Echo Train: Libation 2022

 

Echo Train is a psychedelic rock band formed in Athens (Greece) in June 2013 by Greggy K and

Ren. Consists of Greg Kollias aka Greggy K, Ειρήνη Δούκα aka Ren aka Irene Ren Panagopoulou, Dennis Panagiotidis, Spyros Valkaniotis, Thanos Karagiannis & Guspyr.
                

The name "Echo Train" was inspired by the “train sounds” coming from the railway station, near an old

house, where they were rehearsing their songs! Greggy says “it was like a drum loop for me as I was strumming my guitar,in several beats..” After recording a number of demos and musical ideas at “white studio” in Kypseli their favorite neighborhood, joined by many friends and musicians, they collected the material for their first Ep called “Echo Train”.
                     

The band was signed to The Sound of Everythng Records in March 2014 and in the same month they

released “Fire” their first E.P single. On June 2014 they won Jumping fish of cosmote contest with the song fire. Echo Train are now recording their full length album to be released in September 2014.
                       

Their music and their live performances are influenced by the psychedelic pop and garage music of the

60s, with moments of improvising, sharing tales, feelings and rhythm.. begining with the heartbeat.
                    

Drawing inspiration from the cosmos around them and it's concise artistic interpretation, Echo Train

paint the next chapter of their legacy with 'Libation,' an album of abstract '60s rock psychedelia. 'Libation' feels like a gathering of meaningful expression, a whirlwind of musical themes drenched in '60s blues and witchcraft Wiccan sermons, while attaining a clear focus on straightforward songwriting.
                             

Balancing old-fashioned keys with floating drumming and electrifying distorted riffing with earthly, eerie vocals, it holds true to its name, resembling an offering to deities above and below, assembling a

rock album unaffected by time's passing. Most importantly, this collection of songs stands as an honest and self-explanatory creative statement, showcasing a band in its artistic prime, fully aware of their place and course. Echo Train amassed their life energy into a series of songs that form an album in the absolute meaning of the term, claiming existence and a place in this world.

To "Libation" είναι ο δεύτερος δίσκος τους μετά το "Memento Mori" του 2015 ενώ οι πιο μερακλήδες

μπορεί να τους θυμάστε και από την ενδεικτική των προθέσεών τους διασκευή στο περίφημο "Portland 69" των Hunger από ένα split single με τους Vibravoid (κυκλοφόρησε από το εξαιρετικό fanzine TimeMazine). Όπως είπαμε, το καύσιμο που καίει τη μηχανή τους είναι τα ψυχεδελικά 60s.
                     

Ο Arthur Brown με τους Crazy World ξεπήδησε αρκετές φορές από τα ηχεία για παράδειγμα, αλλά δύσκολο να μην αναφέρεις σε μία τέτοια περίπτωση και τους Black Widow. Όμως οι επιρροές τους

είναι τόσες και τόσο καλά αφομοιωμένες που το σύνολο είναι ομοιογενές και με δική του προσωπικότητα με αποτέλεσμα τελικά περισσότερο να συγκρίνονται με (και να ανήκουν στη) σύγχρονη σκηνή που αναβιώνει τον ήχο αυτό, πρόχειρα θα μπορούσα να αναφέρω τους Purson ως αρκετά συγγενικό, αν και με λίγο πιο σκληρό ήχο, συγκρότημα.
                  

Το στοιχείο που κυρίως πρέπει να τους πιστωθεί, είναι η εξαιρετική ισρροπία ανάμεσα σε όλα τα μέλη του συγκροτήματος. Τη στιγμή που πιστεύεις ότι έχεις εντοπίσει ότι η μουσική τους γυρνάει κυρίως

γύρω από ένα μέλος, για παράδειγμα την πανέμορφη φωνή της τραγουδίστριας Ren (Ειρήνη Παναγοπούλου) που παραδίδει μαθήματα για το πώς μπορείς να είσαι εκφραστικός και μετρημένος ταυτόχρονα, την ίδια στιγμή προσέχεις πόσο groove δίνει το μπάσο, πόσο μυστικιστικά είναι τα κρουστά, ότι τα πλήκτρα δίνουν χαρακτήρα σε όλα τα τραγούδια και πως η κιθάρα δε χαραμίζει ούτε νότα που να μην έχει ουσία.
(Από τον Κώστα Σακκαλή, 15/04/2022)

