SVARTBAG

SVARTBAG is an interesting Danish project collecting diverse influences based on analogue electronics mainly. Drones and loops are significant for the sound like also used by bands which are bordering the space and post rock terrain where the repetitve hypnotic vibe additionally points to diverse krautrock acts.

This is excellently presented with the opener Black Capricorn - a sonic adventure, the drones are not that aggressive - which means the song can evolve dreamy and trippy anyhow. Can't detect if guitars are involved here. Fortunately they invited drummer Andreas Hauer-Jensen who serves a rocking component with his groove and so you can also consider this one as a space rock tune indeed.

The same to say for the next The Flutist, provided with a nice mellow ambience and meandering guitar appearance - fantastic - and one might say way too short! The floating Cairo is based on an industrial humming loop which reminds me of the german project 'Space Explosion' featuring members of Faust and Cluster. But this one is presented more smooth with a slight oriental touch which appeals even better to me.

Loop#9 is reminiscent of Pink Floyd's spacey heyday a little bit as for the keyboard/synthesizer parts where the guitar is not a Gilmour clone at all appearing with an acid bluesy touch I would say. The longest track Billy Name is also reserved to be the last one - for me a less intriguing jam with stoner rock leanings - okay, more subtle compared to other stoner songs in any way and provided with an interesting melancholic ambient section at the end.

SVARTBAG's debut is a highly recommended album - skillfully worked out with a gripping athmospheric texture. Experimental but also melodic, droning but also charming - the songs are successfully uniting elements which are even seemingly controversial. I'm curious what will follow ...