When these crazed French psychedelic warriors released their last album, Third, on Tee Pee in 2012, it gave people in the United States more of a chance to hear what the rest of world has known for years: this band produces some of the best dark, heavy psychedelic music out there that owes just as much to The Stooges as it does to Hawkwind and Hendrix. There is a dark allure to their music that goes way beyond just the notes they play.

On their newest album, the band goes more dark and twisted — in fact, this one goes straight for the heart of the void. For example, their cover of the 13th Floor Elevator’s “Roller Coaster” strips away the playful nature of the original and gets sinister, turning the whole trip of expanding your mind into something more dangerous. This mood continues right onto the original songs that make up the rest of the album. It’s like they are going for a very sort of dark, esoteric enlightenment.

It’s fitting then that the album opens with the title track, which features a spoken word invocation backed by feedback. It opens you up and sets you up for the next track, “Up To The Sky”, which questions our existence while features some loping bass and explosions of fuzz solos. “Turn On Your Mind” is a hard-edged rocker imploring people to go for mind expansion, while “Halo Tears” is an acoustic-tinged, mellow, and oddly pretty.

“Jungle Man” throws some Creole grooves into the mix along with the searing psychedelia. “Crystal Man” starts out quietly with a strummed acoustic guitar that builds to an electric freak-out before ending on a more peaceful note, while “Human Toad” is another snappy fuzz-drenched rocker. “Frankie” closes the album on a quieter note.

Once again, ANO has created another great slice of darkly charismatic psychedelic rock. If you were a fan of their previous albums, then you will find much to like here. If you are new to the band, then you will become a fan. It’s time to drop out and turn on your mind.

(Tee Pee Records, 200 East 10th Street, Box 155, New York, NY 10003)