Cloud Sculptors, Full Earth's debut album, from 2024.
A great album, Cloud Sculptors, released on March 15, 2024 via Stickman Records, is an instrumental journey of about 80 minutes that mixes psychedelic rock, stoner, progressive and minimalism. Full Earth, born in Oslo, is a quintet led by drummer and composer Ingvald André Vassbø, already known for Kanaan and collaborations with Motorpsycho. Together with other members of Kanaan and new friends, they form a kind of "supergroup" of the Norwegian heavy-psych scene.
I have talked at length about Kanaan, Motorpsyco and Ingvald André Vassbø in numerous reviews on this blog.
Full Earth are five musicians who represent the heart of Oslo's experimental and psychedelic rock scene. With Kanaan, they share the rhythm section and guitars, with the addition of new collaborators on keyboards.
Ingvald André Vassbø (Drums, Yamaha YC30 organ): Founder and main composer. Drummer of Kanaan and recent collaborator of Motorpsycho of which I talked at length in the review of "Diversions Vol. 1: Softly Through Sunshine" by Kanaan.
Ask Vatn Strøm (guitars): Regular member of Kanaan.
Eskild Myrvoll (Additional guitar, Korg MS-20 synthesizer, noise): Third founding member of Kanaan.
Øystein Aadland (Farfisa organ, Yamaha YC30 organ, Mellotron, synthesizers): Keyboardist who gives the album his hypnotic and layered sound.
Simen Wie (electric bass, additional guitar): Completes the rhythm and harmonica section of the quintet.
The album also features Henriette Eilertsen's special contribution on flute.
Full Earth are basically an extension, a sonic evolution of Kanaan, with a focus on long and atmospheric instrumental suites compared to the original power-trio.
The album does not tell a story in the classic sense, but takes you on an abstract and mythological journey, between literary, science fiction and philosophical suggestions. Much like J.G. Ballard's short story "The Cloud-Sculptors of Coral D", this album explores the concept of "Cloud Sculptors".
It is an imaginary ecosystem, the Full Earth, a primordial and organic entity, not the Earth we know. Tracks like "Emanation" evoke a process of birth of a universe ruled by imposing natural forces. The title itself, "Sculptors of Clouds", suggests the idea of giving shape to the indistinct, just like Ballard's futuristic artists sculpting clouds with gliders. The band does the same with sound, transforming heavy riffs into fluid, ever-changing structures.
The album touches on psychological and philosophical themes, such as the Collective Unconscious, recalling Carl Jung's theory and music as a portal to an ancestral memory. And then there is the Weltgeist, Hegel's Spirit of the World, an invisible force that guides history and nature.
On a musical level, the use of organic loops and minimalist repetitions creates a trance atmosphere, canceling the perception of time and making you "float" in the mammoth instrumental suites. In short, an immersive experience in a constantly changing sound cosmos.
This album is a crazy sonic journey, all written by Vassbø. Six tracks, four of which are over 20 minutes long, with distorted riffs, hypnotic organs (Farfisa and Yamaha YC30) and synthesizers that envelop. It's a mix between the heaviness of stoner and the complexity of progressive rock, all with a minimalist twist.
The sound ranges from minimalism to stoner rock, passing through progressive rock from the 70s. It is an album that is not afraid to experiment, with a "heavy" base but with much longer and more articulated structures.
The influence of 70s prog is evident in the use of Mellotron, Farfisa organs and synthesizers. The tracks are real suites that evolve slowly, with a strong component of motorik beat (typical of NEU! or Can, Vassbø's primary influences) absolutely compelling.
But there's more: Full Earth are also inspired by American minimalism by creating loops that repeat themselves by changing imperceptibly, giving a sound "trance" effect. And then there are short tracks, which recall the atmospheres of the classical avant-garde and primitive electronics.
"Full Earth pt I: Emanation" (21:06) is an instrumental psychedelic musical journey that immediately captures with its overwhelming energy. It evolves into a whirlwind of powerful guitars and hypnotic rhythms. Halfway through, time slows down, creating a moment of calm and serenity, dominated by keyboards, before regaining strength in the finale. A solemn opening that turns into a Heavy-Prog suite, a perfect mix of power and melody. It starts with serene and pastoral, almost dreamlike atmospheres, and then explodes in powerful riffs. Ingvald André Vassbø leads the song with jazzy but assertive drumming, which adds a touch of class and dynamism. Aadland's organs create orchestral sound carpets, rich and enveloping, while Strøm and Myrvoll's guitars weave harmonies reminiscent of early King Crimson, a tribute to the progressive rock of yesteryear. An unmissable song.
