Under the Radar Music

Latest: Rama Rama (2024) single

Been ages since we last heard from Hidria Spacefolk, one of the contenders for the best group of the 2000 decade for my tastes.

Astronautica (2012)

Space rockers Hidria Spacefolk return five years after Symetria with Astronautica, an album that has been highly anticipated by many, including myself. A couple of changes have occurred in the interim. The original keyboardist moved to Germany and has been replaced by Veikko Sutinen, who seems to favor the Fender Rhodes a bit more than his predecessor (that's a good thing). Hidria Spacefolk have also expanded to a sextet (yet another good thing) with the addition of percussionist Olli Kari, formerly of the much respected Uzva. Olli plays marimba, vibrafone, xylosynth, and sundry percussion. Despite these changes, Astronautica is largely a continuation of the style found on Symetria. Broader strokes, larger sound, simpler compositions, with more emphasis on atmosphere rather than tricky intricacies. However, there's no mistaking that this is a Hidria Spacefolk album, and they continue with their lively instrumental melodic psychedelic music, with plenty of tempo changes and electric guitar solos. Great driving the highway music! Overall an excellent album, though still not up to the high standard (IMO) of Symbiosis and Balansia. I'm already waiting anxiously for the next album! (ED: which still hasn't happened as I update this post 12 years later!)

Symetria (2007)

Symetria shows Hidria Spacefolk cutting back on the edgy complexity of their first two albums, while adding more of a steady post-rock sensibility. These changes are somewhat understated, so it's more like a trimming of the hedges, rather than a replanting of another bush. The title track and 'Futrur Ixiom' demonstrate quite well this movement to the center. Gone are the high powered psychedelic sequences and ripping guitar solos, and its place is a more staid melodic and atmospheric approach. That's not to say the band has moved away from mid-tune meter shifts, it's just a bit more toned down. '322' seems inspired by the stoner metal movement, as no doubt the band performs live with many acts that represent that genre. However they do manage to avoid the standard trappings of stoner rock (slabs of metal guitar distortion, raw drunken vocals, etc...), and instead inflect the typical Hidria Spacefolk treatment, that as a bonus inserts midstream a cool funky rock sequence complete with horns. 'Flora/Fauna' is a new twist for the band, calling out their Scandinavian heritage - in this case the region's penchant to produce a type of [i]rural rock[/i], a favorite style of nearby Denmark, especially in the early 1970s. To be honest, at this point of the album, Symetria is a bit of a disappointment. However, Hidria Spacefolk saves the best for last, and the last two tracks, totaling close to 20 minutes recall the superiority of Symbosis and Balansia. All the same, I hear this album a full star less than its predecessors, though still quite excellent obviously. It's probably no surprise that Hidria Spacefolk decided to break at this point, probably realizing they were beginning to hit a rut. Fortunately they reconvened in 2012 for a new album.

Balansia (2004)

Picking right up from Symbiosis, Hidria Spacefolk deliver another set of smoking space rock tunes. All of the first 5 tracks are near or above the 7 minute mark, and each add a unique twist to their classic Ozric/Hillage/Gong inspired sound: 'Kokkola' features heavy percussion; 'Modus Operand Hermetik' goes east to India (at the break) for inspiration; 'Astroban' loads up on the wah-wah funky guitar and features some wild extended jamming; 'Pajas' adds bluesy Krautrock styled guitar and sampled organ; 'Pako Originaux' shows a remarkably researched track, full of classic 1970s French references (Clearlight, Heldon, and a host of obscurities). And then there's 'Tarapita', Hidria Spacefolk's one attempt to date at the extended atmospheric and exotic early 70's Kosmiche Kourier styled composition, with plenty of high energy jamming at the finish to polish it all off. Agitation Free meets Ozric Tentacles. An amazing album by an amazing band.

Symbiosis (2002)

The obvious comparison to Hidria Spacefolk is of course Ozric Tentacles, but that's only part (albeit a large one) to the entire equation. What's left out of most reviews is what comes after the plus sign - the early 1970's Scandinavia song craft - a certainly melodic sense that adds the key ingredient which makes Hidria Spacefolk so special. As someone who has listened to countless hours of the early 70s Scandinavian progressive scene, it's apparent immediately. From Sweden, you hear snippets here and there of Algarnas Tradgard, International Harvester, Lotus, Kvartetten Som Sprangde, and Saga. From Finland, there's Kalevala, Nimbus, and Haikara. The driving rhythms, electronica bits, synthesizer sequencers and riffing guitar point to a modern era. The bluesy guitar solos, sometimes with a Latin Santana influence, the Indian Eastern mysticism, the lead melodies, and the Hammond organ samples all point to a different era - one these lads most certainly absorbed growing up, even if unwittingly (though I suspect they are quite aware of their origins). If Ozric Tentacles is the post graduate course, then Symbiosis is the perfect score - 100%. 'Nasha Universo' is my favorite short-form progressive song for the entire 2000 decade.

