NOSTOS

Shortly following after the debut EP 'Clairvoyance' this is their sophomore effort, that does not make considerable steps aside from the known music style or execution. While deriving from Rhodes in Greece HIERONYMUS DREAM are relying on themes referring to ancient times. That of course makes sense somehow. It's Homer's epic poem Odyssey on this occasion. And so with the intention to guarantee some inspired recordings they additionally decided to move to the village of Lindos. That included the view on the raging sea, and the local Acropolis nearby. I can't say anything about the musicians in responsibility, as they still prefer to remain anonymous, want to let the music speak for itself. Well then, let's go. Firstly, the six included songs are instrumental. Though one or two may say nearly, because some recitative in German language is provided in any case on Odysseus Raft as well as Scylla And Narybdis.

Nice surprise! That underpins the Kosmische Musik influences which are surely present on 'Nostos'. Concerning the used instruments I can't name something special, that said guitars, bass, drums as well as keyboard/synths, what I'm able to select. Considered in its entirety they are offering a space rock behaviour underlaid with proper groove due to the used Krautrock tinged rhythms. The overall atmosphere and especially the fine guitar work certainly provides a unique band trademark. A harmonious introduction that is second to none. Thus we have some neat accessible stuff in place again here, for example to name the NEU! infected The Island Of Lotus Eaters. The following Circe's Secret with its wonderful charming flow turns out to be my favourite tune. Uranometria sees them gliding into slightly heavier territories. Towards the end Land Of Vraltar shows a nice Tangerine Dream similar ambience due to the focus on cosmic electronics. Very well done HIERONYMUS DREAM!

Space Rock's coming home! Nostos is the dominant theme in Homer's Odyssey, where a Greek hero returns home from an epic journey, including battling in The Trojan War, being shipwrecked, and heroically dealing with various other trials and tribulations along the way. Nostos was the Arnold Schwarzenegger of his day, dispatching his enemies with suitably heroic aplomb whilst no doubt delivering sardonic one-liners along the way, something along the lines of "Tha epistretso.", for the classical Greek scholars amongst us. Hieronymus Dream are an anonymous quintet of psychedelic shamans from Rhodes Island, the largest of the fifteen (not twelve) islands of the Greek Dodecanese - in stark contrast with the smallest US State of Rhode Island, which is not really an island at all. The name of the band draws obvious inspiration from Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, who's noted for his horrifying, nightmarish depictions of Hell - so not the kind of paintings you'd want to hang up on your bedroom wall. Hieronymus Dream's first EP "Clairvoyance" was predictably followed by their first full-length album: "Nostos" the album we have here. The intriguing album cover, featuring a dramatic image of a giant snail wrapped around the thin atmosphere of the Earth, gives some indication of the weird and wonderful music contained within, which incidentally, was released on the Weird Beard label - although you don't have to be a weirdy-beardy vegan type to enjoy the spaced-out, psychedelic grooves on this cosmic dream-ride though the final frontier of space. So stock up with dilithium crystals, set phasers to stun and prepare to energize, as the astounding sounds and amazing music of Hieronymus Dream take you on the best space trip around the universe since Hawkwind first went In Search of Space back in 1971 - and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your space-rocking chair. Oh, and don't worry, the hypnotic music of Hieronymus Dream is nothing like the sonic shock wave of Hawkwind's pounding and pulsating music. No, "Nossos" is more healing and soothing than an hour spent reclining in Dr. McCoy's sickbay, so enjoy this pleasure cruise through the inner regions of the erogenous zones and just lie back and think of Greece.