Berlin-based Sacred Buzz’s terrific EP Radio Radiation was recently released via Dublin’s Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records. This six-track odyssey, written and recorded in the latter half of 2023, pulses with energy—think fuzzy, psych-infused rock that’s as gritty as it is groovy.
With dance-worthy beats layered over hypnotic drones, Radio Radiation draws on a deep love for ’60s garage gems, krautrock, and the raw spirit of proto-punk.
Led by frontman Ivan Skvortsov’s distorted, evocative vocals, the EP spins a cautionary tale about the world’s delicate balance, encouraging listeners to find beauty even amid chaos. Most tracks took shape during the summer of 2023 in Berlin’s outskirts at Monoton Studio, where the band spent lazy days jamming, BBQing, and mulling over everything from music to global affairs.
Recording occurred over a few days at their rehearsal spot on Frank Zappa Street in Berlin. The band tracked the instruments live to capture their full, raw energy, later layering Skvortsov’s vocals on top. The result is a raw, unfiltered snapshot of Sacred Buzz’s world—perfectly fuzzy, soulful, and just a little bit wild.
Radio Radiation has an undeniable throwback feel, but it adds enough modern edge and freshness to avoid being a Sixties-style carbon copy. Ivan’s vocals and delivery also reminded me of classic early psych.
Jane Skvortsova’s work on the keys is also notable, especially on tracks like “Revolution,” where they hang in the background and sound like a psychedelic church organ. Tracks like “No Wings” bring the retro style but with an intense rhythm and groove that feels closer to the blues.
After a slow opening buildup, “Make It Go Wrong” explodes into a faster pace and shows the proto-punk side of Sacred Buzz. Jane’s keys wail in the background while the guitar grinds and Ivan’s vocals sound meaner.
“Rebel Machine” closes with another hard-rocker, sharing many similarities with the previous track. Sacred Buzz seems to be saying with this song that, while a psychedelic band, they can throw down dirty rock with the best of them.
Sacred Buzz is a newer psych band and a welcome addition to the global psych underground scene. Radio Radiation is a terrific first EP; hopefully, we’ll see more coming from this Berlin-based group. The music would fit nicely on an updated edition of the classic Nuggets psychedelic compilation.
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