WELTRAUM

Generally speaken, as I could enjoy them live on several occasions, I know there's not much reworked, straightened, polished in the aftermath on their recordings. But on this occasion? ... it sounds that perfect, taken as a whole. Over the years the crew members surely have developed a mutual interaction which is priceless, approved here, simple as that. And I really do hope this will stay for another while. Now concretely speaking, who is responsible for this cosmic radiation? Spiritually as well as musically drummer Denniz is the driving force, please let me emphasize this. He's additionally involved in the band Space Invaders, also featuring members of the neo kraut band Electric Orange.

Two regular guitarists and two synth player are also on board in total, which guarantees a lush sound in general, especially a bunch of swirling and soaring unidentified flying objects are wandering around. The whole thing could be described as a roller coaster ride, consisting of persistent ups and downs, represented at best by the two title track sections. They deliver a fulminant and tension filled kick-off with Transmusshtion and then eventually drift into a relaxed spiritualized section. And this is exemplary for the rest of the show. Let me also emphasize the murder groove on Jimson Weed Three, accompanied by synthesizer loops, soaring guitars and Tom Koslovski's didgeridoo intensively struggling for more attention.

My conclusion: inspired trippy space rock, on this occasion heavier overall, different from usual. 'Spirituality' is a revelation really - consisting of recordings taken during a period of two years, the best WELTRAUM excursion ever I could experience so far, also equipped with pun intended track titles in best Electric Orange tradition. The musicians are proving a collective consciousness here - are acting strictly emancipated, as a high level unit. I strongly recommend to enter into this with patience, at best equipped with headphones. Although this is not relaxed music really in total, a relaxed mood is required however. While missing any pressure you are able to enter the WELTRAUM cosmos at the best possible rate - 4.5 stars.

Now surprisingly we have one (short) song more on this release than listed on the cover - a little bonus so to say. Instead of acting with dual guitars Michael Valderas appears with many synthesizer contributions this time. This intensifies the spacey character of the songs and brings more diversity. The Didgeridoo is present already - but lesser dominant than on the first official album 'Magnolia' for example. All in all the ethno component is not that elementary in 2006 compared to the following albums.

The opening track Remember convinces immediately - the hypnotic deep tones by synth, bass and Didgeridoo when the song evolves to something grooving more and more - repetitive echoed guitar and playful drums on top of it. Chinese Garden Flower is laid back as no other ... well - except the very busy drums. This may sound contradictory - but surprisingly it works and they are able to form a wonderful mood here - hard to describe.

River And Tides comes with significant krautrock leanings - something weird because provided with many twists and turns. Here we have repetitive echoed guitar reminiscent to 'Kosmische Musik' heroes and later they are leaving the relaxed behaviour with a heavy bass and propulsive synths. Turkey On Dope shows whacked-out voice samples then backed by driving drums.

The album's highlight is the closing extended Subcultural Congress On Uranus - tension-filled, very playful and emotional, especially for the synthesizer parts - really amazing. I'm still wondering how they manage to create such music - improvisations without overdubs - it must be a very special insight/musical sense.

If you're hooked on groovy and trippy space jams you should contact the band by all means. Don't miss that! They can offer you hours of interesting recordings - promised! If I ever should emphasize one musician/instrument for this album ... it's Denniz Gockel's drum work which is really impressing ... go for it!

The band name obviously points to the stylistical fundament, the space rock. However - a synthesizer is missing here and the songs are made up in a special meditative mood accompanied by a proper portion of ethno flavour. This is reminding me of the Russian band Vespero during some parts. Briefly speaking: music which I really like! The album consists of live recordings from 2008 fading in with the title song Magnolia - very tribal first with Djembe and sensitive cymbal work by Denniz Gockel. The Didgeridoo serves some strangeness, slicing and soaring guitars are joining by and by. And then it all begins to groove more and more when bass and drums are coming in. The crew takes time and carefully increases the tension over the course of nearly fifteen minutes - only once interrupted by a mandatory relaxing period - one word: fantastic!

The following Break it appears in somewhat different clothes - trip hop respectively dub influenced mainly but also coquetting with jazz rock - echoing experimental guitar excursions included. Another groundbreaking piece of work. And this is followed by Leaving Astral Airport leading over to the album's hallucinogenic experiences based on deformed guitars and voices. The next long track Canalize and Drunken Eagle are trance infected - wonderfully meandering attached to a weird ... even avantgarde note - responsible the Didgeridoo among other things. The jamming side of Daevid Allen's Gong comes into my mind which I recently could enjoy on the stage. Both guitars are ultimately soaring ... up up into the sky ... well done!

End Ending is provided with overlaps to 70s krautrock here and there. This means playful ethno psychedelia in the vein of Agitation Free dominates the first minutes. The rather jazzy drum playing and the repetitive trance behaviour later on lets me think of Can immediately where the guitars are played very melancholic with delay effect.. 'Magnolia' closes then with the more trip hop styled Dubrocks spiked with some weird, distorted impressions.

If you have an open mind about such spaced out stuff you surely have discovered a great effort as for my conclusion - a grower really! After having some rehearsals now I'm first of all delighted by the excellent guitar work of Boris Mihatsch and Sebastian Widjaja - sorry - not wanting to degrade the other crew members by all means! Comparable bands: Zone Six, Vespero, Beiruth.