I found another great band searching for new music! The band’s name is Psychic Equalizer. On March 19th, they released their follow-up EP, Revealed II.
Psychic Equalizer is made up of band members: Hugo Selles, pianist and keyboardist from Spain; India Hooi, lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, from Australia; and Carlos Barragán, lead guitarist, from Colombia. The band collaborated with the virtuoso US drummer, James Knoerl to add the thumping power that this EP possesses.
These four members are classically trained with years of professional experience playing music in a myriad of genres. From the first notes you can hear the perfection in playing you remembered when you first heard bands like Dream Theater or Queensrÿche, play their first songs. Psychic Equalizer are serious musicians, crossing ocean and land, to make dramatic and epic music, built to last decades. They have been making albums, (5), and music since 2011
This new EP continues to delve into thought-provoking themes including war and political division, gender equality in science, and mental health during the pandemic.
Every song on this album is perfect. So, I will comment on each.
“The Astronomers”, is the opener and maybe the hit single or highlight of the album. It opens with deep space keys and atmospherics; before grinding electric lead guitar reaches through the darkness. Then, bells, similar to Tubular Bells, welcome the first vocals of India Hooi, who sings, “She studies lunar eclipses, planetary ellipses in the garden of her home. Observing the weather, compiling the data. To battle the droughts and floods. Devising ancient tools of astronomy. A pioneering drive to comprehend. She says knowledge must reach us equally”. Intelligent lyrics completing the package this band offers to listeners. A hats-off to all the female astronomers who helped map the sky and add their vision to the science. The piano – work and keyboards throughout this album are stellar.
Now let’s focus on India Hooi’s voice. Yes, she does have the profound intelligent and astute sound of Kate Bush. It is quiet a wonderful surprise to hear. The soft acoustic guitar and keys that support her like wind, are perfect. Those ghostly, vacuum of space, ohs and ahs are spectacular. What a powerful opener.
“Destination Zero”, opens with absolutely cool keyboards, similar in caliber to what you might have heard from the brilliant mind of Keith Emerson. Spacey and distinct, they set the perfect mood. James Knoerl’s drum kit brings a powerful force as I hear a familiar Styx – like harmony; yes, “Snowblind”, it is. But Hooi’s voice is the wonderful surprise waiting around the corner. She sings, “I have been watching the pendulum sway. I have been waiting for the fading of the day. We sit here in silence as the world twists out of shape. We shelter for cover, but we can’t escape”. Then, the soundscape is filled with those thundering drums, pouncing electric guitars and those ever-present keyboards and atmosphere. Beautiful piano replaces the heavy atmospherics and you are taken out of this world, and onto a wonderful journey on keys, with strings supporting. Yes, there is no wonder this band began as a solo effort by Hugo Selles.. He is a keyboardist extraordinaire. James Knoerl’s killer drumming returns, with Carlos Barragán, bringing back memories of early Dream Theater on guitar. Hooi returns to close the song with the savage punchlines, “We’ve crossed the earth’s surface. The far side of the moon’s sphere. But now we have no choice. We must remain here. Guns and laws and wars of words won’t get anyone out of this! Close the doors and boarders, don’t let anyone out or in!”
“Something Hurts”, is one of India Hooi’s showcases. Lyrically driven, she delivers sonically. She sings, “Dark and grey. That’s how I see the world. When you are not with me. What’s the point of it all?” All set to lavish piano, bold electric guitar, solid drumming and at times, soft percussion.
“The Last of Humankind”, opens with deep, dark atmospherics. Then flute opens the sad scene as Hooi sings, “The only survivor holding a sword in my hand. Was ever an ideal worth fighting for?” The sound of battle with horns, smashing drums, and powerful electric guitar. A theme similar to DT’s “The Killing Hand” mixed well with “Waking the Witch” from Hounds of Love, with more influence from the former. But original sounding, especially with that short ragtime break thrown in around the mid-point. That was amazing, and completely unexpected.
“You Won’t Have My Faith”, opens with deep, dark, sullen piano. Hooi sings, “If, if we could meet again. (What a line). Would we make the same mistakes? Maybe nothing would change. This is our end. Now there’s a deep rift between, between my destiny and your expectations. We are at the edge of a cliff”. All the sadness of a breakup and the realization of what will be lost. The emotions flow like rain.
“Lament”, opens with more of those amazing deep keys, flute, and atmospherics. Hooi hums and moans, and provides a similar vocal soundscape to what you might remember from Pink Floyd’s “The Great Gig in the Sky”. Only shorter.
What a band, what an album. This band is ready for primetime. I am surprised I have not heard of them before. But I am glad I found them, and I will be requesting or buying their first album, combined with this new EP. Put your headphones on or set aside this album for a long journey in the car and just be absorbed into the soundscape of this spacey epic. Everything you could want in a progressive space rock album. Not to be missed.
Track List
- The Astronomers – 7:09
- Destination Zero – 8:31
- Something Hurts – 4:53
- The Last of Humankind – 5:36
- You Won’t Have My Faith – 4:28
- Lament – 3:30
https://www.psychicequalizer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/psychicequalizer