Like so many bands, the pandemic has put restrictions on playing live and the way new material is put together. Washington psyche rockers, Kadabra have overcome this and launched their debut offering “Ultra” and take the listener to somewhere arguably cooler.

“Graveyard” opens the album and is like taking a step back into the early seventies with visions of flared denim and sweaty long hairs nodding their heads in unison as loose, slinky riffs that lean on a Captain Beyond sound washes over you. Woozy, psychedelic textures add to the weighty groove but when they want to, the band manage a deep, gritty sort of heavy. The hazy, stoner fog of “Faded Black” with its hypnotic, wailing vocals add to the vibe as the track steers into fuzzy, effects driven guitar breaks taken straight from the Blue Cheer song book. The strutting riff of “Bean King” smacks of Black Sabbath’s “Lord Of This World” albeit with trippy lyrics.

There’s an abundance of influences creeping through with even a hint of Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac on “Eagle” with its smoky, blues introduction. However, the sound and feel of Orange Goblin’s first two albums seems to hang heaviest. The psychedelia, fuzzy riffs and wah-wah drenched guitar breaks are a prominent feature on tracks like “Death” with a raw, garage rock sound. Laid back as all hell, when they choose the band manage some proper heaviness most evident in closing track “Settle”. Garrett Zanol’s vocals are hypnotic and soothing, transporting you through a time warp to the days where their music is rooted.

“Ultra” is a fine debut effort. The band stay firmly within their confines, never straying too far from their influences but for fans of the genre, the celebration of their roots will bring a smile.

(7/10 Johnny Zed)

https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kadabra-ultra