THE WEIRDING

One of the many early 21st century bands that looked back to the early 1970s progressive space rock scene for inspiration, the San Diego based ASTRA delivered a wild mix of Meddle-era Pink Floyd, early King Crimson, classic Yes, Genesis, Aphrodite's Child and even a touch of Black Sabbath including influences from other golden era prog bands. Formed in 2001 and going by the name Silver Sunshine until 2006, ASTRA was formed by Richard Vaughan (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Conor Riley (vocals, guitars, keyboards), and brothers Iain (drums, percussion) and Stuart Sclater (bass guitar).

As Silver Sunshine, the band released one self-titled album and after trading in Iain Sclater for percussionist David Hurley and picking up guitarist and moog player Brian Ellis, the band morphed into ASTRA in 2006 and three years later released this debut THE WEIRDING. One of the characteristics of the retro prog scene is the use of the same analog equipment and instrumentation used during prog's early years therefore ASTRA indulges in all those early 70s sounds by means of the mellotron, vintage synthesizers, the moog and a stylistic approach that would easily fit into the 1971 or 1972 timeline right down to the vintage album cover art. There's also a rumor circulating that the album is a secret soundtrack to the 1985 film "Cocoon" and if you play it with the visuals of the movie it lines up. I've never tested these claims but it's an interesting prospect for sure.

Described as the ultimate jamming session where Pink Floyd, Genesis and King Crimson get together and find a new competent vocalist to narrate some psychedelic tale of fantastical lyrical adventures performed in a way that only classic prog could conjure up. THE WEIRDING is a magical journey into the world of psychedelic space rock interpreted through the lends of 70s progressive rock. With eight strong addictive tracks that do sprawl on for quite a lengthy period of time and at nearly 79 minutes of playing time, THE WEIRDING is akin to a double album's worth of music for the era it emulates.

While retro bands are a dime a dozen these days and often find the artists wearing their influences too covertly on their sleeves, ASTRA delivers a style of space rock that brings all of the influences to mind without referencing them directly. The crafty mix of styles gives ASTRA a unique style all its own and of course it wouldn't amount to anything if the band wasn't able to create extremely elegant and creative compositions that showcase a phenomenal command of the sounds of the past. While mostly resting in the world of early 70s Pink Floyd with the same dreamy vocal deliveries and chromatic cleverness. Also the use of tones, timbres and dynamics that offer a wider swath of the era offers a much larger panoramic view of the early 70s as opposed to simply focusing on the Floydian aspects.

The album was well received in 2009 when it was released and for good reason. The band skillfully channeled the zeitgeist of the early 70s without sounding like any other band that existed then. From the opening "The Rising Of The Black Sun" on through to the 17 minute plus "Ourobouros" all the way to the closing "Beyond To Slight The Maze," ASTRA showcases its uncanny ability to delivery a skillful stream of consciousness type of album that drifts through sensual flute runs to jazzy saxophonist excursions as well as tackling the heavier guitar sounds of early proto-metal. Despite it all it's really the strong melodies that suck you in and the subtle yet effective ways of changing things up enough that keep you enthralled on the space journey. And while many retro prog bands succeed in the instrumental department (as ASTRA does), this band also employs the talents of a suitable vocalist who fits in perfect with the band's style.

At times ASTRA has the tendency to verge on sounding like a symphonic prog or even a more modern neo-prog band with some of the melodic liberties but never strays too far from the established 70s space rock that showcases various features of not only Pink Floyd but Hawkwind, Nektar, Gong, Aproditie's Child and Eloy. Overall an interesting debut by ASTRA outdone only by the band's second album, the more adventurous "The Black Chord" which emerged three years later and unfortunately was the band's last album. While retro prog bands have become a dime a dozen in the 2020s, at this stage the idea wasn't overplayed and ASTRA demonstrated the perfect way to honor the past while sounding unique in the present. This one took a few spins to sink in but ultimately won me over big time.