Release Date: May 14th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Mindspace - Tracklisting
1.93 Billion Light Years 02:31
2.Divine Reefer 12:08
3.Incense for the Beast 06:24
4.Space Child 07:10
5.Crows and Doves 11:57
6.Cosmic Wanderlust 05:23
7.Interplanetary Echoes 13:07
8.Downward Spiral 12:15
Review
Mindspace is the latest album from Doom/Space/Psych/Stoner Rockers Polymerase who I first became aware of with their superb 2023 album Dreams And Realities I which gained considerable praise and attention from within the underground scene. I believe Polymerase have a different lineup for Mindspace with only Vincent Jose (Vocals/Guitar) remaining and being the main creative architect behind the band. With that being said, Polymerase have released an outstanding record full of cinematic splendour where we experience their style of Fuzz, Doom, Psych, Stoner and Post-Metal sounds which allows this to be their heaviest record to date.
Polymerase have a similar style and tone to underground heavyweights VINNUM SABBATHI with both bands delivering Spaced Out Doom records of the highest order. Polymerase perhaps a more abstract and experimental style with how they play their FUZZIER rhythms that becomes quite aggressive when they switch to that Post-Metal style of music.
The vocals from Vincent Jose have a SHAMANIC quality to them with the off-beat Space Rock / Post-Metal instrumental passages creating a diverse journey for the listener to propel themselves into space with especially on tracks Divine Reefer, Incense For The Beast and Space Child.
The first half of the record is beautifully bold and forthright with it’s Drone Metal and Post-Rock delivery holding everything together. Add strands of lo-fi Space Rock with a muscular and aggressive Sludgy attitude forming around Vincent Jose’s vocals, this is a daring take on the Psychedelic/Space Rock genre.
The production values are quite raw sounding but it’s highly effective with the instrumental work being quite dominant throughout. There are echoes of SLEEP, BLACK SABBATH, SUNN 0))) and even King Buffalo on this record but the sudden shift of nightmarish vocals from Vincent Jose really impressed me and give the record one it’s first true “WTF” moments which become more common as time passes by.
The second half of the record once again sees Polymerase experiment with different areas of Doom, Stoner Rock and Sludge Rock passages which is quite original and downright freakishly heavy with it’s distorted and disjointed swagger on tracks Crows And Doves, Interplanetary Echoes and Downward Spiral. These are the longest and progressive leaning tracks on the record which defies the rules and themes of the genres they’re supposedly categorised under. Polymerase have a fearless vision with this record which is where the real magic happens with the album delving into areas of Jazz and Jam-Based instrumental melodies which leave a lasting impression indeed.
Mindspace is perhaps a bit overlong at near sixty eight minutes in length but it’s still a brilliantly surreal journey worth taking with Polymerase creating their own highly stylish take of Cosmic Doom/Stoner Metal which is perhaps some of the finest and original records I’ve heard from the Philippines and South East Asian Heavy Rock scene.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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