I have to say that this is not the first time that I was caught by such a weird name for a band all the way from the Transubstans Records label. I truly didn't understand the connection between the one of my favorite actors, Jeremy Irons, and these Swedish guys. Well, at least the composed some good music under that name. JEREMY IRONS & THE RATGANG MALIBUS have been taking the hazy and stony ride since 2004 with a type of material that will send you back to 1974 (even prior to that). After some twists and turns within the band, which included a few break ups, finally there is a debut album, "Bloom", out of these guys.

When you will reach "Bloom" you will have to switch your mind to a different mode. This is no ordinary 70s oriented Rock / Hard Rock album. If you remember PINK FLOYD in their earlier era of the late 60s / early 70s, you will find it here. Also if you mix the psychedelic feel that FLOYD provided along with some LED ZEPPELIN, a bit of RUSH,  bits of the easiness of ROLLING STONES, and early 70s BLACK SABBATH, you will have a fine blend of pot smoking induced boom or in this band's case, bloom. Even their weird artwork suggested that the general notion has its way with psychedelic elements. Whoever value 70s Progressive Rock with, I will entitle it, spiritual means, will surely be fond of this album.

The music was rather complex but not to the degree where the flow of it was broken. For that I must credit the Swedes for doing a fine composition work so that the smooth flow of the music will be maintained. Of course that there are the weird moments like the screeching feedback of the guitars and other alike but those only charged the suspension and didn't damage the goods.

JEREMY IRONS & THE RATGANG MALIBUS performed well, along with the suitable power production, on some amazing tracks. The great opener, "Elefanta", blew me away right from the start. Besides supplying this wonderful atmosphere which was created by the guitars, this one showed the huge talent of the band's vocalist / guitarist Karl Apelmo and his vibrant voice. Later one you will see that his prowess was the first guiding torch of this release. My favorite track, "Skin Deep", showed that these guys were able to recapture the same feels as FLOYD and RUSH used to show in the 70s with the addition of the some tough Rock N' Roll riffages and awkward passages. "Golden Hours" was the stoniest smoker of them all. Its slow tempo and overall feel of a great LED ZEPPELIN tune, along with some mid 70s FLOYD, crafted a great spiritual Rock inspired relaxer. The last tune that kicked really hard, with its so called heaviness and brutish features was "IAOA". However, even as a true Rock N' Roll tune, it had its diversities. There were those amazing low gained guitars that amplified this astonishing velvet like curtain of soft, divine rhythms. Both created a wonderful combination of a mid level of force along with softness.

This Swedish band re-emerged the same familiarities of the classic act of Psychedelic music of the 70s. Transubstans Records may have a pack load of bands in the vein of vintage Rock, yet these guys should be on top. Bloom with the "Bloom" and you will find your piece even with a bit of noise.