Debut full length from Norwegian Spectral Haze is a nauseatingly trippy slice of psychedelia. With so many bands currently all trying their hand at this genre, it’s easy for stuff to pass you by, however, the blatant Hawkwind and Monster Magnet worship at play on this record is difficult to ignore.
Immediately, the opening track plunges the listener into another dimension, making their band name completely apt, as you are quite literally put into a haze. The music has a free flowing feel to it, sort of like an anything goes jam that you’d expect to find at Woodstock. There’s plenty of electronica and samples to boot too, so while the guitar and bass are doing their thing, there’s a steady rhythm keeping course.
There strongest aspect of this record is its amazing sense of seamlessness; there are literally no gaps between tracks, making it sound like one gargantuan song and making for a more intense experience. This is bolstered by a flawless production job, which gives the overall product a feeling of envelopment, like you’re floating around inside a space vacuum.
Spaced out acid rock is by no means an original concept, but this s certainly an album worth checking out and, for those that enjoy the likes of Ufomammut and Atomikylä, you certainly won’t want to let this pass you by.
(7/10 Angela Davey)
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