Danish band The Sonic Dawn returns four years after their previous release with a new full-length. titled “Phantom,” it was released on May 10, 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds Records and contains 10 tracks ranging from 2 to over 4 minutes in length. Guitar arpeggios and warm vocals open “21st Century Blues,” a track that immediately immerses us in the band’s own 70s-inspired sounds. With definite Blues influences mixed with Heavy Rock and Psychedelia, it develops with a solid and elaborate rhythm section with deep, load-bearing bass lines. The guitar and keyboards intertwine and offer catchy melodies and beautifully crafted solo inserts. In the finale, an instrumental section concludes the track in an intense musical crescendo with refined duets between guitar and keyboards. Energetic and addictive “Iron Bird” continues to explore Heavy Psych sounds steeped in blues and retro traits. The vocals are enveloping, enriched by refrains that stick in the mind. The rhythm section is full of tempo changes, while the keyboards and guitar offer high-level passages and solo inserts. A short but very intense track, which concentrates the essence of the band in 2:58 minutes. Energetic, rhythmically solid Blues Rock characterises “Think It Over,” with guitar work reminiscent of the genre’s parent bands. The vocals are dynamic and expressive, with engaging choral refrains alternating with elaborate instrumental sections with piano and electric guitar in evidence. The band skilfully brings the classic Blues Rock sounds into a fresh, modern context. “Nothing Can Live Here” opens with a dreamy guitar arpeggio and atmospheres reminiscent of 60s bands. With a softer sounding, sweetly melodic vocal, the track combines tradition with modern sounds, with the intensity increasing as the minutes pass and the central theme evolves. An alternation of gentler and heavier passages enhances the band’s songwriting. The band continues to explore softer sounds in the following “Dreams of Change,” creating more psychedelic atmospheres always with a retro touch. The acoustic guitar mixes very well with the keyboards, while the vocals are warm and expressive and interpret the lyrics of the song with passion. Here too, the band evolves the theme by increasing the intensity in the middle part, only to return with the last sung verses and end the song with intensity. An energetic rhythm section and interweaving organ and guitar open “Pan Am,” returning to more rock sounds, always elaborate and full of quality cues. The vocals are dynamic and alternate with fine instrumental sections, developing the song by mixing 60s and 70s style with the band’s personal touch. The shortest track on the album, “Transatlantique,” is two minutes long. The mood of the track is very relaxed, the vocals warm and the drumming enriched by percussion, creating an engaging rhythm section with a deep bass line. A relaxing passage on the album. An atmospheric intro characterises “Scorpio,” continuing on the sound of the previous one, with the addition of heavier instrumental sections with guitar and keyboards as protagonists. The solo cues are praiseworthy, as are the riffs and continuous tempo changes, while the vocals draw enveloping and delicate strophes, enhancing the technical both in the composition and performance of the piece. “Micro Cosmos in a Drop” is the perfect title for this track, which incorporates several influences from different styles in a concentration of technique and quality. A mixture of energy, with a guitar solo that starts in the middle section and accompanies us to the finale. The album ends with a soft track “Friend,” which enhances the songwriting and vocals. A delicate passage, which gently concludes the listening of this enjoyable album with intense and deep atmospheres. Another good record release for this Danish band and for Heavy Psych Sounds, which is always attentive in highlighting Rock artists of the modern scene. A mixture of Fuzz sounds between Psychedelia, Rock, blues and retro traits brought into a modern context thanks to the band’s personal style. A good listen and a varied and intense tracklist from start to finish.
Tracklist
01. 21st Century Blues (03:51)
02. Iron Bird (02:58)
03. Think It Over (04:05)
04. Nothing Can Live Here (04:36)
05. Dreams of Change (04:24)
06. Pan Am (04:19)
07. Transatlantique (02:00)
08. Scorpio (03:46)
09. Micro Cosmos in a Drop (04:46)
10. Friend (03:39)
Lineup
Emil Bureau / Vocals, Guitar, Additional Keys
Erik “Errka” Petersson / Piano, Hammond B3, Rhodes, Clavinet
Jonas Waaben / Drums, Percussion
Niels “Bird” Fuglede / Bass
