This bizarre-o sextet from Santa Cruz, Calif., has the stones to make two claims: One, the instrumental outfit says it introduces new styles of music on Palace of Mirrors, Estradasphere's fourth album, including "Romanian Gypsy Death Metal," "Spaghetti Eastern" and "Bulgarian Surf." Two, the band also boasts that it appeals to fans of artists as diverse as The Beach Boys, Metallica and John Coltrane. Both claims are justified. Probably. Actually, it's hard to tell what the hell Estradasphere does besides suck you in with a cruel charm and enchanting song titles like "The Unfolding Pause on the Threshold," "Six Hands" and "Flower Garden of an Evil Man." But with such instruments as accordion, violin and the Japanese Shamisen (a lute instrument with three strings) commingling with more traditional rock 'n' roll instruments, those statements tend to make a little more sense. The chaos of "A Corporate Merger" reflects its title, "Colossal Risk" could be part of the soundtrack to a crazy James Bond spoof and "Smuggled Mutation" is a twisted hoedown likely spawned by a nightmare one of the band members experienced. It all sorta fits together to create a semi-cohesive listening experience unlike any other.
Not surprisingly, Estradasphere (formed in the late Nineties) eventually found its way to The End Records, home to some of the most eclectic and creatives artists in the rock and metal realms.
Track Listing:
1) Title
2) Palace fo Mirrors
3) A Corporate Merger
4) The Terrible Beautypower of Meow
5) Colossal Risk
6) The Unfolding
7) Smuggled Mutation
8) Six Hands
9) The Debutantes
10) Flower Garden of An Evil Man
11) Those Who Know ...
12) Palace of Mirrors Reprise
13) The Return
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