William Sol, a.k.a. Prana Crafter is back with another mind-melting full length of Krautrock inspired guitar drone and sonic exploration. This release is about as far out there in the cosmos as he has taken us yet. Heavy on the tremolo and reverb and aided by additional electronics we are taken on a trip to another dimension through six tracks that gracefully bleed into one another. “Rebirth in the Mosslands” kicks things off with some plucking scale work augmented by dark electronics and slowly works its way to a droning sound tapestry without form for the most part that other than the looped guitar plucking that fades in and out. Pyramid Peak follows with a much more classic 70’s electronic approach. It’s hard to tell where the guitar work starts or ends and what might be analog synths or guitar synth effects and that’s part of the beauty. Key sweeps and arpeggiations flow in and out and loops repeat in and out of phase. “Chalice of the Fungal” is a bit more distorted and aggressive in tone. At times it’s downright nasty sounding in a good way with its deep bass synth lines and pulsing effects before it fades into a slower, darker whir. “A Path Is Where You Make It” brings us to familiar territory with it’s chugging rhythm and plucking surrounded by the customary sweeps and bleeps we have come to know in his work. “Ears to Our Earth” is a much more experimental piece even though it features some of the most pronounced acoustic guitar work on the LP but it’s based on a simple electronic drone with random effects as if you were in some dark cave with strange echos surrounding you. The LP closes out with “Starlight, Sing Us A Melody” which I guess would qualify on the most straight forward guitar piece on the record. A short but sweet bit of guitar noodling with little of the effects or electronics.
Overall if you have been a fan of Prana Crafter this is another must have for the collection. There is enough variety here to give you something new while also following up on the sounds you have become accustomed to. If you haven’t been introduced to Sol’s work yet give the tracks a listen, especially if you are a fan of Popol Vuh or Agitation Free. It’s easy to get lost in this one.
CO-released on Cardinal Fuzz in Europe and Feeding Tube in the USA. Edition of 500 on heavyweight black vinyl
