AD ASTRA

During about 10 years from 'their' debut, KREL had been a four- or five-piece space rock band. However, this brilliant debut CD with Hawkwindish spice on Krelian taste was, surprisingly, almost a solo work by Martin M. Were the other members unnecessary for KREL? ...We should feel so on listening to 'his' work.

Well suggest Martin M. could tighten a screw into the work by effort after Mr. Dibs, a talented bassist, leaving away. We can catch a glimpse of his strong intention to product the new 'space'. Sometimes like a blowin' wind, sometimes like a dramatic show, and sometimes like a ground rumbling - the time named Ad Astra by Martin goes through our heart from left to right. Usually space rock is dry, repetitive, flat and a bit boring (sorry!), but particularly about this Ad Astra, all 'negative' words mentioned before should not be used, in my humble opinion. On the spacey sounds in the space, Martin could drop spicy waves like comets and itsy-bitsy climax like a spaceship. Joking aside, he ornamented his work with colourful stardust by various instruments and dry flavour by his (not-so-good) voices - that can let me shout that how spicy and fragrant his interpretation of space rock should be.

It's too sad for me that this is one and only KREL's official studio work.

There are arguably far too few bands trying to emulate the mighty Hawkwind, so when I saw that this CD was by a band that had actually completed a full tour with them as long ago as 1992 I knew I was in for a treat. Then I read that Andy G had been inspired to set up the Dead Ernest label just to release this album and I was quite intrigued.

What could this album contain? The answer is one of the most powerful space rock albums that I have heard in many an aeon. Krel are pretty much a one man band these days with Martin M being joined by a guest on only a couple of the songs. This contains all that a space rock fan could want, with long held down keyboard chords a la Hawkwind, Floyd, or Gong. On top of that are the insistent repeated melodies, with a strong bass line, as well as vocals coming in and out of the mix.

The album is now four years old and it is very much my loss that I have only just heard it. Let it not be yours and discover the space rock of Krel.

Originally appeared in Feedback #65, Dec 01