TALC is an instrumental Rock trio based in Lausanne, Switzerland, whose style ranges between Progressive, Psychedelic, Space and Post-Rock. The new album, titled simply “III,” was released on January 30, 2025 via Musea Records and contains 6 tracks ranging from over 6 to almost 10 minutes in length. The opener “Mesarthim” immediately immerses us in the band’s sound, characterised by solid, elaborate instrumental rock that incorporates elements of Prog and Psychedelia among others. Interesting guitar and keyboard mixtures in the first part, which then give way to extended solo interventions that accompany us throughout the piece. The guitar takes centre stage, with a granitic rhythm section enriched by tempo changes that allow this interesting theme to develop. Atmospheric sounds characterise the intro of “Betelgeuse,” a long track of over nine minutes, before developing into a groove-rich sound steeped in psychedelia. The guitar drives the sound with well-constructed riffs and solo interventions and layering enriched by the effects and modulations, skilfully used by the band. Between tempo changes and solo inserts, the piece flows pleasantly throughout, with a fresh, modern touch and forays into more Ambient and Experimental sounds in the middle section. In a continuous crescendo with intertwining guitar and keyboards, the song ends with another more Experimental section, before returning to the central theme and closing. “Antares” is another track over nine minutes in length, opening with intertwining guitar and bass arpeggios, with the intensity increasing as the song progresses. A long jam that incorporates elements of Psychedelia and Space Rock, forays into Prog thanks to an elaborate and constantly evolving rhythm section. The guitar is the protagonist both in the melodies and in the solo interventions, accompanying us throughout the piece and characterising its sound. The longest track on the album, “Aldebaran,” dedicated to the star belonging to the constellation Taurus, gives us the feeling of travelling through space thanks to the developed sounds. A Psychedelia imbued with references to the most ethereal Space Rock, with dilated sounds in the first part, in a constant musical crescendo that culminates in more heavy sounds in the middle section of the track. We return to floating in space in the prolonged instrumental section, culminating in a Heavy Rock with distorted guitars and a solid, elaborate rhythm section. “Theemin,” on the other hand, is the shortest in duration, still exceeding six minutes. An intro with guitar arpeggios and a sombre atmosphere open the track, before developing into a solid Heavy Rock with Psychedelic traits, fresh and modern with personal traits. A deep, load-bearing bass line characterises the rhythm section, with the guitar free to explore lysergic sounds in its sometimes virtuosic solo interventions. The album ends with “Voyager III,” a track of Old-School Electronics steeped in Experimentation and extensive use of modulations and effects. A track that takes us into the deepest cosmos with intricate weaving and layering of electronic synth sounds with a minimal rhythm section. A good instrumental album that explores Psychedelic Rock and Prog sounds with forays into Space and very early Electronic. The sound is solid and elaborate with the guitar leading in extended solo interventions, solid rhythm sections and interesting keyboard inserts. A recommended listen for lovers of hybrid genres, uniting threads of Prog, Psych and Space Rock through long instrumental tracks with a personal and mature sound.
Tracklist
01. Mesarthim (07:13)
02. Betelgeuse (09:25)
03. Antares (09:27)
04. Aldebaran (09:48)
05. Theemin (06:17)
06. Voyager III (06:32)
Lineup
Hervé Baumgartner / Bass
Vincent Verselle / Drums
Antonin Wiser / Guitar, Keyboard
[…] Read our Review of their new album “III” here: [Review] TALC – III […]