Release Date: March 07th 2025. Record Label: Taxi Driver Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Shaping The Chaos - Track Listing:
1.Chicxulub
2.Lahar
3.Darvaza
4.Sailing Stones
5.Natron
6.Bung Fai Phaya Nak
7.Brinicle
8.Blood Falls
9.52 Hz Whale
Members
Luca Nasciuti: guitars
Frik Et: bass
Enrico Meloni: drums and cowbell
Olmo Manzano: percussions on “Natron”
Roberto Izzo: violin on “Natron”
Review
Shaping The Chaos is the new album from Psych/Post-Stoner Rockers IKITAN and it’s a blend of Instrumental music is one built of many different levels of Prog Rock and Cosmic expeditions with the band drawing influences from Karma To Burn, Earthless, My Sleeping Karma and Russian Circles along the way. Sounds can be quite diverse, sparse and beautifully dynamic with an off-kilter Stop/Start melody developing when interlaced with overlapping areas of Space Rock and minimal Cosmic Doom.
With “Chaos” being part of the album title, IKITAN can be quite “CHAOTIC” on this record when developing the early building blocks of the record on tracks such as Chicxclub and Lahar. As the music develops more of Prog Rock and Post-Rock identity before the subtle Post-Stoner and Psychedelic passages appear. Everything is still buoyantly heavy with the band adding small amounts of Progressive Metal energy into the record especially on the later stages of second track Lahar.
IKITAN play fast and loose with the rules of Instrumental Stoner Rock once again employing an experimental attitude to the record. Sometimes quirky, rebellious and freakishly insane at times but never boring. This is a record built on improvisation and long drawn out instrumental sounds with a twinge of NEBULA and EARTHLESS behind these jamming sessions which almost becomes the central focus on tracks such as Darvaza, Sailing Stones and Natron. However, the Post-Rock element is a close second with IKITAN transitioning to a Post-Rock/Post-Metal outfit way before the album is finished.
The record flourishes more when levels of Ambient Rock and Soundtrack style scores appear which adds another level of heaviness to the record. The sound can be quite claustrophobic at times with everything closing in especially on the ten minute plus epic track of Natron. With a healthy dose of apocalyptic surroundings, IKITAN settle for an Alternative Rock creative attitude before returning to their Post-Stoner/Post-Rock sound which allows the band to develop their music into a style of distorted melodic sessions which last until the very end.
Shaping The Chaos continues with the sonic and progressive journey that allows IKITAN to cross over to heavier metallic waters where they once dared to dream, especially on the later stages of the record where I can hear some TOOL-esque cinematic themes developing perhaps most on Natron, Bung Fai Phaya Nak and Blood Falls.
IKITAN maybe ready for the big time with Shaping The Chaos as it’s the type of album that can breakthrough into the higher levels of the Instrumental Psych/Stoner Rock scene. I say on this evidence that IKITAN have earned their reward for a longstanding and highly rewarding career and that’s down to this outstanding release.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to IKITAN for the promo.
Shaping The Chaos will be be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Taxi Driver Records from Friday 07th March 2025.
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