In today’s contemporary Psychedelic Progressive Rock landscape, Polish quartet The Howling Eye make a striking impression with “ERF,” released on June 13, 2025 via Interstellar Smoke Records, as one of the most intriguing albums of the year. Hailing from Gdańsk, the band demonstrates remarkable compositional maturity, blending hypnotic rhythmic grooves, deep basslines, and soaring guitar melodies to craft a unique modern-Psychedelic formula. With four extended tracks totaling 47 minutes, “ERF” takes listeners on an immersive journey through sonic landscapes that span Progressive Rock and Heavy Psych, maintaining a cohesive narrative and stylistic unity that captivates from beginning to end. The album opens with the majestic title track, “ERF,” the most ambitious piece on the record at seventeen minutes long. It begins with a slow, enveloping build, immersing the listener in a modern Psychedelic Pop atmosphere. Warm vocals and textured guitar lines immediately establish an engaging mood, while layered soundscapes and effects gradually capture attention through a steady, methodical crescendo. The true strength of the track lies in its seamless incorporation of Heavy elements, using its length to explore every facet of the band’s sound. The composition expertly alternates meditative passages—anchored by deep basslines that serve as a narrative pillar—with crescendoing sections that reveal the band’s technical mastery. In the second half, the band undergoes a radical transformation: a shift in tempo introduces Krautrock and Garage Rock elements, creating a raw, incisive sonic texture. The brisk rhythm evokes late-’70s energy, while the band evolves toward a highly personal and unmistakably contemporary Psych-Prog. In these moments, The Howling Eye showcase their ability to reinvent established musical languages through a genuinely innovative artistic vision. “WEED” opens with a warm vocal embrace supported by acoustic guitar, immediately reminiscent of an American stylistic approach, enriched by the tasteful use of harmonica. The first section is particularly captivating, establishing an intimacy that primes the listener for the track’s evolving journey. The piece gradually shifts toward darker atmospheres, incorporating Heavy Psych elements into an instrumental crescendo that is masterfully dramatic. The final instrumental section unfolds into an extended Heavy exploration, demonstrating the band’s versatility in transitioning from introspective acoustic moments to bursts of electrifying power. The compositional handling of these contrasts heightens the emotional impact of both sections. “FIRE” is the album’s “shortest” track, though still over six and a half minutes. It stands out for its immersive, hallucinatory quality, opening with dark, cavernous atmospheres that evoke subterranean and mysterious sonic landscapes. The transition into modern Heavy Psych is achieved through deft use of effects, intricate rhythms, and time changes, allowing the track to unfold across extended instrumental sections where guitar takes center stage. Here, the band demonstrates a deep understanding of Progressive dynamics, building tension and release that keeps the listener fully engaged. The arrangements reveal a compositional maturity that transforms every technical element into pure emotional expression. The album closes with “MOC WIELKIEGO BUCHA,” another epic composition exceeding thirteen minutes. This track represents perhaps the most introspective and ritualistic moment of the record, characterized by melancholic, dark, cavernous atmospheres evoking ancestral ceremonies and profound inner journeys. The piece is particularly elaborate in its ritualistic soundscapes, creating a hallucinatory and enveloping environment that culminates in a striking final crescendo. Penetrating, restless vocals add psychological tension, amplifying the impact of the composition. Here, the band demonstrates their ability to sustain extended sonic narratives without losing thematic cohesion, delivering a finale that completes the immersive journey of “ERF.” With “ERF,” The Howling Eye reaffirm their artistic vision through long-form, immersive, and meticulously structured tracks that keep the listener engaged throughout. Rich guitar textures, standout vocal performances, and a solid, intricate rhythm section form the perfect recipe to highlight both the compositional and performance prowess of the band. The extended instrumental passages skillfully explore the group’s diverse musical facets, ranging from Progressive passages to Psychedelia, from Heavy moments to meditative and ritualistic segments, creating a kaleidoscopic sonic landscape of remarkable expressive richness. “ERF” is highly recommended for lovers of Heavy Psych with Progressive incursions, a record that envelops the listener and transports them into the band’s musical universe, full of creative ideas and undeniable artistic quality. An album that confirms The Howling Eye as one of the most compelling contemporary Psychedelic Progressive acts, capable of blending tradition and innovation into a personal and convincing synthesis.
Tracklist
Lineup
Hubert Cebula Lewandowski / Drums, Vocals, Percussions
Miłosz Wojciechowski / Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Jan Chojnowski / Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bouzouki, Keys, Synthesizer
Guests:
Jacek Stasiak / Electric guitar (3, 4) and Alto Saxophone (1, 3)
Łukasz Domański / Harmonica (2)