Acid Mothers Temple @ Hare & Hounds, 26th May 2010
It’s been two years since Acid Mothers Temple last appeared at the Hare & Hounds, providing a much anticipated return all round, and they certainly don’t disappoint.
The adventurous thrill is still there, but has matured and induced on a whole new level, developing a star-gazing, out-of-this-world theme that leaves you breathless.
The fiercely Egyptian-sounding ‘The Tales of Solar Sail’ whirls an evading concoction of space age Roland synths with snake-charming guitar riffs, making the audience succumb to a hypnotic trance performed by true Pied Pipers. By this stage, you could physically see the music pulsating around the room, leading everyone on the same journey of amazement, awaiting the Pharaoh to rise from his tomb.
As Kawabata Makoto and Higashi Hiroshi begin to chant and wail, emotions are drained into further hypnosis and gentle sways, delving into an impending doom apocalypse that would fit perfectly to a George A. Romero classic.
Makoto’s spine shivering solos follow with infusing and transfixing wizardry, last accomplished by Hendrix himself. The psychedelic 60’s are certainly upon us, but like nothing ever experienced before. ‘Pink Lady Lemonade’ enters a completely harmonic world of uplifting, inspiring guitar riffs.
Fused together with a spacious funk-bass and drum beat, the perfect recipe for a state of ecstasy and relaxation is complete. Every time Makoto plucks a guitar string, the feeling gets almost hallucinogenic, as the crowd seem to gaze into nothingness and just float away to the sound of pure, mystical amazement. These magicians certainly know how to work their audience’s emotions, and they know exactly how to bring them back down to Earth.
With crashing symbols and thumping snares, Shimura Koji awakens his followers from their dreamy trance.
The great Makoto returns to us with a head-banging frenzy of Zappa-like solos on speed, as the whole experience gains momentum, the crowd attempt to keep up with the pace.
One thing is for certain, this space age collection will always astound and mystify anyone who comes in contact.
Review – Ross Cotton
Photos – Katja Ogrin
Unfortunately the dreamy psychedelic AMT vibe was mostly ruined by their horrific stand-in bassist (not pictured above)at this gig. Fair play to them for fulfilling their commitments, bits of the performance were good.
It being my first time seeing them, i was told that this gig was far removed from the ‘proper’ AMT experience.
Wow this is an excellent set of photos!