Circle's continuing adventure/transformation into the heart of mega-jam-whatever-the-heck commune
rock -- benefiting from an ever-higher profile, especially an association with and praise from the likes of
Acid Mothers Temple -- shows no signs of slowing down on
Sunrise. Given that
Raunio was extreme enough, it makes perfect sense that leadoff track
"Nopeuskuningas" hits the ground running with a
Hawkwind-on-speed chug, singer/percussionist
Mika Ratto going off in an insane howl while the concluding guitar solos are pure stoner-of-the-gods frenzy. It's perfect music for driving your open-top convertible off a cliff into the ocean, and with that established,
Sunrise then proceeds to merrily defy expectations with
"Satulinnut," a folky little thing that sounds like it was sung by a gnome. Similar acoustic acid trips like
"Vaanen Valtiatar" half-float into the far beyond, more or less alternate with burn-down-the-firmament explosions like
"Kylan Suurin Miekka" and the slow-build then sudden, beautiful release of
"Paholaisratsastaja," each of which could on its own probably take down buildings at loud enough volume.
Ratto's keyboard work adds some fine extra dementia to things -- on
"Kylan Suurin Miekka," he's somewhere between '70s epic pomp
rock and
Gary Numan's evil-minded machine drone -- but it's the skull-crushing
classic rock stomp of the main band that provides him the springboard for his various insanities. Even when the feeling is more accomplished pastiche than suddenly thrilling new combination, as on
"Hautain Takaa," trying to resist this is downright impossible; either take the trip with them or go home. ~ Ned Raggett
![Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night [Expanded Edition]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/5060384616186_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night [Expanded Edition]")
