Retrieval is the third studio album by the San Diego-based psychedelic/progressive rock band Sacri Monti (Holy Mountains in Italian), consisting of Brenden Dellar on guitar and vocals, Dylan Donovan on guitar, Anthony Meier on bass, Thomas DiBennedetto on drums, and Evan Wenskay on keyboards. They have been together since 2012. Their eponymous album was released in 2015! Four years later they released Waiting Room For The Magic Hour. Their latest musical effort Retrieval was originally released in 2024, through Tee Pee Records on vinyl. One year later saw a CD release as well thanks to the Italian label Black Widow Records which includes three live bonus tracks. Sacri Monti's album Retrieval is an intriguing work within the genre of heavy psychedelic rock, laced with influences from 70s prog rock. With their roots deep in the San Diego psychedelic rock scene, Sacri Monti has refined their sound over the years into a unique composition where technical virtuosity combines with vintage timbre. Retrieval contains six studio tracks and offers a compact listening experience of approximately 37 minutes, with each song introducing its own atmosphere while clearly remaining part of the same psychedelic world. The opener Maelstrom immediately sets the tone with rich organ parts, energetic guitar lines, and a rhythmic drive reminiscent of bands like Deep Purple and Hawkwind. This mix of heavy riffs and atmospheric keyboards is characteristic of the album and forms a bridge between retro and modern sound. A real whirling prog-rock opener with chugging riffs. Another standout track is the follow up Desirable Sequel. A high-energy track showcasing the band's jamming style. On this track they manages to combine the familiarity of classic rock with the freshness of contemporary psych, where emotionally charged vocals and harmonious guitars lead the listener toward a powerful chorus. The progressive organ section and dynamic bridge, in particular, make this song one of the album's most memorable moments. Intermediate Death features sombre, old-school keyboard tones and excellent musicianship and moves them once again into the direction of Deep Purple thanks to the organ parts. Brackish/Honeycomb is more psychedelic with heavy guitar parts. The song highlights technical bass work and playful jazz-inspired time shifts. The twin guitar parts are really outstanding here. The same can be said about the organ parts as well which moves them into the direction of Deep Purple and Atomic Rooster. It is followed by a short mellow, melodic acoustic instrumental titled Moon Canyon. The acoustic- and lap steel guitar take the lead on this piece of music. The closing track, More Than I with a total time of nine minutes is the longest track and without any doubt the musical highlight on the album. This epic closer blends trippy psych with bluesy, Led Zeppelin-style riffs. It also offers the most ambitious and layered sonic excursion on the album with complex rhythms, varying tempos, and a build-up that evolves from subdued to exuberant to showcase Sacri Monti's playful and experimental side. The piece has a really nice build-up, especially when the Mellotron comes into play. The three extra live bonus tracks Desirable Sequel, Intermediate Death, and Sacri Mo are certainly worth listening to and an excellent addition to the other original album tracks. Maybe the band sounds a bit rawer compared to the cleaner studio tracks. Also, here the twin guitar parts and playing on the organ are the most important elements in the music that you hear. All in all, is Retrieval a great listening experience bringing with a nice mix of heavy psychedelic rock, hard rock and 70s prog rock. The album is a must for anyone who appreciates both classic craftsmanship and contemporary psychedelic expansion. Most of all fans of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Atomic Rooster and Hawkwind are advised to have a listen to what Sacri Monti has put together on Retrieval. ***+ Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
