The Sydney, Australia-based band Robot God returns two years after their previous work “Worlds Collide,” with a new record steeped in Heavy Psychedelia and more. Entitled “Portal Within,” it was released on April 26, 2024 via Kozmik Artifactz and contains four long lasting tracks in the trio’s classic style. Opener “Long Way Road” immediately immerses us in the mixture of lysergic psychedelia, desert rock and that heavy touch that determines the band’s style. Long instrumental textures where the instruments range between genres, offering a granitic and elaborate rhythm section, full of tempo changes. The guitar drives the sound with well-crafted riffs and solo inserts, with reminiscences of the 70s. The vocals are dynamic and incisive, interpreting the lyrics with energy. Also noteworthy is the trio’s skill in modulations and the use of effects, which always enrich the sound. Granitic guitar riffs open “Illusion Or Order,” the shortest in duration, still exceeding six minutes. With a harsher sound and a darker touch, deep, load-bearing bass lines with massive use of effects intertwine perfectly with the guitar work. The drumming is monolithic and adds power to a sound that shows the heavier, more distorted side of the band. The vocals fit into the musical context, enveloping the listener and alternating with the distinctly Heavy Psych instrumental sections. The title track “Portal Within” is another epic over 13 minutes long, opening with guitar and an atmospheric background. The bass is deep and penetrating, and the track moves slowly through lysergic sounds before evolving into a modern, enveloping Desert Psychedelia. The listener is slowly transported into the band’s sonic universe, increasing in intensity as the track and the central theme evolve, on which the guitar works with its extended solo inserts. Entirely instrumental, it enhances all the trio’s compositional and performing technique, creating a sound with retro reminiscences but brought into a fresh modern context. The album ends with “Nazare” characterised by an introductory first part, which then develops into excellent guitar riffs and a killer bassline. The drumming is solid and elaborate, while the interweaving of the various genres creates a distinctly personal sound between heavy, psychedelia and desert rock, with the guitar playing the lead role with fine solo inserts. The vocals are interesting and incisive, while still leaving plenty of room for the long instrumental textures. The band confirms the good things heard previously, offering four gritty tracks, between heavy and psychedelia, full of fresh and modern ideas. The interweaving of the different genres is very successful, offering more heavy sections and others with more dilated sounds, without ever losing the intensity and energy that characterise the band. A recommended listen for all lovers of modern PSychedelia sounds with forays into desert and a heavy touch, an excellent album.
Tracklist
01. Long Way Road (13:13)
02. Illusion Or Order (06:04)
03. Portal Within (13:03)
04. Nazare (09:02)
Lineup
Matt Allen / Bass,Vocals & Synth
Raff Iacurto / Guitar, Vocals & Synth
Tim Pritchard / Drums & Synth
