Psychlona - Warped Vision
Musical barkeeps with the necessary set of skills to create such a delicacy are not easy to come by, but PSYCHLONA are experts in their field. Their fourth album "Warped Vision" is an exemplary exercise of practised veterans creating a masterpiece. The album's foundations are laid down by riff-focused heaviness and breakouts combined with a multitude of chilled vibes. What makes "Warped Vision" stick out from a host of similar recordings is the precision with which each hook hits home and sticks, a dynamic balance of rough edges and catchy melodies.

The city of Bradford in West Yorkshire is neither particularly arid nor situated in a warm climate. But although hailing from the former industrial heartlands of rainy Northern England, PSYCHLONA have developed a particularly British brand of desert rock. Some hot summer days of 2016 inspired some local musicians to fry up some sonic ideas from sunny California of decades past and to blend in the raw energy of UK punk, a dash of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and spoonfuls of classic English 60s and 70s psychedelia. When this experiment far exceeded their own expectations, PSYCHLONA were born.

In November 2018, when English towns turn bleak and cold, their sun-drenched debut album "Mojo Rising" made ears prick up and set them firmly on the path for the prolific following years.

The hardworking Englishmen released their sophomore full-length "Venus Skytrip" in August 2020, an album received with rave reviews across the heavy rock underground and which landed PSYCHLONA their first number one on the Doom Charts. It also reserved them spots high up on several important end-of-year lists.

Gathering momentum, the British stoner rockers unveiled third album "Palo Verde" two years later in August 2022 and immediately scored a second 10/10 review in Powerplay Magazine UK.

During these years, PSYCHLONA also established themselves as an impressive live act. Relentless touring and performing at prestigious festivals that included Desertfest (UK & DE), Freak Valley (DE), SonicBlast (PT), Alcatraz Music (BE), Sonic Whip (NL), and at Psycho Las Vegas (US) pushed the Brits higher up the billings. An incident in Las Vegas when they were the only band asked by the casino manager to please turn down the volume only fueled their upward trajectory.

Now, PSYCHLONA are ready to take the next big step. Welcoming two new members aboard the band has added a new dynamic both in writing and recording. The gentle alterations brought about by their fresh input has turned "Warped Vision" into what is clearly the most complete and thrilling album of the psychedelic desert rockers so far. With "Warped Vision", PSYCHLONA have hit the jackpot, and they are generously offering up rounds for everyone. Cheers!

Band: Psychlona
Title: Warped Vision
Release date: September 27, 2024
Label: Magnetic Eye Records
Style: Psychedelic Desert Rock
Review impact date: September 2, 2024

Tracklist

1. Jasmine
2. Let's Go
3. Smoke
4. Cut Loose
5. Topanga
6. Kaleidoscope
7. Split
8. Magic Carpet


Line-up

Phil Hey guitar, vocals
Martin Wisema“ lead guitar, backing vocals
Ian 'Izak' Buxton bass guitar
Scott Frankling drums