HDRSF-1 (2001)

Finland’s Hidria Spacefolk broke onto the scene in 2001 with HDRSF-1, which featured recordings from as early as 1999. And what a debut it is! Hidria Spacefolk are one of the very few bands to take the Ozric Tentacles space rock via Hillage formula, and actually take it further by adding more instrumentation, putting together more complex compositions, and rocking harder than Ed Wynne and crew (that’s no small feat right there). While Hidria wasn’t even close to reaching their peak at this stage, there were plenty of signs they could put together a masterpiece (and their subsequent two albums did just that). Most notably ‘Sindran Rastafan’ is the type of space rock rave-up that leaves one amazed, exhausted, and overwhelmed. Hidria mixes wah wah style funk, hard rock guitar, cosmic and very fuzzy synthesizers, Middle Eastern melodies, Indian flute and didgeridoo, sometimes all in the same song! Variety is their strong suit, and they mix high energy jams with meditative quiet sections with ease. The band likes to change things around in a rapid manner, so the music never gets stale and always remains exciting. This debut demonstrated to the world that Hidria Spacefolk were to be one of the best space rock bands of the modern era.

---10/14/06

Other albums heard: Live Eleven am (2005)

11/14/12 (new entry)

Quantum Fantay, Belgium

UK Festival styled psych; Space rock

Latest album: Oneironauts (2024). Released 6/14

Yemaya Orisha (2019)

Quantum Fantay proved to be one of my favorite bands of the 2010's, perfectly capturing everything I like about the Ozric Tentacles sound. They filtered out the reggae and lengthy ambient pieces, while going for the throat on high octane space rock. Yemaya Orisha is their 8th, and to date, last studio album. By now I just have too much of this kind of thing, and I'm weeding some out. But I'm not sure though if any of the Quantum Fantay's will be touched. The opening title track could be considered "typical" (but still very good) and I was thinking this may have been one purchase too many. But 'Mami Wata' packs a wallop, and hits all their trademarked qualities: Ferocious guitar chords, flute melodies, synthesizers galore, and insane rhythmic work. They maintain this pace on 'Riddles of the Sphinx'. By now the last two tracks could be country and I wouldn't care. But of course they're not - just more Quantum Fantay goodness. It's highly likely I stop here with the band - presuming they continue - unless it's essentially given to me. But what a run they had for 15 years.

---11/24/22

Tessellation of Euclidian Space (2017)

Their 7th album is, to date (2024), the only album by Quantum Fantay that I didn't connect with. It's more ambient / electronic, and can get clubby in places. I think 3) is really great and 5) also captured my imagination. There's some space whisper Gong and Pink Floyd references this go round too. I can't blame the band for wanting to extend their palette of sound, but it doesn't always work for each listener. For some, this may be their best effort. I'll keep working on it.

---2/18/24

Dancing in Limbo (2015)

Quantum Fantay have always been a Masters Class course at the Ozric Tentacles University. And on their 6th studio effort, Dancing in Limbo, yet another thesis has been proposed and accepted. So much so, that the professor himself - one Ed Wynne - even guests on the album! If you're the sort that appreciates Ozric Tentacles most in full blown space rock mode with fiery guitar solos and fluttering flute, meanwhile constantly twisting and turning with jumpy rhythms, then Quantum Fantay will certainly blow your socks off. I'm of that sort, and my socks are missing. Dancing in Limbo earns Quantum Fantay yet another "A".

---11/4/15

Terragaia (2014)

So exactly how would Quantum Fantay follow up the brilliant Bridges of Kukuriku? It would take four years to find out, but the band has finally reappeared with Terragaia, and the CD (that's right - a CD - remember those?) is housed in a fine triple fold out digi-pak. I would say that Quantum Fantay have found themselves back to their roots of Ozric Tentacles' inspired space rock. Unfortunately, there aren't any of the hair raising, head turning moments of the last two albums to be found. However, let's not get carried away and start pointing fingers as if this is some kind of failed effort. Hardly. The music here is as brilliant as Ugisiunsi, but with a distinct Middle Eastern and Chinese theme running throughout the melodies (and some snippets of Caribbean and Celtic music too). There's so much to admire about Quantum Fantay in the studio - and their variation of the Gong You era is as fine as anyone as ever realized, including Ozric Tentacles themselves. So what you have is the usual fiery guitar solos, flute overlays, bubbling synthesizers, and hyperactive rhythms that you expect - and want - from the genre. Quantum Fantay are money, man. I'm already looking forward to the next release!

