Merging Of Minds...

Samavayo / The Grand Astoria - Split (2015)

Samavayo open up this split with two tracks on their side of the 10"; first up is "Intergalactic Hunt", which bounces unpredictably on drum pops and careful chord-switching, picking up speed and energy until it breaks out into one of its several heavy break-downs.  Samavayo's other song is "Soul Out of Control", which puts a nice layer of dirty sheen on the strings, cranks up the steady riffs, and introduces the group's vocals to strong effect as the band pushes in more of a straight-forward heavy rock direction.
The Grand Astoria, true to tradition, fill their side with one long track; in this instance, it's "Kobaia Express", written and sung (in the language devised by the French prog rock band Magma) in an impressive act of homage.  From a quietly bubbling start, the song soon grows to incorporate layers of instrumentation and overlapping vocals, as busy as a prog-loving beehive.  There's less of the drone than on some of the band's constructions, as it's mostly restricted to background fluctuations in this outing.  Some wild percussion in the latter half shows The Grand Astoria's teeth, but for the most part, it comes across as a chance for the band to simply enjoy the act of creation.
Both sides are quite enjoyable, as long as you've got a taste for prog rock's indulgences, and it's available as a 10" from Setalight Records, or as a simple download.  However you get it, it's some seriously toothsome rock.
~ Gabriel

For Fans Of;    Indukti, Don Caballero, Hot Cognition, Thou, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan

Samavayo Facebook • The Grand Astoria Facebook • Setalight Records • Samavayo Official Website • Samavayo BandCamp • The Grand Astoria BandCamp

Samavayo - Intergalactic Hunt (320 kbps)

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A Wild-Eyed Journey...

The Grand Astoria / Montenegro - The Body Limits / El Matadero (2014)

This split brings together the bands The Grand Astoria (who hail from St. Petersburg, Russia) and the Argentinian outfit of Montenegro. And what a split! Between the two tracks, there's more than 45 minutes of material to be heard (though it can also be watched, via Montenegro's music video, which you'll find below).

The Grand Astoria start things off slowly in “The Body Limits”, with acoustic guitar being picked carefully as woodland animals make their presence known in an ambient environment that's gradually overwhelmed by the force of the band. The group makes use of an interesting electric guitar method, with the right and left channels each sporting a separate guitar input, making for some stimulating layering of the strings. In addition to that, there's bass, drums, samples, vocals, and electronics, all coming together in fine form. Though the music makes plenty of detours into experimentation, the threads of cool psychedelic rock power hold it together as it shifts from one wiggy groove to the next, never letting itself settle down for too long.

As hard as it would be to follow that up, Montenegro put forth a strong showing in their track, “El Matadero”, which translates to 'the slaughterhouse'. They go for a heavier, more doom/blues-styled approach, though the psychedelic influence remains a significant part of the music. After setting the mood with some leisurely bass grooving, they add the vocals, which create a very nice harmonization with the string tones and each other. Most of the track is instrumental, though, with slippery rhythms and precise drum snapping filling the song with a colorful sense of fun.

Both bands bring a lot to the table, and manage to pull off that most rewarding part of a split, working well with each other's style while organically showing off their own take on things. While the length of The Grand Astoria's song precludes this release from popping up on vinyl, it's still worth grabbing a copy for yourself, sitting down with it, and letting the music have its way with your ears for the better part of an hour. Not to be consumed while operating heavy machinery.

~ Gabriel

For Fans Of; From Deep Space, Chord, Wicked Lady, Lenny White, Salem's Pot

The Grand Astoria Facebook • The Grand Astoria BandCamp • Montenegro Facebook • Montenegro SoundCloud • Montenegro Official Website • Montenegro VK • Montenegro Youtube • Montenegro BandCamp

Montenegro - El Matadero

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More Soviet Offerings...

The Grand Astoria - Omnipresence (2011)

Once again we find ourselves in Russia, Saint Petersburg to be precise. I was a bit of a late comer to these guys so regrettably their first few offerings passed me by. But nevermind that, here's their most recent offering. 

A weird mix of stoner jams, eerie ambience and occasional punk tones, hell, theres even a little hint of funk in there too. Its a strange concoction, but it doesn't sound that odd. Its in a similar vain to Earth Blow's Rollin' God, in the fact they've seemingly chucked in a little of everything. Its an impressive feat by anyones standards, its not easy putting all those elements into one album and not only avoid being labeled 'for an enquired taste' but actually pulling it off and making something bloody impressive.

Yeah, no everyone would maybe agree with me, but if you like the riffs of Fu Manchu, the ambience of Red Sparowes, occasional funk of The Chilli Peppers and Russian's, give this album ago.

They're also currently on a European tour, so if you're lucky enough to be in France, Spain, Germany or Holland go bloody check them out! 

• For fans of; Dozer, Nebula, The Dust Bowl, Deserts Of Mars, Causa Sui

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Omnipresence (320 kbps)