Serpentina Satelite - Serpentina Satelite


Year of Release: 2008
Label: TripIn Time/World In Sound
Catalog Number: WIS-T 2505
Format: CD
Total Time: 48:07:00

Space-Rock, like Progressive Rock, never seems to go away. It flourishes in the underground when it is not in vogue, and when it is popular, it seems to split into different factions and/or sub-genres. Currently, based on the number of releases, it seems that space-rock is flourishing once again. Most of the embrace is found in Northern Europe. While many neo-space rock bands are more modern sounding, Serpentina Satelite is drawing from older influences, but the staple of the sound is modern, with layers of psychedelic phasing floating atop high-energy rhythms. The band also hails from Lima, Peru of all places. The album has just been released on a small label called Trip In Time which obviously caters to new bands with a somewhat retro approach to their music.

"Nueva Ola" starts the album out in somewhat low key manner with chants and atmospheric moods dominating a subdued rhythm section. "Nothing to Say" draws its influences from mid-period Hawkwind while they were exploring Middle Eastern flavors. "The Last Drop" is riff heavy, with a tremendous fuzz undertone and some spoken word, all augmented by a fluid, languid lead guitar that reminds me of 60's psychedelia. The heavy riffage returns in the short "Madripoor," which is awash in swooshing sound FX and a driving back beat.

The centerpiece of the album, the 23 and a half minute "Kommune" is the most modern sounding track and is steeped in the massive layer of psychedelic bombast that many of the other space-rock bands are doing today. While it's certainly driving, there is also some change that occurs. At the ten minute mark, the track descends into an experimental, early 70's Kraut Rock drone that eventually builds and climaxes. Here is where Serpentina Satelite excels above the competition; bands that can tax listeners. Modern Space Rock is an acquired taste as to whether the continual experience thrills or eventually becomes redundant. I sit somewhere in between in this regard. I prefer there to be constant evolution, fluctuation and moods with a lengthy piece of music. With the density found here, that is not always the case.

However, Serpentine Satellite delivers the goods as well as the best of the current crop of Space-rock bands and surpasses many of them because they do draw from earlier influences and are willing to change their sonic assault from time to time.

So if Space-Rock is your cup of tea, this will excite you without a doubt.

[Listen to tracks from the album at their MySpace site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Nueva Ola (9.00) / Nothing To Say (7.04) / The Last Drop (4.55) / Madripoor (3.35) / Kommune 1 (23.33)

Musicians:
Aldo Castillejos - drums
Felix Dextre - bass, vocals
Flavio Castillejos - voices, poetry
Dolmo - lead-rhythm guitar
Renato Gomez - rhythm-lead guitar, vocals

Discography:
Long Play (2004)
Nothing To Say (2008)

Genre: Psychedelic/Space Rock

Origin PE

Added: January 1st 2009
Reviewer: Richard Zywotkiewicz

Artist website: www.serpentinasatelite.com
Hits: 4097
Language: english

  

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