DIE NEUEN WELTEN

The band name seemingly evolved from a rather pragmatical solution. Nicky Garratt, co-founder of the British punk band UK Subs, once met Uve Müllrich, bass player of Embryo. This just happened at Hedersleben, a small village situated in Eastern Germany (former GDR). After celebrating some jams together and obviously being inspired Nicky decided to form a new band, where he could convince his ex-colleague and drummer Jason Willer to take part in the project as another constant. And finally keyboardist Kephera Moon also turns out to be one of a party with regularity.

While also including a few other like-minded musicians they have toured the US up and down, had collaborations with Nik Turner and made an important contribution to the recordings for the new Brainticket release. Two band albums were recorded so far, this one is the latter from 2014 which clearly shows them underway on kraut respectively space rock paths. The extended title track comes inspired by diverse bands - there is a ADII/Yeti adapted flow to state, or just taking the Doors alike psychedelic organ into account.

A wonderful relaxed listening experience featuring soaring guitars and synths as well as hypnotic bass lines contributed by Bryce Shelton. Kati Knox's ethereal voice appears here and there and finally it all turns into a nice, more classically flavoured piano sequence. The following four songs are building a range of shorter excerpts offering a more common song structure - though, basically also equipped with the aforementioned attributes further on, this is definitely appealing too. An astonishing affair when considering Nicky's musical origin. Spot on! Highly recommended!

I was eager to check out HEDERSLEBEN's second album after really enjoying their debut. I have to say there's not a lot to chose between the two as I think both are solid 4 star works. I like the way they set this one up like some of the classic Krautrock albums with that side long suite complimented with several songs on side two.

So lets start with the epic and title track "Die Neuen Welten" a 17 1/2 minute journey. Floating organ to begin as blips come and go. Bass comes in around 2 minutes and builds then the guitar starts to make some noise after 4 minutes but it's brief. Pulsating organ a minute later. Catchy stuff after 6 minutes as spacey synths come and go. A PINK FLOYD vibe before 9 minutes as the guitar joins in. Drums to the fore 10 1/2 minutes and there's a real Krautrock impression here. Some nice guitar expressions 13 1/2 minutes in including some angular lines after 15 minutes. This is followed by 2 minutes of calm with piano melodies and electronics to the end.

"(On The Ground) Safe And Sound" reminds me so much of HAWKWIND with that catchy chorus. It opens with pulsating sounds along with mellotron waves then bass and more as it builds. Check out the guitar before 2 minutes playing over top. That chorus comes in before 3 minutes and lasts about a minute. "Nomad World(Dreamstate)" is the only "Dreamstate" song this time as we had two of them on the debut. Picked guitar and atmosphere to start and I really like the guitar expressions and female vocal melodies that come and go. A beauty.

"Xo5B" is slower paced with vocal melodies, a beat and piano early on. Spacey synths join in followed by the guitar and bass. Nice. The vocal melodies stop before the guitar starts to grind it out a minute later. The organ starts to lead then the vocal melodies return, then spacey synths. "Tiny Flowers/ Little Moon" sounds so good to start, love that bass. Female vocals join in quickly and again the bass and drums sound really good here. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes with piano to the end.

These guys have released a new album in 2015 so I'm really looking forward hearing that one. Krautrock fans need to check this band out.