Release Date: July 20th 2024. Record Label: The Bare Bones Corporation. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Hypnotise The World: Tracklisting
1.Arial Slew 03:40
2.Break my Gaze 06:15
3.We Soothe, You Suffer 20:28
4.Ravaged 06:58
5.Fhhu 06:24
6.Everyone Knows Your Name 02:35
Review
Hypnotise The World is the new album from Psych/Stoner/Krautrock collective Lords of Form which is the main project of ex-Hawkwind member Niall Hone. This is the third album that I’ve reviewed by Lords Of Form within the last two years and it seems the band are becoming heavier and more distinctive with each passing release. Using a wild and vivid palette of different Ambient Sounds, Psychedelic Beats and Space Rock grooves for this release which even has echoes of Stoner Rock, Doom Rock, Post-Rock and KrautRock throughout its forty seven minutes run-time.
The record is essentially a throwback to 1980’s and 1990’s Psychedelic Rock with moments of Trance, Electronica and even Dubstep for the early parts of the album especially within the excellent two opening tracks of Arial Slew and Break My Gaze. Would you expect anything less from a highly creative person who spent eleven years with the legendary HAWKWIND over a thirteen year period. There are moments of HAWKWIND appearing on the record but this is essentially Niall breathing new life into the Psychedelic/Space Rock sound with warped instrumental electronic beats with a Stoner Rock delivery holding everything together.
Things become more theatrical and Prog Rock based within the epic third track We Soothe, You Suffer which runs for a mind-expanding twenty minutes. This is perhaps the heaviest and most outlandish part of the record with Niall exploring areas of dystopian rhythms and gloomy electronic movements with hazy psychedelic guitars. The song has its fair share of experimental loops, ambient sounds and jagged instrumental sounds. Did I mention that Niall used to be part of Crippled Black Phoenix as well for a period of time. Well, you can hear the influence of that great band within this track as well but only for Lords Of Form to become its own twisted thing with ethereal dance vocals appearing to add an air of rebellious attitude within the excellent rhythm section that keeps the whole song moving to its highly dramatic conclusion.
The second half of the record continues with the experimental Electro Dance charge with a deep reliance on Psych/Space Rock ideas merging into deep KrautRock instrumental territory which can be almost dreamlike especially on Ravaged and Fhhu. The music does take a backseat to the multiple different styles of Ambient Noises and heavy Industrial Beats for certain parts of the record but it’s always quite exciting to hear.
Lords Of Form have delivered another first rate record which showcases a different style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock you don’t really hear or experience these days. The record is full of dangerous sounds and allows Lords Of Form to be one of the most unique Electronic Rock/Psych Rock acts currently working today.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Lords Of Form for the promo.
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