My
Sleeping Karma
Moksha
Napalm
Records
29
May 2015
Moksha
Tracklisting:
1.
Prithvi
2.
Interlude 1
3.
Vayu
4.
Interlude 2
5.
Akasha
6.
Interlude 3
7.
Moksha
8.
Interlude 4
9.
Jalam
10.
Interlude 5
11.
Agni
The
band:
Seppi
- guitars
Matte
- bass guitar
Steffen
- drums
Norman
- soundboard
Review
To
say My Sleeping Karma floored me with their previous album 'Soma',
is definitely the understatement of the century. An unknown band to
me at the time, these four guys from Aschaffenburg, Germany, have
been with me ever since because 'Soma' quickly
turned into a go-to band for me. What i mean is regardless what frame
of mind I'm in, My Sleeping Karma rstores the calm in me, they bring
order solace. They pick me up when I'm down and they inspire me when
I get stuck and can't move forward. What more can you ask for in
life? Therefore, I was more than thrilled to be given this opportuniy
to listen to and review their fifth opus, 'Moksha'.
Never
before has an album lived up so much to it's title
than 'Moksha'. Taken from Indian religions and
philosophies, it means emancipation, liberation or release and that's
exactly what My Sleeping Karma's new wax brings. Every time I listen
to it, I feel set free, invigorated, happy and like a weight has been
lifted from my shoulders. Why I don't play it every day before work
is beyond me, since it would make each day so much better. Oh well, I
might learn one of these days...right!
Built
up like it's predecessor, 'Moksha' consists of
"regular" songs and interludes, and the interplay between
them is nothing but magic. It keeps the ebb and flow of the songs
moving perfeclty, creating wonderous atmospheres. Come to think of
it, the music is actually arranged akin to classical music. True,
we're talking about instrumental music, where the instruments and the
arrangements have to be in such a way that they elegantly and easily
convery the story line. And this is where My Sleeping Karma excels.
Having always taken inspiration from especially, but not necessarily,
Hinduism in their quest for enlightenment, arranging their music just
like classical works wonders. That and being amazing musicians!
Retaining
their transcendental, psychedelic and hypnotic sound that I love so
much on 'Soma', there is one significant change. Occuring
occasionally, the band step off their beautiful magic carpet ride and
explode into balls out led-heavy metal. This happens already in
opener 'Prithvi' which starts off in full tilt,
having me think for a moment that My Sleeping Karma have left their
wonderful sound. I couldn't be more wrong! The heavier moments are
just added for extra flavour and definitelt heightens the album. I
guess it's what you call natural progression and man, it doesn't get
much better than this.
What
can I say? My SLeeping Karma are one of those rare bands who follows
their own path 100% and that's called freedom and liberation. Add
excellent instrument skills to this and you have 'Moksha'.
Rarely will you find a band or an album this good. We all make our
own decisions but I urge you to seek out this band and follow in
their foot steps. Your life will be so much better for it!
Words
by Håkan Nyman
Thanks
to Mona, Jon and Andy at Napalm Records for the promo. Moksha will be
available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records on 29th May
2015.
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