FUNGAL ABYSS

— First review of this album —

It finally took some years to see them coming back with a new album - FUNGAL ABYSS from Seattle are a typical space jam crew who have no problem to achieve extended improvs on the fly, definitely gripping on top of it. If actually recorded in one go and left unmodified on this occasion ... chapeau ... due to this highly charged atmosphere they are providing. That said, comprised of three guitarists at least, they are able to draw on nearly unlimited resources after all.

The FUNGAL ABYSS rhythm branch is working hard for pace and power, you can be sure. Further on Nathan Smurthwaite, Dan LaRochelle and Arran McInnis are superimposing a breath-taking fireworks with their instruments. Wow! It's something like a controlled wall of heavy space in general, overrunning you like a tsunami wave, but - good news - releasing everybody unscathed afterwards, that means 45 minutes later. So this is offered with all facets you are able to imagine, partially even drifting into noise and violence, but never ever loosing the main orientation.

The guitars are provoking soaring outings, painful moments, this is squeeking, howling, swirling, crashing ... a very intense and hypnotic affair, sounds close to the likes of Subarachnoid Space somehow. Released on the German label Adansonia Records this album is consisting of two long excursions, each matching one vinyl side. Provided with a proper groove second part Virile Member comes a bit more accessible over the course. Recommended to fans of unbounded heavy space trips - 3.5 stars.

FUNGAL ABYSS is a side project of Seattle based post metal band LESBIAN. Here we have some terrific spaced out stuff offered by this fellows, which really impresses me the more I listen. The album title seems to refer to the genre typical bands Bardo Pond and Acid Mothers Temple, where 'Abgrund' finally marks the German expression for abyss in order to round this up. You can expect long and winding cosmic excursions, drenched with echoing and soaring guitars, floating as well as uptempo rocking, improvised in the studio under the influence of Teonanacatl they claim.

Well, there's no need for any overdubs respectively edits then, right? In total they offer more than 60 minutes of jam material divided in four sections. Year Of The Bones marks the highlight in my opinion, an absolutely gripping affair, hypnotically meandering in best krautrock tradition similar to Electric Orange. Bravo - 'Bardo Abgrund Temple' is a substantial album when it comes to space rock standards, anything but lovelessly thrown on the stage, a result of inspired sessions. Recommended to all fans of cosmic pleasure trips.