While many will fairly associate Darxtarto Hawkwind, Bevis Frond,Motorpsycho and Pink Floyd it would be more appropriate to state that these are influences. Darxtar is an unique Swedish psych rock band that has been around a long time, around 15 years. Sören Benngtson, guitars and vocals, has been the main man throughout the years while the other musicians have come and gone.

The album opens with the storming “ Pitful whining” featuring a strong melody that flows naturally and beautifully from the energized sections to the moreslower ones, interesting solo and excellent singing. “Islanded” gives that relaxing, almost melting feeling. The title song is nothing short of breathtaking. It transitions from its calm beginning to a slightly heavier and equally atmospheric end with a fantastic violin solo. “The sky is open wide” is a Big Elf-like song with massive and thick riffing coupled with both well-executed singing and dynamic rhythms that go hand-in-hand. “Secrets” is an echo string soaked mellow mood piece. “It all happens here” is also wonderful; it’s by a long shot the most adventurous song on the album, featuring a very interesting foray into spacey jungle sounds with some elements of kraut music in the middle of the song. The percussion and bass playing bring a lot of action into the song, supplying great rhythm and certainly is a creative highlight. At times the songs “Zero”, “I’m the end” and “Another kind of vibe” are a little disjointed, having a hard time finding your way in these songs, even the greatest solo passages don’t help there. Their sound relies heavily on melodies, certainly a thing to admire these days, and when the piano and the violin melody works as on “Together” containing more of a darker and enigmatic feel with its slower tempo and Anathema-like atmosphere that carries the entire weight of the track excellently. Oddly enough, at times I got this strange Janes Addiction/ dEUS vibe from some of the music, but not too often. Another highlight “Take it” floats on a Seigmen-blanket of excellent drumfills, slide guitar strumming and unearthly violin playing.  

“We came too late” provides a pleasurable listening experience that fans of psych/ prog rock should enjoy. Darxtar explodes in intelligent and catchy pop rhythms and melodies that will blow you away.

88/100

Cosmicmasseur.