COSMIC TRIP MACHINE

What makes it different ... first and foremost because they have drummer T-Bone contributing here, who does a great job too by the way. This means it's more rocking on the whole. While the opener Vampyres links to the predecessor album for the moment with a typical dreamy psychedelia start, it all surprisingly turns into a jazzy behaviour after some time. This song is really symptomatic for the whole production filled with well thought out twists and turns. Which immediately points to the next grooving Psychedelic Twist provided with playful drumming, multi-layered guitars and mysterious female narration.

And so the following songs take you away on a rollercoaster trip through the 60/70's, bouncing from one event to the other. Poppy charming beats like on Revelation Evil are competing with lots of heavy psych guitar solos and fusionesque bass lines. Oh dear - really damn rocking this time what I never expected - way more powerful because of the drum kit presence of course. It Feels Good even appears in a funky James Brown outfit. Heavy riffing and sawing guitars are corresponding with swirling synths on the space rock tunes White Lodge and Cerbere which temporarily seems to get out of control in between.

When it looks like that Deep Purple is on the wrong track here for a while - never mind - by way of variation you're shortly forwarded to India on a hallucinatory trip with sitar accompaniment. And being completely restless Will and Majnun later on switch to a horseback ride crossing the prairie with a mouth organ at their lips ... I hope you're slowly but surely obtaining a hazy notion how it works? Okay - I really try my very best ... anyhow ... you have to check this on your own to get the ideal impression. It's something you won't find every day - believe me!

For the second time they put forward 18 song snippets exactly - probably this number is something magical for them. The album sleeve offers ten clues which are supposed to help for assimilating the album - especially concerning the concept, the lyrics. Nice idea ... however ... generally I don't care much for lyrics (except they are in German). But I don't want to keep it secret - the (weird) story deals with young fellow Jimmy who fails to rob a bank, escapes from the police and eventually gets caught by a vampire ...

.... no not eventually of course - the adventure goes on. Even when you're not interested in the story behind, 'Vampyros Roussos' offers enough challenge when you only explore the music as such. COSMIC TRIP MACHINE have worked out an entertaining album once again - a rather eclectic approach with a wondrous blend of genres and styles. Listen as much as you are able to - I'm sure it will remain an enjoyable freaky event because you are always sent into a labyrinth of contrasting impressions - 4.5 stars.

One difference attracts attention immediately when listening - this time they use acoustic drums. Compared to the predecessor album's mainly folk/raga/psych mixture this cares for more rock music impressions. Stylistically the short songs seem to be excerpts of a rollercoaster trip really. On (Not) Very High swirling organ and a sitar are opening for a more popular rocking behaviour coupled with nice vocals and a great guitar solo, later gliding into hallucinatory territories.

The (almost) charming Revelation Evil is presented with a happy mooded beat plus 'lalala' vocals and when you are totally wrapped into this evil outfit they stir you up suddenly when turning into something weird avantgarde with sawing guitars and furious drums. Well - this foreshadows some very interesting listening sessions I'm sure. 3.5 stars for a short but successful foretaste of the new album.

Well - where should I start? Okay - let's say you're running across sitars everywhere, for example immediately on the opening title track. Very cool and provided with a rich instrumentation - percussion, acoustic/electric guitar, bass and synths are additionally acting - a mellow thing with a nice melody - only the electronic weird end is somewhat contrary and another hint for a modern production. Will's voice is excellently matching by the way. All in all the tile song manages the task to make curious for more.

You will fail to detect some drum playing on the album. This is kept for the next one which is announced for 2009 - and for the live performances. Acoustic guitars are dominating - but more than in a simple singer/songwriter vein - so to hear on Floor which has a nice decent electric piano accompaniment. Mantra #27 pleases me because offering a more weird combination of oriental feeling and heavy psych guitar plus nearly aggressive bass playing. This is one of the songs where you might be disappointed about their shortness. The same for Giallo (Profondo Argento) with fantastic spacey guitars.

Another Venus - american westcoast feeling comes up here. Excursions into a more bluesy terrain are also integrated with Plastic Hippie. Mariachi - The twilight and Chiaroscuro are hijacking you to South Europe in a more classical mood. Lonely Grave with dual acoustic guitar is probably the most melancholic tune you can find - gentle and mellow. But the following contrary Conversation wakes you up immediately with doubled hard rocking AC/DC guitars and some whacked-out statements. The last two songs belong to the longer ones. The ballad In the Haze of drugs deals with the tempation of drug use and shows some scary sound samples. The Last Song is wonderful asian flavoured with suitar and percussion but soon counteracted by a heavy psychedelic guitar and last but not least provided with a 'hidden track' gimmick.

'Lord Space Devil' is a psychedelia drenched album recommended for a listening session from the beginning to the end. Take your time and let the music flow. Monotony or boredom - what's that? A diversified piece of work with a professional sound mixing - rich on ideas and instrumentation.