Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Vista Lagarto Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Inner Empires - Tracklisting
1.Lokomotive 09:32
2.Olimpo 10:12
3.Hazy Dawn 06:39
4.Espejismo 06:32
5.Solve et Coagula 08:45
Members
David: Guitar.
Aitor : Bass.
Fran : Drums
Review
Inner Empires is the fourth full length album from Instrumental Psych/Space/Stoner Rockers SageNESS who continue with their JAM based approach exploring different sonic and cosmic based territories which they’ve been perfecting way back with their acclaimed debut album back in 2017. SageNESS offer a more daring, heavier and gloomier sound with the band tou
ching upon areas of Sludge Rock and Post-Metal on this record.
SageNESS overall sound is way more daring and experimental that I originally anticipated compared to their previous records with the band drawing upon similar soundscapes used by the likes of PELICAN, RUSSIAN CIRCLES and MONO but keeping within their own dramatic style of creative sense. The music has quite an epic approach with SageNESS using different kinds of Psychedelic loops and freakish COSMIC sounds which builds upto exciting levels of heaviness throughout though you’re given a crash course right away within the superb opening track Lokomotive.
The record draws mostly upon its Space Rock and Progressive Rock themes to outline an excellent creative narrative which has some subdued PINK FLOYD melodies on the more reflective parts of the album which appear on tracks such as Olimpo, Hazy Dawn and Solve et Coagula. The level of musicianship being performed here by David (Guitar), Aitor (Bass) and Fran (Drums) is nothing short of brilliance with SageNESS playing a highly proficient and technical style of Instrumental Rock/Metal that can only be described as “INCREDIBLE” on the more challenging parts of the record.
I admire how SageNESS keeps everything grounded despite the fantastical and science fiction based journey the record takes the listener upon. There’s also the excellent use of Drone, Space Rock, Ambient sounds, feedback loops and Amplifier Distorted passages that appear constantly but only at a minimal level which builds into something more daring on the heavier instrumental soundscapes.
Inner Empires is a superbly constructed record boosted by stunning production values, complex musical melodies and a fully realised storyline that will instantly captivate anyone who listens to this record. The record feels like a grand musical adventure into the far reaches of Space Rock were the listener can easily lose themselves in with the SageNESS being your constant companion into a greater world of neverending musical possibilities.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Sageness for the promo.
Inner Empires is available to buy now on CD, Digital Download and Vinyl from Vista Lagarto Records.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
