Release Date: February 28th 2025. Record Label: Evening Star Records. Formats: CD/DD
V - Track Listing:
1. Celestial Gaze
2. Spacekeeper
3. Numenia
4. Utopian Structures
5. Breathing Fire
6. Legion
7. Sand Halo
8. The Citadel
Members
John Delias - Guitar & Vocals
John Vagenas - Bass & Vocals
Kostas Charizanis - Drums & Percussion
Pantelis Kargas - Keyboards & Synthesizers
Review
This year Naxatras are celebrating the tenth anniversary of their self-titled album. Fans of the band know that there has been quite a metamorphosis within that time. They may have shed some of those early incarnations, but Naxatras are consistent in their Heavy Psych and Progressive Rock classifications. Also too is the increase in scope, grandeur, and production compared to that first record, which is apparent on ‘V’.
Naxatras have a way of grabbing a hold of you and sending you to distant hypothetical lands, far off from this worldly existence. Possibly that’s their intention, to navigate you along your way as you travel high above this natural plane, comparable to how Pink Floyd deliberately wrote and composed music for tripping balls to (you can’t convince me otherwise). However, you don’t need hallucinogens or mind-altering substances to absorb the contents and whether by design or not, that type of magic is certainly here on ‘V’.
There is a considerable amount to unpack when talking about ‘V’, but I will say it’s the type of album that should be enjoyed in full from beginning to end. The initial sounds of ‘Celestial Gaze’ are the synths and bass, along with the drums which drive the track, though the entire album is strongly bass and synth driven. In addition, the vocals and lyrics give it a prog and adventure rock narrative. There’s an amazing bluesy Gilmour-like guitar lead at the key change, proving that Naxatras haven’t abandoned those blues licks. The first single and fully instrumental ‘Spacekeeper’ mixes space rock with an ancient aura that’s due to and highlighted by the flute in the middle of the track. I can imagine an extensive journey on the ancient Silk Road travelling through foreign lands.
It seems the excursion through exotic landscapes isn’t finished, as ‘Numenia’ incorporates congas, flute, and Middle Eastern synthesizer flourishes that will have you feeling the scorched sun and sand filled air. The funky bass is a standout as well on this desert caravan. Naxatras shift gears on ‘Utopian Structures’, as the heavy bass groove on this instrumental song mixed with its reliance on synths makes for a futuristic space travel type of experience.
‘Breathing Fire’ starts with a great rock riff, though the song is very progressive with multiple time changes. The vocals transform to a mesmerizing chant on the back end of the track. Naxatras continues the progressive space rock theme but with the inclusion of orchestral sounds as well as violins, both really elevating ‘Legion’. The Pink Floyd influence shines as bright as a diamond during the summer solstice on ‘Sand Halo’, as it reflects moments of Wish You Were Here, The Wall, and a bluesy Gilmour influenced solo. The vocal melody and delivery are catchy, thoughtful, and my favorite of the album. ‘The Citadel’ is the third instrumental and last track of ‘V’ which has an unsettling feel to it, though it’s the conclusion of the album it simultaneously feels as an arrival.
The way that Naxatras mix futuristic Sci-Fi sounds with the multiculturalism sounds of antiquity is an outstanding concept, one that pays off with the originality and overall appeal of ‘V’.
Words by Jon McGough
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo,
V will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Evening Star Records from Friday 28th February 2025.
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