Atma is the latest Napalm Records release from German psychedelic/post-rock act My Sleeping Karma, and comes seven years after their last studio album Moksha. If you dig the cover art, the sounds contained within the album are just as good, the band weaving their hypnotic, instrumental might across six new compositions, starting with the weaving, undulating 9-minute "Maya Shakti", a perfect balance of driving, heavy riffs, atmospheric keyboards, and intoxicating rhythms, something the band seems to always do quite well. Heavily delayed guitars are featured on "Prema", lush prog soundscapes float across the heavenly "Mukti", and mysterious Middle Eastern motiffs blend in with mesmerizing drums & lilting guitar patterns on the dreamy "Avatara".
One of the interesting things about this band is how they come up with heavy sounds, even though the music isn't really all that heavy. "Pralaya" is a perfect example of this, as the riffs create a creeping wall of menace, the drums add a tribal feel, and the keys once again add that Middle Eastern flavor. Closing number "Ananda" almost takes things into Hawkwind territory, the band slowly building in intensity as they go along, bubbly space rock & psychedelia meeting crushing Black Sabbath styled riffs head on.
This was my first experience with My Sleeping Karma, and it certainly won't be the last. Atma is a wonderful listening experience, and a must hear for any fan of instrumental, psychedelic music.
Track Listing
1.
Maya Shakti 09:13
2.
Prema 07:55
3.
Mukti 06:43
4.
Avatara 09:37
5.
Pralaya 06:57
6.
Ananda 08:17
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