https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

Spiral Shades Premiere “Wizardry” from Debut LP Hypnosis Sessions

Posted in audiObelisk on July 10th, 2014 by JJ Koczan

Listening to it front to back, it becomes clear quickly that Spiral Shades‘ forthcoming debut, Hypnosis Sessions, is a special kind of album. But even hearing it only tells half the tale. The 55-minute 2LP — which is due Aug. 5 on RidingEasy Records on grey vinyl or CD (pre-orders are available here) — captures a naturalist proto-metal kind of sound from the start, in places reminiscent of a harder-edged version of the kind of analog worship and rolling grooves Witch proffered on their own debut, but it was made by players living a continent apart from each other.

Comprised of Indian vocalist/guitarist Khushal R. Bhadra and Norwegian guitarist/bassist/drum programmer Filip PetersenSpiral Shades have never actually played in the same room, yet the Sabbathian idolatry they bring about on cuts like “Illuminati” and “Wizardry” from Hypnosis Sessions is as fluid as if it was recorded live. It’s a credit to the tones Bhadra and Petersen were able to capture on their own, working back and forth via email, sending files to each other and piecing together the album in a manner befitting its collage cover art, but more importantly, it’s a wide open, badass sound, and the album jams out vibrant grooves with a steady flow and pays homage to classic ’70s influences in a way that’s modern both in process and in sonics.

Though shorter than, say, 13-minute freakout “Grim Rituals,” the catchy stomp of “Wizardry” nonetheless provides an engaging sample of what Spiral Shades have to offer those who’d join them in their continent-crossing riffy congress. Hopefully this isn’t a one-time collaboration on the part of Bhadra and Petersen. When one considers the kind of chemistry they’re able to capture on Hypnosis Sessions and the organic, full-band feel they bring about on songs like “Wizardry,” taken in context with the distance between them, it seems like all the more reason to keep going forward and developing the ideas they’ve laid down here.

Enjoy “Wizardry” on the player below, courtesy of RidingEasy:

Spiral Shades release Hypnosis Sessions Aug. 5 on RidingEasy Records. The album will be available on CD and vinyl. The orange LP edition of 75 sold out on pre-order, but dark grey marble is still available, though limited to 100. More info and pre-orders via the links below.

Spiral Shades on Thee Facebooks

Spiral Shades on Bandcamp

Hypnosis Sessions at RidingEasy Records’ webstore

RidingEasy Records on Thee Facebooks

 

Tags: , , , , , ,