Ozric Tentacles release Technicians of the Sacred
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Topic: Ozric Tentacles release Technicians of the Sacred
Posted By: petersen88
Subject: Ozric Tentacles release Technicians of the Sacred
Date Posted: March 24 2015 at 15:04
The release date and track listing appeared, so we know all the details... apart from the music itself  The new DOUBLE CD and vinyl album set, Technicians of The Sacred, will released on Snapper's "Madfish" label on May 11th, 2015 in the UK, one day prior to the first UK performance at the London O2 Academy Islington, and May 26th, 2015 in the US, prior to the first US performance at Infrasound Festival in Black River Falls, WI with Tipper, Ott, Opiuo, Mr. Bill, Benga, and many more... The supporting tour starts on April 25th with their first perfomance in Warsaw, and is currently confirmed through Europe, UK, and the US, though bookings are still in the works for many more countries. Keep an eye on the Gigs & Tours section for updates. At long last! Ozric's 21st studio album. 90 minutes of mind bending astral journies ready and waiting to transport you to another world. Over 30 years into their musical career, Ozric's continue to push the boundries where no band has gone before. This epic offering takes you on a journey of awakening through musical celebration, it encourages listeners to take a step away from the restraints of traditional and modern days styles or genres, and open their minds to any possibility. "Technicians of the Sacred" is the group's first double length album in 25 years, since their ground breaking Erpland LP released in 1990.  CD1 1. The High Pass (08:23) 2. Butterfly Garden (05:04) 3. Far Memory (07:10) 4. Changa Masala (06:04) 5. Zingbong (08:26) 6. Switchback (10:11) CD2 1. Epiphlioy (11:49) 2. The Unusual Village (06:20) 3. Smiling Potion (07:12) 4. Rubbing Shoulders With The Absolute (08:36) 5. Zenlike Creature (09:54) http://ozrics.com" rel="nofollow - http://ozrics.com http://www.propermusic.com/product-details/Ozric-Tentacles-Technicians-Of-The-Sacred-2CD-189454" rel="nofollow - http://www.propermusic.com/product-details/Ozric-Tentacles-Technicians-Of-The-Sacred-2CD-189454 http://www.propermusic.com/product-details/Ozric-Tentacles-Technicians-Of-The-Sacred-2LP-189453" rel="nofollow - http://www.propermusic.com/product-details/Ozric-Tentacles-Technicians-Of-The-Sacred-2LP-189453 |
Replies:
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: March 24 2015 at 15:07
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Wonderful! I eagerly await it. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: March 24 2015 at 15:32
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Lovely artwork |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: March 25 2015 at 01:15
Oh !! I'm wetting my pants  - it looks promising, I just wish they'd cut back on the programming and return to their more 'band' sounding efforts. The Hidden Step was the last really strong album IMO, but all the albums since then have their fair share of marvellous tracks. Roll on May. |
Posted By: deafmoon
Date Posted: March 30 2015 at 11:00
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Anxiously awaiting to listen to this!!!!!! ------------- Deafmoon |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: April 02 2015 at 10:15
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Hi,
Any information on the lineup? Could not locate clear information and their website does not show it either. ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: April 02 2015 at 20:12
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I believe the current line-up for this recording, and live performance is the Wynnes - Ed, Brandi and Silas, along with a Hungarian drummer whose name escapes me right now. Balazs Szende, I believe. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 02 2015 at 20:24
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Funny enough, their last album has finally grown on me. I like all their stuff, but sometimes the music is just there. Their old stuff is fantastic, the 2000s and 2010s stuff is hit or miss. Looking forward to this. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: petersen88
Date Posted: April 05 2015 at 04:56
Yes, that is the lineup, plus Paul Hankin on percussion and stuff I guess.