---6/27/14

Bridges of Kukuriku (2010)

I've been a fan of Quantum Fantay since their first album. All are very good variations on the Ozric Tentacles sound. But I wasn't prepared for the greatness that is Bridges of Kukuriku. Everything about this album is exponentially better than prior efforts (and that's saying something). Whether it's the production (listen to the panning from speaker to speaker as if Dieter Dirks himself took the controls), the instrumental interplay (crisp and tight), the energy level (extremely kinetic) - or just the general exoticism surrounding the compositions. And this has real melodies, something you can actually latch onto and remember, rather than just a technical exercise in musical theory. The amazing transition from 'Follow the Star' (track 2) to 'Shiver Moments' (track 3) and the subsequent blitzkrieg of said track practically gave me a stroke. Music like this is truly exciting, as you never know what will happen next, and yet it still rocks hard in a psychedelic way. Ozric has never come close to fully realizing an album like this. We're in the rarefied territory of those Finnish groups Hidria Spacefolk and Taipuva Luotisuora. This album is absolutely brilliant and will most certainly be considered one of my personal favorite albums of the entire 2010 decade.

---9/14/12

Kaleidothrope (2009)

After the great success of Ugisiunsi, Quantum Fantay return with Kaleidothrope... ...and serve notice that they are serious and are here to stay. The jumpy sequencers, fluttering flute, hyperactive rhythm section, and - best of all - pyrotechnical psychedelic guitar work, are here in abundance. All of this while never forgetting that melody is truly important to a great composition. Not to mention the constant shifting of themes, meters, and dynamics. Final track 'Telepathy' is a monster and needs to be heard by all. And to think they would actually improve on their next album. Wow! If there's a criticism of Quantum Fantay, it's that they veer too close to Ozric Tentacles. And while that may hold true, one should know that it's more like Ozric extract: All the good stuff is filtered in while leaving the chaff out.

---9/14/12

Ugisiunsi (2007)

While the debut Agapanthusterra could be considered another Ozric album, the sophomore effort Ugisiunsi utilizes to a greater extent other music vehicles like flute (in more abundance than the debut), sequencer based electronics, and haunting wordless female voice, thus adding color to the usual guitar / keyboard rave-ups. The guitarist (from Srdjan 'Sergio' Vucic, in his only stint with the band) adds some metal crunch at times, recalling the Dutch group Kong. And the solos are Ed Wynne-esque in their intensity. Like Hidria Spacefolk (Finland), Quantum Fantay also display a penchant for progressive rock themes and complexities – something that Ozric did more frequently in their past with songs like ‘White Rhino Tea’. Tracks like 'Snowballs in Ghostlands' show Quantum Fantay were capable of writing beautiful melodies as well - moving beyond the usual "if you can't find it, grind it" mentality. At this point in their career, Quantum Fantay looked to be a major force in the space rock circuit. And as it turns out, they ended up being just that.

---9/12/12

Agapanthusterra (2005)

Agapanthusterra is Quantum Fantay's most Ozric Tentacles-like album - right down to the reggae bits. That said, the compositions are entirely unique and offer one more perspective of an already great formula. On this debut, Quantum Fantay were a four piece with synthesizers, bass, drums and flute. Guitars were performed by a guest of the band (who would later join as a full time member on their 3rd album Kaleidothrope), but despite this designation his participation here remains a centerpiece to their overall sound. Best tracks are the heaviest rocking pieces 'Lantanasch' and 'Chase the Dragon'. Worth noting that the final track 'Amoevha' is hidden and not listed on the CD itself.

---9/11/12

9/14/12 (new entry)

Moonwagon, Finland Inactive

News: Moonwagon released a new live album on December 19th. No other news has emerged regarding new recordings.

Location: Kokkola (northwest Finland south of Oulu)

Overview: Moonwagon are yet another instrumental band from Finland that was smitten with the Ozric Tentacles sound, similar to Hidria Spacefolk, Taipuva Luotisuora, and Dasputnik. Later they added elements of post rock and even Krautrock to their sound.

UMR notes

Alpha Omega, Australia

News: On September 28th, Alpha Omega released their 3rd album Dark Tales of the Shroom on the German Clostridium label (LP only as is custom for the label). Looking at the Bandcamp page, they have a date of January 2017, so this may be the first physical release of the album.

Location: Brisbane

Overview: Though from Australia, Alpha Omega sounds so very English. Hawkwind is obviously in the middle of the conversation with its driving guitars and bleeping synthesizers. The songwriting has that odd lost warehouse sound of the Soho underground, especially given the sparse post punk vocals. Perhaps early Omnia Opera or Strobe could be a guidepost, or something really obscure like Rancid Poultry.

UMR notes

Of Petra, England Inactive

Instrumental prog; Jazz rock; UK Festival styled psych.

