Surf Rock Sci-Fi Instrumental Review: Music For Alternate Realities, Vol 2 - Thee Leviathans and The Tentakills

Thee Leviathans

The Tentakills

Product Link

Music For Alternate Realities, Vol 2 is a collaboration between two bands, Thee Leviathans and The Tentakills. Tabu Recordings continues to be one of the leaders in surf, rock, and instrumental recordings while offering limited-edition vinyl of its releases.

“Unholy Mackeral” starts with a bang, right into a surf instro sound with a sci-fi touch, then suddenly shifts to a more western theme, and once again changes, this time with the guitar bringing a bevy of twang, reverb, and a sci-fi western sound. It’s all rolled into under three minutes. A dynamic range of color and atmospheres merge for an incredibly entertaining opener.

“Enter The Spy Magician” has a retro sound with resonating guitar notes and an organ in the background for that extra push into the wayback machine. Twang is prevalent with a nice flow and rhythm. They maintain the sci-fi feel and keep the surf instro intact. I really enjoyed the combination of styles so clearly presented.

“Escape From Bermuda” takes off into a full-on surf instro rocker. The images of large waves and surfers come to mind right away as the tremolo kicks into high gear. This is a traditional fast mover with all the advantages of today’s recording techniques. Things shift to a different tempo and overall sound, with amazing guitar playing, then back to the core sound. There are hints of Middle Eastern influences woven in as well.

Then it segues right into “Daggertooth,” which rocks and shifts to a down-tempo mode, with some tasteful guitar playing. The softer parts build into the more complex passages as the drums and bass pound out the rhythms with precise authority. It shifts yet again, sounding like a third major change. Then, to top it off, the rapid-fire drums create an epic backdrop for the other instruments to follow with equal energy and emphasis.

Music For Alternate Realities, Vol 2 is a musical cornucopia that any instrumental fan will enjoy. The album masterfully blends strong musicianship with the signature elements of surf instrumental music, while boldly exploring new sonic directions. Each track offers its own distinct flavor, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. This collaboration stands out for its creativity and diversity, and I look forward to what these artists will deliver next.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

March 18, 2026

Tracks:

1. Unholy Mackeral 02:52

2. Enter The Spy Magician 03:07

3. Escape From Bermuda 02:12

4. Daggertooth 03:20

New March 2026 Surf Instrumental Releases Update

March 2026 has been a prolific month for reverb-drenched instrumental surf. Whether you’re into the classic "trad" sound or the heavier, "spy-rock" subgenres, there are several fresh releases to check out.

Featured Releases: March 2026

Artist / Release	Sub-Genre	Listening Link
Atomic Drag Rave from the Grave (EP)	Horror / Hot Rod	Bandcamp
The Other Timelines & The 4D Man Music For Alternate Realities Vol. 1	Spy / Sci-Fi Surf	Double Crown Records
The Surf Hermits The Surf Hermits Jam!! Vol. 1	High-Energy / Trad	Bandcamp
Underwater Bosses Dark Side of the Ride	Dark / Heavy Surf	Bandcamp
The Raygun Terror Hermits Attack Of The Raygun Terror Hermits	Sci-Fi / Punk Surf	Sharawaji Records
Danny McMartin Ocean On Fire	Classic Instrumental	Bandcamp
Mark Malibu & the Wasagas Knock Me Out!	Modern Trad	DripFeed / Sharawaji
The Fuzziyama Surfers Wild Echizen (LP/7")	Japanese Eleki	Otitis Media Records
The Jagaloons Forbidden Words (Vinyl Edition)	Traditional Surf	Tabu Records
The Thee Orbits Unknown Hits From Outer Space!!	Space-Age Surf	Double Crown Records
Bikini Wipeouts Sunk Treasures From The Deep	Lo-fi / Trad	Bandcamp
Various Artists Surfentarium International	Global Compilation	Sharawaji Records

---

Quick Guide to the Labels:

If you want to keep digging, these three sites are where 90% of the scene's new music drops:

• Sharawaji Records / DripFeed: The hub for global digital releases and the weekly "Official Surf Charts."

• Double Crown Records: The primary source for the "Continental Magazine" and high-quality physical CDs/Vinyl.

• Otitis Media Records: Best for niche international imports (Japan, Brazil, France) and limited colored vinyl pressings.

---

Upcoming Event Spotlight

The Endless Surf Festival 2026 is taking place in Belgium on March 28, 2026, and will feature several of the artists listed above (including Surfer Joe).

Surf Rock Instrumental Review: Various Artists-Deep Eddy Records New Music Sampler 2026

 Release Date: February 24, 2026

Label: Deep Eddy Records

Website

Ted James’ label, Deep Eddy Records, has put together a 10-track sampler for surf instrumental fans. It also features his bands, The Nematoads and Squid Vicious.

