FIND THE OTHERS

They are hailing from Kyiv, known as the capitol of the Ukraine. The Chernobyl crime caused a sensation exactly 35 years ago, the aftermath can be clearly felt, still. And currently the country is a bone of contention between superpowers Europe and the Russian Federation. With diverse years of strife in the back, always on the verge of a major armed conflict. Long live imperialism!? Anyhow, seemingly unaffected by this(?), the Ukraine, especially Kyiv, also emerged to a secret tip in the meanwhile. A definite melting pot for promising new bands to appear, serving all feasible prog styles. Just to name those I'm already aware of, like Modern Rock Ensemble, Way Station, Sealand Airlines, La Horsa Bianca, Karfagen. Newcomer SHIVA THE DESTRUCTOR is comprised of four musicians, this with a rather typical 2-1-1 team line-up. That means two guitarists (Andrew Pryimak, Rodion Tsikra), Andrew Sernyak (bass), and drummer Marco Sharyi. You will find keyboards nicely placed too, they are having a minor role on their debut album anyhow.

The beautiful cover artwork was developed by Oksana Zinkovska, dominated by influences from Asia respectively Middle East, quite common motifs regarding a psychedelia, raga or kraut rock context. Yet I'm still not really sure about the logic of the concept. Looks like two different thematical tracks are crossing each other several times over the course. Featuring Shiva as the protagonist 'Find The Others' is pointed out by the band as an odyssey through worlds, space and time. That furthermore should go alongside with the history of progressive psych music. Yep, stylistically this is the name of the game here, served as an ambitious variation mix, including diverse prog nuances, but also stoner, psychedelia, pop and so on. With the opening song they are putting a reference to the Benares region in India which for some time has been an attraction to hippies. Probably you are trying to accept a pure instrumental album, but then Hydronaut comes with nice mellow vocals after approximately ten minutes. Don't know who exactly acts in the lead, as Pryimak and Tsikra both are listed.

Further on I would identify Summer Of Love as a reference to the zeitgeist around the Woodstock festival in 1968. In any case it sounds akin to US Psych Folk in the vein of Greatful Dead, Jefferson Airplane. Then Shiva with Hindu origin and the Mesopotaniam Queen Of Heaven Ishtar are trying to fuse different religious approaches. It's a hypnotic adventure definitely, including ethno world contributions by guest musician Anvar Azizov on the dutar. Finally the call 'Abandon Samsara'. Featuring sooooooo melancholic guitars the wonderful Nirvana Beach always makes my day, somehow closing the album's circle, finalizing the mantra, or whatever, with alternating heavy and mellow impressions. Summed up in short: versatile compositions, prolific realization, food for thought. What more do you want?