Kosmodome is a young Norwegian band that offers a Prog mixed with Psychedelia with an atmosphere of the late 60s. Their self-titled debut album was released on December 10, 2021 via Karisma Records and contains 8 medium to long-length tracks. La band is the brainchild of the two Sandvik brothers, Sturle on guitars and vocals, and Severin on drums, Kosmodome’s music is riff-based Rock with stoner elements all of which are placed within a Progressive universe to great effect. The album opens with “Enter the Dome” a short intro of just over 1 minute characterized by hypnotic guitar riffs, a taste of what will be the sounds of the disc. The previous one joins “Retrograde” which develops the theme with enveloping guitar melodies and a deep bass, while the rhythmic session is enriched by tempo changes. The mix between modern Psychedelia and Prog is well done and the vocals are well suited to the music, with an expressive singing. The guitar is the main instrument and offers in addition to massive riffs, solo inserts in the instrumental sections. The second part of the track, entirely instrumental, is characterized by more Psychedelic sounds and more dilated and atmospheric sounds. “Hypersonic” after the intro is the shortest track on the album and begins with a tight rhythm session and hypnotic, penetrating bass lines. The vocal alternates solo parts with other chorals, while the guitar melodies are soft giving a touch of ’70s Prog to the sound. In the second part the guitar offers a short solo, to then return the vocal that accompanies us at the end. Harder and more intricate sounds characterize “Deadbeat” which develops on continuous changes of tempo, to transform into a good Rock piece. The ability to change genres in a sudden way is certainly a gift of the band, able to pass from the hardest moments to softer ones with ease. The riffs of this track remain impressed and the structure is massive and well developed, while in the second part the track evolves to end with percussion, vocals and a guitar arpeggio, an original passage. “Waver I” is the first of the two parts of this track, the hardest to date, with heavy guitar riffs and a distorted bass with Stoner influences. The guitar immediately offers interesting solo inserts, while the ever-changing rhythm session is elaborate and solid. An engaging track that shows a stronger facet of the band’s sound, skilled in changing skin from one song to another, always offering original sounds. The second part “Waver II” begins with an always tight rhythm, but the band’s changes in rhythm allow for different solutions and evolutions. Smoother strokes and faster acceleration characterize the development of the track, where the bass lines are load-bearing and the riffs are massive in the harder parts. The vocals are warm and expressive, the instrumental sections high-level offering a first-rate sonic variety, this pair of tracks is certainly one of the highlights of the album. “The 1%” begins with a slower but heavy-sounding rhythm, with the bass offering deep, load-bearing lines. Here too the band is skilled in offering tempo changes and sound weaves by mixing genres and styles, where Prog blends with a modern Alternative and Psychedelic touch. In the second part the intensity increases and the drums are pressing with percussive sounds, while the atmospheres become harder and darker. With the return of the vowel the track transports us towards the ending. The album ends with “Orbit” which is the longest running track, from the beginning intricate between massive riffs and softer sections with Psych tones. It is an ever-changing instrumental track that encompasses all the facets of the band’s sound, Stoner, Heavy Rock, Prog and Psychedelia. The band’s personal traits emerge and show the ability to blend all their influences and merge them into their original sound. Kosmodome are definitely an interesting emerging band offering a good debut album that showcases personal traits and clear ideas. The guitar drives the sound, where the rhythm session is enriched by tempo changes allowing the band to develop elaborate textures. The bass is load bearing and offers deep lines, the singing fits well into the context adapting itself to the music. A listening recommended for lovers of modern Progressive sounds with forays into Psychedelia and permeated with Stoner references. Another interesting band that comes out of the Karisma Records stable, which over the years has become a reference point for Scandinavian Rock music.
Tracklist
01. Enter the Dome (01:13)
02. Retrograde (06:33)
03. Hypersonic (03:39)
04. Deadbeat (07:00)
05. Waver I (04:48)
06. Waver II (06:10)
07. The 1% (06:27)
8. Orbit (08:49)
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