Review: Weite ‘Assemblage’

To ascertain if this album is just another jam band, I will have to do a few rituals before listening. Hypnosis is something anyone can achieve, and music hypnotizes us all on a regular basis. I personally perform self-hypnosis with some guided steps, but upon further intake of Weite’s debut release, Assemblage could easily set the tone to utter and essential relaxation.

Upon the first track, Neuland, I am loosening every ligament in my body. I am becoming one with an essence and letting go of any muscle activity. Naturally, my eyes are rolled up to the top of my head, staring into the brow and borders of my invisible third eye. My breaths are deepening, and much of my thought patterns have ceased. It’s now, and only now that I can achieve a hypnotic state as the second track, Entzündet slips into my consciousness. This is ironic for the word means, ignite. I am ignited into my for not of mass or matter.

Basically, all of these songs were as if Antonio Vivaldi joined a psychedelic, space prog rock outfit and invited Mozart and Beethoven over for an encore one evening. Yes, it has the makes of a jam band as the bio mentions this was proposed as a one-off collaboration. Also, there are no vocals which is worthy of mentioning in a debate over it being a legitimate jam band. Remember, Beethoven was deaf, therefore Assemblage is more of an album with emotions and one that you can sense. Whether they wanted to explore some of the best Hawkwind moments recorded, or they liked where Syd Barret was taking things when he left Pink Floyd is also debatable.

all of these songs were as if Antonio Vivaldi joined a psychedelic, space prog rock outfit and invited Mozart and Beethoven over for an encore one evening…

Nicholas DiSalvo and his Elder brother, Michael Risberg tackle this instrumental task with Ingwer Boysen (High Fighter) and Ben Lubin (Lawns). Elder, who are also predominantly progressive psychedelic rock, have left us all reassured that not all hard rock and metal has been allowed to go to extinction. Elder’s latest side dish Weite is promising on many external factors, but as for this album unfolding into a jam band, the odds are stacking up as one ripples back into a normal state of consciousness.

Sub-consciously, it could very well be a jam band album, but the concept and fact they recorded this session in a live take, means the band in, its center core, is a recording band. Weite means ‘expansive’ and it is certain to some degree that this album will open up your consciousness while not entirely pinpointing its motive or where it is coming from, even though it was recorded at Big Snuff Studio.

By the fourth song, Murmuration, you can guarantee that you listened to an EP and not an entire full-length. Its atmospheric presence is haunting but not gloomy like on the track Rope. Assemblage is not meant to contain your thoughts and beliefs. If you are willing to lay your self-importance down for a day, and step outside for some fine-tuning with your spirituality, you might take away a porous ego. Aside from this, when listening to Weite’s official jam release, you have officially performed self-hypnosis on yourself.

Label: Stickman Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Scribed by: Spring ‘The Strutter’ Chase