By: Victor Van
Ommen
Elektrohasch is a German based record
label run by the one and only Stefan Koglek of the almighty Colour Haze.
The label’s beginnings date back at least fifteen to twenty years, somewhere
around the turn of the century. Since then, Elektrohasch released records by
bands who were part of a (European) post-Kyuss movement like Ugh!, Los Natas, and Gas Giant.
All of these bands spent their time on Elektrohasch laying down songs with heavy,
grungy riffing with a thick low end which resulted in albums that now, years
later, are regarded as gems of the scene.
Ahkmed –
“The Inland Sea ”
Drone and psychedelics mix really well on Ahkmed’s
album “The Inland Sea.” There’s a
hint of shoe gaze in the sound, which adds depth to the band’s otherwise
consistent attack. Most of the songs rely on hypnotic, repetitive riffing,
which is doused in a myriad of effects and distortions. The songs bleed into
each other, making it difficult to pinpoint a standout moment. However, at five
songs long that add up to an hour of mind-twisting instrumental rock, it’s fair
to say that Ahkmed
isn’t necessarily on the hunt for a catchy lick. Instead, Ahkmed seems to be on path to
provide a listening experience. It’s this take on the craft that jives
with Elektrohasch
and as a result, “The Inland
Sea ” delivers breadth to the label’s sound and displays once
again how far the world of psychedelics can go.
Band
info: facebook
Saturnia –
“The Real High”
What Saturnia and Ahkmed have in common is that
they both provide the listener with an experience. Where Ahkmed reveled in a mess of
guitars, Saturnia
flies a gentler course. Saturnia’s new album, “The Real High” pretty much gives everything away with its title.
The band creates smooth, textured music and does their best not to break a
sweat. Despite Saturnia’s
tendency to drift off into space with mind, body, and soul, the band manages to
keep things minimalistic. In some ways, Saturnia drones along like Ahkmed,
but they do so with a sense of melody that is both gentle and welcoming as it
is inoffensive. Saturnia
might not be for everyone because of just how gentle their sound is, but the
album is no less immersive. They go full on stoned and swim around in the
listener’s psyche, which is an element found in many Elektrohasch releases.
Band
info: facebook
Hidden Trails – “Instant Momentary Bliss”
Where Ahkmed and Saturnia dwell in a broad sound,
Elektrohasch
has also released an album this year which is more precise and focused on “the
song.” Psychedelic songwriting is a skill on its own. There needs to be a
chorus, and this needs to be catchy. But the free-your-mind element to the
music shouldn’t be forgotten, so the chorus needs to be balanced out by jams,
swirls, synths, and a slew of other psychedelics. Hidden Trails have chosen to
walk this line and have found a decent balance between the two. Their album “IMA” is therefore a mature listen, one
that also dips into prog-rock territory, but because the band features old
members of Hypnos69,
this influence should come as a surprise to no one. In comparison to Ahkmed
and Saturnia,
Hidden
Trails are less stoned but no less heady, which is an attribute of
the psych rock genre that sometimes gets overlooked. Many think that
psychedelic rock is only good when under the influence, but Hidden Trails
shows that even on a sober mind, a song can take the listener along for a wild,
trippy ride. By providing a home for Hidden Trails, Elektrohasch continues their
quest to represent every color of the psychedelic spectrum.
As a label, Elektohasch has as a goal to provide a warm
home for psychonauts. Whether you’re a listener of the music or a master of the
craft, Elektrohasch
is the place to be if you’re into psychedelic rock. Having hosted debut albums
by the likes of Causa
Sui, All
Them Witches, and the extremely underappreciated Kings of Frog Island
Label Info: official
