PHAZE YOUR FEARS

Another few months, another release of quality instrumental and fully improvised space rock from Dr Space and his cosmic cadets with the Oresund Space Collective! `Phaze Your Fears', originally released on vinyl in 2012 and given a double CD reissue in 2013 with `Entering Into the Space Country' (I'm the proud owner of both formats!), the album continues to see the band constantly refining their sound and exploring expansive new corners of the galaxy, and with four guitarists credited on this release (two per side), there's plenty of interesting sounds to discover. I always like to point out little differences that make each of their albums stand out from each-other, and this one is no different.

Side A's title track sees the band mired in a brooding snarling swampy sound, heavy and driving as if they're marooned on the surface of a mucky alien world. The early sections of the piece have a serious dark groove to them, beautiful subtle tempo changes back and forth thanks to some spontaneous drum-fills and punchy unrelenting bass. The usual OSC synths take more of a back-seat to the twin guitarists, who help give the piece a driving and confident slow-burn. The second half turns into one of the dustiest and most bluesy pieces from the band to date, a searing near-boogie that kicks up so much dirt, it's interesting to hear them with their feet on the ground for a change! A welcome diversion from all their usual outer space adventures.

The flip-side aims for the stars again, and `Ear Meat' initially starts like many Oresund pieces, glistening and ethereal chiming guitars drenched in reverb and delay, shimmering synth pulses and tendril-like bass that creates a floating deep space cocoon for the listener. But things rapidly take a dangerously psychedelic turn once the band surprisingly incorporate whispered treated poetry. We emerge on the other side to a sonically violating electronic passage that reminds of similar sections of the Ozric Tentacles' `Strangeitude' album, then plodding hypnotic bass and a black hole of whirling synths take the OSC closer than ever to a serrated and unnerving Hawkwind edge. Completely disorientating and experimental, it's another immense colourful vision with a hint of danger that the band does so well.

You can safely pick up any Oresund Space Collective release and know you're going to get some quality space rock, and `Phaze Your Fears' is no exception. The title track presents them at their more earthy and grounded best, the second side their most wildly inventive, ambitious and challenging trip so far. It's perfect for new listeners and even more satisfying for established followers, and it's even better value now that it's available in a double CD set - two sublime space albums, what more could be ask for?

Four stars.