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Tom Ozric wrote:Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: April 05 2015 at 23:40
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Nice. ------------- |
Posted By: petersen88
Date Posted: May 09 2015 at 15:03
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How about some tracks from new album? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3-bysVudaQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3-bysVudaQ
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 29 2015 at 02:52
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I've been spinning this new OT ALBUM recently and so far it's done very little for me. It's quite disappointing actually. Has Ed's production sapped all the human qualities out of this offering ?? The drums/percussion all sound programmed, it's hard to tell if there's anything 'natural' being hit here. And it doesn't sound like Brandi even picked up a four-stringed beast throughout the proceedings. The songs are also repetitive and too long for their own good. The synths and guitars are intact, but gee, this sounds like an Ed Wynne solo. I don't even know why he's credited a rhythm section, this sounds like the Ed and Silas show to me. This is a notch or three below Paper Monkeys for me, and I really feel like changing my user name coz this 'band' is pretty much running on vapours left behind by a once, exciting and very special group of inspired musicians. I'm turning to Hidria Spacefolk, who carry on in the tradition of 'classic' OT. Technicians Of The Sacred is just sad and tired. |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: July 29 2015 at 03:11
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^I've only listened to the album once and certainly enjoyed it, though none of it was especially memorable to me on that first spin. I've always been of the view that if you like one of theirs you'll like them all - there is that homogenous nature to their music  . I will need to listen to this more to have a firm opinion but I like all theirs I've heard (I think I have 10 of theirs now) and tend to like the modern more electronic-based albums. This will be lined up for in-car listening the rest of the week  . |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 29 2015 at 04:05
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^ Maybe that's just it - I prefer 'Rocking' OT - as in Pungent through Hidden Step. I'm not too excited by the full-blown 'electronic' textures Ed and Co. offer up in recent years. The best TotS can offer is : Far Memory (for its soothing qualities), Epiphlioy (coz it reminds a bit of Saucers and Curious Corn) and Zenlike Creature (coz it's more 'Rocking'). I also notice some tasteful Gliss-Guitar, which always recalls Gong to my ears. I'm even at pains to offer it up a 3rd star, though I've only listened to it 3 times. I don't think I'll ever warm to it any time soon. Guess I'm a fan-boy in this case. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: July 29 2015 at 06:07
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I rather liked it on my first spins - so much so that I proclaimed it to be the best Ozrics album since Waterfall Cities. I still think it's pretty good, but my interest has dropped a notch or two in the past few weeks. Anyway, it sounds and feels like an Ozrics album - that is psychedelic rock mixed with Goa or Psytrance as the youngins call it these days. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: July 29 2015 at 06:23
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It's all too 'plastic' (or synthetic, if you will) - If this is where Ed wants to go, then good for him, I just don't think I'll be going along for the ride anymore. Give me any of the 80's 'tape' albums (Sliding Gliding, Tantric Obstacles etc......) There is little magic here, heck, this is almost 90 friggin' minutes long - with some careful editing (and total ditching of several tracks in this case) we could've had a reasonable 40-odd minute album, but alas....... |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: July 29 2015 at 06:37
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The track you mentioned Epiphlioy sticks in my memory as being my favourite on first listen. I'll report back here friday after another coupla listens  |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 17:18
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I spun Tantric Obstacles, which dates from 1985. Utterly brilliant, inspired stuff, powerful enough to re-arrange the order of the universe. Well, that's how it sounded after Technicians....... Also spun Paper Monkeys, and it too, is much more enjoyable than Technicians. HAD there been a more prominent rhythm section - chunky bass guitar and drum kit, Technicians would be a helluva lot better. Imagine what Zia and Merv could've added to this work ?? So, the compositions themselves aren't bad, Ed knows what he's doing, but I find it all very synthetic with too little input from the other members. |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 17:28
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See, I'm with Dave on this one, who spot on mentions the `Psytrance' tag. It's a style of electronic music that can be very hit and miss, but I think the Ozrics mostly got it right on this one. Sure enough the album is way too long, but to me it takes the best of the electronic elements of their albums from `Waterfall Cities' onwards, and I like that the first disc eases up on that shreddy electric guitar. A mix of world and electronic elements that sounds like the past and future...or something like that! I think it's their most inspired, vibrant and determined to impress work in years, certainly their best since `The Hidden Step'. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 17:39
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If I had a complaint about TOTS it's that it's a little mellow for my tastes. I'd like a few more sections to go to 11, so to speak. But it's minor complaint. It's still very good, clearly realized, and technically proficient. I'm not sure where I'd put it in their oeuvre...probably mid pack, but that'smore on the strength of their other material than any weakness in this one. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 17:54
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^^ Sorry - I disagree. TotS is an Ed Wynne solo, every note on this album could be done by Ed himself, and very much sounds like it. There's very little 'band' on this release. Sure, they're probably still the quintessential Space-Prog act on stage, but in the studio...... Maybe I have cotton-wool in my ears, but it mostly sounds like fake-bass and programmed drums/percussion to me. And that fact rubs me the wrong way. Perhaps if it was offered as " Debut solo album from Ozric mastermind " I'd view it differently, but this is supposedly a collective. I don't hear team spirit on this album........ And now I'm going to spin Sl*g Tanz, where I can hear REAL drums and REAL bass....... |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 18:00
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Maybe that's the problem for you, Tom....the Ozrics `project' (let's just call it that) have moved on well and truly from that fusion of sounds of the earlier albums. We really should have seen this coming. It's gradually been evolving into a more electronic project for some time now, for better or worse, depending on your music tastes - I'm going with MUCH WORSE in your opinion! Yes, in many ways it's a shame, but I think there's still plenty that captures the true Ozrics sound in it, and they haven't sounded so modern and focused for some time. |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 18:24
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^ Well, maybe too modern. Cast your thoughts to Waterfall Cities. Superb album. Only 2 full band tracks (Coily and Sultana Detrii), the rest, mostly programmed. Check out the fake-bass in Spiralmind, and the title-track is just bliss. This had those trance/techno/ravey elements working to their strengths. It had 'soul'. TotS has all human quality sucked out of it, something like music of the future, programmed by robots and computers which have been programmed by robots and other computers. I don't hate the album. I don't really enjoy it, either. It's frustrating. And like I mentioned earlier, Paper Monkeys, though being one of the lowest rated OT albums here, is way better. Why Ed included his family on TotS, other than to get familiar with the material for live performance, escapes me. |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 21:01
Well, Tom, we can always fall back on THIS little beauty (matter of fact, I'm spinning it right now!  ), the Ozrics sound done right, and better than anything they've done since `The Hidden Step'...and probably worthy of praise as much as the classic Ozrics albums?  
