Psychlona turned some heads back in 2018 with their debut Mojo Rising and have been gigging away to build up a loyal following ever since. Returning again on Ripple Music and Cursed Tongue Records, the Bradford 4-piece have well and truly returned on another level with Venus Skytrip.
Blast Off starts trippy and space like with some astronaut
dialogue in the distance and I’m thinking have they psyched out for this
record, but no, the drum beat pulls the track up over the repetitive guitar line
that moulds itself around the wall of fuzz that quickly follows. It’s not too
fast and not too slow and just grooves along like the vehicle of your choice
with a speed gauge that is getting pushed to the limit. I can see why people
have made the Fu Manchu comparisons but I’m thinking more of the 90’s Swedish
bands (Dozer, Lowrider etc.) in the way the song sounds like a variety of big
heavy soundscapes.
I’m sure I heard 10,000 Volts being played last time I saw
them live as I remember the song starting slow and moody with a load of early
Sabbath doomy blues rock in there. It’s a definite slow burner that swings back
and forth, making it a real head nodder. The last few minutes have the guitars
taking control and walking you off into the night sky after throwing the
listener a few wah-wah’s. 10,000 Volts is made for a dark festival venue full
of drunken punters.
Blow has a bluesy swagger to it from the start and stomps
along like The Sword with a bit of Clutch moulded into the background.
If you worship at the altar of Fu Manchu or Nebula, Star
will be your stand out “go to” song on the album. From the opening riff to the
first solo action, Psychlona work through the gears of their (insert your 70’s muscle
car of choice here) and it doesn’t let up. Cutting through the big wall of fuzz
after a couple of minutes is the introduction of some classic cow bell that
kick starts even more epic soloing. Star ticks all the right boxes for the
Stoner Rock party jam!
Edge of the Universe feels like the band are pushing their
boundaries further with some darker doomier riffs, a big rumbling bassline and
sliding guitar chords with a southern twist that warps the mind.
Resin is easily my favourite song on the album. Starting all
laid back and trippy, the single drum track and bassline set the tone as the
guitars float in and out to create an ambience before a wave of guitars crash
over you. It does feel like they’ve managed to catch a point in time that reminds
me of what Unida did with songs like You Wish and Last Day, when they let the
instruments take the listener to a place somewhere between the end of the
horizon and the beginning of space. Played live I can see Resin turning into a
20+ minute jam. The band have done a video for Resin that’s full of old 50’s
and 60’s surfing clips and it all fits together really well with the music
complementing the culture and vice versa.
Tijuana kicks the throttle back in again and feels like
you’re on board the rocket that’s taking you on the Venus Skytrip, and The Owl
takes you on a 9+ minute psychedelic doom jam that builds with a deep hypnotic riff
that marches you through the dark red skies before floating away towards the
light.
Psychlona will win over a lot of new fans with Venus Skytrip
and when the pandemic subsides and gigs can actually happen again, I am looking
forward to seeing them rock this out live.
I also have to mention the production quality of the mix and
production done by Andy Hawkins and the cool psychedelic artwork done by Kyrre
Bjurling.
As quick as it was pressed on vinyl Venus Skytrip had
already sold out, but they have already repressed it on sun star yellow.
Website – Bandcamp – YouTube – Ripple Music – Cursed Tongue Records
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