Band:	Astra (USA)
Album:	The Black Chord
Style:	Progressive rock, Psychedelic rock
Release date:	March 27, 2012
A review by:	Doc G.

01. Cocoon
02. The Black Chord
03. Quake Meat
04. Drift
05. Bull Torpis
06. Barefoot In The Head

Well well well, isn't this a nice display of over indulgence. This is an album that grabs you, enthrals you, then shortly leaves you checking your proverbial watch and edging closer to the proverbial door before the proverbial crowd disperses and it takes you 20 minutes to get out of the proverbial parking lot.

Listening to The Black Chord is a lot like getting riotously drunk. There's that point where you feel like everything is just awesome; all your jokes are funny, every serious statement a philosophical gold nugget, and every action a feat of pure manliness.

...Then 20 hours later you're still going through an apocalyptic hangover that just won't end.

Go on, try it yourself. Pick out any song off this album, and give it a spin. Chances are, you'll just come to the conclusion that this reviewer is simply talkin' shit. You'll be grooving out to the moogs & mellotrons, the flute and the Santana-esque wailing guitar solos weaving in & out of some pure droning psychedelic prog rock that sounds like it flew here from the 70's. Honestly, there is no denying it sounds absolutely captivating upon the initial listen, before it drifts into a sea of aimless wankery for what feels like an eternity.

Then it goes on and on and on. It eventually becomes clear this album is relying entirely upon retro throw-back novelty sounds rather than any actual substance. It's hardly a strange coincidence that the strongest track off the album, "Bull Torpis" is also the shortest. The sooner the lack of meat on The Black Chord becomes apparent to you, the longer the rest of the album will drag out.

Granted, there is definitely going to be a large number of people who can stay riveted by this retro psychedellica for an entire album. This reviewer, however, ain't one of 'em.