King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Frank Zappa are among the influences of Bubblegum Hypnosis, a relatively new band from Bristol. With that kind of mix, you’d expect faces to melt and brains to get thoroughly scrambled. So—does Through The Sands (Stolen Body) deliver?
The opening is fairly cautious, but then “Shaitan’ Sword” bursts in with metal fury. Eastern motifs soon weave their way in, though thunderous psych rock remains front and center. “Pillars of Infinity” leans into drama and scale.
It all builds toward the epic closing track, which shares the band’s name. Unfortunately, things begin to fall apart there. The free-form intro overstays its welcome, the midsection never quite lifts off, and the track drifts to an early, underwhelming finish.
What remains is a decent psych-rock album with prog elements—a release that feels more like a promise than a full breakthrough.
Bubblegum Hypnosis – Through The Sands: Loses some steam along the way. – RIFL