psychedelic rock / space rock
With a bandname inspired by an enigmatic gemstone and a geographic history of shamanic activities, this band from Altai, Russia, Sonora Sunrise delivers a mystic and enjoyable album. Altai in Siberia is a sacred land of ancient mountains which are said to be still keeping the secrets of ancient shamanic rites.
Sonora Sunrise's music is inspired by these landscapes and atmospheres. 'The Route Through The Canyon' is a partially improvised album, recorded over the course of a few days with extra recordings and vocals done afterwards. This gives the whole thing an organic jam-feel and a nice sense of unpredictability.
Musically, the band borrows elements from ambient, stoner rock, krautrock and psychedelic rock. Opener 'Ancient Stones (Sundown)' is a short ambient improv with vocals that remind me of some Massive Attack songs. Later on, in songs like 'Welcome To The Sandland' and 'Unexpected Trip' the influences nudge more towards space and psychedelic rock icons like Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Gong or Ash Ra Tempel. Armed with guitars, drums and rare, vintage synthesizers from the Soviet era, these musicians paint an amazing musical picture of their mysterious surroundings, and I absolutely love that.
In today's psychedelic rock scene, Sonora Sunrise definitely deserves a place in between albums by Caudal, Hypnodrone Ensemble, Vibravoid and Øresund Space Collective, all well oiled jam-machines, capable of taking their listeners on an elaborate trip through time and space. I'm not going into a song by song description but 'Poison' is a brilliant piece of work. If I have to pick a favorite, it will probably be this one. This certainly is a must-have for fans of seemingly neverending psychedelic rock, no doubt about that.
The sounds of those vintage synths give the band that extra edge that might be needed to stand out in a massive pool of psych rock bands. Everything else is as classic and convincing as the first space/krautrock albums that have been made. If you are fan of immersive guitar solos, gently pulsating rhythm sections and amazing musicianship, you do not want to miss out on this one. Hurry up and get your hands on a copy. There are only 300 copies made and I am bloody happy with mine.
Serge
Sonora Sunrise's music is inspired by these landscapes and atmospheres. 'The Route Through The Canyon' is a partially improvised album, recorded over the course of a few days with extra recordings and vocals done afterwards. This gives the whole thing an organic jam-feel and a nice sense of unpredictability.
Musically, the band borrows elements from ambient, stoner rock, krautrock and psychedelic rock. Opener 'Ancient Stones (Sundown)' is a short ambient improv with vocals that remind me of some Massive Attack songs. Later on, in songs like 'Welcome To The Sandland' and 'Unexpected Trip' the influences nudge more towards space and psychedelic rock icons like Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Gong or Ash Ra Tempel. Armed with guitars, drums and rare, vintage synthesizers from the Soviet era, these musicians paint an amazing musical picture of their mysterious surroundings, and I absolutely love that.
In today's psychedelic rock scene, Sonora Sunrise definitely deserves a place in between albums by Caudal, Hypnodrone Ensemble, Vibravoid and Øresund Space Collective, all well oiled jam-machines, capable of taking their listeners on an elaborate trip through time and space. I'm not going into a song by song description but 'Poison' is a brilliant piece of work. If I have to pick a favorite, it will probably be this one. This certainly is a must-have for fans of seemingly neverending psychedelic rock, no doubt about that.
The sounds of those vintage synths give the band that extra edge that might be needed to stand out in a massive pool of psych rock bands. Everything else is as classic and convincing as the first space/krautrock albums that have been made. If you are fan of immersive guitar solos, gently pulsating rhythm sections and amazing musicianship, you do not want to miss out on this one. Hurry up and get your hands on a copy. There are only 300 copies made and I am bloody happy with mine.
Serge