"Cloud Sculptors" (20:05), the title track, features the special participation of Henriette Eilertsen on flute. It opens with 70s prog vibes and flutes. Here Krautrock with its motorik mixes with Stoner. It is a hypnotic song based on repetition and a continuous crescendo. Simen Wie's bass is the base, constant and repetitive. The guitars work on textures and feedback, while Myrvoll's Korg synthesizers add cosmic noises and sonic "sculptures" that explain the title perfectly.
"Weltgeist" (06:08) is a shorter, more disturbing organ piece, perfect as the soundtrack to a dystopian sci-fi film from the 70s. Synthesizer and organ drones reminiscent of early Tangerine Dream. A Minimalist and Ambient interlude, a moment of pause that makes you think of the avant-garde music of the twentieth century. Øystein Aadland's organ is the real protagonist. His touch here creates organic loops that seem to live a life of their own, without the need for the rhythm section.
"The Collective Unconscious" (18:37) is the centerpiece of the album, starting with grandiose organs and then exploding into powerful guitar solos. The band sounds like a single body. Strøm's guitars reach almost noise distortion levels, while the rhythm section holds a very heavy rhythm that leads the listener to a majestic finale.
"Echo Tears" (05:36) is a short analog electronic gem that takes its cue from minimalism. It is a dream piece that, even without guitars, drums and bass, envelops with its power. An explosion of experimental electronics, short and melancholic. A true masterpiece of synthesizers and Mellotron. A moment in which the band dedicates itself to sound nuances.
"Full Earth pt II: Disintegration" (13:45), the final track, is a noise and experimental sound journey that closes the album in style. It is an epic prog song where the band works hard without sparing themselves, creating a finale full of nuances. As the title says, it's chaotic and Space-Rock, and it represents the destructive side of creativity. Vassbø focuses on dishes and out-of-the-box rhythms. Henriette Eilertsen (flute) adds an ethereal, folk-prog touch that goes perfectly with the distorted guitars.
This album is one of the most ambitious debuts of recent years, a perfect mix of complex technique and an accessible sound that carries on the tradition of Scandinavian progressive rock. The production is dynamic, with moments of cosmic silence alternating with explosions and walls of sound. Despite the complexity, the analogue warmth makes it an immersive listen. It is a record that requires patience, but invites you to get lost in its unique and fascinating sound ecosystem.
Exceptional, absolutely recommended!
My Version
Label: Stickman Records (3) – Psychobabble 133
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Clear
Country: Europe
Release date: Mar 15, 2024
Tracklist
A Full Earth Pt I: Emanation
B Cloud Sculptors
C1 Weltgeist
C2 The Collective Unconscious
D1 Echo Tears
D2 Full Earth Pt II: Disintegration
LineUp
Drums, Electric Organ [Yamaha YC30] – Ingvald Vassbø*
Electric Bass, Guitar [Additional] – Simen Wie
Electric Organ [Farfisa, Yamaha YC30], mellotron, synthesizer – Øystein Aadland*
Flauto – Henriette Eilertsen (tracce: B)
Guitar [Additional], Synthesizer [Korg MS-20], Sounds [Noise] – Eskild Myrvoll
Guitar [Guitars] – Ask Vatn Strøm
Listening link on the main streaming platforms at the following links:
Bandcamp: The ideal platform to support the band directly. You can stream the songs or buy the album in high quality on Full Earth - Bandcamp.
Spotify: The full album is available to stream here: Cloud Sculptors on Spotify.
Apple Music: You can find the album and singles in the artist section on Full Earth - Apple Music.
YouTube: On the official channel or via related videos you can listen to excerpts and live performances, such as Full Earth pt I: Emanation (Live at BLÅ, Oslo).
Amazon Music: Available for both streaming and purchase in physical format (CD and Vinyl) on Amazon.it.
Note: All links to the musicians’ works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"
