The macabre and droning noise rock of Chicago’s Locrian has fascinated many since its initial album, Setting Yr. Jetta On Fire, was released in 2005. The trio is still pushing the envelope on current release Return To Annihilation. In order to share what tracks and albums the band drew from for inspiration on this album, Terence Hannum made MAGNET a mix tape. Also, be sure to stream Return To Annihilation on the band’s bandcamp page. Says Locrian, “Our love for this era of music knows no bounds, and it becomes harder and harder to pin down an album, never mind a track. So I compiled a list of progressive rock groups and kosmiche groups that I think really influenced us or caught our attention as we were discussing making Return to Annihilation.”
Genesis “It”
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is excellent, a journey and a story. Incredibly surreal. Big influence on all of us. So go listen to the whole thing, but if I had to pick a track, I would pick grandiose closer “It.” Just a great track and a good closer to an epic double-LP. Video
Wolfgang Reichmann “Silberland”
A gem from someone whose creative life was tragically cut short. I love this whole weird album. I also recommend checking out Reichmann’s band Streetmark, another forgotten gem of the kosmiche/kraut scene. Just a beautiful synth piece that could be on some Fulci soundtrack or something. Video
Yes “Heart Of The Sunrise”
Man, this intro is epic. I grew up listening to this, and it took some weird late night watching Buffalo 66 in the theatre to realize how brilliant the song is. Everyone in this band was at their best, and the lineup was perfect. My favorites are the Rick Wakeman synths underneath the slowed-down part just surging those sweet mellotron strings. And that bass tone is how bass should sound: mean. Video
Popol Vuh “Aguirre I”
Sublime. The low mixed synths, the epic choral tones. Just epic, and it was a soundtrack for, Aguirre, a film by Werner Herzog. An excellent pair. Video
King Crimson “In the Wake Of Poseidon”
The title track from their sophomore album. This record was a big template for me, first in how it mirrored similar narratives found on In The Court Of The Crimson King but here have these great textures of acoustic guitars, mellotron and an interesting arrangement. Again, an album worth your time. Video
Cluster “Sowiesoso”
Meditative, these guys totally captivate me. A low simmer. Video
Emerson Lake And Palmer “Battlefield”
Ok, so ELP epitomizes the worst of what people expect from prog, but I recently have refamiliarized myself with debut album Tarkus, and this is just a gem. My favorite thing about this whole album is the discordant chords amidst the melodies. And the drumming is fantastic. I have no shame. Video
Klaus Schulze “Ways Of Changes”
This is a lengthy jam, but what a jam it is. Easily a droner, part scared music and then just demented disco and it moves through passages and has this insidious intent. The master at his best. No joke. Video
Roxy Music “In Every Dream Home A Heartache”
Not exactly prog but a part of that scene, and this record contained my favorite member, Mr. Brian Eno. I love the lyrics, too, really about eros and consumerism. Plus the change from the dirge-like intro to just amps-to-11 weird, raw rock is one of my favorites. Video
Tangerine Dream “Rubycon Pt. 1”
This list of mine would not be complete without Tangerine Dream. Heavenly synthesizer altars. Video
Brian Eno & Robert Fripp “The Heavenly Music Corporation”
Locrian began as a two piece with Andre on guitar and myself on keyboard, and the No Pussyfooting album and these two individuals definitely gave us a lot of guidance. And with that, I think you get the idea. Video
