Detailed Reviews [Akasha - 1977 - "Akasha"]

Prolusion. Norwegian band Akasha was a short-lived and obscure band that was active in one of the smaller towns in Northern Norway in the second half of the 1970's. They recorded their sole album in the rather primitive studio set up by short-lived enthusiast label Bat Records, whose sole other album release was a gay theme production by a singer/songwriter, and lacking distribution possibilities made the label fold within a couple of years. Hence the one album released by Akasha, a self-titled album, is a production with quite the interesting story surrounding it. In 2022 the album was given its latest and seventh reissue through the project Norske Albumklassikere, following more or less well known reissues over the years on several labels around the world on LP and CD.

Analysis. This is an album that explore and include a few different aspects of progressive rock, but the main parts of this production actually focus on music that falls within the symphonic progressive rock sphere. Liberal use of mournful Mellotron strings and the good, old organ dominates this aspect of the band's sound, and while rarely explored in a purebred manner the passages of this orientation cover substantial parts of the play time on this production. Often on the darker side as far as mood and atmosphere is concerned, but otherwise comparable with bands such as Camel and, at least to some extent, Eloy. With a one-off nod in the direction of Genesis thrown in for good measure, as well as a one-off section with some symphonic qualities that is a more direct reference to and presumably inspired by classical music too. The other main ingredient on this production are more loose and at times slightly sprawling passages with a stronger orientation towards a more krautrock-oriented sound. Psychedelic music for sure, with repetitive patterns and sounds and effects that due to recording quality to a greater extent that design also takes on a bit of a cosmic vibe. In between these two main orientations we get some time-typical sequences more closely aligned with heavy psychedelic rock, and a one-off left turn into progressive electronic landscapes of the kind where I would suspect Tangerine Dream may have been a likely source of inspiration. This is a most charming production on many levels, and due to chance and circumstance also an album where the band blend and mix styles in a bit more of a novel manner: While I presume there are other bands that drew in impulses of a similar kind on their albums in that time period, from what I know this wasn't what one might describe as a common approach in that era. The main drawback of this production is the bare bones quality of the recordings, with a mix and production that is a testament to the limitations of budget restraints when recording music back in the 1970's. Functional is an appropriate term to be used there, and the good, old description lo-fi most certainly applies to this production as a whole. Hence this isn't an album for audiophiles, but rather a production to seek out by those who enjoy music that has a distinct touch of what in metal circles often will be described as an honest sound.

Conclusion. Akasha's sole album "Akasha" is a rather distinct production, and one fairly unique on many levels in the history of Norwegian progressive rock - at least to my knowledge. A charming, honest and creative blend of atmospheric laden symphonic progressive rock, psychedelic rock and krautrock, where the lo-fi quality of the recording process probably will be the main detrimental aspect for many listeners. For those able to listen beyond the technical limitations of this production this is quite the intriguing experience however, and those who enjoy listening to classic era progressive rock that stretch across a few different boundary lines will get a lot out of giving this album a listen.

Progmessor: June 2022
The Rating Room