Dungen
Häxan

Sometimes the year-end download spree leads to missing out on interesting albums, as is the case with "Häxan", the latest effort from the Swedish psychedelic rockers Dungen, led by the talented multi-instrumentalist Gustav Ejstes.

In truth, "Häxan" (The Witch) represents a unique episode within the group's discography for at least two reasons: first, it's a completely instrumental album; second, it's a soundtrack to accompany one of the first animated feature films in cinema, "The Adventures Of Prince Achmed" written and directed in 1926 by Lotte Reiniger.

Let me start by saying that their 2004 album, "Ta Det Lugnt", which introduced them to me as well as to a good portion of listeners around the world, remains among the best heavy psych albums of the '00s, thanks to the incredible musical versatility of the group, capable of rapidly changing mood and atmospheres multiple times within the same track; managing, thanks to this superior instrumental prowess, to compensate for the somewhat insufferable singing in their native language.

Unfortunately, the albums that followed added nothing and detracted much from the perfect formula of that album, and I began to lose track of them, categorizing them as washed up. Almost by chance, I approached "Häxan", with very little hope. Yet, as often happens these days, I found myself with a remarkable album in my hands.

Firstly, its instrumental nature, no offense to the Swedish people, greatly benefits the listening experience; furthermore, the approach is quite different, here it's the atmospheric capacity of the tracks that dominates over variety and musical acrobatics. The album ranges from mystical atmospheres to psychedelic jazz tracks, more electric and very '70s songs like the title track, typical atmospheres of early '70s Pink Floyd, up to the electro-noise explosion in the finale "Andarnas Krig".

I do not hide the sincere curiosity for this endeavor, which, although a whimsical diversion, has done more than good for a band destined to end up in a dangerous artistic cul-de-sac. Highly recommended listening for anyone dining on bowls of secrets and for lovers of English cows.