LINE - UP
                          

Ren: Vocals, Theremin, Flute
Greggy K.: Electric and acoustic guitars, Sitar
Nick Sid: Keys, Piano
Edward Theofanidis: Bass
Gregorio Perico: Drums, Percussions
Choir: the band

Echo Train – Libation
Label: B-Otherside – BSR145/JMV023
Format: Album, Limited Edition
Country: Greece
Released: 2022
Genre: Rock, World
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                                

01. Earthian Monsters   3:35
02. Sea Change   3:58
03. Luna   1:05
04. The Soul And Its Task   3:58
05. The task
06. Sa Ta Na Ma   3:58
07. Mars 6:39
08. Horseriding   4:21
09. Reverse   5:24
10. Light Warrior
11. Satan   3:58
12. The Calling    1:18
13. Bora   4:49

NOTES

                               

All songs written, arranged and produced by Echo Train.
Recorded and mixed by Greggy K. at White Studio Kypseli
Mastered by Nasos Nomikos@ Vu-Productions Mastering Studio
Sound Engineer Manolis Pantelias (Satan, Bora, Horseriding)
Cover art: Gregorio Perico

EARTHIAN MONSTERS LYRICS

                                    

Come with me and dance the dance of life
We‘re the lovers of the abbots and the tides
Lovers of the trees and lovers of rocks
Lovers of the rivers, lovers like hawks

                    

Come with me and dream the dream of life
War blows its horn with wrath divine
Paint your face and summon your powers
Wait for the dreamers offering flowers

Governed by forces we don’t entirely understand
Singing songs of fire from the elephant land
Driven by feelings we don’t entirely understand
Singing songs of fire from the elephant land

                                                                            

Drink with me the potion of oblivion’s high
Let’s have a libation at the altar of the sky
Children of the sun from up above
Monsters in the blood but worthy of love

Governed by forces we don’t entirely understand
Singing songs of fire from the elephant land
Driven by feelings we don’t entirely understand.

THE SOUL AND ITS TASK LYRICS

                                      

I’m a stranger in my mind
Watching hearing all my thoughts unfold…what a twist
I’m sure that I’ve been here before
I’ve paved this coil with stones of rust and gold…so I exist
But I need someone, a stranger like me, to pick up the pieces
I won’t survive without a listener

                      

Soul and its task,
Breath and its gasp,
In the end all we have is them blues
And the dog we trust

The dog that’s illustrating the crossroads where we meet,
The loop halls, and the dawns where we dive,
Knows that we’ve been here before,
We’re the thoughts of someone else’s thoughts…it’s a bee hive
But all this is nothing, without a listener
So find me stranger, I’m so lonely, here without you.

Flac Size: 270 MB

Various: Psychedelica Vol.1 + Vol. 2 + Vol. 3 + Vol. 4 + Vol. 5

 

THE STEVENSON RANCH DAVIDIANS

Northern Star is a record label dedicated to independent and underground sounds. We’re known for our Psychedelica compilation series and infamous Northern Star Weekenders. Kicking against the pricks since 2006!

THEIR HEARTS WERE FULL OF SPRING

"Coming across something like a modern day Nuggets series, Psychedelica collects all kind of psychedelia, jam-packs two CDs full of the stuff and walks away, leaving fans of the genre with a treasure trove of spaced out sounds to discover." NORMAN RECORDS

THE  TELESCOPES

"Another year, another mammoth Psychedelica compilation bursting at the seams with impressive new discoveries courtesy of tried and trusted London imprint Northern Star. Psychedelica 5 contains something for anyone with any interest in psychedelic, shoegaze, noise or even just guitar music in general. Northern Star are onto another winner here." DROWNED IN SOUND