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 21:09
| ^ Now you're talking. Still, the drums sound a little thin, but at least they're REAL drums. It does have some programmed parts, sometimes these parts are IMPOSSIBLE to play when they're transcribed for 'real' instrumentation, but this, Mantric Muse, also Hidria Spacefolk, really pick up the baton where the OT that means so much to me, left off. |
Posted By: Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 21:18
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You know that shreddy 80's Satriani/Vai-ish (well that's how it sounds to me!) guitar style in the heavier parts of the Ozrics albums has always been the sticking point for me personally, Tom, so I think I much prefer the guitar on the MM disc. Mind you, putting things in perspective, MM have delivered one single album, and the Ozrics many....but WHAT an album
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 01 2015 at 22:37
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Y'know, some artists I admire deliver, what I perceive as 'weaker' albums (well, 4626 Comfortzone from Beardfish seems to be an example), but it doesn't bother me coz they never really 'get me' deep inside. Ozrics are (should be these days) a band I expect high quality efforts from, so when they go all 'plastic' on me, I feel like I'm let down. Now, I know Ed doesn't put out sh*t to "please Tom, gotta please Tom"......(I'm a fanboy, I should grow up.....) but this direction of almost pure electronic Ozric is not the side of them I cherish. And the overall production is an over-polished electro-turd. Oh well, still plenty of back-catalogue to enjoy. I even prefer the Lonely Robot album, as commercial as it is. At least there's real drums and real bass on it. And Nick Beggs, somewhere. |
Posted By: AlienD
Date Posted: August 15 2015 at 18:56
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Re some of the comments above, pretty much agree with Tom Ozric on this one. Ozrics used to be a lot more interesting and unique than something you could put a generic genre label on, like 'Psytrance'. Compared to the 90's this sounds quite uninspired and lacking the kind of powerful production they were capable of. Not surprisingly I didn't like Paper Monkeys or YYT either, but I think this is the weakest album yet. It's not just that it lacks a solid rhythm section and dynamics, or that it's 'too electronic' (not really how I would put it anyway, and I enjoy plenty of 'electronic' music). The problem is also that the compositions just aren't what they used to be. There's still some nice atmospheres and fantastic synth layering as you would expect, but the context is so off-putting that I just can't listen to it. Some of the better moments sound too much like re-hashes of what's been done better before. |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: August 18 2015 at 02:46
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Well, the Ozrics have always been somewhat homogenous, there's not that much difference between any of their albums really. However they're pretty much always a good listen, depending on my mood. A couple of times the new one has washed over me a bit but generally I'm enjoying it. In fact I enjoy them all, not a turkey amongst them. Yes I'd agree that ToTS is more electronic than most of their previous releases but definitely not as much as Spirals In Hyperspace - I consider that to be easily their most electronic album. It also has one of my all-time favourite OT tracks, the blissful Oakem. |
Posted By: Skalla-Grim
Date Posted: August 18 2015 at 05:24
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I don't really understand the criticism. The album is totally enjoyable and has a nice flow to it, more than some of the older albums. Still the OT trademarks are there, the arabic folklore on Epiphlioy for example. By the way Paper Monkeys was also great. |
Posted By: symphonicman
Date Posted: August 18 2015 at 05:30
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I think Ozric Tentacles were best in the 90's. ------------- Master James of St. George. Of the fields and the sky. He used to build castles of stone, steel, and blood. But lines get broken down. |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 18 2015 at 06:10
| ^ Correct !! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: August 18 2015 at 07:00
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Ideedio! ....and while they haven't quite reached the heights of Erpland and Waterfall Cities in the new millenium - I still think they can hold their heads high with this their most recent. I happen to dig the Psytrance ingredient - even if it is on the account of the bass.....but then again that bass isn't doing much anyway. I just had a listen trying to focus on the bottom end of the sound spectrum. Hey Michael: I listened to Mantric Muse yesterday, and it is indeed a very nice album in the vein of (90s) Ozrics. These days I tend to reach for Hidria Spacefolk if I want some brainmelting psychedelia (that really imo started with Steve Hillage)....oh yes and then Vespero's By The Waters Of Tomorrow. Man that album is great! ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: August 18 2015 at 09:46
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Looks like everything else they've done. I'll still give it a whirl though. Good band. I found their set at the 1993/94 (?) Reading festival on Youtube the other day. I was at that show. They were awesome, and Siouxsie & the banshees were on later, so it was a bloody good day. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: September 09 2015 at 06:21
| Lately, when I've gone to bed, I've been using this album to doze off to. I never make it to track 2 !! Either it's that blissfully serene and spacey it puts me to sleep, or just boring. I haven't decided. |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: September 09 2015 at 06:23
I'd go for the former, I find it quite relaxing. DSOTM normally has the same effect on me and I like the album. |