Cosmic Collage of Sound

Follakzoid has explored the psychedelic rock spectrum. As a three-piece cosmic rock band from Chile with two fairly dissimilar albums under their belt, it is hard to predict exactly what to expect from their third. Their new album, III, released March 31^st, lands in a hybrid hypnotic-electro trance that relies on resonating effects and constant unyielding percussion, a characteristic introduced by their collaborator, German producer Uwe Schmidt. Waves of psychedelia collide with electronic landscapes to create Follakzoid’s newest installment.

The opening track “Electric” is a 12-minute journey that is firmly held by a steadfast, techno-esque drumbeat sprinkled with tastes of South American heritage. The influence of Schmidt is immediately prevalent in the repetitive nature of the track. The song explores the space around it while being anchored by the heavy bass line. Reverb-filled guitar licks fill the obscure atmosphere. Abstruse and raspy vocals are occasionally inserted into the air by vocalist Juan Pablo Rodrigues. This is the template by which this album is crafted, and Follakzoid follows it almost religiously.

Follakzoid picked their road and never deviate from it. The tempo from track to track even seems identical. The principle exception would be in “Piure”, where the same themes are set to an even mellower backdrop, a seemingly impossible feat. South American flavored drumbeats coupled with thick, distorted guitar riffs generate a dense atmosphere.

The whole album should be seen as an adventure that comes full circle to resolve itself, as the setting of the first track seems to reoccur in the final track “Feuerzeug”, the only one of four under 11 minutes. The length of the tracks allows them to gain momentum and perpetuate pinnacles of intensity and emotion amidst a deceivingly monotonous environment. The 45-minute collage of sound is a drone to escape the outside world for just a moment. III takes a bit to get going, but in reality, what’s the rush?