Hidria Space Folk - "Hidria Space Folk" (HDRSF-1 2001, CD)
From Aural Innovations #18 (January 2002)
Hidria Space Folk are a new five piece all instrumental space rock band from Finland. I have to say this 5 track CD has really captivated me and got me hooked right from the start with it's addictive grooves. A mix of Santana, Ozric Tentacles and a bit of Finnish folk and you have quite a tasty mix. The first song, Amos Ame, is a 9 and half minute song that has a little of everything, strange instruments, bubbling synth sounds and a cool groove. Kafar-I is a similar song and reminds me a lot of the Danish band Mantric Muse, without the far out synths floating in the background. Excellent jam in the song with the guitar solo followed by the synth solo. Every song is a little journey to somewhere. You can tell this music had to evolve out of some very nice jam sessions. Sindran Rastafan is next and starts off as a reggae number but then mutates into a heavy Ozrics inspired song that even turns nearly totally electronic and very eastern inspired. Incredibly cool... Groman is next and starts with some tabla drums and a very cool mix of the digeridoo and the jewsharp. This sounds so great together. I really love the way the band uses the synthesizer. Marastronaut closes the CD and features a guest flute player. A very spacey song indeed. The band will record a new CD in Jan 2002 and it will be out in March- April. Check out this band, highly recommended!
For more information you can visit the Hidria Space Folk web site at: http://www.hidriaspacefolk.st.
Email at: hidria@sunpoint.net.
Reviewed by Scott Heller