by Kostas Rokas
Saturday night and nothing would have been better than space rock! Sound Effect Records was in its second night. After the stunning appearance of Agusa (link), which preceded the previous night, now it was the turn of Øresund Space Collective. I made my way to six d.o.g.s with very high expectations as, at last, we would see a live band that had been of interest for the past ten years, both in terms of their discography and live presence .
Our anticipation began counting down when at about 21:15 Automaton went on stage. They started their slow doom journey with Echoes of Mount Ida, their recent vinyl release. Two guitars, bass, drums and chaotic hard vocals make up the setting of a slow and minimalist doom sound. The surprise here is that Scott Heller, known as Dr.Space, was on stage with his space sound machine! His presence on stage gave great impetus as Automaton seemed to let themselves go, moving a step forward in their sound, but he also paved the way for what was going to follow. This setting on stage is an experience for the band, as well as for the audience, that seemed to warm up for good with this combination of slow doom sound with intense space touches. The set lasted for about an hour and ended with the stunning adaptation of One of These Days! The audience warmed up with the best way to follow.
At about 22:25 everything was ready for the big trip. Øresund Space Collective were on stage; a six-member band, with three members (guitar, drums, keyboards) from Agusa and an extra bass, guitar and Dr. Space scratching and experimenting with his strange synth. There was no period of acclimatization and what had preceded had put the audience in the middle of a launch sequence. Fifteen- minute flights, sometimes fast and sometimes at a slower tempo were the main course of their appearance. The sound did not have any problems as they managed to adapt the sound to the small but cozy place of Six d.o.g.s.! Clean and very trippy jam- space rock performed by people who possess the feeling of musical flight.
Psychedelic guitars, keyboards that coloured everything, Dr. Space putting on his own show on synths while expressing a great desire for communication, as he constantly thanked us and seemed very pleased that after all these years he was finally playing in Athens. The duration of the songs gave the opportunity for many solos and everyone showed their skills. The band seemed to enjoy this more and more as time passed, with everyone doing something more. The highlight was the green alien mask Dr. Space wore and showed… his real face! A band that gives their best on stage and has psychedelic space rock in their blood. The set lasted up to past midnight, leaving all of us satisfied but wanting more.
Closing this report, we should congratulate Sound Effect Records on the opportunity they gave us this weekend to enjoy great music bands, respecting the timetable, as well as the organization in general. I hope next time there is a larger audience, as the specific bands deserved something more.
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