DARXTAR

4.5 stars.The recent addition of SIDDHARTHA and DARXTAR has made me very happy. Two incredible Psychedelic / Space Rock bands. This is DARXTAR's debut and they were basically a duo at this point. I should mention that this Swedish band dedicates this record to the memory of Robert Calvert who passed away in 1988 at the age of 43. And yes this particular album is very much HAWKWIND inspired. They threw me a curve with the tracklisting. It shows seven songs, but they're really 1A-1G so even as the album comes to a close we're still on track 1. Anyway I think i've got it figured out even though the songs blend together.

"The Traveller" has this good heavy sound as vocals join in. It settles before 2 1/2 minutes but not for long as the guitar comes in just lighting it up after 3 minutes. Vocals are back and the song ends after 4 1/2 minutes as it turns very spacey and blends into "I Wish To Explain". Spacey winds continue and eerie sounds come and go before whispered vocals arrive. It eventually kicks in with drums and guitar as the winds continue to blow. The guitar soars and then it settles a minute later.The winds haven't stopped. "Aberrant Station" opens with synths before 12 1/2 minutes as a HAWKWIND-like rhythm takes over. A great uptempo track with vocals. "Live To Live" at 16 1/2 minutes features strummed guitar and spacey winds. Spoken words and a beat come in before it kicks into gear.Incredible sound ! The contrasts continue. Check out the organ when it kicks back in a second time.

"Bevis On The Radio" at 21 1/2 minutes is my favourite song on here, it opens with relaxed guitar sounds that come and go. Drums and a fuller sound take over with tasteful guitar. Reserved vocals come in. Nice bass. This is so emotional when the vocals get more passionate and the guitar gets heavier. A gorgeous guitar solo 30 minutes in. "The Distant Sun" opens before 35 minutes with some nice raw guitar sounds as vocals come in. This one has a HAWKWIND flavour to it. A ripping guitar solo goes on and on. The guitar is back again late lighting it up. Fantastic song ! "Wings" comes in after 40 minutes with spacey winds and acoustic guitar as reserved vocals join in. Love this song as well.

The last half of this album is just killer ! The whole thing is so good though. My kind of music.