Naxatras is a Psychedelic Prog Rock band from Greece, which offers a musical genre with references to the music of the 70s. After adding a fourth member on keyboards to the lineup, they released the album “IV” on February 25, 2022 containing 10 tracks. The sound has evolved by inserting elements of Prog Rock, thanks also to synths and keyboards, evocative lyrics and a sound that explores Psychedelic sounds with their own personal sound. The album opens with “Reflection (Birth)” which begins with guitar arpeggios intertwined with keyboards and percussion, creating a dreamy atmosphere. After an initial introductory part, the track increases in intensity by mixing more Psychedelic traits with Progressive ones with intertwining guitar and piano that guide us to the end of this instrumental piece. With a tighter rhythm and massive guitar riffs “Omega Madness” has harder sounds than the previous one, with marked Psychedelic traits and forays into Prog in some changes. A guitar-centric track with synth inserts in the second part, creating a long instrumental that alternates solo parts with engaging riffs. A pressing rhythm session characterizes “Journey to Narahmon” to the quake are added a granite guitar and synth inserts. We are in a truly Psychedelic territory with modern features and an original personal touch. The bass creates leading lines and the sound develops on the evolution of the guitar and keyboard, a rhythmic and engaging passage. “The Answer” returns to softer sounds, with an orchestral keyboard background on which a guitar and rhythm session are inserted. The first sung vocal of the album is warm and expressive, and the track develops more in the form of a ‘song’ with a good lead guitar lead in the finale. Guitar arpeggios and a deep bass open “Ride with Time” on which a vocal with soft strokes is inserted. The intensity increases with the flow of the song, which in the second part becomes more energetic with a good guitar solo insert. Keyboards and percussion open “Radiant Stars” with a guitar and a Funky style rhythm session, and leading bass lines. The keyboards offer a lead insert that intertwines with that of the guitar and the track flows pleasant for all 3 and more minutes. A melancholy vocal and atmoastric sounds characterize the intro of “Horizon” which develops a theme halfway between an enveloping Psychedelia and the most modern Prog. deep bass lines and electric guitar solo inserts in the central instrumental section. With the return of the vocals the intensity also increases, with good mixes between keyboards and guitar, which offers another solo inspiration in the finale. The longest track on the album “The Battle of Crystal Fields” begins with an interweaving of orchestrations and electric guitar, and then develops a track with harder traits. A solid rhythm session and good guitar cues on an orchestral background, exploring Heavy Psych territory. After a first part with a long guitar solo, in the final part a vocal with mystical features enters and the track ends with a good lead for guitar soloists. The second part of the opener “Reflection (Death & Rebirth)” opens with a dark intertwining of organ and electric guitar closer to the Prog sounds. The bass is deep and the rhythm session marks the tempo well, allowing for good guitar and keyboard work. The album ends with “Shape of the Evening” a mainly acoustic track in the first part, with delicate guitar and percussion arpeggios. In the finale the intensity increases for a short passage with the entry of the electric guitar, and then closes with the sound of the waves of the sea. A pleasant listening with the band that certainly has more sound solutions with the addition of keyboards. The Psychedelic component is predominant, with forays into Prog, thanks to the band’s keyboards and sonic explorations. This band is confirmed to be fit and have good ideas, with well composed and performed tracks. A listening recommended for lovers of Psychedelic sounds with Prog traits, a band that confirms the good things heard in previous works.
Tracklist
01. Reflection (Birth) (04:36)
02. Omega Madness (06:50)
03. Journey to Narahmon (06:06)
04. The Answer (05:44)
05. Ride with Time (03:03)
06. Radiant Stars (03:15)
07. Horizon (06:54)
08. The Battle of Crystal Fields (08:46)
09. Reflection (Death & Rebirth) (02:38)
10. Shape of the Evening (03:47)
Lineup
John Delias / Guitar
John Vagenas / Bass, Vocals
Kostas Charizanis / Drums
Pantelis Kargas / Synthesizers
With:
Evi Seitanidou / Vocals
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