The Black Flamingo - An-Nûr

 

 

The Black Flamingo - An-Nûr
Subsound Records – 2024
Rock, Psych, Stoner, Instrumental
Rated: ***

They hail from Rome, Italy and have named their first full-sized album after ‘the light of the heavens and earth, and His light clarifies and reveals, both physically and spiritually!’. An-Nûr, the Light that is Allah. Now, I’m not a religious man in any form of religion and have a believe that everything is way bigger than any of the religions can possibly understand. And the fact that there are so many ‘different’ belief systems could of course be seen as a finger point in that direction. But none of that truly matters in that connect the dots great scheme of things, for whatever you choose to believe, it’s yours. And you should keep it that way. Hold on to it if it gives you comfort, or meaning and most importantly, love. Now, I am uncertain if the three from The Black Flamingo are religious or have attained deeper mystical knowledge thanks to a few Ayahuasca ceremonies, but after a first three track EP called Mictlan that deep dived into the South American belief system, I choose to believe that these three cats are in search of that bigger thing. That thing that connects everything. The one thing they will never attain, but to strife for it, is the entire reason for doing so. Can we hear that journey in their new six track album An-Nûr? I believe there is definitely a journey here, one that everyone can partake in. Six instrumental psychedelic offerings, that always spill some stoner rocking blood after going through atmospheric and almost post-rock soundscape tapestries. The new almost fourteen minute long version of their Ayahuasca closing the album and being the perfect example of what The Black Flamingo does best. The lighter than air beginning, the slow building scene setting, the minute growth towards something denser, the noise inspired break, letting that linger until a new build up towards what you would expect is an explosive ending begins. But they do that twice, and only second time around the bend to they extend it all towards the pay-off, which feels like blessing. And after that you can easily return, like Ouroboros, to that opening Selk’nam track, which pays homage to the original inhabitants of Tierra Del Fuego. An-Nûr, in that way becomes this unending search, and that might have been what the three were aiming for. Or it might just be my take on it. And if so, I will hold on to it, cause it gives me comfort, meaning and an eternal love for everyone and everything on this planet…

(Written by JK)

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