Brain Pyramid – Magic Carpet Ride

Brain Pyramid – Magic Carpet Ride     

Self Released – 2013

Stoner, Psych, Blues, Hard, Rock

Rated: ***

Newcomers to the heavy psych scene, Brain Pyramid unload a mind-melting 35 minute EP on unsuspecting stoner rock enthusiasts entitled “Magic Carpet Ride”. While the tunes aren’t much of a pointer to early Steppenwolf, they do firmly plant their bell-bottoms in all that is 70’s wah-driven guitar freak-outs. Vocals are far and few between and when they do appear, it’s more in a distorted, spoken word blues format as evidenced in “Stone Women Blues”. In short, this is a jam session and retro stoners who crave the similar exploits of Earthless, Tia Carrera and the like should enjoy what Brain Pyramid have to offer. The only break in this Hendrixnado is the brief “Mary Jane Blues”, which sounds like a lost outtake from the Led Zeppelin III sessions. Closer “Electric Spell” convincingly launches back into the Milky Way and extends the blast radius just a bit further. The Rhythm section is loose but fun and keeps things (somewhat) intact. The real highlight is acid-drenched guitar leads and if you haven’t figured that out by now…you’re just not on the same astral plane as Brain Pyramid.

(Written by Matthew McGarity)

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