Latest album: So Onto Itself (2018)

---notes

So Onto Itself (2018)

Of Petra is currently an unsigned band from London, England and So Onto Itself is their second album. The band themselves list Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock as influences, so its something of the "usual suspects". However, as is usually the case, a band like Of Petra finds their own voice within these parameters. The music is instrumental, slight jazzy - even funky - but with a strong psychedelic streak. This is most notable with guitarist Cyril Meleiro's decidedly acidic tone. I feel he does a fantastic job throughout the album, giving it the rough-hewn sound the band needs. There's a distinct UK festival styled neo psych here, though not near as slick and synthesized as say Ozric Tentacles, but more toward some rundown club in East London. The heavy use of samples recalls the 90s UK group Ship of Fools. The instrumental psychedelic nature of the music also points me to fellow countrymen Lunar Dunes. Of the big name artists the band lists, I would say Led Zeppelin is the least influential, and Pink Floyd and early 70s Miles (minus the trumpet of course) is the most.

10/13/19 (new entry)

Hadal Sherpa, Finland Inactive

UK Festival styled psych

Latest release: Hadal Sherpa (2017). Their last post was in 2022 stating they have a new singer to go forward with, and that's been it so far.

Hadal Sherpa (2017)

Every once in awhile I'll receive a recommendation on a new album to try. But it's very rare for me to receive three strong recs from trusted advisers, and that's exactly what happened last year with Hadal Sherpa, a new space rock band from Finland. I purchased the CD last year, but as these things tend to go, I'm just now getting around to listening to it.

And the reason for all the buzz behind Hadal Sherpa becomes obvious upon listening. Anyone who knows me personally or has read my notes will know that I enjoy an excellent rendition of the sound that Ozric Tentacles (and Gong / Here&Now before them) created years ago. Especially the Finnish school. The album opens up surprisingly subdued with the 2 part 'Nautilus', a mid paced number with flute and melodic guitars. Things began to pick up considerably with 'Chafa Azeno' reminding me quite a bit of Ozric's 'Bizarre Bazaar' (from Strangeitude) without the silly bits. 'Ikaros' takes the baton and runs faster. It's here the album begins to draw you into its vortex. Then, as these albums tend to do, you get smacked with the 1-2 punch of awesomeness. 'Heracleion' is packed with ideas, with smoldering guitars, and Middle Eastern/Eastern Asian themes. A highly energetic piece, that never sits in one place too long. This leads to the album's piece de resisitance , the brilliant 'Marracech' where blazing bouzouki battles the dual guitars and synthesizers, all the while demonstrating even more ADD than the predecessor. Imagine Hidria Spacefolk covering Embryo's Steig Aus album, and you have an idea of the excellence found here. 'Abyss' slows things down a bit, bringing forth a 1969 Pink Floyd vibe, and then accelerates later on. 'Black Elk' is another rip roaring track, though by this time one is exhausted from burning too many calories air jamming. If I had a complaint, I would suggest a better production next time. The album sounds a bit thin at times. These kind of albums require a thick, meaty production.

If you're a fan of Hidria Spacefolk, Taipuva Luotisuora, Moonwagon, and Dasputnik, then it's hard to imagine Hadal Sherpa not registering in the red zone. Perhaps not an entirely new concept, but the execution is superb.

7/18/18 (new entry)

Taipuva Luotisuora, Finland

News: Taipuva Luotisuora have returned in 2017, after a two year break, playing live concerts well into the summer. No word yet on a new album. September 28, 2018 update: Posts pretty much stopped after the above. Oh well...

Website

Location: Turku

Overview: Taipuva Luotisuora started as an Ozric like band before incorporating post rock and space rock elements in their sound.

UMR notes

El Circulo de Willis, Spain

News: El Circulo de Willis are active and playing live shows in their native Spain. No word on a new album. I've only heard the latest from 2015 called Retales, but I was mightily impressed with the music and will certainly explore their back catalog as opportunity affords.

Website

Location: Madrid

Overview: El Circulo de Willis play an exciting instrumental progressive music driven by flute and guitar, with some sax, synthesizer, and metal touches. Like a blend of Ozric Tentacles, Naikaku, and Dream Machine with a bit of Kong thrown in.

Dasputnik, Finland

News: The band are still active and have released their 3rd album in 2016 entitled Psykhixplosion. It appears to be LP only, which isn't ideal. I don't own it yet. The wording on the Facebook page indicates this is their final album, but it could just be lost in translation (words like "our end" and "3rd and last" could mean "our last album" and "3rd and latest" in context). Though the website is kaput, there have been a couple of recent posts on Facebook.

Location: Turku

Overview: Dasputnik are an energetic and tight Ozric Tentacles styled space rock band, with furious guitar leads, synthesizers, a crack rhythm section and melodic sax. Up there with other great Finnish bands like Hidria Spacefolk and Taipuva Luotisuora.

Reviews (click on album covers):

Mantric Muse, Denmark

News: Not much happening with Mantric Muse, with a posting of a live concert in 2015 being the last activity. Last check: December 26, 2018

Website
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