The KBK kicks it off with a real rocker titled “75878986-26 (Initialize Transmission).” This is a powerful blast of rock to get the blood and waves flowing. Man or Astroman? came to mind a few times, with the background dialogue going on and the way the guitars combined surf and rock elements so impressively.

RAHMUS – “October's Theme” continues the high-energy surf rock.  This one has a different tone and atmosphere with some good echoing reverb. It’s an in-your-face rocker that says Listen! And you will. Tight and musically superb!

The Neptones – “Bikini Atoll” changes direction entirely, taking on a more thematic, western-flavored surf-rock flavor. Then it shifts into a more traditional surf sound, with twangy notes. Solid sounds that create an atmosphere of the first wave, with newer technologies woven in for effect. Very cool.

The Nematoads – “Abdel Jafar, Middle Eastern Spy” flips the script in another direction. After all, this is a sampler of different styles and sub-genres of surf instro. The guitar lures you into another world with a Middle Eastern motif of mystery. This is not your typical two-minute drive; it’s five minutes and four seconds full of complexities and guitar fireworks. The layers of instrumentation keep you captivated from start to finish. This is the best of surf and rock combined.

“Squid Vicious - Ink Jet” is a rhythm-filled, twangy, fast mover with some organ fills here and there. The tremolo parts are very good, and the drums and bass thrive in this environment. Impressive with no filler.

The KBK – “Dare Not Speak Its Name”  is a superb surf rocker that moves at tremendous speed, with tempo changes that highlight its diversity and strength. This is the kind of track that has everything I enjoy about surf instro,

RAHMUS – “No Acceptable Compromise” begins with a quick political statement that is quite humorous. And the track title falls right in line with that opening dialogue. This one is heavy with a pounding bottom end. The guitar’s resonating tones are a highlight.

The Neptones – “Majestic (La Mesa Grande)” goes spaghetti western with rapid picking and runs that keep it all moving, while the drums and bass are restrained, letting the guitars take the lead and painting the necessary scenario.

The Nematoads – “Fleas of 1000 Camels” returns to the desert scenery, with atmospheric sounds as the guitar is the paintbrush and the drums and bass the canvas, all the colors take shape quickly. Here, they take surf instrumental and morph it into something different and mysterious, thanks to excellent musicianship.

Squid Vicious – “Overlord” closes things out with another long stretch at five minutes and four seconds once again. It is interesting how that ended up lasting the same amount of time as the other long burner! The sound begins with hints of days gone by, with many more complexities and layers, including the organ, which complements everything else so well. This is an excellent rocker with all the trimmings. There is no window dressing here; it’s a flat-out rocker with great musicians giving their all on one track. Towards the end, you hear some tremolo, then another switch in tempo, and it takes things into an entirely different direction. Very progressive!

Deep Eddy Records' New Music Sampler 2026 delivers a vibrant journey through 10 tracks that capture the full spectrum of surf instrumental music. With relentless energy and impressive variety, this collection highlights the genre’s evolving sound while staying true to its roots. If you’re looking for a sampler that embodies the spirit and excitement of surf instrumentals, this release more than delivers.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

March 16, 2026

Tracks:

01. The KBK - 75878986-26 (Initialize Transmission) 03:49

02. RAHMUS - October's Theme 02:22

03. The Neptones - Bikini Atoll 02:45

04. The Nematoads - Abdel Jafar, Middle Eastern Spy 05:04

05. Squid Vicious - Ink Jet 02:16

06. The KBK - Dare Not Speak Its Name 03:14

07. RAHMUS - No Acceptable Compromise 02:05

08. The Neptones - Majestic (La Mesa Grande) 02:15

09. The Nematoads - Fleas of 1000 Camels 03:45

10. Squid Vicious - Overlord 05:04

Surf Rock Instrumental Compilation Review: Various Artists- Reverb Brasil - Campeonato Mineiro de Surfe - 2025

Release Date: December 5, 2025

Label: Reverb Brasil

Website

Reverb Brasil - Campeonato Mineiro de Surfe - 2025 first and foremost grabs you with the colorful eye candy of the cover art by Flávio Gatti.

There’s a certain magic in the splashy, haunting ‘drip’ of a reverb tank—a sound forever linked to the California coast. Yet Reverb Brasil has transformed that classic echo into something distinctly their own.

This expansive collection spans everything from hard-hitting rockers to surf-tinged, first-wave-inspired tracks, offering a dynamic listening journey from start to finish. Some songs feature vocals, while others remain rooted in traditional instrumental surf. A few tracks even venture outside the surf instrumental sphere—such as the surprising opener, which feels more at home on a rock compilation. Still, the compilation amply demonstrates the genre’s growing influence beyond California’s sandy shores. And if you speak Spanish, you’ll find extra delight in the lyrics—but even without, the music takes center stage.

