THE TREE THAT BEARS THE EQUINE FRUIT

This is a really interesting new spotlight on the prog scene. The four ANTA members are experienced musicians coming from different origins. Bassist Joe Garcia and drummer James King for example used to be regular members of Rose Kemp's tour band, Ganiel Seruu (guitar) in fact collaborates with noise rock group Geisha. They played together more loosely in recent years - but now, after a string of gigs in the Bristol area, ANTA finally have offered their debut. It shows a rather unique style, provided with a 1970s touch, sometimes reminiscent to Astra or Hypnos 69, however certainly decorated with some heavier elements all in all.

Leaving the spacey intro Alex Bertram-Powell's symphonic styled organ immediately strikes on the opener Abyssal Ibis - a stomping stoner rhythm with a powerful bass playing provides the fundament. Later they change into a floating section, nice psychedelic guitar input - as for the compositional aspect an outstanding track for sure. When you're hooked on repetitive organ riffs the following Needling Seamaw is something special. The song shows some jam character, great spirit, my favourite track by the way, getting close to Anekdoten playing live in some way.

The next two tracks are reserved for some melancholic cosmic stuff - the short Firn comprises a piano sequence backed by decent post rock guitar walls. Based on slight synthesizer drones the meandering Abtenauer Oak is the most experimental exemplar, could also fit to every exceptional krautrock production with ease. Now Apical Dominance rounds this album up, linking to the trickiness of the opener again - which means an entertaining heavy psych atmosphere basically, overshadowed by fine organ and synth contributions.

Well done! It only remains for me to claim that they'll continue, hopefully this album is not a flash in the pan so to say. Recommended in general to lovers of heavy psych with proper organ substance and especially to fans of those aforementioned bands.