SPIRAL GALAXY

I wonder why this band name hasn't been occupied for so long. Anyway, SPIRAL GALAXY is a relatively new cosmic duo based in Chicago. Sara Gossett (vocals, flute) and Steve Krakow (vocals, guitar, synths) are building the core. The latter also known for making music under the moniker Plastic Crimewave by the way. And they are having a close collaborator, or maybe occasional member, his brother Adam aka Hands Of Hydra, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer and producer. This is the official debut album, released in 2020 on Cardinal Fuzz, consisting of four tracks. Hereby they obviously are drawing influences from the Kosmische vibe of 60/70s krautrock bands. That crys for having some special guests involved, right? And so Jean-Hervé Péron from the avant band Faust (still on the road) is aboard too, alongside with Kawabata Makoto and several other supporters.

Being rather experienced in the meanwhile, due to the acclaimed participation in diverse festivals, they have recorded an album showcasing a hallucinogenic, devotional and gripping atmosphere. Celestial Omen opens very much in the vein of Yatha Sidhra, Popol Vuh, AR & Machines, seemingly aimlessly meandering, with swirling guitars and synths, sitar, and undefinable extraterrestrial voices. Tragique Mechanique then is provided with a simple motoric beat, just like coming from a bass drum. Nice flute, intrusive synths and some narration in ... yep, according to the track title ... French language. If one might expect this will run into an arbitrary boring direction sooner or later, well, he/she makes a big mistake. The second part of the album continues this compelling cosmic trip with ease and bravura. Based on his Achim Reichel inspired guitar presence an extra bravo goes to Hands Of Hydra. Recommended neo kraut stuff.