New Keepers Of The Water Towers
Infernal Machine

Released in April 2016 through the French record-label Listenable, “Infernal Machine” is the 4th full-length album-release of the Stockholm five-piece-now group NEW KEEPERS OF THE WATER TOWER. With the addition of two new members – especially notable is the presence of Adam Forsgren on synthesizers and mellotron – the band finds themselves at home working with epic compositional forms and complex arrangements, elaborating and adopting dramatic scenarios (actually the album is based on Joe Haldeman’s military science fiction novel “The Infernal War” of 1974), and absorbing new aesthetic influences – primary from classic Sympho-Prog, Space-Rock, kosmische Kraut, and sci-fi Psychedelia – leaving behind their Stoner, Doom, and Post-Sludge past. Clearly intended to be taken in its entirety, “Infernal Machine” has standout moments, but each of them works for an overarching impression of the whole. It’s easily the band’s most mature, thorough, cohesive, instrumentally expansive and textured work yet. The amount of “Space” that the band covers over the 7-track/ 45-minute span of the album is huge, and the control over linear flow between and throughout the tracks is just perfect. Nothing here sounds particularly forced or artificial – the band masterfully guide their audience through the dystopian saga towards its dismal and gorgeous finale, sympho-instrumental title epic “This Infernal Machine”. The album acts like a classic sci-fi concept record, yet NEW KEEPERS OF THE WATER TOWER once again proved themselves able to conquer twilight zones bending them to their creative vision and will. Amazingly adventurous, intricate and intriguing work! Highly recommended.