The Universe Also Collapses by Gong

On this site, also reviews of other of their masterpieces such as Camembert Electrique, their ideological and spiritual manifesto and their masterpiece "You” (and the whole trilogy), an essential record. I delved into the lives of Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth, for their historical and human value, and their historic line-ups up to the recent ones, up to the current line-up.

Released on May 10, 2019, “The Universe Also Collapses” is a work of contemporary psychedelia, energetic and mystical. It is the second album recorded by Gong after the passing of their historic leader, Daevid Allen, in 2015. The album features an experimental psych-rock sound, strongly influenced by the group’s live performances.

This record marks a key moment for Gong, signaling their rebirth after the loss of the founder. It gathers Daevid Allen’s legacy, who, as written in the dedication before his death in 2015, clearly expressed the wish that the band continue its activity. “The Universe Also Collapses” (2019) is the second work of this new phase, after “Rejoice! I’m Dead!” (2016). 

If the previous record was a tribute to Allen, this album looks to the future. The band’s stated goal was to create a “21st-century psychedelia”, less tied to ’70s jazz-rock and more focused on a hypnotic, powerful sound. The line-up is the one Daevid Allen himself had indicated as his successor: Kavus Torabi (vocals and guitar, already known for Cardiacs and Knifeworld), who became the frontman and main creative engine; Fabio Golfetti (guitar and glissando guitar), bringing the group’s typical spacey, psychedelic touch; Dave Sturt (bass and vocals), a key element of the rhythm section since 2009; Ian East (saxophone and flute), responsible for the fairy-tale textures ranging from ethereal to free-jazz; and Cheb Nettles (drums and vocals), the technical and dynamic engine of the band.

Compared to the previous album “Rejoice! I’m Dead!” (2016), the line-up stayed the same, but the role of outside collaborators and historic guests changes. The 2016 record saw the return of legendary members such as Steve Hillage (guitar), Didier Malherbe (duduk) and Graham Clark (violin). The 2019 record, instead, has no guests: it is a fully collective work by the five official members alone, meant to prove the cohesion and autonomy of the new line-up.

Even without physically playing on the album, Steve Hillage’s influence and collaboration with the new line-up in that period were crucial in shaping the record’s sound. Hillage, a historic member of Gong’s classic ’70s era, was the first to give his “blessing” to the new line-up led by Kavus Torabi. His approval legitimized the group in the eyes of long-time fans. In the same year as the album’s release, Gong acted as support and, at the same time, as the backing band for the Steve Hillage Band on its live return after years. This close collaboration affected the record’s energy, pushing it toward that “Space Rock” sound typical of Hillage’s style. Hillage publicly praised the album, calling it the natural evolution of Gong’s original vision. Many guitar techniques used by Torabi and Golfetti on the record (such as pulsing rhythms and cascading echoes) are a clear homage to the guitar language developed by Steve. More than a producer, Hillage acted like a kind of mentor, encouraging the band not to be a nostalgic act, but to push toward “new psychedelia”, a concept that then became the core of “The Universe Also Collapses”.

“The Universe Also Collapses” is a record that explores in depth the concept of cyclicality in existence, in time and in energy. The title itself suggests that nothing is eternal, not even the Universe. Just as matter collapses to form new stars or forms of energy, Gong’s music and identity also underwent a “collapse” (the disappearance of Daevid Allen) to be reborn in a new guise. It is an acceptance of radical change as a creative force.

Unlike Gong’s previous works, tied to the “Flying Teapot” mythology, this album shifts to a more abstract and metaphysical plane. The aim is to evoke a state of trance and “psychedelic ecstasy”, as explained by Kavus Torabi. The central theme is the illusion of time, embodied by the opening track “Forever Reoccurring” (Forever recurring), which suggests that everything that happens is destined to repeat in endless cycles. Unlike the historic records, often fragmented and bizarre, this is conceived as a single flow of energy, an enveloping experience that leads into a dimension where beginning and end coincide.

The concept also ties to Daevid Allen’s last wish: he wanted the band not to become a tribute act, but to keep exploring “the unknown”. The lyrics, too, abandon the old “goblin” mythology to explore metaphysical and spiritual themes.

“Forever Reoccurring” is an imposing suite mixing Space Rock, Krautrock and ambient music. It opens with ethereal atmospheres and then turns into an unstoppable groove. Kavus Torabi leads the piece with an almost liturgical voice and circular riffs. Fabio Golfetti creates textures with the glissand guitar. Ian East adds sax solos that recall free-jazz, introducing a touch of controlled chaos.

“If Never I’m & Ever You” is a short acoustic, dreamlike piece that works as a psychedelic “bridge”, offering a relaxing pause after the energy of the first suite. Torabi and Golfetti play in perfect sync on acoustic guitars and light arpeggios, while the group’s layered vocal harmonies create a choral effect typical of the Canterbury school.

“My Sawtooth Wake” is an aggressive prog-rock track, the most technical piece on the album, with constant time changes and a psychedelic edge. Cheb Nettles is the real star here; his drumming is powerful and complex. Dave Sturt on bass creates a pulsing, distorted sound, forming a solid rhythm section. Ian East, with his baritone sax, adds a “heavy” weight to the main riffs.

“The Elemental” is a spacey psych-pop piece with a chorus that sticks in your head and a catchy beat, with a modern, shimmering sound. Kavus Torabi sings with a sunny, energy-filled voice. Fabio Golfetti closes the album with guitar solos that seem to draw bright lines in space. The percussion and synths in the finale grow more and more, creating an effect that feels exactly like the “collapse” (and then the rebirth) the title refers to.

Musically, it is defined by the band itself as “21st-century psychedelia”. Compared to the past, the style moves in a more modern direction. The hypnotic flow and trance are achieved through cyclical, repetitive structures meant to induce a trance state, with a sound driven by circular guitar riffs and motorik rhythms. The influence of classic jazz-rock is reduced, with a push toward Space Rock and Krautrock, with an energy that recalls the most intense moments of Hawkwind or the Steve Hillage Band. The use of the glissando guitar (a technique introduced by Daevid Allen) creates spacey, floating carpets, set within a more powerful, rock context. The album is dominated by long suites (like the 20-minute opening track) that develop slowly, building tension up to psychedelic explosions. The modern production is crisp, with wide use of synthesizers that fill every space, making listening an immersive experience. All this makes it, in my view, an excellent record, a must-have in a collection of this truly great band.

My Version

Label: Kscope – KSCOPE1020
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Special Cut, 180g
Country: UK & Europe
Released: 10 May 2019

Tracklist

A        Forever Reoccurring    20:36
B1        If Never I'm And Ever You    2:27
B2        My Sawtooth Wake    13:15
B3        The Elemental    6:43

LineUp

- Kavus Torabi - vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, harmonium
- Fabio Golfetti - guitar, vocals
- Ian East - soprano, baritone and tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet
- Dave Sturt - bass, synthesizers, vocals
- Cheb Nettles - drums, piano, theremin, vocals

Listening links on the main streaming platforms at the following links:

Spotify: Listen to the album on Spotify

YouTube Music: Official album playlist

Bandcamp (Kscope): Buy/Listen on Bandcamp

Apple Music: Listen on Apple Music

Deezer: Listen on Deezer [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Note: All links to the musicians’ works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"