Seriously, what is in the water in Sweden? For a while it seemed like it was spitting out quality death metal bands of the traditional and melodic types, but now with the rise of bands like Witchcraft and Graveyard, it appears that a whole new group of musicians have turned their backs on modernity and have found inspiration in ancient sounds of hard rock and metal. This is not a bad trend, because if bands like The Tower are the result, then a little look backwards to help people remember the roots of this sanctified style of music is definitely something worth pursuing.

In the case of The Tower, they take some of the best parts of primitive metal in the form of heavy psychedelic rock, caveman boogie, and amplifier worship, and combine it with esoteric lyrics that push the band to the outer limits of a scene that is already on the outer limits.

Album-opener “Non Omnis Moriar” sounds like the theme to some imaginary psychedelic spaghetti western. It’s like Ennio Morricone on acid. This leads right into the first proper track, “Adrenalawine,” which features propulsive rhythms and a chorus that comes off like a mantra. “Lucy,” which features insane guitar solos, references a certain well-known Beatles song, and acts as the heavy pysch bad trip answer to that more well-known track. “Moonstoned” starts off as a dirge, eventually laying on the fuzz and some spoken segments before revving up the pace and ending with another thrilling solo. “Wounds” is the heavy pounding rocker of the album.

All this prepares you for the album’s closing track, which bears the name of the band and is a 10-minute heavy psychedelic epic that pulls together all parts of the bands sound into one bravura finish. It tells the story of one person’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment, throwing in another Beatles lyrical reference for good measure, and makes sure the music mimics the protagonist’s journey. It’s heady stuff for sure.

This album is one long, strange trip of a record, but it is a trip you will want to take willingly again and again. Tune in and drop out.

(Prosthetic Records, 8713 Aviation Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301)