SageNESS - Inner Empires (Album Review)

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

SageNESS - Akmé (Album Review)

Release date: February 23^rd 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Akmé – Tracklisting

1.Andromeda 07:36

2.The Thought 08:58

3.Sizigia 04:19

4.Ephemeral 09:46

5.Mindbender 04:22

6.Hydro 06:30

Review

Akmé is the second album from Psychedelic Instrumental Stoner Rockers - SageNESS. This album carries on the same themes and progressive sounds first heard on their debut album. Though the band play a heavier and more distinctive sound with a more experimental approach as well. SageNESS bridge the gap between Psychedelic Stoner Rock and Ambient Post Rock sounds superbly well.

The whole feel and flow of the album is quite loose and SageNESS have a ball playing the many different types of music held on the album. Akmé does have its fair share of jam-based moments which take time to fully get going. However the album truly comes alive when the heavier sounds appear especially on the excellent first song – Andromeda.

Andromeda is a cool sounding psychedelic trip with moments of finely played Cosmic Doom riffs that have a certain Weedpecker vibe to them. Add a deep meaningful Space Rock atmosphere and SageNESS do have actual talent in creating highly atmospheric songs that draw you instantly to their addictive riffs.

The production is quite subdued and laid-back at times but it’s handled superbly well from the start. With the band experimenting with their overall sound. Swirling ambient noises are added for a cool cosmic effect on the second song – The Though. The Post-Stoner Rock vibe slowly appears when it fully merges with the Ambient Post Rock sounding guitars.

Akmé is always constantly engaging and superbly entertaining from start to finish. You’ll be surprised at how heavy this album actually becomes as SageNESS do venture into the world of Doom/Stoner Metal on the later stages of the album. SageNESS offer a genuine and exciting alternative sound to the other Instrumental Stoner Rock Bands that are currently out there in the scene and Akmé proves that point with songs such as: Sizgia, Ephemeral and Hyrdo – being perhaps the best songs contained on the album.

Overall, Akmé is an excellent release from SageNESS. Let’s hope the band can build upon the momentum the first two albums have given them so far. As these guys definitely worth your time.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp