1995 single by the Shamen
"Destination Eschaton" is a song recorded by Scottish band the Shamen, released in August 1995, by One Little Indian, as the first single from the band's sixth album, Axis Mutatis (1995). The song was written by Colin Angus and Richard West, and features vocals by American guest vocalist Victoria Wilson James. It was a hit in several countries in Europe, peaking within the top 10 in Finland and Scotland. In the United States, "Destination Eschaton" reached number 14 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by German director Nico Beyer and William Latham, featuring the band performing aboard a spaceship.
In his review of Axis Mutatis, John Bush from AllMusic complimented the song as "enjoyable".[2] Larry Flick from Billboard magazine named it "one of the act's better efforts."[3] Steve Baltin from Cash Box described it as "a futuristic, fast-paced techno assault on the ears." He added, "The Shamen have already set themselves up as hit makers in the clubs, this new single should enjoy similar dance/club success. Particularly impressive is the enunciation they give to the vocals, showing that techno is not just about the beat, but words, as well. However, in this case, the beat is the star."[1] In his weekly UK chart commentary in Dotmusic, James Masterton viewed it as "a well made single".[4]
British-based music and entertainment retailer HMV named it Single of the Week.[5] Paul Lester from Melody Maker wrote, "It sounded like a compelling piece of commercial techno, and it felt good to have Colin Angus, an intelligent pop star and a decent human being to boot, back in the charts."[6] A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "Very misleading—it's not as instantly catchy as their past singles, but rest assured memorability will grow with each spin. The Shamen remain on the top as the most melodic dance outfit."[7] Mark Sutherland from NME said, "Well, they kick of with another E's are good-type number", opining that "the drug-addled witterings on 'Destination Eschaton' weren't even blatant enough for a Daily Mirror story, let alone a Top Ten hit."[8] Garry Mulholland from Select wrote that "it sounds like every other 'Take You Higher' anthem, times ten."[9]
- "Destination Eschaton" (Beatmasters 7-inch) — 3:55
- "Destination Eschaton" (Destination Islington) (Shamen Deep Melodic Techno Mix) — 6:40
- "Destination Eschaton" (Album Version) — 3:55
- "Destination Eschaton" (Vission Lorimer Dome Mix) — 4:16
- "Destination Eschaton" (Hardfloor 12-inch Vocal – Destination Krefeldton) — 7:25
- "Destination Eschaton" (Shamen Deep Melodic Techno Mix – Destination Islington) — 6:40
- "Destination Eschaton" (Sounds of Life Vocal Mix) — 6:47
- "Destination Eschaton" (Destination Nemeton original version) — 6:47
- "Destination Eschaton" (Shamen Deep Melodic Techno Mix) (Destination Islington) — 6:40
- "Destination Eschaton" (Shamen Acid) (Escacid) — 5:55
- "Destination Eschaton" (Hardfloor Vocal) (Destination Krefeldton) — 7:25
- "Destination Eschaton" (Hardfloor Instrumental) (Destination Komotion) — 7:22
- ^ a b Baltin, Steve (7 October 1995). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ Bush, John. "The Shamen – Axis Mutatis". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ Flick, Larry (2 September 1995). "Dance Trax: Moorish Crosses Gender Barriers With 'I'm Your Man'" (PDF). Billboard. p. 30. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ Masterton, James (13 August 1995). "Week Ending August 19th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ "HMV Single of the Week". NME. 12 August 1995. p. 39. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ Lester, Paul (26 August 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 36. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 35. 2 September 1995. p. 11. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ Sutherland, Mark (28 October 1995). "Long Play". NME. p. 54. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Mulholland, Garry (October 1995). "New Albums". Select. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 250.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 34. 26 August 1995. p. 12. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
- ^ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 36. 9 September 1995. p. 12. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- ^ "M-1 Top 40". M-1.fm. 27 August 1995. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 13 August 1995 – 19 August 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Shamen – Destination Eschaton". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 13 August 1995 – 19 August 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Top 50 Airplay Hits" (PDF). Music Week. 2 September 1995. p. 17. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Hot Dance Music: Club Play" (PDF). Billboard. 11 November 1995. p. 32. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ "1995 in Review: European Dance Radio 1995" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 51/52. 23 December 1995. p. 23. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 5 August 1995. p. 31.
- ^ "New Releases – Product Available from : 11/09/95: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 291. 10 September 1995. p. 18.
- ^ "Selected New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1112. 15 September 1995. p. 35.
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