The Art Of Sysyphus Vol. 86

JOE BONAMASSA - Mountain Climbing (5:42)
Album: Blues Of Desperation (2016)
Label/Distribution: Provogue/Mascot Label Group/Rough Trade
www.jbonamassa.com

Even if the master appears here rather stylish than excessive, "Mountain Climbing" bundles all qualities of Bonamassas twelfth studio album "Blues Of Desperation" in a perfect way: Biting songwriting, powerful groove and earthy guitar sounds refined by a top production.

DESERT MOUNTAIN TRIBE - Heaven And Hell (edit) (4:59)
Album: Either That Or The Moon (2016)
Label/Distribution: Membran
desertmountaintribe.bandcamp.com

With their debut album, the German-British trio presents a furious mix of psychedelic, krautrock, independent and new artrock. Ethereal vocals, driving drums, scratching guitars, flying organs, the alternation between floating moments and passages full of power characterize the work. (Review: eclipsed 03/2016)

THE JEZABELS - My Love Is My Disease (4:29)
Album: Synthia (2016)
Label/Distribution: MGM/Caroline/Universal
www.thejezabels.com

New instruments can greatly stimulate the songwriting process. This experience was made by the Australian quartet THE JEZABELS, who had a whole arsenal of brand new synthesizers available for "Synthia". These give songs like the anthem "My Love Is My Disease" an extra portion of drama. (Review: eclipsed 03/2016)

OKTA LOGUE - Pitch Black Dark (4:31)
Album: Diamonds And Despair (2016)
Label/Distribution: Virgin/Universal
www.oktalogue.com

The third studio album of the band from Frankfurt/Darmstadt could also take off internationally, because one can rarely appreciate such fresh ideas at the interface between psychedelic and indie rock. Even in the dreamlike "Pitch Black Dark", cool sixties sounds and casual indie attitude go hand in hand.

MONOMYTH - At Oasis (7:09)
Album: EXO (2016)
Label/Distribution: Suburban/Soulfood
www.monomyththeband.com

The dutch instrumental band MONOMYTH brews a sweaty mixture of Kraut-, Stoner- and Space Rock on their third longplayer with a lot of fun and joy. Some tracks groove without end, others are more spherical. "At Oasis" is wonderfully in the middle.

BLACK MOUNTAIN - Mothers Of The Sun (8:32)
Album: IV (2016)
Label/Distribution: Jagjaguwar/Cargo
www.blackmountainarmy.com

Psychedelic, 60s romance, electronic, retro-rock, prog - after a six-year break BLACK MOUNTAIN come up with a bunch of flowers that could hardly be more sumptuous and colourful. On top: Amber Webber's singing that melts rocks, as "Mothers Of The Sun" proves. The opener awakens expectations that the album fulfils.

KAIMA - To The Edge (6:32)
Album: Sign Of IV (2016)
Label/Distribution: Tigermoth/Just For Kicks
www.kiamaband.com

Here is united, what Rob Reed & Co. have on their debut as KIAMA. A mighty hard rock riff sets the direction. The powerful rhythm work and the powerful vocals let the track mature into a veritable progressive classic rocker. There is always room for quiet moments, such as in the acoustic intermediate part.

COUNTER-WORLD EXPERIENCE - Cygnus (feat. Hannes Grossmann) (4:09)
Album: Pulsar (2016)
Label/Distribution: MIG Music/Indigo
www.counterworldexperience.de

"Pulsar", the sixth album of the trio COUNTER-WORLD EXPERIENCE, has the motto "Constellations". At "Cygnus" (name for the constellation Swan) guest drummer Hannes Grossmann (Blotted Science) provides a lot of momentum. By the way: The god Zeus turned into a swan to chase after young women.

IAMTHEMORNING - Too Many Years (4:59)
Album: Lighthouse (2016)
Label/Distribution: Kscope/Edel
iamthemorning.bandcamp.com

Supported by the rhythm section of Porcupine Tree, the classically trained duo from St. Petersburg stages their chamber music songs more densely and atmospherically than ever before. Emotionally touching songs that are both intelligently composed and rousingly arranged, as "Too Many Years" proves.

ENGLAND - Midnight Madness (6:53)
Album: Garden Shed (1977/2016)
Label/Distribution: Garden Shed Music/New Music - Green Tree
www.facebook.com/england.webb

For fans of the Golden Age of Progressive Rock, ENGLAND and their recently-released album "Garden Shed" are a serious alternative to Genesis and Yes. "Midnight Madness" contains all the typical English ingredients: sophisticated choir movements, colourful arrangements and lots of Mellotron