Release Date: September 27th 2024. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Warped Vision - Track Listing:
1. Jasmine
2. Let's Go
3. Smoke
4. Cut Loose
5. Topanga
6. Kaleidoscope
7. Split
8. Magic Carpet
Line-up:
Phil Hey – guitar, vocals
Martin Wiseman – lead guitar, backing vocals
Ian 'Izak' Buxton – bass guitar
Scott Frankling – drums
Review
Psych/Desert/Stoner Rockers Psychlona new album Warped Vision sees the band taking a more Psychedelic route compared to 2022’s acclaimed record Palo Verde. There’s influences such as Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and Yawning Man on this record alone and the band have recruited two new members since their last album with Ian Buxton on Bass and Martin Wiseman on lead guitar and backing vocals respectively. Two names I know too well thanks to their work with bands such as Lazarus Blackstar, Ironrat, Wolves In Winter, Monolith Cult and Solstice.
WIth this being Pyschlona’s fourth album, they deserve the chance to experiment with their music which they do with absolute relish especially on the turbo-charged opening track of Jasmine. The song is full of classic STONER sounds which is powered along by a sublime bass guitar. Psychlona add traces of Post-Rock, Fuzz Rock and Desert Rock abstract passages into the mix with some freaky sounds and classic guitar solos whilst keeping their trademark PSYCHLONA sound intact.
Second track Let’s Go could have easily came off their last record with a similar narrative structure used as a starting point for Psychlona to branch out into other areas of Psychedelic Stoner based territory. The song opens with a sublime drumming section and Post-Rock sound that branches into a Post-Stoner based direction. The music becomes heavier, muscular and with a meaty aggressive sound that harks back to the days of KYUSS, Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU. Phil Hey’s vocal presence makes it feel like he grew up in the Californian Desert Scene and not the gloomy wastelands of Northern England. I’m from the North East Of England (Newcastle upon Tyne to be precise) so this song resonated quite heavily for me with the excellent lyrics that accompany this track.
Third track Smoke is more of a heartfelt number with a stunning Post-Rock sound coming through yet again with Psychlona opting for an easy going and hazy WEEDIAN journey which draws upon some epic Pink Floyd musical strokes along the way. One of the most laid-back tracks on the record which is still superbly heavy that are all played within Psychlona’s unique way of rich storytelling. The second half is a different story with the band switching to a heavier and fuzzier style of music which is classic PSYCHLONA through and through.
Fourth track Cut Loose is one of the heaviest tracks on the album with Psychlona leaning into Sludge territory with bombastic vocals leading the way. The FUZZ grooves have a level of seedy aggression and attitude to them especially when the mood becomes way more distorted. Though there’s a warm hearted nature to the song which is down again to the excellent vocals from both Phil and Martin.
The second half of the record does become more slightly warped and heavier with the WEEDIAN influence starting to take hold especially on tracks such as Topanga and Kaleidoscope with Psychlona adding a texture of seediness to their lyrics and Doomed Metallic grit to their music. This shows the band are taking more bigger and daring risks with their music to perhaps become more aligned to the Doom Metal world than the STONER world we ultimately know them for.
The final two tracks of Split and Magic Carpet can both be quite uplifting and surreal with sonic noises allowing the guitars to slowly weave into the forefront of the action. The music can be beautifully slow and challenging at times but shows a different side to Psychlona where they walk along in the same realm of bands such as King Buffalo and Howling Giant.
Warped Vision is another standout album from Psychlona which continues the outstanding work heard on Palo Verde but also allows the band to create exciting new sounds and instrumental passages which will no doubt allow Psychlona to become one of the leading bands within the UK Stoner Metal scene.
This is also another ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender from the band and one that will be remembered as one of their most powerful and technically impressive records to date.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.
Warped Vision will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Records from Friday 27th September 2024.
Links
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