ASTEROID #4

New nuggets for the enlightened… breathtaking perfection” 4/5 Stars. UNCUT

THE  FLOWERS  OF  HELL

"The flower generations genre of choice has just got motorcycle sexy." NME

GOD  IS  AN  ASTRONAUT

"The series showcases an impressive range of bands... big things could be in store for the hallucinogen hordes. 8/10" CLASH

THE  DOLLY  ROCKER  MOVEMENT

"A post Primal Scream ride on the good ship psychedelia." MOJO

"Northern Star is fast gaining a reputation as being one of the leading exponents in unleashing new, noise based pop onto an unsuspecting but rapidly increasing audience." DROWNED IN SOUND

THE  DECEMBER  SOUND

“You emerge feeling like you’ve woken up in the wrong century but its good dope.” 4/5 Stars." THE INDEPENDENT

THE  BLACK  ANGELS

“Brit-based Northern Star Records has compiled this set with impeccable judgement.” GUITAR MAGAZINE

THE  BRIAN  JONESTOWN  MASSACRE

"Another superbly eclectic offering of psychedelic sounds from across the globe... this is a must for lovers of this genre. 5/5" REVERB

BLACK  NITE  CRASH

“Runs the gamut from pioneers to more established acts and to rising stars. Unique in its own right!” BILLBOARD

“The best new psychedelic and experimental indie acts… if My Bloody Valentine and The Brian Jonestown Massacre set your pulse racing, then this offers a unique opportunity to discover new bands, a one off showcase of every rising talent out there.” ROCK ‘N’ REEL  

1.  VARIOUS - PSYCHEDELICA VOLUME ONE 2006

            

Various – Psychedelica Volume One
Label: Northern Star – NS1
Series: Psychedelica – 1
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 2006
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock, Post Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Indie Rock

CD1.

01. Lovetones – Stars    3:14
02. Dolly Rocker Movement – On A June Morning    4:28
03. The Black Angels – Black Grease    4:36
04. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians – Getting By    3:16
05. The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Anenome    5:30
06. Headquarters – Tunnel Vision    3:38
07. Black Nite Crash – Falling Down    2:58
08. The Hiss – Cazzy    4:42
09. Daydream Nation – A Passing Notion    6:21
10. The Future Kings Of England – Dunwich    6:25
11. The Shrills – Revealed    3:14
12. The Otherside – Hey You    4:30
13. The Vandelles – Lovely Weather    3:02
14. The Electric Prunes – Last Night At The Rendezvous    4:55
15. Silver Apples – Purple Egg    3:18
16. The Fuzztones - Salem Witch Trial    3:39
17. Floorian – In Slow Emotion    6:10

Flac Size: 485 MB

CD2.

01. Pioneer 4 – I See Harmony    4:58
02. The Electric Mainline – We Are Now    3:41
03. Snowdonnas – Come Closer    4:12
04. The High Dials – Sick With The Old Fire    5:01
05. Say Jansfield – Gon. Gon. Gon    3:34
06. The Bleeding Hearts – Givin’ Up    4:50
07. The Bavarian Druglords – First Dimension    3:15
08. The Telescopes – Winter #7    5:38
09. The Lazily Spun – Eastern G    4:27
10. Spacegarden – Blood Red Dawn Of Opium    7:18
11. Füxa – Hide Away    5:04
12. Dedelectric – Bad Ways    1:21
13. On Holiday – Amaze Me    3:44
14. Dabenport – Sit In The Sun    4:56
15. God Is An Astronaut – A Moment Of Stillness    4:47
16. Silvertone – If I Would Give My Life    7:09

Flac Size: 441 MB

2.  VARIOUS - PSYCHEDELICA VOLUME TWO 2007

                            

Various – Psychedelica Volume Two
Label: Northern Star – NS02
Series: Psychedelica – 2
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 2007
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

CD1.

