Latimo's Psychedelicatessen

Akasha - 1977 - Akasha

track list

1. Isle Of Kawi 11:05
2. Bondage 6:20
3. Regitativ 1:51
4. Electronic Nightmare 2:16
5. Death Hymn 5:17
6. Light And Darkness 6:28
7. The Trip 3:58
8. Man of The Void 4:51 (this bonus track is not on this album, only on the reissue album)

Line-up

- Sverre Svendsen / vocal, Mellotron on "Light and Darkness"
- Kjell Evensen / drums
- Arild Andreasson / bass
- Jens-Ivar Andreassen / guitar, Mellotron, synths, piano, organ
- Tor Johnny Hansen / words on "Death Hymn"

Review:

Very obscure Norwegian progressive in the symphonic / electronic mode. Their only album, is keyboard dominated and is a fine example of euro-styled symphonic progressive. The vocalist is almost a Greg Lake carbon copy.

Akasha's self-titled album, originally released in Norway on BAT records, is one of those records that sells for mega-bucks in collector circles and makes Mellotron fans drool with childish delight. A quartet, Akasha consisted of Sverre Svendsen (vocals, Mellotron), Kjell Evensen (drums), Arild Andreassen (bass) and Jens Ivar Andreassen (guitars, Mellotron, synth, piano, organ). Mellotron fans will hve no doubt noticed that two Mellotrons are credited but Svendsen only uses his on one track, "Light and Darkness." Akasha consists of eight tracks, lasting anywhere from two to eleven minutes. Most are 5-6 minutes. The eleven minute "Isle of Kawi" is the opener, and is enough to to send 'tron fans into raving fits, as it is featured prominently amidst the abundant synth work. The synth and Mellotron are the dominant instruments, in that order, while the guitar plays a secondary role. Jens Andreassen exploits his synths to the fullest, wrenching out many "experimental" type analog sounds and noises. Just listen to "Bondage" or "Electronic Nightmare" to hear what Andreassen does with filters and oscillators. Titles like those just mentioned, as well as "Death Hymn" and "Light and Darkness," combined with a "dark" production give Akasha's music a distinct Scandinavian feel. The production also gives it a bit of a dated sound, which is why I never fully got into the album. Akasha could have recorded this in 1971 and got away with it, perhaps, but not late 1976. While I worship at the alter of the 'tron and have a particular fondness for Scandinavian prog, Akasha never caught on with me for one reason or another. But, if your mouth is already watering from reading about some of the key elements Akasha offers, then you need to be contacting your favorite prog dealer. -- Mike Taylor

AKASHA biography
AKASHA is a Norwegian quintet who recorded one strange and fascinating album back in 1977. They are: Kjell Evensen on drums; Arild Andreasson on bass; Jens-Ivar Andreassen on guitar, mellotron, synths, piano and organ; Tor Johnny Hansen is credited for lyrics on one particular track; and Sverre Svendsen handles the mellotron as well as the English vocals - highly reminiscent of Greg LAKE, by the way. Musically speaking, comparisons aren't easy: try to imagine a blend of early GENESIS and the MOO...AKASHA is a Norwegian quintet who recorded one strange and fascinating album back in 1977. They are: Kjell Evensen on drums; Arild Andreasson on bass; Jens-Ivar Andreassen on guitar, mellotron, synths, piano and organ; Tor Johnny Hansen is credited for lyrics on one particular track; and Sverre Svendsen handles the mellotron as well as the English vocals - highly reminiscent of Greg LAKE, by the way. Musically speaking, comparisons aren't easy: try to imagine a blend of early GENESIS and the MOODY BLUES, albeit a much harsher, stranger version of the latter. AKASHA write dark and foreboding prog and lyrics with a strong sci-fi bent. The LP version of their album is now a collectors' item, commanding 3-digit prices on the underground market; even the small Swedish label (APM) that issued its cd version in 1995 has now ceased to be.

The music on their self-titled album (which dons an epic 11-minute opener) is loaded with synths, mellotron and spacey effects that will no doubt send fans straight to 'tron heaven (the mellotron features prominently throughout the album, relegating the guitars to a secondary role). Jens Andreassen exploits his synths to the fullest, wrenching out a variety of experimental analog sounds and noises (what he does with filters and oscillators is simply amazing). The only problem with the album is its poor sound - it was recorded in a bomb cellar of a hotel, in the band's hometown of Finnsnes. Except for this flaw, "Akasha" is brilliant and a true gem of underground Scandinavian prog.

If you fancy plenty of mellotron and spacey experimental sounds (and don't mind a 'so-so' production), no doubt you'll have your hands - and ears! - full with AKASHA.

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