I'm sure some people will argue with my landing this under prog rock. I really can't see it going anywhere else. Yes, it's noisy. Yes, it's very techno in nature. That said, this is very much in line with space rock like Hawkwind. Given that Helios Creed (one of the members of this outfit) has worked with former Hawk Nik Turner, that seems to come naturally. Add in the fact that it's progressive music in a very real sense, working the whole post punk thing forward nicely, and it's a slam-dunk. Whatever you call this, though, it's compelling and powerful. It's noisy. It's weird. It's also exceptional. It's actually likely to make my best of 2017 list.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Administer the Treatment
Noisy electronics start this. There is a screaming, raw sound that joins. Then all kinds of layers of sound are added over the top. This is crashing and clashing. Yet, it is somehow almost hypnotic. It's compelling. In a lot of ways this makes me think of a cross between a noisy, techno sound and something like Hawkwind mixed with Kraftwerk. I love the echoed, science fiction like spoken vocals on the verses. The chorus is closer to screamed. There is some weird sci-fi based stuff that serves as the final section It has some odd music along with strange soundbites and more.
Black Diamond
Speaking of Hawkwind, this really makes me think of that band. Sure, there is a techno edge to this, but I reminded in a lot of ways of the kings of space rock on this tune. There is some cool fast paced jamming on this, and as strong as the opener was, this surpasses it.
Sex Pocket Meister Weird backwards tracked stuff, sound effects and more make up this shorter piece. There is a spoken, heavily processed chorus on this, too.
Death Is a Pusher Super hard edged and rocking, this has more punk and techno in it than it does space rock. That said, there is still enough space rock here to earn it that label. In some ways this reminds me of Robert Calvert just a little.
Tears in Space I love the space sounds of this piece. It's perhaps mellower and more electronic. I can make out Hawkwind along with some pure psychedelia and other things. I love the guitar solo on this one.
Time Slider Hawkwind merges with punk on this screaming hot tune. Electronics end it.
Pyramid of Planets This is just a bit over a minute long. It's electronic weirdness that sounds like it might have some backwards tracked stuff in there. There is a highly processed spoken vocal. Hard edged, rough around the edges music emerges right at the end.
The Mandela Effect Pedal Ambient space opens this. There is a rhythmic element that emerges almost train like. It builds from there before exploding out into echoey, noisy space that's quite freaky and also cool.
Execution Driving space rock, this is noisy and quite industrial in a lot of ways.
The Other Side
I can definitely make out some Hawkwind on this driving rocker. Mind you, it has more of that raw edge, too. I can almost hear some hints of Lords of the NewChurch here.
Devils Flight Roughly a minute in length, while there is a definite percussive element, this is more pure electronic music. It's the most traditional proggy thing here. It actually makes me think of something like Tangerine Dream.
Just for You
Killer hard rocking space music, this has some Hawkwind reference built into it. It's arguably the most punk rock based thing here. I like the echoey vocals on this.
