The Rising Sun Experience ‘Beyond The Oblivious Abyss’ Album Review

Words Sophie Dunsford

The Rising Sun Experience’s sound can’t really be pigeonholed into one genre. Their first album (‘Under The Same Sun’ in 2009) sat somewhere between ‘60s and ‘70s psychedelic rock and ‘90s grunge. Although these influences are still apparent, Beyond The Oblivious Abyss errs more towards progressive rock than grunge while still retaining the yesteryear rock and roll feel. The band name, album name and song titles like ‘Monkey Flower,’ and ‘Bird of Paradise,’ work to reinforce the trippy vibe. Traditional rock instruments are used as well as organ, synthesiser and an array of percussion including shakers, claves and congas.

Tracks four to eight are all titled Wasted Dreams of Red Flowers Part I to V, each with a subtitle. These five tracks are available to download as a single bonus track called ‘Wasted Dreams of Red Flowers, Full Theme,’ which doesn’t seem like a useful bonus at all: it’s the same. Lyrics from the third track ‘Infinite Space Of A Man Without Character,’ are repeated later in ‘Wasted Dreams of Red Flowers III) snapdragon,’ so don’t worry if you begin to think your CD player has gone haywire, it’s supposed to sound like this. The repetition and temporary confusion add to the hallucinogenic feelings inspired by this album.

The vocal content of the album ends at ‘Snapdragon,’ and the last 9 minutes and 42 seconds are almost completely instrumental. There are moments when all becomes quiet and there’s only drumming and synthesiser, similar to something you might hear in an adventure video game (think Donkey Kong lost in the jungle). At other times it’s just endless hypnotic guitar reverb. If you’re after a soundtrack for spacing out in your longue room on a Friday night, this could be the record for you!