Album Review: Gone Cosmic – Sideways In Time (Kozmik Artifactz)

Championed by a soaring songstress Abbie Thurgood (The Torchettes), whose boldly evocative tones recall Skunk Anansie chanteuse Skin and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, and accompanied by an agile and aggressive psych-rock outfit, composed of guitarist Devin “Darty” Purdy (Chron Goblin), bass player Brett Whittingham (Chron Goblin), percussionist Marcello Castronuovo (Witchstone), Gone Cosmic has carved out an expansive domain that stretches from sweltering Southern sludge pits to breath-stealing sonic spacewalks.

Their new album, Sideways in Time will be released on April 12th 2019 via Kozmik Artifactz.

There are no shortage of psychedelic rock bands these days. No shortage of 70s inspired riff monsters dripping in fuzzy psychedelic effects. This does mean standing out from the crowd with a style that already sounds dated is no easy task.

Gone Cosmic give it a real good go though. Doing so with serious aplomb as the superb vocal range of vocalist Abbie Thurgood leads us through a selection of rollicking fuzzed out riff heavy tracks. From other-worldly and expansive walks through unknown landscapes to sludge-infused Southern rock and roll swamp treks, Gone Cosmic take us on a sonic journey.

It’s never boring. That might sound like not much praise but regular listeners of psych-rock will know first hand that it’s easy for bands of this ilk to take things too far. Not knowing when to cut off and call it time on a track. Often attention begins to wander after another lengthy guitar passage. That’s not the case with Gone Cosmic’s Sideways In Time which doesn’t just hold the attention but positivity commands it.

A lot of that can be laid at the feet of Abbie Thurgood who is on fire here. Her range is so great as she goes from sultry to powerful to demanding. She’s a hell of a talent, not to do the rest of the band any injustice though as this is an album filled to the brim with killer riff after riff, catchy hooks and booming drum beats.

Sideways in Time is well worth a look.

Gone Cosmic – Sideways In Time Full Track Listing:

1. Dazed
2. Deadlock
3. Siren
4. Faded Release
5. Turbulent
6. Misfit Wasted
7. Bear the Weight
8. My Design

The album can be ordered via Bandcamp here and via Kozmik Artifactz here. Find out more about Gone Cosmic via their Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter.