When a band’s name conjures images of untamed rapids surging through jagged cliffs, you might guess you’re in for an adrenaline rush before you even drop the needle. And that’s precisely what you get with Restrict Life—the second official LP from Swiss trio Wild Water, now released via Clostridium Records. Formed in 1990 by childhood friends Christian “Lüdi” Güller and Patrick “Pädu” Hennig, Wild Water began as a ragtag jam outfit in the basements and back rooms of Oberkulm, Switzerland. Fueled by hard riffs, a restless imagination, and an undying love for classic vinyl, they spent a decade self-recording DLPs (often pressing just two copies—one for each founder!). And now, after hooking up with Andy at Clostridium, the band’s explosive brand of 70s-inspired heavy psych rock is poised to soak a wider audience.
December 20, 2024 / release date
70s Heavy Psych Rock; Acid Rock/ genre
LP / format
Clostridium Records / label
Recorded & Mixed by Christian Güller / Switzerland
Mastered by Eroc
Band Members:
– Christian “Lüdi” Güller (guitars, drums, organ, vocals)
– Patrick “Pädu” Hennig (bass, guitars)
– JC (drums)
Recorded live and analog on an 8-track reel-to-reel recorder, Restrict Life delivers a refreshingly raw authenticity that’s increasingly scarce in today’s Pro Tools age. Imagine acid-laced guitar leads colliding with thundering rhythms, spliced with the vintage spirit of Earthless, Tia Carrera, and even the proto-metal edges of Truth and Janey. This record captures the unfiltered energy of a jam session on a warm 1970s summer night—except it was actually tracked in the mid-to-late ’90s, proof that the band’s grit has been decades in the making.
All tracks, aside from “Dini Schwächi,” were written by Wild Water, recorded at Soundstudio Back To Past (Suhr Helvetica) between 1996 and 1999, then mixed by Christian in 2024 and mastered by Eroc. Despite spanning decades in its creation, Restrict Life sounds remarkably cohesive—like stumbling upon a time capsule of jam sessions that accidentally tapped into a cosmic frequency. The limited vinyl edition, with its all-analog vibe, is tailor-made for collectors who relish the scratch and crackle of a stylus caressing wax.
If you’re craving that sweet spot between vintage rock grit and psychedelic freak-outs, sink into the surging undertow of Wild Water’s Restrict Life. It’s proof positive that raw passion, analog authenticity, and a bit of reckless ambition never go out of style. Keep an eye on these Swiss rock devotees because, as they say, once you’ve harnessed the wild waters, there’s no telling how far they’ll carry you. And if this record is any indication, we can expect more long-lost tapes, double-killer lead guitars, and raw rock anthems to surface soon.
