Babylon Tree - Habim
Self-released – 2026
Instrumental, Rock, Psych, Desert, Eastern
Rated: ****
I remembered the Eastern Tales album from 2019. The progressive and psychedelic nature of the compositions weaving itself around all those worldly and Eastern influences had fairytale qualities. It made you see the caravans, the dust storms and the oasis. And now, after seven years, and many different members, the Athens based outfit Babylon Tree is back with a new release called Habim!
Two instrumental beauties cover the Habim sides, both lasting around ten minutes and both again in the vein of Eastern tinged psychedelic rock. But warmer to the touch and more finely produced. Still retaining all of those storytelling properties. Somewhere between a desert mirage and a midnight trek along the moonlit city walls, Babylon Tree emerges, carrying dust covered riffs, hypnotic grooves and melodies that have that ancient and wise feel. Habim unfolds like a journey through the forgotten alleyways from some grand Middle Eastern city, and the burning dunes outside. Where fuzzy guitars can echo against the city walls or drift off towards the endless horizon. A track like Liquid Garden drifts and pulses with a mantra like energy, pulling the listener ever deeper into a world where the heavy side of desert rock whisps around all that psychedelic mysticism.
The sound seems ingrained with a jam like quality, as if everything came naturally, shaping the sound organically and letting each composition breathe, evolve and reach its full potential. The Oriental melodies, enriched by female vocals that seem to drift like the wind itself, only get crushed by a riff once or twice, creating moments that feel entirely meditative, until that explosive instance. It is without any doubt inspired by seventies progressive rock and psychedelia, the raw pulse of desert rock and the love of a story… For if you take Habim with you, then Habim will take you into a dreamlike landscape where heaviness, atmosphere and storytelling flow completely naturally and become one…
(Written by JK)
