Grab the spacegrass and head into the cosmos with two instrumental psych-rockers, Trigona and IO Audio Recordings, who recently united for a split vinyl release. Dropping on August 6th, the collaboration is an intriguing fusion of sounds that will send listeners into orbit. The vinyl is available via Echodelick Records (USA), Weird Beard (UK), and Fuzzed Up & Astromoon (EUR).
Coming off their recent releases—Isophase by Trigona and I Can Hear the Hiders Coughing by IO Audio Recordings—the two multi-instrumentalists have crafted an excellent split album that showcases their signature styles.
Trigona is a one-man band based in Australia that releases psych-rock recordings chock-full of fuzz, delay, swirly effects, and that motorik beat that all the kids are talking about. IO Audio Recordings is another one-man show. His project is a repository for creative output focusing on experimental space rock. He calls himself a purveyor of fine frequencies, and we tend to agree.
Kicking off the new split with Tirgona’s side is “Spectra,” a propulsive track that immediately takes flight with whooshing drums that evoke the rush of a plane ascending into the sky. Motorik-inspired beats and a throbbing synth bass lay the groundwork for a melodic guitar solo that soars, driving the track into the stratosphere.
“Andaman Sky” brings a breezy, psychedelic groove to the forefront. Despite its relaxed feel, the driving bass and drums keep the momentum strong, making it impossible to resist nodding along.
Rounding out Trigona’s side is “Vespicula,” a darker, moodier piece that contrasts sharply with the warmth of “Andaman Sky.” With a tremolo pedal set to maximum swirl, the track is drenched in reverse reverb, casting a shadowy, foreboding atmosphere over the melodic guitar. This haunting closer perfectly sets the stage for what’s to come.
Flipping the record over, IO Audio Recordings dives in with “Paranormal Champion,” a nine-minute epic that’s a towering wall of sound. Layer upon layer of textured guitars, panning leads, and thumping bass build a massive sonic landscape. At the five-minute mark, the chaos subsides momentarily, allowing cleanish guitars to breathe before the track ramps up again, climaxing in a fuzz-drenched finale.
The album closes with “Ascend and Return,” a nearly ten-minute journey that begins with distorted sounds reminiscent of a rocket launch. As the track evolves, a riff builds momentum, reaching its peak groove with echo-drenched toms and filtered distorted guitar leads. The track fades with a psychedelic swirl of reverberated sounds, creaks, and cracklings.
As a treat for vinyl buyers, the split includes the exclusive collaboration track, “Space Sickness.” With both artists sharing a similar approach to recording, it was only natural that they’d team up for this project. Files and ideas were exchanged across the Pacific, resulting in a monstrous mash-up that blends the best of IO Audio Recordings and Trigona into one hefty space rock anthem.
Trigona and IO Audio Recordings are among the best underground space rockers today, so seeing them collaborate is a treat. Grab the vinyl while you can and enjoy the blissful instrumental cosmic fusion of acid rock, krautrock, drone, and psychedelia for your next spaced-out session.
Check out the Trigona/IO Audio Recordings split on Bandcamp here.
IO Audio Recordings: Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube
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