SPIRITUALITY

Man! What a trip this is! The German WELTRAUM crew returns with a new intriguing blend of space rock, trance and ethno. As they always celebrate their meetings like spontaneous improvs, the difference between studio and live recordings is reduced to a minimum somehow. Thus it's nearly impossible to sort out if the different parts were taken during concert happenings or simply cut from excursions celebrated at their homeground. In any case they are offering a well-sorted sequence here, where the tracks are put together and partially fading into each other in order to form one extended excel of nearly 80 minutes, finally released on the prolific Berlin based Nasoni Records label.

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.