01. Belles Will Ring – The Coldest Heart
02. The Quarter After – Too Much To Think About
03. The Deaths – May Queen
04. The Dolly Rocker Movement – What's That Sound?
05. The Black Angels – Young Men Dead
06. Mainline – Black Honey
07. The Peoples Revolutionary Choir – Elevate
08. The Nova Saints – Sugar Coated
09. The Hiss – Your Old Eyes
10. Heroes Of Switzerland – Why
11. Strange Flowers – Mars Behind Our Eyes
12. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians – Nature Boy
13. Dust – The Desert Hell
14. The Pandas – Crystal Highway
15. The Lovetones – The Sound & The Fury
16. HeadQuarters – Electric Sensation
17. Luminol – Natural World
18. The Asteroid #4 – Find My Way Back Home

Flac Size: 505 MB

CD2.

01. The December Sound – Kill Me
02. The Voices – The Sound Of Young America
03. The Daysleepers – Threnody
04. Sunsplit – All I Want
05. Goldrush – There's A World
06. Floorian – Heavium
07. The Flowers Of Hell – Compound Fractures
08. Perfect Blue  –Empty Dreams
09. Moon – Dopamine
10. Hopewell – Hello Radio
11. The Yours – Missed Call
12. Air Cav – Alliance
13. Riff Random – Dead Eyes
14. Satsangi – Iodine
15. Soft Hearted Scientists – Brother Sister
16. Say Jansfield – The Lonely Piano
17. Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring – Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind

Flac Size: 477 MB

3.  VARIOUS - PSYCHEDELICA VOLUME THREE 2008

                  

Various – Psychedelica Three
Label: Northern Star – NS03
Series: Psychedelica (2) – 3
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: Oct 2008
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

CD1.

01. The Lea Shores – FearSOS   4:29
02. The High Dials – Book Of The Dead   5:58
03. The Quarter After – Early Morning Rider   4:49
04. Youngteam – Sunny Sunday Afternoon   3:36  
05. Belles Will Ring – And Jesus Said Unto Me   4:04
06. Maison Blanche – Pistol People; Society   3:24
07. The Black Angels – You On The Run   4:54
08. The Dolly Rocker Movement – Memory Layne   3:35
09. The Electric Soft Parade – Come Back Inside   3:51
10. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians – Stargazer   5:09
11. The Hiss – How Do You Know   4:30
12. House Of Fire – Walking Along The Sun   4:40
13. Sunsplit – Love Buzz   4:43
14. Sunray – I Wish You Were Mine   4:12
15. Louis Gordon – Always Be Around   3:43
16. The Cush – You´re Free   4:40
17. The Deaths – Turn For The Worst   3:46
18. God Is An Astronaut – Beyond The Dying Light   5:40

Flac Size: 471 MB

CD2.

01. Sennen – Blackout   4:57
02. Mono In VCF – Spider Rotation   5:18
03. The Nova Saints – High Roller   3:23
04. The December Sound – Drone Refusenik
05. The Butterfly Explosion – Sophia   5:39
06. Soundpool – Lush (What Becomes You)   5:05
07. Perfect Blue – Sunshine   5:34
08. The Telescopes – Another Sky   5:45
09. The Insect Guide – Frozen (Sonic Boom Mix) Remix – Sonic Boom   2:55
10  Mugstar – Bethany Heart Star   5:01
11  The Zen Circus & Brian Ritchie – Punk Lullaby   2:31
12. Say – Harvest Rex   4:04
13. Hopewell – Afterglow   5:40
14. Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring – I Saw A Fire In Your Eyes   5:35
15. Aspen Woods – All Roads Lead Here   7:43
16. Hush The Many (Heed The Few) – Storyend   6:12

Flac Size: 476 MB

4.  VARIOUS - PSYCHEDELICA VOLUME FOUR 2010

                               

      

Various – Psychedelica 4
Label: Northern Star – NS05
Series: Psychedelica – 4
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: UK
Released: 2010
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

CD1.

