Lords of Atlantis: Modern Surf Rock Explorations | Surf Music & Art
Release Date: June 26, 2023
Label: Tabu Recordings
Website
The
self-titled Lords of Atlantis recording is now one of
those recordings that carries an air of lore in the surf instrumental
community. Featuring the lead guitarist Ivan Pongracic (The Madeira, The Space
Cossacks), it ranks as one of the finest releases of the genre in recent years.
There is quite a mixture of talents with Ivan from
other well-known bands, including the following:
Jeremy DeHart-Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Lead
Guitar (The Manakooras, Aqualads, The A-Men).
Jonpaul Balak-Bass guitar (Insect Surfers, Tikiyaki
Orchestra, The Scimitars).
Dane Carter-Drums and Percussion (The Madeira, The
Troubadours).
A wealth of experience and talent converges to
create this surf instro supergroup, setting them apart from other, more popular
acts from other genres that often receive all the credit and attention. What
distinguishes this community is its humility and genuine appreciation for one
another. Rather than following trends, they set them—driven by a true passion
for making music.
Success is measured not by fame but by the
satisfaction of one's art. This humility and lack of awareness may contribute
to the genre’s underappreciation, but it hasn’t hindered its global growth.
Ultimately, the ongoing need to spotlight this music—no matter when it was
created—inspires me to raise the consciousness of music lovers and celebrate
its significance.
“Chariots of the Gods” begins in a mellow way, then
explodes for a time, then reverts to the original melody. After that segment,
you will hear more defined lead guitar runs jump out front before all the
instruments move the tempo to the next level. Towards the finale, the drums
take the spotlight and segue into the next track seamlessly without pause. This
is a good example of surf instro on fire!
“Temple of Poseidon” picks up instantly after the
previous track and has a nice mellow surf sound with the necessary twang and
reverb. The bass sounds rhythmic as the drums keep time with crashing cymbals
for effect.
“Leading Edge” kicks it back into high gear again,
with tremolo taking hold, the bottom end is strong and tightly woven into the
guitar’s movements. This is another instance where the guitar playing shines,
with its tempo shifts and an aggressive yet tasteful push forward. Nearly three
minutes of musical perfection.
“Libertas!” carries a more traditional surf vibe and
pace, slowing things down with an island-in-the-sun atmosphere before the tempo
picks up. The guitar is superb, and the tremolo is the highlight, showcasing
that style of rapid-picking artistry. The bass and drums at the beginning have
a jazz feel before shifting to match the guitar's pace, which I found
interesting.
“Long Live the King!” resonates with the rock
aspects of the genre and a classic first-wave sound and rhythm. The King of
Surf Guitar is Dick Dale, and it is a great tribute to his legacy and sound.
The power and majesty of surfing, the culture, and the music that became
intrinsically connected to it rock here! A great group effort and message
received.
“Eye of the Sahara” takes things in a different
direction. The guitar's resonant tones create the necessary scenario in your
mind. As you traverse the desert, the band takes you there in a heartbeat. Some
of the passages are sheer beauty, and others grab your attention with a sudden,
powerful change. The explosive guitar that enters on occasion makes sure they
have your full attention.
“Seaglass” has an acoustic guitar backing with some
lovely, crisp, ringing licks from the electric guitar. This composition shows
how the band can pull back and deliver some tasty playing that holds at all
positions. That “island surf” feel returns, reminding us how beautiful this
music is, like waves shimmering in the sunlight.
“Maroc 7” is where Ivan draws on his lifetime of
love for The Shadows and incorporates it into his style and approach. The
strumming guitar has a Latin essence, pushing it along as tremolo and reverb
rules the day. Excellent change of pace and overall sound, showcasing more
diversity.
“The Bastion” is one of two tracks over four
minutes. The layers of instrumentation and guitars are a highlight. It felt
like a Mediterranean influence was at work here, with the drums and bass in
line with the guitars' transitory nature. This is one of the more complex
presentations because of how the bottom end responded to all the changes.
“The Fiery Trident” takes off into more rocking
territory straight away, once again changing course entirely, then switching
over to a more mellow guitar strumming and picking. The key to this music is
hearing all the changes, textures, and overall mood they can create. Nearly
halfway through, the tremolo kicks in, and the trajectory of the entire
composition changes, emulating the word 'fiery,' then back again; it goes in a
circle with these changes. Amazing guitar work once again with tremendous support
from the rhythm section.
“Barbary Corsairs” takes on a different tone, with a
meatier beginning, then quickly switches to the more explosive, resonating
guitar notes. This kind of guitar playing reminded me of why I loved The Space
Cossacks so much and still do to this day. There is a brief, quieter transition
on guitar, then directly back to the powerful pinpoint bursts of notes that
make tracks like this so exciting and memorable.
“Atlas” keeps the rock essence flowing with an
energetic opening, then steps back a pace as the guitar focuses on more
accentuated notes, with strong rhythms from the bass and drums, and then the
quick transitions to the power base this band commands at the flip of a switch.
Tremolo and reverb are superb as things take off into yet another direction
with the tempos! Killer surf instro with a lot of oomph!
“Sands of Mauritania” is the closer and their
longest track, clocking in at 5:13. It is an atmospheric composition tastefully
executed. It has all the elements of the mellower side of surf instro that we
all can appreciate. The drums and bass move along with an easy touch, as I have
previously noted, in a more jazz-influenced style, accentuating the guitar tone
and maintaining an even pace. Musical bliss from beginning to end.
The Lords of Atlantis' self-titled recording is more
than a collection of remarkable tracks—it's a testament to the enduring spirit
and innovation of surf instrumental music. Each song is a musical journey,
blending tradition with fearless creativity, and together they form a vibrant
tapestry that both honors the genre’s roots and carves out new territory. This
album doesn’t just invite listeners to experience surf music; it compels them
to feel its pulse, celebrate its evolution, and recognize the artistry that
will keep it alive for generations to come
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder
March
9, 2026
Tracks:
01. Chariots of the Gods 3:21
02. Temple of Poseidon 2:22
03. Leading Edge 2:54
04. Libertas! 3:11
05. Long Live the King! 3:31
06. Eye of the Sahara 3:15
07. Seaglass 3:20
08. Maroc 7 2:35
09. The Bastion 4:07
10. The Fiery Trident 3:58
11. Barbary Corsairs 2:45
12. Atlas 4:12
13. Sands of Mauritania 5:13
