Farflung - "A Wound In Eternity" (yet to be released, 2007)
From Aural Innovations #38 (January 2008)
Warning: This album has NOT been released yet. The band are label shopping and I want to gather some attention because this is one of the most monstrous Farflung albums to date. "Unborn Planet" opens the set and is a space rock 'n roller that recalls the first Farflung album, 25,000 Feet Per Second. We've got killer molten guitars and space electronics and the trademark Grenas vocals. This leads directly into "Endless Drifting Wreck", one of my favorite tracks on the album. It rocks hard throughout, but also eases the pace at times for some dreamier floating segments, only to peak out for a high intensity finale. "Like It Has Never Been" features a mixture of electronics, a steady rhythmic pace and a bluesy space-slide guitar that sounds great. The music trips along for a while until launching into yet another classic Farflung sonic meltdown. "Stella Volo" is another rock 'n rolling song, with multiple amazing freaked out space guitars that jam away, and a cool tribal segment. "Ix" is a little different. It's as deep space as anything on the album, but has a dark and menacing vibe, plus an almost orchestral foundation that gives a very full sound and added intensity to the music. "Silver Shrooms" has been around for a while though never officially released. Give it a listen on the band's Myspace site for a nice teaser taste of the album. "Invincible" is another one of my favorites, starting off as a space-prog rocker, but later taking off into a mercury bursting manic space metallic rocking blast. This sucker will leave you battered and bruised. And "Precognition" features more high powered metal and prog fueled space rock that brings the album to a close.
Wow, if had you to choose one album to play for someone that didn't know what space rock is this would be a hell of a good choice. Outstanding musicianship, tight as a knot band, excellent songwriting and production. I sure hope someone picks this up and releases it soon.
Hear a track from the new album at the band's Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/farflung.
Any folks running labels that have the good sense to release this monster should email Tommy Grenas at: glortch@sbcglobal.net.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz