When music not only captures your attention but also transforms your surroundings into a vivid, pulsating world of color and sensation, you know you’ve stumbled upon something special. This was precisely my experience with The Re-Stoned, a band that has mastered the art of blending psychedelic rock with a meditative soundscape, creating an auditory experience that’s both grounding and expansive. Their latest offering, “Spectrum,” released on October 27, 2023, continues this tradition, inviting listeners into a realm where music serves as a guide through both external landscapes and the vast terrains of the listener’s psyche.
October 27, 2023 / release date
Stoner Rock; Psychedelic Rock / genre
LP / format
Clostridium Records / label
Ilya Lipkin (Mixing), Janne Stark (Mastering) / producer
Ilya Lipkin, Vladimir Kislyakov, Eugeniy Kudryashov / band members Alexander ‘Arzamas’ Zhelonkin & Ilya Lipkin / artwork
RE-STONED FACEBOOK ↗ – WEBSITE↗
The First Trip: Discovering The Re-Stoned
The first time I dropped into the world of The Re-Stoned, it was on a couch session with “Stories Of The Astral Lizard” spinning, and a few grams of psilocybin mushrooms kicking in. That evening, the music wasn’t just background noise; it became the conductor of a wild, visual symphony. The walls seemed to breathe, pulsating to the rhythm of the band’s psychedelic guitars, and I was hooked. Since then, whenever I’m looking to turn my living room into a mind-bending visual art gallery, The Re-Stoned is my go-to soundtrack.
When “Spectrum” hit the shelves on October 2023, it was clear The Re-Stoned hadn’t lost their touch. The trio, made up of Ilya Lipkin shredding on guitars and effects, Vladimir Kislyakov laying down the bass, and Eugeniy Kudryashov on drums, had spent the better part of December 2022 to February 2023 piecing together this latest journey. Recorded across a trio of studios and fine-tuned by Lipkin himself, with Janne Stark mastering the final mix, “Spectrum” is a testament to their dedication to the craft.
Beyond the Stoner Rock Label: The Re-Stoned’s Musical Universe
Originating from Moscow, Russia, The Re-Stoned have been active since 2008. The band has often been associated with the stoner rock genre. However, their music transcends simple categorization, blending heavy, fuzzed-out sounds with the kind of solid riffing that harks back to the golden era of the ’70s. Yet, “Spectrum” offers listeners something more profound than the typical stoner rock fare. It’s an album that invites you to take a walk in nature, to find peace and beauty in the world around you, and to discover a meditative quality in psychedelic rock that you might not have thought possible.
Journeying Through Desert Dreams and Psychedelic Landscapes
Diving into “Spectrum” is like setting off on a desert adventure, guided by the sound of peyote dreams and the sight of mirage-like lizards darting across the sand. It’s an album that relaxes you, but also fills your head with all sorts of trippy, sleepy visions. It’s a warm, inviting sound that also manages to blow your mind, feeling timeless in the best way possible.
The album’s allure lies not just in its instrumental mastery but in its ability to evoke emotion and imagery without uttering a single word. Lipkin’s guitar work is both a journey and a destination, offering listeners a kaleidoscope of sonic hues that range from the deeply introspective to the exhilaratingly expansive. Kislyakov’s bass lines provide the gravitational pull that keeps this cosmic voyage tethered to the soul, while Kudryashov’s drumming propels the listener through the album’s varied landscapes with precision and dynamism.
The album’s artwork, crafted by Alexander ‘Arzamas’ Zhelonkin, and the layout design by Lipkin himself, visually encapsulate the auditory journey that “Spectrum” promises. It’s a journey that takes you through the various shades of their musical spectrum, from the deep, fuzzed-out lows to the ethereal, high-flying highs.
What really makes “Spectrum” stand out is how it turns psychedelic rock into a form of meditation. It’s a wild ride that proves music can be both a blast and a way to chill out and reflect. This album is easily one of the coolest things I’ve stumbled upon lately, capturing everything I love about The Re-Stoned and why they’re my top pick for those nights when I want to turn my brain inside out in the comfort of my own home.
In the end, “Spectrum” isn’t just another record; it’s a key to another dimension. The Re-Stoned keeps showing they’re masters at what they do, inviting us all to kick back, tune in, and let the music take us wherever we’re looking to go.
Clostridium Records is recognized for its dedication to the psychedelic music scene, particularly focusing on genres such as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, space rock, and acid rock. This German label prides itself on supporting and promoting artists who explore and push the boundaries of these genres, offering them a platform to release their music, especially on high-quality, limited edition vinyl. Their commitment to these niche genres has helped preserve the rich traditions of psychedelic music while fostering new growth and innovation within the community.
