Album Review: Balothizer - Cretan Smash (2020)

Picture Credit: Balothizer
Atwork: Zara der Arakelian


Balothizer - Cretan Smash
Release Date: November 13, 2020
Label: Louvana Records
Format: Vinyl / Digital
Length: 37:05
Genre: Psychedelic Rock / Punk Rock / Folk
Origin: London, England

Balothizer play Post-Cretan music. That means they use traditional music from the Greek island Crete and re-interprete it in modern ways. The rendition is made both musical and content-wise. Best example for this is the song 'Aleppo' which contains the lyrics from Cretan folk song 'Χαλέπιανος Μάνες'. It merges the combined sounds of Mediterranean and Arab music, and is now re-interpreted via Psychedelic Punk. Got an impression? That's what Balothizer call "Cretan Smash".


"Cretan Smash" is the sophomore album by Balothizer. The trio uses the traditional sounds of Crete for their main themes and makes them merge with hypnotizing Psychedelic Rock. Furthermore, the savage energy of 1980s Punk Rock is added which makes this album so unique and coolourful. If it wasn't for the Punk Rock influence, it would sound very similar to Cyprean band Arcadian ¥ Child or Kirbinsinek from Istanbul. The final track 'Anathema' especially is a mesmerizing example that allows these comparisons.


The beautiful thing about "Cretan Smash" is that Balothizer create a wild and dynamic motion to make their Psychedelic Cretan Folk Music swing forward. That makes the album become a playful Balkan-England-Arab Psych Punk clash. I love it!

Balothizer Online:
Louvana Records
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Spotify

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fresh Mango: February 17, 2022

Mango Playlist Updates: February 05, 2022

News: HOL - Bones (2021)