San Diego, california based ‘70s inspired Heavy Psych/Prog band Sacri Monti has established itself in recent years as one of the revelations of the music scene. The new album “Retrieval” is due for release on July 26, 2024 via Tee Pee Records containing six medium-length tracks. The opener “Maelstrom” immerses us from the first notes into the band’s musical atmosphere of a solid, elaborate rhythm section and massive guitar riffs. The vocals are dynamic and expressive, alternating perfectly with the instrumental sections where the band offers sophisticated solo cues and well-constructed phrasing. A guitar arpeggio opens “Desirable Sequel,” a song that combines heavy rock traits and more melodic vocal parts. The tempo changes are an added value to the sound, allowing the band to develop through the song’s more than seven minutes of duration, exploring the many facets that characterise its style. In the middle section, the band offers a more heavy instrumental section with fine guitar solo inserts and a faster rhythm section. A killer bassline characterises the rhythm section, which at times offers epic rides, before returning to the vocals for the last verses and closing this intense and valuable track. The band continues to explore more heavy rock sounds in the following “Intermediate Death,” where organ intertwines with guitar riffs. The rhythm section alternates between more technical and tighter passages, always remaining solid and full of tempo changes. A song that shows the more Progressive side of the band, with a retro touch brought into a modern context by this band that succeeds in bringing the magical atmospheres of the 70s to the present day. In the second part, an intense guitar solo characterises the instrumental section, before returning to the warm and expressive vocals for the last verses that accompany us towards the crescendo ending. “Brackish/Honeycomb” is another example of how the band succeeds in bringing the sounds of the past into a modern and personal context. The incisive riffs and guitar and organ work captivate the listener, elaborating refined textures thanks to an ever-evolving rhythm section. The vocal is more aggressive than the previous one and fits perfectly into the musical context of the track. The alternation of more heavy and more elaborate passages mixing Progressive and quality Psychedelia is perfect, offering 8 minutes of music of absolute level with instrumental parts and organ and guitar solos. An absolute masterpiece and one of the best tracks on the album. A brief instrumental passage with guitar and orchestrations entitled “Moon Canyon,” dampens the tone before the final epic. “More Than I” opens with an acoustic guitar arpeggio before developing into an intense and elaborate Progressive Rock that enhances all of the band’s compositional and performing technique. The vocals are intense and deep, the instrumental sections alternate between Symphonic and more Heavy openings without ever losing focus and their signature style. A track that concludes this excellent listening leaving us with the desire to mash play and play the record again. 9 minutes of pure pleasure with refined guitar and keyboard interlacing, enveloping melodies and a solid and always very elaborate rhythm section to which is added a dynamic, warm and expressive vocal. A band that confirms the good things heard in previous works and also manages to improve the quality of the compositions. An intense, mature album full of fine and valuable nuances and cues, managing to bring the classic sounds of the early 70s into a fresh, modern and markedly personal context. In my opinion an absolute masterpiece, an album absolutely recommended to all lovers of Prog/Psych sounds.
Tracklist
01. Maelstrom (3:12)
02. Desirable Sequel (7:03)
03. Intermediate Death (5:31)
04. Brackish/Honeycomb (7:59)
05. Moon Canyon (2:37)
06. More Than I (9:27)
Lineup
Brenden Dellar / Guitar and vocals
Dylan Donovan / Guitar
Anthony Meier / Bass
Evan Wenskay / Organ and Synth
Thomas DiBenedetto / Drums
Read our Exclusive interview with the band here: [Interview] Exclusive interview with Sacri Monti
