Review: Dead Sea Apes ‘Psychic Tension’
In September 2025, I made a trip to The Globe in Glossop to watch Brazilian heavy psych group Firefriend, but it was also my first exposure to the nerve-shredding prowess of Manchester’s very own Dead Sea Apes. The trio of guitarist Brett Savage, drummer Chris Hardman, and bassist Jack Toker are a real joy to watch live, and after a quick chat with Brett, I ended up buying Rewilding on vinyl.
For lovers of imposing riffs and monstrous rhythms, there are five new songs to get excited about on their follow-up album, Psychic Tension. In their own words, they describe this as ‘creating catharsis from the chaos’. Right from the off, Damn Your Eyes captures the imagination with a hypnotic cadence, allowing for mesmeric, sporadic guitar noises from Savage – like bombs dropping in the quiet of night. And if that doesn’t grab your attention, they tie you up in knots with the twists and turns in the narrative of their echoed and atmospheric musings.
Bringing two decades of musical experience and knowledge, they have always done things their own way, but what I like about them is how they manage to capture that live energy on record. The album’s title track, Psychic Tension, comes next as Toker’s bass instantly pummels your brain into submission before expansive guitar notes wash around your ears. You can sense the angst in the composition as the band ‘have wrestled’ dilemmas around ‘war, death, climate catastrophe and political decay’, writing songs full of captivating rhythms and ethereal soundscapes.
it’s a trip into the unknown, guiding you toward the utopian soundscape…
Severance leads with a combustible riff before the droning nature of the music comes through. Taking elements of ‘noise-rock, Japanese psych and minimal dub’ means they can explore genres, throw them into a melting pot, and draw out what suits them. Hardman‘s drums are high in the mix and a force to be reckoned with, allowing Savage to visit far-flung territories with a guitar performance that will expand the mind of anyone listening.
Having seen Dead Sea Apes for a second time earlier this year supporting Dope Purple, I’ve been fortunate to hear a few of these songs live, and I’d describe Ursa Minor as a heavier, sprawling track. Listening back to it now, it puts you into a trance-like state as everything is purposely slowed down with plenty of pedalboard action from Savage. I can only imagine this is what goes on in your head when taking hallucinogenic drugs, as the bassline takes no prisoners, pulling you closer into a world where there’s simply no escape.
Layers of sound detonate across the entire record – one of their key appeals for me – before closing with Deathless. Starting with a softer guitar tone, they delve deeper into the abyss with a series of calmer chords, adding to its eerie nature. They come back to life about a quarter of the way in, but it’s the mind-bending expanse that will grip the listener. For eight-and-a-half minutes, it’s a trip into the unknown, guiding you toward the utopian soundscape we all want to tread.
Editorial Note: PR for Psychic Tension was handled via Shamedia, but this review remains completely independent and reflects Matthew’s genuine, unbiased thoughts on the album.
Label: Cardinal Fuzz | Feeding Tube Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
