Saturday, January 10, 2026

Surf Instrumental Rock Review: Las Arañas del Neptuno-Ride The Madam Psychosis Radio Waves

Release Date: December 4, 2025

Label: Independent

Las Arañas del Neptuno (The Sands of Neptune) is an Instrumental Surf-Rock band from North Tenerife, Canary Islands.

On Ride The Madam Psychosis Radio Waves, they offer surf intro gems that are not your typical 2-plus-minute runs. They take it one step further with some fine improvisations. Using themes from Sci-Fi and Horror, they color their music with deep guitar runs and complex transitions.

The striking cover art by Gustavo Ponce captures your imagination without a single note being played, which encourages you to listen.

Las Arañas del Neptuno Are:

Lead Guitar: Rodrigo Ramos

Rhythm Guitar/Keyboards: Bruno Gálvez

Bass Guitar: Thomas Mayer

Drums: Ayoze Herrera

“Spider Stomp” kicks things off with an air of mystery before launching into a full-blown guitar glissando, as the thundering bass and steady drums give the lead guitar room to breathe and stretch out into some transitions. Three-quarters of the way in, they switch it up and give their own brand of Spanish-flavored instrumental treatment. In just under five minutes, it’s like hearing two different songs within one. An impressive beginning to what I anticipate being quite a ride!

“Atardecer en El Neptuno” (Sunset on Neptune) is an atmospheric track to reflect an outer space theme. It begins with a tasteful tempo, then eventually transforms into something more with a faster pace, then back again. The emphasis is on the resonant reverb guitar notes that give it the necessary feeling from start to finish. Shimmering guitar notes give you that feeling of being on the beach watching the sunset, since you cannot be on Neptune.

“Bride of Dracula” features a tribal drum as the guitar hits the notes with emphasis as keys play in the background, subtle yet effective, creating a sense of horror and trepidation. The shortest track, at 3:05, showcased the music’s sheer beauty while focusing on the terrifying essence of the subject matter.

“Enchantress of the Nile” sounds like it belongs in Egypt with the appropriate Middle Eastern influences, as your mind takes you there within seconds, imagining what that person would look like as the sun burns and the sand swirls in the air. A key component is the hypnotic keys, which flow through the track as the drums, bass, and guitar follow, enhancing the overall flavor. Toward the end of the song, the beat and tempo shift while the instrumentation preserves the original atmosphere. One of the more complex and intriguing tracks so far.

“Surfer From Outer Space” reaches back to a more traditional surf instro sound, moving away from the complexities of the previous track. The reverb and tremolo are superbly played with some of that rapid-fire glissando that is the earmark of surf instro on display. Your appreciation for this grows with every track, thanks to their diverse ability to take deep dives into any style within the surf instro umbrella. I appreciated it as they moved towards the end, how the music exploded, and how they showed how easy it was for them to get heavy when they decided to.

“Loose Cat Blues” takes off into entirely different territory, with country-blues guitar licks backed by a terrific rhythm section. Here again, they keep their surf instro foundation intact and shape and mold it into something from another genre, thereby creating another sub-genre that showcases the command of their instruments. Adding the harmonica of Thomas Mayer and Bruno Gálvez on lead guitar enables the group to successfully step outside familiar territory. A fresh change and yet another instance of diversity.

“What the Sea Told Me” Is the second-longest track at 5:24. Once again, they get back to the roots of inspiration, the sea, from whence all this music originated with the surf community. There are some finite transitions that encapsulate their brilliant instrumentation and shifting tempos. The guitar leads are majestic as the perfect wave. From the picking to the punctuated sharp leads, this guitar-driven music always allows the other instruments to take their place, and it is showcased here as the bass and drums easily grab the spotlight while the production elements create the necessary separation for your ears. Beauty and power merge here for one of my favorites.

“La Venganza del Neptuno” (Neptune’s Revenge) is just short of six minutes. They could not have picked a better way to wrap up this fantastic album. All their strengths come together here; the glissando guitar, the thumping and thundering bass and drums, and the transitory nature of their compositions are also in full bloom. This is surf instrumental rock at its finest. Everything about this final track says that the musicians in this band have it together. The music is crisp, clear, colorful, exciting, and precise.

One can never say this brand of surf instro is simplistic in any way; it is quite the opposite. Ride The Madam Psychosis Radio Waves is one of the best surf instro albums of 2025!

Viva! Las Arañas del Neptuno.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

January 10, 2026

Tracks:

1. Spider Stomp 4:47

2. Atardecer en El Neptuno 4:21

3. Bride of Dracula 3:05

4. Enchantress of the Nile 4:46

5. Surfer From Outer Space 3:35

6. Loose Cat Blues 4:52 (features Thomas Mayer on Harmonica and Bruno Gálvez on lead guitar)

7. What the Sea Told Me 5:24

8. La Venganza del Neptuno 5:57

Friday, January 2, 2026

Surf Instrumental Review: The Intoxicos-Sick Drop

        Release Date: October 23, 2023

Label: Reverb Brazil

Website

I know The Intoxicos are from Vila Velha, Brazil. That is the extent of my knowledge about this band. With very little information about who they are on their website, they remain an enigma.

Turning to their music, let’s explore their most recent release, Sick Drop from 2023. Eight out of the twelve tracks are under three minutes, giving the album a brisk, dynamic feel.

“Avalanche” begins with the sound of waves, then dives into time-tested rhythms—drums and bass set the pace as guitar launches into some stinging runs. This high-energy surf instro sets the tone for what’s to come.