The Campeonato Mineiro de Surfe - 2025 compilation soars, blending the nostalgia of classic instrumental surf with the thrill of fresh innovation.

Whether you’re a longtime surf fan or a newcomer, this 25th-anniversary collection bursts with energy, showcasing how Brazil’s surf scene is reaching new heights—no ocean required.

🎫 Official Ticket & Venue Links:

• Sympla (Tickets for BH): 20º Primeiro Campeonato Mineiro de Surfe
• A Obra Bar Dançante (Organizers): A Obra on Sympla — Keep an eye here for upcoming BH events and "A Obra Produções" announcements.
• Reverb Brasil (Co-organizers): Reverb Brasil YouTube Channel
• Surf Music Co.: Event Details Page

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and A

March 14, 2026 

Tracks:

01. Estrume'n'tal - Paracetamal 01:41

02. Garagem Dinossauro - Caguei 03:23

03. Gasolines - Jack The Dub 03:00

04. Jaguatirica Fever - Soledad 03:32

05. Reverb All Stars - Malagueña 03:48

06. Barbatanas - Siberia Summer Hits 02:15

07. Cavaleiros Temporários - Ode ao Cavaleiro Fantasma 01:52

08. Comanches - Tubarão Etílico 03:19

09. Los Maganos - Juba Lula a Dore 01:50

10.Os Pampa Haoles - Tiempo Fugaz 01:09

11. Pindorama - Karapanã dos Pinhais 02:17

12.Brian Oblivion e Seus Raios Catódicos - Surfin in Kokovoko 02:24

13. Búfalo D'água - El Chapo 02:25

14. Horror Self - Mea Culpa 03:00

15. Maniáticos do Reverb - Sashimi de Tilápia 02:26

16. Los Ex-Tridentes - Space Scape 02:10

17. The Tosco Dudes - Coelho Caolho 02:31

18. Wood Surfers - Solitude 03:29

19. Surfuzzes - Spectrum #5 02:34

20. Francinni Guitar Show - A Cigana dos Sonhos 03:13

21. Hitchcocks - O Regresso 02:14

22. Carl Satan - Pos tsurume 32 de Maio 05:01

23. Horror Deluxe - Tribo Canibal 03:47

24. Reverendo Frankenstein - O Respiro 02:40

Rock-Surf Instrumental Review: The Other Timelines & The 4D Man-Music For Alternate Realities Vol. 1

Release Date: January 5, 2026

Label: Tabu Recordings

Website

The Other Timelines & The 4D Man are the current project of Jonny Browning (Man or Astro Man?, Jonny and The Shamen). Music For Alternate Realities Vol. 1 is one of Tabu Recordings’ newest series on 7” vinyl. They consider it to be a glimpse of the future of surf instro. And I must agree!

“dronesYVR” starts cranking right away. This is explosive instrumental surf music that transitions back and forth through sequences of different six-string effects. The drums and bass are right in step, traveling at hyper speed to keep up with all the guitars’ speedy deliveries. High-energy unrelenting music!

“dronesBHM” begins differently, with a tempo change more like what traditional surf listeners would be accustomed to. However, the sounds are far removed from anything traditional, to be sure! The twang and reverb of surf are intact, but there are many things going on to take note of here. A complete transition from the previous track, maintaining a high level of energy, but presented differently this time. Just under two minutes.

“Dyslexic Cinema” blasts off into another space and time with a synth chirping and swirling as the guitars answer back. The drums keep time nicely, and the bass is heavy and pronounced. Kind of like metal meets surf, and it all falls somewhere in the middle. This cranks in a different way, once again giving the listener another dimension of music to enjoy. Very good!

“Revenge of the Gamma People” winds up this 4-track amalgamation of rock, surf, metal, and all-out instrumental variety. Once again, we are off and running on a different road. The rock-and-metal edges push things along as the drums and bass continue their masterful answer to the call. This time, there is some shredding on the guitar, with just a little hint of surf here and there, but it is more of a flat-out instrumental rocker with a lot of power and vigor.

The Other Timelines & The 4D Man’s Music For Alternate Realities Vol. 1 isn’t just a record, it’s a ticket to sonic worlds you’ve never imagined. Every track propels you through a thrilling collision of surf, rock, and metal, challenging your expectations and rewarding your curiosity. If you crave music that dares to venture beyond the ordinary, this release will electrify your senses and leave you wanting more. Don’t miss the chance to experience a new frontier in instrumental music.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

March 11, 2026

Tracks:

1. dronesYVR 2:42

2. dronesBHM 1:54

3. Dyslexic Cinema 2:49

4. Revenge of the Gamma People 2:48