Just when you think that Germany cannot produce another
killer heavy psych band, in walk Rostock’s Gorm. Following on from a live
release from 2017, they have locked themselves away and created an instrumental
sound that takes the listener in to another sonic dimension.
With 5 songs (4 on the LP) covering 57 minutes, it’s time to
sit back and enjoy their cosmic trip.
“Rhea” starts off slowly with a couple of riffs that are reminiscent
to what Elder are doing right now. A tight sounding rhythm section that starts
to take you out into the distance with fuzzy guitars that start to build and
build. Then around 4:00 minutes everything stops to then be pushed up a level
and forced out into the universe, this is where the instruments get thicker and
the guitar starts to pull you away, but never too far from the chugging sound
that makes you think of the spaceships engine. Again it stops, with listener
only hearing a slight keyboard effect as though you are in deep space and then
the song builds up the layers before its signature riff takes over, feeling big
and emotive, before it takes you back.
Feeling the connection to the next track “Hyperion”, you
feel as though you are already back up there is the stars with instruments
sounding more as though they are turning to the light. The song then takes a
gentle approach as the bass and drumbeats pull you along before the soundscapes
start to build and evolve and for the next 7 minutes slowly take you out there
and back again on many occasions.
“Hydra” is a 12 minute journey that has more a well thought
out “jam” feel to it, reminding me of Colour Haze and Rotor in parts. The
guitar meanders back into the cosmos again, backed with more cymbals this time
and when the heavier parts kick in, they really kick in with a repetitive style
this music was made for. Half way through the track stops and veers off into
different world and the bass guitar feels a lot fuzzier as it drives everything
forward. Everything speeds up as the guitar takes on a slight metal chug to it,
leaving space for some intricate guitar work to follow.
Elder fans will really enjoy “Triton” with its overlaying
guitar soundscapes and time changes, giving you the atmosphere of space exploration
without knowing what is coming on the horizon. One minute the track is driving
forward with a repeating guitar riff, the next with a euphoric like guitar
melody.
The non vinyl LP versions also have the track “Calypso” on them, a
more crunchy psychedelic jam compared to the others. From the guitar walking
off into the distance repeatedly whilst it keeps bring you home to repeat a
riff reminds me very much of Rotor, which is a bonus. From the thick fuzzy
overlays to the more psych sounding parts, Gorm have the ability to sound
heavy, but not in a metal way.
The vinyl is available direct from the band in 3 Colors (Blue, Orange and a Purple/Black marble).
No comments:
Post a Comment