The Grand
Astoria from St. Petersburg are one of the most prolific Russian bands on the
psychedelic rock scene today. The band has 21 albums or EPs, live etc.. on the
bandcamp site but this is their 6th proper CD. This is their latest release and it features
just two long tracks, each with a lot of different movements. Curse of the
Ninth starts things off and is quite heavy and intense for the first 7 mins and
then it has a nice and very beautiful musical break with flutes, etc.. lovely
stuff… This more mellow floating piece with flute, horns, etc.. and some cool
drumming lasts about 8mins and then it gets quite heavy and intense again with
a good mix of synthesizer and heavy rock guitars. I love this section. The
track nearly ends after 21mins with a very nice floating vocal section that
last about 3mins and I thought for sure the track was over but no, they return
to the heavy nearly doom riffing that started the entire thing off as the track
comes to an end after 28mins! Wow. The
Siege is another nearly 20min track. It starts off also with a heavy and dark
theme but this does not last that long before it becomes more happy and relaxed
and an almost reggae like rhythm takes hold with some nice melodic singing.
They remind me so much of someone else but I just can’t place it at the moment.
Just before 8mins the track starts to build up again with a guitar solo and
more intense drums but still a slow military like beat. It gets really
psychedelic after this point. Wow. Around 13mins we float back to reality as
the track slowly spaces out and continues just as you thought it was all over. IT
does come to a complete end and silence but at 15:50, it starts up again with
just some guitar and bass as the drums and join. Great bass playing in this
section. It goes for a further 3-4mins. I have to say this is a very impressive
and cool album. I have enjoyed it very much, so many expressive moods and great
playing. Great work guys and gals.
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