Quantum Fantay - Agapanthusterra (2005 Belgium).
Quantum Fantay - Ugisiunsi (2007 Belgium). Quantum Fantay are from the latest crop of new bands to play in the post “You” era Gong style. Following in the footsteps of Ozric Tentacles, Hidria Spacefolk and Korai Orom, Quantum Fantay are on the heavier side of the continuum. Like Ozric, they embrace the raucous Moog sequencing that is also prominent is some areas of electronica. But Quantum Fantay stop short of techno, and use regular rock structures and instruments, including real drums. While the debut “Agapanthusterra” could be considered another Ozric album, the sophomore effort “Ugisiunsi” utilizes to a greater extent other music vehicles like flute, violin and wordless female voice, thus adding color to the usual guitar / keyboard raveups. The guitarist adds some metalish crunch at times, recalling the 90s Dutch band Kong. And the solos are Ed Wynne-esque in their intensity. Like Hidria Spacefolk, Quantum Fantay also display a penchant for progressive rock themes and complexities - something that Ozric did more frequently in their past with songs like ‘White Rhino Tea’. Quantum Fantay look to be a major force in the space rock circuit.

Kosmos - s/t (2007 Canada). Kosmos are a new space rock band released on a most unlikely label: The End Records, known most for their avant garde-ish metal releases. But Kosmos features metal royalty, in the man of Away, the drummer of Quebec legends Voivod. What’s most fascinating about Kosmos is that they’re treading new territories over a familiar ground. Unlike most of their metal brethren, there is not a hint of the Desert Rock / Stoner movement to be found. Nor will one hear the post-Gong raveups ala Ozric Tentacles. And you won’t find the retro Krautrock of Electric Orange and The Spacious Mind. Other than some obvious nods to the Neu!/Faust wing of the motorik style, as heard on the appropriately named Faustian “Krautrock”, most of Kosmos’ debut is entirely their own sound. The punkish number with French narration absolutely kills when contrasted against the fuzz bass driven/decidely early 80s French variation of new wave space rock. You don’t know Gutura? I doubt Kosmos does either, but they conjured up the ghost somehow on a couple of tracks. Lots here to discover. I can’t think of another band in Quebec playing music anywhere close to this right now. Hopefully they’ll continue the space rock sound, and forego the temptation to add metal. That’s like adding mustard to your pasta - don’t want to do that.