Santtu Laakso is back in collaboration with Shane Beck and Dr Space (Scott Heller), as well as Astral Magic stalwart Jonathan Siegel, and ‘Mental Collapse’ provides an early entry for Shane’s thought-provoking poetry that takes us through philosophical and existential issues including enlightenment/ darkness, truth/lies/ coincidences/fate through a range of emotions. ‘Harness my Whispering Words’ is an interesting title and the synths and Jonathan’s violin make their statements; the poet this time providing occasional narration to the pulses and steady beats that swirl around it, once again prompting pause for thought. ‘Agents of Entropy’ has a very Hawkwind like title and so it proves; the formula is similar, but with more emphasis on guitar (Jonathan) and a heavier vibe, Santtu’s vocals more prominent. ‘Abyss of the Soulless’ marks a mood change, Santtu’s bass laying down some lines in a dilatory adagio of sound, with floating, dreamy synth textures and sinuous guitar. The title track ups the beat with a quadrivium of organ chords in a restrained rocker and a trippy reference to “a magic eye that continues to see” and some pretty far out synth work. ‘Voice of the Sleeping Sitar’ is a nice reflective deviation with words about second sight and premonition; the violin providing effective counterpoints. ‘This Fluid Motion’ touches tangentially on blues rock, with fluid guitar work and a sweeping synth break. ‘Lead Me to the Sky’ has a distinct psychedelic feel with retro organ and questing guitar lines, one following the other at one stage, to the beeps and warbles of the synth. All in all, “Wizard’s Euphoria” offers another fascinating glimpse into the aural landscapes of Astral Magic.
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