Astral Magic- Balance of Oblivion

If I was to say Astral Magic to you, what would it make you think of? Outer Space? Wizards and demigods? You would be absolutely right however in this case Astral Magic is a psychedelic space rock band from Finland. The band is actually a solo project by musician Santtu Laakso, who used to be in another psych rock band called Dark Sun. He started Astral Magic during the covid-19 lockdown, and he plays everything by himself, but he also invites some guests to help him out on drums, guitar, and other instruments. His music is very diverse and creative, ranging from electronic, ambient, and experimental to heavy, spacey, and psychedelic.

On this album, Balance of Oblivion he picks up synthesizers, sequencers, beats, programming, bass, and vocals. Joining him is Jonathan Segel on guitars, lap steel, mandolin, bouzouki, violin and theremin with Shane Beck providing lyrics and spoken word parts.

Let’s dive in and see what he has in store for us.

The mood for the album is set by the cosmic and ambient ‘Balance Factor’. It has a soothing and ethereal synth melody that floats over a pulsing and rhythmic bass line. Becks spoken word piece cements it all together creating a sense of balance and harmony, as well as a sense of wonder and curiosity. It is a captivating opener that draws the listener in.

‘The Elements Are Among Us’ leans in to that mystical mood with more spoken word samples that add a mysterious and magical touch. It’s a lyrically apocalyptic track whilst musically its very light and airy. It’s a cool contrast.

Next up ‘Set the Tone for Oblivion’ has a cool guitar riff that dominates the sound, along with a deep and menacing bass line. The track also has the eerie and haunting sounds of the theremin. Very sinister and eerie. The drums set the pace of a fast march, like we are travelling through time and space.

‘Sit with the Elders and Breathe’ builds on that sinister atmosphere. The synths bleep like the control panel in a space ship spiralling through the cosmos. It’s disorientating and deliberately so. Laakso is playing with our senses as we journey through this album.

Coming out of our stupor ‘Safe Journey’ takes the pace down with a gentle swoon some sound.  It feels like we’re floating in orbit around some strange new world. It’s a swirling hallucination, here for a moment and then gone.

‘Time Rift’ is an edgy and catchy track that has an infectious and hooky guitar riff that sticks in your head, along with a crystalline synth line. More than anything this song conjures up some digital fortress heist. Time being stolen from its unwitting denizens.

Up next things get dreamy and atmospheric on ‘Concentrate on the Wind’.  It has a hypnotic and ethereal synth melody that floats over a subtle and minimal fluttering effects. The track also has some whispering and breathy spoken word that floats above it all. This feels like some distant meditation on an alien world.

The tone changes completely on ‘This Invisible Kiss’. Like a flower blooming under the sun the song oozes happiness and joy. The instrumentation feels fuller in sound, warmer in tone and much more direct. I love wee surprises like this, keeps your ears on their toes…….if that’s even possible lol.

‘One Floating Soul’ is this cosmic instrumental track (or should I say Kosmische) that has a soothing and floating synth melody that drifts over a pulsing and rhythmic bass line. The track also has some violin cutting through the sound effects that add a sci-fi and mystical touch. It is a spacey and infinite piece that creates a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Onwards to ‘This Is My Fourth Life’ which is a full-on psychedelic track that illustrates the has a distorted and fuzzy guitar riff, along with a dynamic and lively drum beat. The track also has some trippy vocals that add a whimsical touch. It’s an adventurous and chaos driven track leading us neatly into the sublime next number.

‘Redefine This Reality’ rides along on an ever-moving synth pad. An intense guitar riff plays off against a deep and thundering bass line. The track also has a more direct and angry spoken word section that add a defiant and rebellious touch. There’s a definite sense of danger, peril even, in the notes being played.

‘Ticking of Time’ takes its own time to get underway. The ticking being metred out by the cymbal taps.  This is a slow building melodic and catchy track that is like a slowly developing photograph. More pieces of the musical picture become clear as the song progresses.  It really is a musical metaphor.

All too soon we reach ‘Meditation of the All-Seeing Eye’, the final track of the album, and we are off heavenwards into the cosmos again. It has a soothing and ethereal synth melody that floats over a subtle and minimal bass line. The spoken word conveys a sense of wisdom and enlightenment. Our journey is complete and we have reached our Balance of Oblivion.

Balance of Oblivion is an impressive psychedelic space rock album. Laakso has constructed a musical journey through these tracks that takes you far far away in your imagination. Through stars, to distant galaxies and home again. The songs feel cohesive and there’s a silver thread running through each song that guides the listener not only with the spoken word sections, delivered with gusto by Beck, but also the musicality of it all.

Astral Magic is about using the stars and planets as sources of energy and guidance. Some people may believe that astral magic can help them achieve spiritual enlightenment, psychic abilities, or astral projection. I’m not saying this album has supernatural properties but maybe if you listen closely enough maybe you’ll experience some magic of your own.

Balance of Oblivion is out now digitally and on limited edition CD from the Astral Magic Bandcamp page.

You can follow Astral Magic on social media here…..

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Bandcamp