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Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Hyperspace - Tracklisting
1. HIGHWAY NOVA (6:38)
2. HYPERSPACE (6:59)
3. ANOTHER PLANET (4:35)
4. GOT A FEELING (3:54)
5. LAND OF ANCIENT NOTHING (7:06)
6. OPIUM AND STIMULANTS (4:03)
7. MOTHER EARTH (4:06)
8. ASTEROID (6:03)
9. INVADERS (8:12)
10. FUTURE (11:32)
Review
The Space Rock/Doom/Stoner Metal collective known as REDWOOD wasn’t kidding that they would be back bigger than ever with their next album and they’ve truly proven that point with their latest expedition into the further edges of the COSMOS with HYPERSPACE. Following six months on after their critically acclaimed album Time To Lose, this time round REDWOOD leans further and heavily into the legendary Nineties Stoner Metal scene.
The MONSTER MAGNET and FU MANCHU influence is there but REDWOOD adds some gloriously OTT soundtrack sensibilities to their music and some heavy use of Progressive Rock storytelling elements to the album. Hyperspace feels like a pure cinematic event and perhaps the perfect soundtrack to a classic video game of the PS2 and XBOX era of gaming. Maybe I’m slightly overselling the album but that’s the feeling I got from listening to the record as REDWOOD fully delves into the folklore of Stoner Metal, Psych Rock and Space Rock with a renowned sense of progressive purpose.
The opening batch of songs Highway Nova, Hyperspace and Another Planet demonstrates a fine level of intricate FUZZ details that moves into heavier areas of dominant Stoner Metal melodies which does have that deep Monster Magnet influence which appears even within the spaced out guitars that have a certain Ed Mundell quality to them. It’s a great style of music that develops into REDWOOD’s own way of delivering high voltage and action packed Space Rock themes. The lyrics always have that “BIGGER THAN LIFE” attitude with raucous vocals to match.
There is still a sense of gritty realism appearing within the sludgy sounds that appear from time-to-time. The music is always catchy and superbly fast-paced where REDWOOD packs a lot of intense musical movement within the lengthy sixty two minutes the album lasts for. Despite the fantastical elements of the album, Hyperspace is quite a grounded record especially with some of the lyrics and creative messages that's outlined within the whole journey with the emerging threat of “A.I.” posing to the whole of mankind. REDWOOD has found an excellent way to offer their own perspective on this threat but do this through the power of Doom Metal and Stoner Metal.
REDWOOD continues his great use of Ambient and Trippy sound effects heard on his previous albums but this time they’re used in a more distorted manner which just highlights the dangerous effect that “A.I.” could have upon us all. Sometimes the album does feel a bit too long at times with certain songs but the listener does experience some intense SONIC musical passages that moves into heavier Sludge Metal waters with a thrilling Atmospheric delivery appearing when you least expect it.
Other great tracks to check out are: Got A Feeling, Land Of Ancient Nothing, Opium and Stimulants, Asteroid, Invades and the amazing final track Future (which is REDWOOD’s best track they’ve created by a long mile). These tracks contain the most interesting, heaviest and doomed out grooves on the whole record and you can feel REDWOOD’s own thoughts and creative persona being expressed through their music.
Hyperspace may feel quite long at times but the real reward is the actual destination with REDWOOD finally coming into their own creative existence which could propel them to bigger things within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene. The instrumental work is stellar throughout with a SHIT-TON of epic instrumental passages and wicked guitar solos transporting you back to the classic heyday of Nineties Stoner Metal where the likes of FU MANCHU, SLEEP, KYUSS and MONSTER MAGNET ruled the entire mother-trucking universe.
REDWOOD have just released their best record to date and this will perhaps be the album I will rank their future records against. This is seriously a grand musical adventure that’s perfectly made for the WEEDIAN generation.
Words by Steve Howe
