Mana Mushroom - Album Review: Mana Mushroom
Poneke’s Mana Mushroom’s eponymous self-titled debut EP has emerged into the world, and it’s a banger! Showing the benefit of a long period of gestation in the live arena, this impressive instrumental collection has its aim stated as “to stimulate listeners' senses in a way which evokes a sense of wonder about the world and our place in it", and it achieves this aim. It’s quite possible that such stimulation could be enhanced with the aid of some fabulous fungi, but it’s not my place to suggest any such consumption..Leading off with the 12+ minute Battle Hill, the band’s progressive ambition, and inspiration, is front and centre. This track puts me in mind of a reverse version of King Crimson’s Red, thus harking back 50-odd years to a band some regard as the forerunners in the prog genre. Where KC lead pretty much straight off into the sonic onslaught, easing off the pedal later on for the quieter bits, this track starts with the more restrained, with a slow build in dynamics toward the first outburst of powerhouse riffola. In my book, to be evoking the pioneers straight out of the starting block is impressive stuff indeed! (not that the two tracks sound anything like each other, apart from maybe one random note, but they are both drawing on a similar spirit)
Backing up this opening statement of intent, the second track, Ultraviolet adds layers progressively on an elaborate riff as it builds toward a breakout just after the halfway point, before cycling back around to a lower intensity expression, and finishing strongly. This leads in to track 3, Meteorite, the shortest of this suite, weighing in at a mere five minutes. A Tool-reminiscent riff leads off, before a pause precedes the complete change of pace, breaking out into high-speed mode to show the power that has previously been held more in check, giving a tantalising glimpse into what could ensue if things were to get out of hand!
Closing out is Chapters, initially evoking a sped-up Kyuss, over an appealing base of dirty fuzz, then veering across the speed spectrum, cranking up and slowing down the beat, before climaxing in an elaborate breakout that unites all of the elements previously sighted, to finish the EP on a high, if slightly abrupt, note. Always leave them wanting more, is the expression that springs to mind here, as the music suddenly terminates, leaving the listener seeking exactly that!
A very impressive opening salvo in a career that promises much, this is definitely a piece worth the effort of exploring. I’d be interested to see the band in a live setting, where it’s easy to imagine these tracks absolutely taking off, so will be watching out in hope of such an opportunity. And I suspect they might be kind of fun guys! In the meantime, however, there’s just this sampler to keep on high rotation, while awaiting that day. Ch-Check it out!!
About Mana Mushroom
"its hypnotic and vibey, they have some big crescendos, the whole thing sounds huge for a three piece."
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Mana Mushroom
Releases
Other Reviews By Rob Harbers
Sam Higham - Album Review: Jam Fish
20 Nov 2023 // by Rob Harbers
Poneke’s Sam Higham has just released his debut solo album Jam Fish. With an audacious precocity belying his mere 26 years, this one-man production threatens to smash many preconceptions, and burrow its way into your head with its multi-faceted attack, one that would fall, for want of a better position, into the arena of ‘progressive’.
Read More...
Ryan Fisherman - Album Review: Country EMO
13 Oct 2023 // by Rob Harbers
When initially asked if I could do a review of this album, to be perfectly honest I’d never heard of Ryan Fisherman. But having had its silky charms beguiling my ears for the past few weeks, his is definitely a name I want to hear more from!
Read More...
Bazurka - Album Review: Novi Grad All Stars
06 Jul 2023 // by Rob Harbers
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara’s Bazurka back up their cool-as-fuck name with a refreshingly distinct sound, one that brings the spirit of the Balkans alive in contemporary Aotearoa.Their new album, Novi Grad All Stars, opens with a flourish of brass, leading in to a delicate violin threnody, which then segues into a syncopated groove, in which all the players are given their opportunity to shine.
Read More...
Guardian Singles - Album Review: Feed Me To The Doves
03 Jul 2023 // by Rob Harbers
Tamaki Makaurau’s Guardian Singles are keeping the spirit of punk alive and kicking with their sophomore album, Feed Me To The Doves.From the first minute of opener Chad and Stacey, with its references to the peculiar blend of bitterness and displaced envy that is the incel hallmark, it’s clear that here is a band with much to say, and they’re going to make damn sure you can’t ignore them!
Read More...
Space Waltz - Album Review: Victory
13 Jun 2023 // by Rob Harbers
Way back in New Zealand’s entertainment history, as hard as it may be to believe, long before the days of streaming, if you wanted to watch TV you had one choice. State broadcasting provided all content, across a single channel.
Read More...
Gig Review: The Bravo Uniform Mikes w/ Cherry Punch @ Paisley Stage, Napier - 26/05/2023
29 May 2023 // by Rob Harbers
In a venture threatening the eardrums of all those who come near, the ever-so-subtly named Bravo Uniform Mikes have paired up with Cherry Punch for the Bum Punch tour across Te-Ika-a Maui. Kicking off at Napier’s coolest little venue (tm), Paisley Stage, this pairing gave a powerful demonstration of the treats in store for those who make the effort to catch them on the remaining dates.
Read More...
Gig Review: Stretch @ Common Room, Hastings - 27/04/2022
28 Apr 2023 // by Rob Harbers
In honour of his turangawaewae, Stretch is playing 3 nights running across the battered, but resolute, province of Hawkes Bay, from Napier in the north to the very southern tip, his original hometown of Dannevirke. This set of shows carries the moniker of 'My Heart, My Home' - a reflection of their ethos, which is to seek to bring a small degree of healing to this traumatised area.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- FORTNIGHT
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone - TOO SWEET
Hozier - DOWN BAD
Taylor Swift - THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
Taylor Swift - SO LONG, LONDON
Taylor Swift - I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
Taylor Swift - MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS
Taylor Swift - BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM
Taylor Swift - FLORIDA!!!
Taylor Swift feat. Florence And The Machine - WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?
Taylor Swift
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
