Release
date: October 20th 2017. Label: Tonzonen Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Water Planet – Tracklisting
Plasma
Thruster
Metamorphosis
Nag
Kanya
Members
Hazi
Wettstein: guitar, effects -
Akee
Kazmaier: bass, effects -
Marcus
Schnitzler: drums, soundscapes
Review
This
is my first visit to the world of The Spacelords. I didn't know what
to expect. Sure I've heard of them before but I didn't feel the urge
to listen to them until now and with their epic new album - Water
Planet. If you haven't heard of The Spacelords then let me fill in
the blanks. The band plays a blend of Psychedelic, Space, Krautrock
and Stoner Rock. Imagine a heavier and trippier of version of
Hawkwind but with a truly original sound of their own.
Opening
track - Plasma Thruster - propels you into The Spacelords vast and
expansive sound with trippy psychedelic riffs played against a more
subtle spaced out krautrock sound. The song has a beginning, middle
and an end which allows the band to tell an intriguing and exciting
story. Things become heavier when the band plays a more jam based
sound where you can hear heavier doom/stoner riffs coming into play.
The album has a vibrant and natural feel to it. With the album being
primarily influenced by a Water Planet, the band creates sounds that
reflect the album’s title. There is a lot of feedback placed
throughout the album and that elevates The Spacelords sound to
another level compared to other bands within the genre.
Second
track - Metamorphosis - sees a change of direction with The
Spacelords opening with moments of done style psychedelic rock.
Swirls of Krautrock riffs slowly build up an eerie and cold
atmosphere with The Spacelords in no rush to speed things up. Not the
most exciting track on the album but definitely the most passionate.
Heavier moments do appear but more sporadically compared to the other
two songs on the album.
Third track - Nag Kanya - is twenty minutes of psychedelic krautrock magic with The Spacelords confirming myself as a fan of their music. The song is played through different styles of music. As the song feels it's been broken down by individual chapters. Which is a good thing as it allows The Spacelords to create some of the albums most psychedelic and experimental moments.
Third track - Nag Kanya - is twenty minutes of psychedelic krautrock magic with The Spacelords confirming myself as a fan of their music. The song is played through different styles of music. As the song feels it's been broken down by individual chapters. Which is a good thing as it allows The Spacelords to create some of the albums most psychedelic and experimental moments.
The
thing I admire the most about this album is how The Spacelords stick
to the main theme and title of the album. Water Planet resonates
on so many different levels. If you're already a fan of The
Spacelords then you will no doubt love what is on offer here. First
time listeners will be thrilled by the different styles and genres of
music on offer.
The
production on the album is first rate. As you feel part of the action
and your mood will change along with the tone and atmosphere of the
album. Maybe the band play it safe sometimes with certain sounds on
the album but they have the intelligence to play something bolder and
even more radical compared to other bands of their ilk.
Water Planet is not only an album to admire and cherish, but one to
fully lose yourself in.
Words
by Steve Howe
Water Planet will
be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Tonzonen Records from October
20th 2017.
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