Greek band Space Gravel stand right at the point where heavy rock meets doom, psychedelia and space rock. Their debut album, “Inside”, captures this creative meeting of styles in a powerful and impressive way, through six long instrumental compositions with no vocals. Instead of a singer, the guitars become the main protagonists, taking us deep into the strange and fascinating world of Space Gravel. This is a real guitar feast, packed with heavy riffs, extended solos and all kinds of psychedelic guitar phrases. The playing is constantly interesting, with the guitars creating one layer after another and giving the music its unique character. Add to this the solid, massive rhythm section and you can easily understand what Space Gravel are trying to achieve with “Inside”. The whole band sounds locked in, with every instrument contributing to the atmosphere and the journey. The musical language of “Inside” is dystopian and often creates a dark, threatening atmosphere. Yet, somewhere inside all this darkness, there is always a small glimpse of light. What matters most for Space Gravel, however, is the journey itself, not the destination. This is an intense and adventurous trip, full of mysteries, strange landscapes and unexpected turns. The quartet gives everything, both musically and emotionally, and the complex result should excite fans of psychedelic, space and doom-heavy rock. Some compositions are more direct and easier to enter than others, but overall, “Inside” needs time. You have to let it play, get into its atmosphere and discover all the small details hidden inside these lengthy tracks. There is a lot to explore here, and Space Gravel clearly have their own musical identity. If you are into psychedelic, spacey heavy rock and doom, you will find plenty to enjoy on “Inside”. And for those with a special love for heavier, darker and more doom-oriented sounds, this debut could really blow your mind.
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