01. Singapore Sling – Godman    4:03
02. The Dolly Rocker Movement – Mystery Man    3:11
03. The Medicine – Send The Rain    3:13
04. The High Dials – Space Hobo    4:14
05. The See See – Keep Your Head    3:26
06. Youngteam – My Only Friend    3:43
07. Capsula – Found And Lost    2:54
08. Sunsplit – I Am The One You Know You Are    4:45
09. The Tamborines – The Great Division    7:14
10. House Of Fire – Poor Millionaire    3:05
11. Hopewell – Island    4:12
12. Arrows Of Love – Desire    5:06
13. Decoys – It's All Mine!    3:49
14. The Greencoats – Away In A Dream    4:24
15. Baby Woodrose – I'm Gonna Make You Mine    2:25
16. The Cush – The Vigilant One    4:13
17. Nelson Bragg – Steel Derrick 1979    5:03
18. Elephant Stone – The Seven Seas    3:04
19. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians – The Truth Shall Set You Free    4:05

Flac Size: 530 MB

CD2,

01. 93 Million Miles From The Sun – Waiting There    6:03
02. The Domino State – Firefly    3:47
03. Maribel – Downstairs    3:28
04. Trailer Trash Tracys – Strangling Good Guys    3:40
05. White Noise Sound – Blood    4:34
06. The December Sound – Painkiller    4:04
07. Spotlight Kid – Take Some Time    3:28
08. Insect Guide – Wasted    3:30
09. The Butterfly Explosion – Closer    5:10
10. Volcano Playground – Waiting    4:08
11. Sennen – SOS    4:10
12. Eat Lights Become Lights – Dark Matter/Light Hearts    4:22
13. Perfect Blue – Parallel Dimensions    3:43
14. Daniel Land & The Modern Painters – Codeine    6:52
15. Joensuu 1685 – Crystal Light    7:14
16. The Voices – Arrivistes    8:11

Flac Size: 547 MB

5.  VARIOUS - PSYCHEDELICA VOLUME FIVE 2013

                           

"Another year, another mammoth Psychedelica compilation bursting at the seams with impressive new discoveries courtesy of tried and trusted London imprint Northern Star. Psychedelica 5 contains something for anyone with any interest in psychedelic, shoegaze, noise or even just guitar music in general. Northern Star are onto another winner here." DROWNED IN SOUND 3

Various – Psychedelica 5
Label: Northern Star – none
Series: Psychedelica – 5
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation, Limited Edition
Country: UK
Released: May 2, 2013
Genre: Rock
Style:Psychedelic Rock, Indie Rock

CD1.

 
01. The Laurels – Tidal Wave    6:29
02. Singapore Sling – Nothing Inside    3:38
03. Telstar Sound Drone – Mirror Pieces    4:21
04. The KVB – Velveteen    4:01
05. The Greencoats – No Expectations    3:39
06. Youngteam – Into Light    4:48
07. The Medicine – Changing Of The Times    2:51
08. Dead Parties – In Dreams Of Decadence    4:12
09. Deep Cut – Dead Inside Your Heart    2:49
10. The Early Morning Satellites – Summertone    5:39
11. Secret Colours – In The Absence    3:42
12. Baby Woodrose – Baby Blows    3:06
13. The Silhouettes – All A Lie    3:12
14. Air Cav – A Call To Arms    4:39
15. Skystone – To The Other Side    3:40
16. The See See – Open Up The Door    2:51
17. Thelightshines – Ever The Eternal Optimist    3:34
18. The Urges – In The End    3:24
19. House Of Fire – The Morning Light    3:48
20. The Carousels – Call Along The Coast    2:47

Flac Size: 550 MB

CD2.

01. Perfect Blue – A Bao A Qu    3:54
02. The Hippy Mafia – How To Outwit A Mosquito    5:19
03. The Electric Mainline – How Deep Is Your Cut?    5:11
04. The Nova Saints – What Does It Feel Like?    5:47
05. Soundwire – Set In Steel    5:13
06. Eat Lights; Become Lights – Test Drive    5:50
07. Periscope – Freak Beat    5:15
08. Spotlight Kid – Haunting Me    6:05
09. One Unique Signal – Salon Echoic    4:12
10. The Telescopes – We See Magic...    3:15
11. 93MillionMilesFromTheSun – As Bright As The Sky    4:25
12. Slowness – Walls Of Blue    4:11
13. Kontakte – Hope    7:45
14. The Lost Rivers – Death Of Eve    10:00

