It is with great pleasure that we listen to and review the new work of the legendary Canterbury Scene band, Gong. This new lineup was appointed by Daevid Allen himself to carry on the music of this historic band with its eclectic sound. The new album entitled “Unending Ascending” was released on November 03, 2023 via Kscope Records and contains 10 tracks, including two radio edits. Right from the opener “Tiny Galaxies,” the band offers a modern version of the band’s classic sounds, with an enveloping track steeped in Progressive Psychedelia. The vocals are enveloping, the atmospheres dilated, with fine intertwining of guitar and woodwinds in the melodies. The rhythm section is elaborate and full of tempo changes and technical passages as tradition dictates. A good track to open this new release. Energetic and engaging “My Guitar Is A Spaceship,” is enriched with technical and elaborate rhythmic, choral vocal parts in classic Gong style. The choruses stick in the mind, while the horns offer beautifully crafted solo inserts that take the sound to another level. A track that has a marked style a la classic Gong, while incorporating modern elements and the personal traits of this new line-up… You can’t stop singing this refrain in your head and being carried away by the elegant instrumental sections. The longest track on the album, “Ship Of Ishtar” is over eight minutes, steeped in atmospheric sounds and with a marked Psychedelic imprint. Enveloping to lysergic, it weaves ethereal melodies and vocal layering. Returning to more energetic sounds, “O, Arcturus” is an elaborate track incorporating elements of Canterbury and Psychedelia. Here, too, the vocals are layered, creating engaging and well-rendered choral parts. The guitar solos in the instrumental sections are interesting, intense and sophisticated. “All Clocks Reset” is reminiscent of the band’s classic style in its more energetic and upbeat sounding version. The rhythm section is solid and technical, and the blend of guitar and horns in the melodies is interesting, over which a dynamic and expressive choral vocal is inserted at times. One of the tracks most reminiscent of the band’s 70s style. Another long track, “Choose Your Goodness,” which runs well over six minutes, features percussive drumming and deep bass lines. Psychedelic and progressive at the same time, it brings out all the band’s compositional and performing technique. Refined instrumental sections and references to the band’s classic style and a fine use of effects. A great track where technique and energy blend to perfection. “Lunar Invocation” is another atmospheric passage with dilated sounds. Imbued with psychedelia and lysergic traits, it shows a fine use of effects and vocal layering, enveloping the listener for over four minutes and taking him into the cosmos of Gong music. The album ends with “Asleep Do We Lay,” which continues the band’s more atmospheric and psychedelic sounds. Intense melodies and instrumental sections with deep, piercing sounds and refined woodwind and drumming work, over which the vocal layering and modulations are inserted. An album that succeeds in bringing the band’s classic sounds into a modern context with personal traits of the artists that make up this new line-up. A recommended listen for lovers of Canterbury sounds, with fine interweaving of guitar and horns, solid and elaborate rhythm sections and dynamic and expressive vocals.
Tracklist
01. Tiny Galaxies (03:33)
02. My Guitar Is A Spaceship (04:09)
03. Ship Of Ishtar (08:33)
04. O, Arcturus (03:55)
05. All Clocks Reset (04:09)
06. Choose Your Goodess (06:49)
07. Lunar Invocation (04:34)
08. Asleep Do We Lay (04:16)
09. Tiny Galaxies (Single edit) (03:51)
10. My Guitar is a Spaceship (Single edit) (04:26)
Lineup
Ian East / Saxophones and Woodwinds
Fabio Golfetti / Guitar and Singing
Cheb Nettles / Drums and Singing
Dave Sturt / Bass and Singing
Kavus Torabi / Singing and Guitar
Read our Exclusive Interview with the band here: [Interview] Exclusive interview with Gong
