Samsara Blues Experiment - One With The Universe [Album Review]

Hailing out from Berlin, Germany, Samsara Blues Experiment belong to a "Class" of their own. Though the band describes their music genre as Heady Psych, the band plays a mixture of Psychedelic Blues, Stoner Rock, Indian Raga and Folk. "One With The Universe" is their fourth full length album. After the release of outstanding albums like "Waiting for the Flood" and "Revelation and Mystery", one may be wondering what could SBE do next in their albums and "One With The Universe" is the perfect answer to all the confusions, queries and questions.

It is almost impossible to say that this kind of music was crafted and performed by three guys only. Christian Peters (guitar/vocals) has got deep vocals, which somehow reflects the intensity as possessed by the legendary Jim Morrison. Usually, the band's music is characterized by blunt and doomy guitar riffs, escorted by sensual bass guitar and flawless drums. The band has also experimented on different occasions with various instruments like Sitar and Tabla (instruments used in playing Raga).

Vipassana is the first track off the album. Vipassana means "Thervada" in Buddhism which means the concentration on the body or it's sensations, or the insight which provides this. This meaning is outstandingly matched with the lyrics of the song. The vocals from Christian Peters sounds different than other works by the band. With added efforts from Hans Eiselt on bass and Thomas Vedder on drums, Vipassana sounds heavier than most of the other songs by the band.

"And while the days just seem to rush away

I dreamt within a dreadful dream

Where all the noise and all the pointless chatter

Turned into this new old symphony..." - From the song Vipassana.

Second track Sad Guru Returns is an amazing instrumental off the album. The track kicks off with spoken words.

"We have comforts like never before

We have conveniences like never before

In every way we are the most comfortable generation ever in this planet

But we cannot say we are the most joyful generation on the planet

And human being is displeased within himself." 

The fitting few words to summarize an entire instrumental. The song follows pleasing guitar riffs until the very end accompanied by equally satisfactory drums and basslines. The song unknowingly drags you to the journey of psychedelic madness from the instant you start playing it. What triggers my mood to the utmost level is the transition phase that starts at 3:11. That slow pluckin from Christian Peters' accompanied by equally slow pace of drums and bass lets you feel the level of sadness actually felt by the Sad Guru. The song overall is the depiction of the capacity to which the band can perform to. The doomy guitar riffs and solo filled with equal melody, perfect combination of drums and bass is the treat from the band to all their fans.

Glorious Daze is my personal favorite track off the album. The song features every elements such as Psychedelic Blues, Stoner Rock, Indian Raga and Heady Psych that the band is known to use in the song. Christian Peters' deep vocal gets you mesmerized from the moment he opens his mouth on the track.

"While through all these days I can't stop holding on

To a tale that might get lost in the pulse of time

But then how can we forget how it felt to be in that...

Glorious Daze!"

The title itself is an irony. Daze is simply a state of stunned confusion and glory can be interpreted as great pleasure. This is what the band does and do it very well. The track features one of the catchiest riff by the band. This nearly 6 minutes long track is pitch perfect in every sense. You can feel the level of dedication, talent and nourishment of the band from this song. 

One With The Universe starts with a pleasing base line from Hans Eiselt, who is then accompanied in by Christian Peters (guitars) and Thomas Vedder (drums) in an unhurried pace. As the intro cools off, one faces the true sound of Samsara Blues Experiment. This track completely contains genuinely special and astounding bass sound which can clearly be heard in the whole song. Christian has done a superb job with the guitar. The solos are also perfectly vibrant and melodic with a pinch of taste similar to their other albums. The track never stays on the same tempo. At times, it goes into headbanging mode whereas at times it makes you sway your head sideways and go along with the music. Intense drumming by Vedder provides course to the song at every transformation. The track moves in a smooth flow which makes one feel that it is not so long when you listen to it.

Eastern Sun and Western Moon, as the title, steers the transition of day to night (and back) into the head of the listener. Even though the transformation takes places slowly, the journey is remarkable and comforting. Christian’s vocals on this track is mesmerizing. He’s got the sound resembling their previous albums. The crunch in the guitar is what makes this track interesting. Hans and Thomas have equal contribution in making this song as good as it is.

“Eastern sun and the western moon,

with sleepdust in our eyes, we’ll rise up soon.

But still we chase a dream, that’s slipping out of sight.

Trying to escape its slow decay, fade into violent night.” – taken from the track Eastern Sun and Western Moon

Overall, "One with the Universe" meets the expectation from the band. With limitless variations in every tracks, high quality recording with perfect combination of vocals, guitars, bass and drums, the album leaves a footprint on the psychedelic genre that you can see from the moon. This is one of the highly recommended album if you are into the genre and trust me, you won't be disappointed. Infact, you will be glad you did. With every album the band release, they simply continue to grow. And whatever their future might hold, the band has been successful in doing what they do the best; that is to bring psychedelic madness that we simply love and can't stop listening to.

Favorite Tracks: Glorious Daze, One with the Universe

Rating: 4/5

Label: Electric Magic Records

Band's Facebook Link: Samsara Blues Experiment

Band's Website: Samsara Blues Experiment