Genre/Influences: Experimental, apocalyptic- & psychedelic rock, industrial, ritual.

Background/Info: Officially released in 2017 as vinyl on Yard Press, “Stone Tape”, which is the tenth full length of The Telescopes has been now re-released on CD format by Cold Spring featuring one extra track. “Stone Tape” is a conceptual work inspired by the ‘Stone Tape Theory’ from Thomas Charles Lethbridge; the theory ‘speculates that inanimate materials can absorb energy from living beings, that electrical mental impressions released during emotional or traumatic events may somehow be ‘stored’ in such materials and ‘replayed’ under certain conditions.’

Content: The main characteristic from this work is its diversity. From a rather ritual and even Pagan-driven opening track towards cinematographic passages and back into ritual/ambient music, the album progressively features elements of neo-folk, apocalyptic rock and pure experimental music.

Next to the original tracks of the album this CD version also features an extra bonus track, which will hold you  in its grip for 13 minutes mixing a slow rhythm together with repetitive apocalyptic guitar playing and some mesmerizing vocal parts.

+ + + : This album has something inhibited from which is emerging a flavor while spooky, whispering vocals reinforce the mystery hanging over the work. Diversity is one of the main strengths from this work, but especially the way all influences have been intermixed. The bonus cut (cf.  “The Living Things – Session”) is a brilliant and transcendental final piece.

– – – : There’s a strong experimental touch running through this work,  which is not my favorite one.

Conclusion: This re-release on CD format is not only an opportunity to rediscover this album, but also to get an extra and outstanding song.

Best songs: “The Living Things – Session”, “Become The Sun”, “The Desert In Your Heart”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/thetelescopesuk

Label: www.coldspring.co.uk / www.facebook.com/coldspringhq

About The Telescopes

The Telescopes are a British psychedelic and noise rock band founded in 1987 by Stephen Lawrie, who has remained the project’s only constant member through a lineup that has included Dominic Dillon, David Fitzgerald, Bridget Hayden and Joanna Doran, among others. “Stone Tape”, the band’s tenth full-length, was first released on vinyl through Yard Press in 2017; this 2020 Cold Spring CD edition adds one bonus track.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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