ALBUM REVIEW: Helix Nebula – Earth Drive

Portugal’s EARTH DRIVE’s debut EP Known by the Ancients, released in 2014, impressed with its dynamic sprawl of sound firmly planted in the sounds of the past. Their 2017 full-length debut Stellar Drone has preserved the psych rock influences and amplified them with a space rock subtlety, diversifying it with prog rock and sporadically alternative rock influences. It can be discerned that the four-piece has been pursuing their intelligent and compound sound for years before committing it to record, yet it’s noticeable that EARTH DRIVE are not afraid to explore, which is best displayed on their sophomore album, this year’s Helix Nebula.

Followed by the short intro Cosmic Eye, the title song is a laid-back psych rock banger that has almost an occult quality to it. This piece is somewhat a guide for the rest of the record; it grows in potency as it goes on, and dips in and out of a wall of sound, managing to alter tempos smoothly and breathtakingly. EARTH DRIVE’s more experimental, prog side comes through on songs like Spectra, Science of Pranayama, and Space God. Guitarist Hermano Marques’ delivery is especially undeviating here; the groove of bassist Luis Silva and pounding drums, courtesy of  Sebastiao Santos, give these songs a real optimistic feel that is irresistible.

Helix Nebula’s strongest track is arguably Dharma Throne. It features splendid instrumental work which is mostly carried with the sound of Marques’ guitar.  The musicianship here is convoluted, Sara Antunes’ vocals are going through the roof, and the overall energy of the song is in continual motion. The second part of the song in particular is when EARTH DRIVE adopt sort of a free-form perspective in composition and execution.

Helix Nebula features a number of interludes throughout the album which connect the dots and do not feel forced. The fluidity between songs here is organic, and each piece builds upon the previous without any additives. The ethereal wall of sound built from the soothing voice and spacey guitar licks is what makes Helix Nebula exuding excellence.

EARTH DRIVE bring Helix Nebula to the finish line, letting a bit more of experimentation at the very end. This is an album that, in a way, is built for fans of musical history, but can find its place in the current formation of contemporary rock. It contains an immense amount of influences and isn’t reserved when it comes to experimenting. This is finely tuned music for the new age that gleefully references the past.

Rating: 8/10

Helix Nebula is out now via Raging Planet.

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