From the industrial landscapes of Bradford, Yorkshire emerges a sonic force that defies geographical expectations. Psychlona, despite hailing from one of England’s rainiest regions, has masterfully crafted their distinctive brand of desert rock, proving that the genre’s spirit transcends physical boundaries.
The band’s journey, which began in 2016, emerged from an innovative experiment blending California’s sun-drenched sounds with raw UK punk energy, NWOBHM intensity, and classic British psychedelia.
This unique fusion has evolved through four remarkable albums, each showcasing the band’s growing mastery of their craft. The band’s rise in the international stoner rock scene has been nothing short of remarkable. Their previous releases, including Mojo Rising (2018), Venus Skytrip (2020), and Palo Verde (2022), have consistently earned critical acclaim, with Venus Skytrip notably reaching number one on the Doom Charts. This consistent excellence has established Psychlona as one of the need-to-know acts in the entire scene.
What sets Psychlona apart is their ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical elements. Heavy psychedelic foundations with stoner/desert rock flavoring. Influences ranging from Hawkwind and Pink Floyd to modern desert rock pioneers. A distinctive mix of British punk energy and classic psychedelia.
The current lineup, featuring Phil Hey on vocals/guitar, Martin Wiseman on guitar, Izak Gloom on bass, and Scott Frankling on drums. The band demonstrates remarkable cohesion despite recent personnel changes. The integration of new members has added fresh dynamics to both writing and recording processes, contributing to the band’s evolving sound.
Warped Vision represents a significant milestone in Psychlona’s journey. The album showcases their most complete and thrilling work to date, with the band taking calculated risks while maintaining their signature sound. Their approach has become notably more psychedelic, featuring Floydian elements while retaining their capacity for powerful, riff-driven rock. The album features 8 tracks with Track 2 “Let’s Go” coming in as the feel-good stoner party anthem to make you feel the good vibes. Fans of Southern California stoners Fu Manchu will definitely enjoy the groove of this track. Track 8 “Magic Carpet” which is the album closer shows off a more chill, laid-back jazz vibe before launching into a distortion heavy chorus and is a worthy close of the album.
Track 4 “Cut Loose” is one of the heavier tracks on the album with the band moving into Sludge Rock sounds with intense vocals forging a path ahead to victory. The fuzz and distortion guitar lines have a level aggression and bombast to them especially when the mood moves in a heavier direction.
Their music demonstrates a remarkable versatility, shifting effortlessly between gentle, thoughtful passages and hard-hitting rock segments without losing coherence. This dynamic range, combined with their distinctive sound, has earned them spots at prestigious events like Desertfest and established their presence across European tours.
In an era where authenticity often takes a backseat to commerciality, Psychlona stands as a testament to genuine musical craftsmanship. Their ability to create deeply passionate music while maintaining their artistic integrity has positioned them at the forefront of the contemporary heavy psych sound. The band’s evolution represents not just growth in musicianship, but a deepening understanding of their artistic vision, making them one of the most compelling acts in modern stoner rock.