Flac Size: 518 MB

The December Sound: The December Sound (Silver Album) 2007

 

The December Sound are a Boston/Brooklyn band (guitarist/vocalist Zack Sarzana relocated to Brooklyn) who released their debut album. The set opens with "Never", a full impact assault of heavy

rocking psychedelia, as if Helios Creed (CHROME) were playing guitar with the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The intensity level goes into orbit on "No Heaven Like Hell". The guitars bubble and shimmer like Hawkwind's Space Ritual, but with a punked out searing edge. Relentless! "Drone Refusenik" has a trippy Eastern flavor to an otherwise power psych rocking tune. "Painkiller", "Maker" and "Tape Tape" are other power psych rock tunes.
                            

I've read where a number of reviewers have referred to The December Sound as Shoegaze, but I don't

see how they could be labeled a Shoegaze band. "Reminder" and "Truth Hurts" certainly explore that realm, with their heavy but totally dreamy guitars. But otherwise, definitely not Shoegaze. Is a cool track with a mish-mash of freaked out efx'd guitar, drones, voice samples and general psycho mind-fuckedness. "Kill Me (Before I Kill You)" is probably the closest to a pop song on the album.
                 

But don't be deceived, as there's lots happening here. It's got a catchy melody, while being loaded to the max with brain bashing intensity, lysergic freakouts and an off-kilter rhythmic pulse that will knock you

off your feet. "Il Forte" is another beautifully dreamy melodic and catchy song, and still completely psychedelicized. And "Not If It's On Your Time" is the lengthy jamming closing track. The first 8 minutes of this nearly 14 minute piece is a gorgeously drugged yet high voltage jam song. Then it goes into fade out space mode for a few minutes before winding down the set just as it began with a revision of "Never". A very impressive set of heavy guitar driven psychedelia.
                   

This cult of noise-terrorists cloak themselves in melting guitars, dangerous songwriting, evil drones, hypnotic bass-lines, maniacally distorted beats, heavily effected/detached vocals & otherworldly

soundscapes. It's dark and extreme, influenced by existentialism and avant-garde/radical/underground currents. The group has a reputation for unrelenting live shows that are a full-on assault of the senses,whilst achieving even greater depth on their debut album. Led by Zack Sarzana's gliding guitars and vocal stylings that range from soft and hazy to outright threatening. The December Sound creates a feeling of hollowed reverberations, echoing trough the air.
                   

Jimmy Rossi Jr. joins in creating this vicious soundscapes with dreamy keyboards and melodic rhythm

guitar that often calls back to Zack's leads. Keeping the back-beat going is the hypnotic ryhtym section which includes the spiral-like drumming of Drew Richards, along with newest member Cat Crowley, delicately playing a bass that hums chaos. The December Sound's The Silver Album album is filled with drones and tones of dark, profound sonic depth. Already being heralded as "the best unsigned band on the planet!" by the 'The Big Takeover', their debut effort certainly lives up that praise.
                        

THE DECEMBER SOUND - THE DECEMBER SOUND (SILVER ALBUM) 2007

                 

The December Sound – The December Sound (Silver Album)
Label: 8mm musik – 8MM007
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Released: 2007
Genre: Rock
Style: Shoegaze, Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                        

01. Never   3:33
02. No Heaven Like Hell   3:45
03. Drone Refusenik   5:38
04. Do You In   2:44
05. Painkiller   4:03
06. Reminder   4:48
07. 月 の 音 12   4:24
08. Kill Me (Before I Kill You)   6:38
09. Maker   2:51
10. Il Forte   3:55
11. Truth Hurts   4:37
12. Tape Tape   3:08
13. Not If It´s On Your Time   13:36

BONUS TRACK FROM THE EP: KILL ME (BEFORE I KILL YOU) (EP) 2005

14. Reverence 4:06

LINE - UP
                     

Zack Sarzana (vocals, guitar)
Jimmy Rossi (keyboard, guitar)
Cat Crowley (bass)
Drew Richards (drums)
Written by Zack Sarzana

Flac Size: 489 MB