Building on the energy, “Longboard Heroes” delivers a twangy, retro sound. The bass takes charge with a pulsating drive, and smooth transitions highlight the infectious beat.

Next, “Quebra queixo” (“Jawbreaker”) stands out. It starts with a bell, then jumps into a super-fast tempo marked by punctuated guitar lines. The bass, again outstanding, weaves skillfully with drums in perfect sync—leading the listener in a new direction after the previous tracks.

With “Riviera,” the album takes a gentler turn—opening with flute and birdsong reminiscent of new-age music, before shifting into an engaging piece with Latino flavor and cha-cha rhythm. Interesting changes emerge as tracks progress, keeping the listening experience fresh.

The journey continues with “Too Lazy to Surf,” a mellow, 4:20 piece. True to its title, the track features mellow guitar, steady bass, and distinctive drum transitions, creating a pleasing sound.

“Last Bullet” takes things into another sub-genre, starting with a clip from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly with the line “if you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk,” then into the music you go. The scenery is set as the guitar, bass, and drums go into surf-instrumental spaghetti western territory. Done very well!

“Zeitgeist” moves things into a more classic rock-oriented mode, with rapid-fire guitar lines and some organ added for flavor. The twang and reverb make their entrance to keep things within the intended surf instro genre. Catchy hooks and memorable sections will keep your feet moving.

“Demon Core” highlights reverberating bass and guitar, with steady drums. Despite the title, it’s bright and crisp. It ends in empty air and static, adding mystery.

“Dag Party” delivers the energy of early surf instro, with excellent production. It’s concise and grabs your attention throughout.

“Fuga de Vila Velha” (“Escape from Vila Velha”) is a true rocker. The tempo is breakneck, the guitar drives hard, and the bottom end stays strong. Each transition matches the urgency of escape.

“Praia da Bosta,” meaning Old Bosta Beach, channels a 1960s beach scene, with period-appropriate sounds and modern touches for added excitement. The mix on this track stands out.

Closing out, “Paz Verde” (“Green Peace”) draws attention to its message—look at the cover art for hints. The music prompts reflection on the track’s purpose. Near the end, wordless Spanish vocals enrich the message, enhancing an already superb track and allowing the band’s voice to come through distinctly.

In summary, Sick Drop offers 12 excellent surf rock tracks, marked by varied tempos and engaging transitions that sustain interest from start to finish. With outstanding production and musicianship throughout, it’s a memorable release worth returning to.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

December 31, 2025

Tracks:

01. Avalanche 2:38

02. Longboard Heroes 2:57

03. Quebra queixo 2:42

04. Riviera 3:09

05. Too Lazy to Surf 4:20

06. Last Bullet 2:47

07. Zeitgeist 3:14

08. Demon Core 2:34

09. Dag Party 2:07

10. Fuga de Vila Velha 2:14

11. Praia da Bosta 2:15

12. Paz Verde 3:12

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Instrumental Review ( mariachi, spaghetti westerns, surf rock, cantinas): Gringo Motel-Above Snakes

 Release Date: September 20, 2017

Label: Independent

Website

According to Gringo Motel, their influences include mariachi, spaghetti westerns, surf rock, cantinas, and the circus.

Because their music is so variable, I describe it as instrumental for simplicity. The band itself suggests the label “the circus,” which is broad and fitting given their diverse influences. Ultimately, listen and decide for yourself if it fits a genre that resonates with you.

Don’t try to categorize this band—listen with an open mind instead.

If you like music with horns and spice, Above Snakes will suit you. The band’s name may hint at Spanish origins, but they’re from Philadelphia. Cover art may also imply a connection to a culture outside the US. Even so, this kind of artwork matches the style of music and is commonly used in the surf instro community and sub-genres.

That’s music’s beauty: you can be from anywhere and create something with a unique flavor or influence. The key is to be convincing and own it. Gringo Motel captures the music’s color and energy on every track.

My favorite track is “Evil Muppet” for both its title and its music. Constantine and Hopper are examples of villains among the characters on The Muppets. The music is offbeat and entertaining, which caught my attention.

It’s challenging to add horns and keep good rhythm and flow. A strong bottom end unifies everything else.

Though they cite surf rock among their influences, I only caught brief hints of it in the title track, “Above Snakes.” Overall, the music leans more toward mariachi. This talented group makes for an entertaining listen, and they’re worth your time.

So “Get Your Mouth Off The Pool” (see track 10) and take some time to listen to Gringo Motel’s Above Snakes.

Credits:

Tom Scheponik: Guitars/Pedal steel/Vibraphone/hammond organ/upright bass/marching drum/percussion/Hand Claps

Mark Gallagher: Tenor Sax/ Baritone Sax

Gary Zampini: Electric bass

Rich Breazzano: Drums

Christopher Tolomeo: Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Acme Siren

Katherine Scheponik: Hand Claps

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

December 30, 2025

 Tracks:

01. Shake And A Stir 03:51

02. Señor Doublecross 02:17

03. Copy That 03:29

04. Lies Somewhere Else 02:25

05. Standard Getups 02:08

06. Vacant Stare 02:02

07. Lot Lizard 02:16

08. Barnyard Steam Room 02:51

09. Evil Muppet 02:12

10. Get Your Mouth Off The Pool 03:38

11. Above Snakes 03:18

12. Trailer 04:10

13. It's Curtains For You 02:13