Slomo Sapiens are Philadelphia’s own psychedelic serpents, a band that originated in 2016 when lead guitarist and frontman Ceallaigh Manaaki moved across the planet from New Zealand to America. They recently released a new single from their upcoming sophomore album, “Tongues II,” which explores the relationship between psychedelics and religion.
“Tongues II” references “glossolalia,” which Manaaki experienced by accident at a young age. Glossolalia refers to the phenomenon of speaking in an unknown language, especially in religious worship, similar to speaking in tongues. It’s practiced especially by Pentecostal and charismatic Christians.
“When I was 12, my parents sent me to a summer camp. Little did they know, it was a Christian camp, and by day two, everyone was speaking in tongues,” Manaaki says. “We’ve read and continue to read books about the origins of religions and how psychedelics played an instrumental part in their formation. With an extended Krautrock-inspired intro and a maximalist approach with layers and textures, we made this track feel like a mushroom trip.”
The track will be on Slomo Sapiens’ upcoming 2024 album entitled The Holy Babble, the band’s second self-released LP. The band unleashes its maximalist sound on “Tongues II,” complete with a krautrock-inspired intro, swarming textures, and a depth of sonic layers. “It’s almost as if the psych rock monster they created has mutated, sprouted a few extra legs, and reached a new stage of evolution,” the band says.
“Tongues II” is a frenetic garage-psych track, foaming at the mouth with acid-induced madness. At more than five-and-a-half minutes, it may remind you of other modern-day neo-psych bands like OSEES and Frankie and The Witch Fingers. It’s a welcome new track from the three-piece Slomo Sapiens, who dropped their debut EP, Hot Milk, in 2018. The band consists of Manaaki, Greg Geiger (bass), and Jon Pritchard (Drums), whom Manaaki met during his first week in Philly. It’s the City of Brotherly Love, after all – it’s not too hard to meet new musicians in a place like Philly, right?
Slomo Sapien’s first LP, Cabin Fever Dreams, was released in the pandemic year of 2020, which they say was influenced by the sounds of The Cramps and the beloved 13th Floor Elevators. The band also explored their stoner metal alter-egos on Slömos Vol. 1 in 2021 and joined forces with multi-instrumentalist Michael Sanzo (Dawn Drapes, XIXIX) to expand their presence in Philly’s music scene. Keep your eyes peeled for Slomo Sapien’s new record, The Holy Babble, in 2024, and check out the new single “Tongues II.”
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