2024-02-23 07:00:13
Samsara Joyride – The Subtle And The Dense
Origin: Vienna, Austria
Release: 23.02.2024
Label: Tonzonen Records
Duration: 45:50
Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Stoner Rock / Blues Rock
Samsara Joyride come from Vienna and met there less than four years ago. The band’s goal is to represent a multi-faceted spectrum of rock, blues and stoner. The quartet draws on tried-and-tested elements, crosses them with their personal taste and, enriched with many ideas, transports them into today’s times.
From blues-soaked rock to a colorful density
Even though the band has only existed for such a short time The Subtle And The Dense already the third output. From this one can conclude that ideas are bubbling and plentiful. That’s why the first EP from 2020, the self-titled debut from 2022 and the current long player also sound like a journey.
As this musical development progresses, the shimmering colors in the sound seem to increase. While the EP was still strongly influenced by blues rock, psychedelic colors were added on the debut. But not only were more influences absorbed, the musical density also increased audibly, even though it was still a four-piece band.
A collection of ideas, made in Austria
On too The Subtle And The Dense The band and its origins have remained in guitar and riff-based rock. Nevertheless, the opening duo amazes I Won´t Sign Part 1 and I Won´t Sign Part 2. The two pieces contain a rousing and grooving mix of blues and stoner rock.
The guitar riffs are dominant and sound full of fuzz, which you couldn’t find as intense on the band’s first two outputs. The first new minutes exude a melange of musical styles that is reminiscent of the southern states. Samsara Joyride have matured again and you can see what the result sounds like HERE at I Won´t Sign Part 1 listen.
A musical about-face
The headline sounds drastic and the break with it Too Many Preachers compared to the first two pieces is unmistakable. The riff is evil and together with the frontman’s dark voice we are thrown back into the early 1970s. The slow song grows into a dynamic steamroller that rolls towards us incessantly. A gigantic song that would have been worthy Samsara Joyride fifty years ago with Black Sabbath together to be lifted out of the ground.
Also Sliver Doesn’t change the dark and doomy mood, but overall it’s more playful and doesn’t seem so massively reduced to the point.
New colors are on the horizon
It seems as if the Viennese Riffknaben want to foist another change on us. At Who Tells The Story Stoner rock, blues and psychedelic elements mix to create a new sound. There are also free and experimental passages at the end of the song Who Tells The Story give something spontaneous and live-like.
Also at No One Is Free keep Samsara Joyride the ease of weaving heavy riffs and blues feeling into a homogeneous mixture. Breaks are cleverly incorporated, which are supported by the rhythm section with an almost jazzy nonchalance. The rest is dramatically increasing psychedelic playfulness.
A drink with an umbrella at the end
I’m unsettled because either the band has too many ideas or simply the need to present their broad understanding of good music. With Safe & Sound we find ourselves in the lounge of a high-rise building. The hard riffs and psychedelia are gone. The band plays velvety melodies in a very relaxed manner. The dual vocals are gently accompanied by a saxophone. The Bouncer is composed to enjoy a drink on a bar stool and let your thoughts wander about the day. What a stark counterpoint to the piece Too Many Preachers!
Conclusion
Samsara Joyride musically they develop rapidly and thus challenge the listener. What the spectrum is on The Subtle And The Dense What holds it together is the dominant guitar and the blues as the basis of everything. The album is great in every color, even if I think the dark middle part is the brightest. 7,5 / 10
Line Up
Michael Haumer – guitar, vocals
Florian Miehe – guitar, vocals
Daniel Batliner – Bass
Andreas Mittermühlner – drums
Hannes Mottl – saxophone on Safe & Sound
Tracklist
01. I Won´t Sign Pt.1
02. I Won´t Sign Pt.2
03. Too Many Preachers
04. Sliver
05. Who Tells The Story
06. No One Is Free
07. Safe & Sound
Links
Samsara Joyride website
Facebook Samsara Joyride
Instagram Samsara Joyride
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
Album Review – Helmet – LEFT
EP Review – Stöner – Boogie To Baja
Album Review – Beyond This Earth – Portraits Of The Absurd
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