WELCOME TO THE MACHINE

I became aware of this Swiss four piece band back in 2019 with their "Spheres" release. It's an album I consider to be a 5 star masterpiece, and a perfect blend of Post Rock and Heavy Psychedelia. I keep my music in sub-genres and it was not an easy decision where I should put "Spheres", but I went with Post Rock, as I consider that album to be like-minded to what LONG DISTANCE CALLING and RUSSIAN CIRCLES have done. "Welcome To The Machine" is a sort of a "man versus machine" all instrumental concept album, being inspired by movies or books like A Space Odyssey, 1984, The Matrix etc.

Clearly the album's title is a PINK FLOYD reference and there are lots of those on this record. I would describe this album as Heavy Psychedelia with a Post Rock vibe. We are more in the realm of Psychedelia this time with a FLOYD flavour. I should like this more than I do, and understand that so much of this is incredible to these ears, but I have to say I wish they hadn't decided to go in that FLOYD direction. Yes I'm a huge PINK FLOYD fan but the album being referenced is not one of my favourites, and this is the only thing I can say that is a negative about this recording.

We get five tracks worth over almost 47 minutes. It's a uniform sounding record, quite dark and heavy. You feel like your in space at times. The opener "Ignition" and closer "Collapse" are the two most adventerous tracks and also the longest ones. Too many FLOYD references on the closer but the opener not much other than after 6 1/2 minutes. Post Rock styled guitars come and go on this record, but lots of soaring leads as well. Plenty of atmosphere thanks to the keyboardist but also the guitars at times.

There were many passages where it was so intense and over the top with energy and heaviness that I'm just hanging on. This is a heavy album and I like the LOS NATAS references as both got their careers started in the Stoner Rock field and continue to be adored by these fans, but these two bands have branched out with some sophistication and plenty of refreshing ideas over the years. A solid 4 stars.