The psychedelic space rock band Naxatras has released their fifth album, V. While we are constantly treated to a wealth of intriguing psych rock albums, Naxatras manages to surprise us in a very positive way with this latest release. The Greek quartet—John Delias (guitar, vocals), John Vagenas (bass, vocals), Kostas Charizanis (drums, percussion), and Pantelis Kargas (keyboards, synthesizers)—delivers a compelling record that once again showcases their continuous evolution since their self-titled debut album in 2015.
Since multi-instrumentalist Pantelis Kargas joined the band, Naxatras has embraced a broader and richer sound, enhancing their song structures with more electronic textures. On V, the band seamlessly weaves elements of prog rock, psychedelic rock and space rock with jazz and world music influences. The result is a captivating collection of tracks that strike a balance between calming complexity, groovy guitar riffs, and cosmic keyboard work.
The quartet from Thessaloniki delivers V, a dreamy psychedelic album where you can clearly hear Ozric Tentacles and Quantum Fantay-like influences evolving into a more progressive and opulent sound. Naxatras crafts a beautifully versatile record with a subtle use of smooth vocals, providing a musical escape pod for relaxation. Needless to say, with this album, Naxatras proves to be a master at blending genres, leaving the listener in a lush, positive state of mind. V is available on LP, CD, and digital format via the band’s own DIY label, Evening Star Records.
