Review Summary: A psychedelic destination
Eight years after 2015’s Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everything (which itself was a decade removed from III), Acid King’s fifth full-length promises a new direction. “One Light Second Away” immediately makes due on that with its opening ambience suggesting a more drone-oriented approach and lack of vocals further highlighting its sparse arrangement. By the time the band’s signature stoner fuzz kicks in, it’s riding a hypnotic wave with an effect that’s more meditative than oppressive.
Other tracks put in even more warped soundscapes that reflect influences beyond the heavy psych realm. “90 Seconds” (which is five minutes long, talk about false advertising) sets a murky foundation with subtle bass-heavy distortion and an almost industrial swirling as the beat before the group comes in proper halfway through. “Electro Magnetic” serves as the centerpiece encompassing a full sonic spectrum with a creeping metallic pound supplemented by building effects whose tension is maintained even as those heavy cascades intensify.
Even the more conventional stoner-doom numbers are tempered with drawn-out structures and eccentric textures. “Mind’s Eye” has an almost welcoming vibe across its laid-back yet hustling sprawl while the title track comes off the “Destination Psych” interlude with the album’s grooviest riff set. It’s especially cool to see how the vocals shape these two songs with a sense of direction despite their rather minimal lines and distance in the mix. That said, the closing “Color Trails” is another instrumental with effective use of its broad dynamics.
In addition to successfully maneuvering a new take on their established doom style, Beyond Vision just might be Acid King’s best album to date. A move to more atmospheric songwriting works very well in their favor, putting in broad enough influences to keep from feeling cliche. The arrangements have a great deal of care put into them with every sound counting in its placement, the pace never getting dull, and the individual tracks flowing smoothly across the board. It’s a full sonic adventure with extra appeal for fans of groups like Boris or Earth.
