangements: Long, evolving builds lead to cathartic drops, often punctuated by sudden tempo shifts or glitch‑style interruptions.

Influences range from classic Goa trance to the industrial aggression of early 90s techno, while contemporary psy‑trance acts like Infected Mushroom and Astral Projection can be heard in his melodic sensibilities.

Notable Releases / Projects / Achievements

• dogspiral1 (2016) – The first full‑length album that introduced his “rust‑trance” concept, recorded live with no overdubs.
• dogspiral2 (2021) – A three‑disc, 200‑minute exploration of psychedelic trance, praised for its immersive, continuous‑mix structure.
• +. Gold & +. Silver (2024) – A two‑part album series released on Xexify Records, each part representing a different facet of his evolving sound palette.
• Collaborations & Remixes – Frequent contributions to Xexify’s compilation series and remixes for artists such as Para Halu, showcasing his ability to reinterpret tracks through his signature analog lens.

While The Dog Of Tears remains a niche act, his releases have garnered consistent support from underground psy‑trance communities and appear regularly on genre‑focused playlists and radio shows.

Releases and Community Impact

Beyond his own discography, Cohen contributes to the broader electronic scene through DIY initiatives. As a key figure at Xexify Records, he helps curate the label’s roster, providing a platform for emerging psychedelic producers. He also participates in local events in Northern California, often delivering live sets that blend real‑time modular synthesis with DJ mixing.

His commitment to analog hardware encourages a resurgence of modular culture among younger producers, and his open‑source sample packs—occasionally shared via the Xexify Discord—offer raw, unprocessed sounds for fellow artists. By maintaining a collaborative spirit, The Dog Of Tears helps sustain a vibrant, self‑sustaining ecosystem that values artistic experimentation over commercial polish.

Online Presence

• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dogoftears
• Bandcamp: https://xexify.bandcamp.com/artist/the-dog-of-tears
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedogoftears/
• Official website / Label page: https://xexify.com/dog.html

Why The Dog Of Tears Matters in the Electronic / Psychedelic Scene

The Dog Of Tears occupies a unique crossroads where the relentless energy of trance meets the textured, hands‑on approach of analog experimentation. For listeners seeking an alternative to the glossy production of mainstream psy‑trance, his music offers a raw, immersive experience that feels both nostalgic and forward‑thinking.

His dedication to hardware‑centric production not only preserves a vital part of electronic music heritage but also inspires a new generation of producers to explore modular synthesis. By operating within the DIY framework of Xexify Records, he reinforces the underground ethos that keeps the psychedelic scene vibrant and resilient. In short, The Dog Of Tears matters because he bridges the gap between experimental noise and dancefloor‑ready trance, providing a sonic laboratory for the underground community to explore, remix, and evolve.

Sources

• The Dog of Tears – https://xexify.com/dog.html
• +. Gold – https://xexify.bandcamp.com/album/gold
• Instagram profile – https://www.instagram.com/thedogoftears/
• SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/dogoftears