Ozric Tentacles - The Hidden Step (LP)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 2000
- 7 tracks
- 49 min
- space rock
The Hidden Step
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3.5
Average of 2 reviews
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The remaster sounds quite boring, though the pressing is alright. I prefer the original's sound.
The Hidden Step marked the final full-length album showcasing the dynamic Rad on drums and, in certain aspects, signaled the conclusion of an era. The lineup that commenced with 95’s Become the Other and delivered masterpieces like Curious Corn and Waterfall Cities would only produce the four live tracks on the Pyramidion EP following this release. Fortunately, Rad exited with a, well, bang, as this stands as one of their most potent albums. Holohedron, which kicks off the album, blends space rock and techno, still sounding contemporary to my ears. It's not overly segmented but retains a progressive spirit. The title track follows, mirroring the style of the previous albums’ self-titled songs: lengthy, with multiple sections, and concluding with an ambient piece. The bass line is rapid and thunderous in the first part, and heavy, relentless, and slightly dub-influenced in the last. The climactic noise is quite satisfying. The next four tracks are among the finest Ozric compositions ever. Ashlandi Bol exudes an eastern/oriental vibe, features profound segments, and showcases some of the most poignant wind instrument and synth solos. Aramanu is one of the two purely serene tracks on the album, alongside the closing Ta Khut. Both evoke a pagan atmosphere and are deeply emotional—the synth solo near the end of Aramanu nearly brings tears to my eyes. Ta Khut begins with a recurring wind instrument motif accompanied by an acoustic guitar and fades into a dreamy ambient conclusion. Pure bliss. Pixel Dream is the sole track that endured past the album's tour, though not for long. A groovy rhythm section supports a continuous guitar solo over dreamy pads in the first part of Pixel Dream, which even includes a ‘chorus’ section accompanied by keyboards, while the second part is highly experimental and unlike anything else I’ve heard. Apparently, Pixel is (was?) one of Ed’s cat’s names. Experimental perfectly describes Tight Spin, which starts ambient but gains momentum with a synth sequence, lands on an acoustic guitar riff, and fades out as it began. One of the most unique and original Ozrics tunes on any album. The Hidden Step matches the quality of the other releases from this lineup and is a fantastic album overall. It’s also a grower, which is excellent for long-term fans. These players had something special among them, as evidenced by the mind-expanding effects of their live performances at the time, immortalized on the Pyramidion EP. To the extent that the members contributed, there’s a clear evolution from Become the Other up to this album. I can’t help but wonder how different subsequent albums might have sounded had the lineup stayed together longer. In any case, in my opinion, The Hidden Step is an essential piece of the Ozrics puzzle. 9/10
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