SUPERLYNX are a three piece band all the way from Oslo, Norway as they have taken on a variety of styles including ‘doom metal, heavy psychedelic, meditative atmospheres and droning rock’ as the band merge these styles together. The trio formed the band in the early stages of 2013 as two of the members, vocalist/bassist PIA ISAKSEN and drummer OLE TEIGEN got together first and then their third member, DANIEL BAKKEN played guitar for a number of years in various bands. DANIEL met up with the other two members of the band for a rehearsal, OLE and PIA liked what they heard so they became a trio, the band got on very well and it wasn’t too long til they produced a demo the following year in 2014 containing three tracks.

So their demo was only the start of SUPERLYNX’s musical journey, as the demo was purely the first step for the band to go and produce what would become their first album in 2016, containing nine tracks, this was titled LVX. As the album was released, thanks to Duplicate Records for the CD format and then the year after the vinyl & cassette version was also released through Snake Oil Kassettforlag. It certainly presented the band as the psychedelic/doom metal they had identified themselves as, the bass tone as well as PIA’S vocals combined with slow but creative drumming as the album progressed was a great start for them. Their second album after this was released in 2019 titled NEW MOON very much continued on from where the first album left us, another ten tracks to broaden out the band’s horizons.

Their second album was very well received from many writers giving them full appraisal and their third album, ELECTRIC TEMPLE released in April 2021, was also just as good if not another chapter in the band’s consistent and unique sound. Later on that year in December, the band came to releasing a six track EP titled SOLSTICE as this wasn’t just six original songs, there was only two of those which were the last two tracks, the first four tracks were all covers of songs original done by NIRVANA, SAINT VITUS, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB and NAT KING COLE/EDEN AHBEZ. After this EP release the band went on a refreshing time out from playing together, it wasn’t until June 2023, when they released two singles which of course was an indication for another album.

As it happens it was to be their fourth album, after ten years of being a band, they titled their new album 4 10 as we come to listening to their ways producing such classic psychedelic and doom/stoner metal as PIA’S vocals remains as strong as ever, supported by a nice flow of drumming and prominent bass tone too. The album begins with “Into The Sun” as slightly distorted lead guitar comes in with fluent drums, before vocals even breathe a word as they speak in a very meditative tone as they have done so before. The brightness of vocals and lead guitar as well does certainly give this album a great starting point, as we head into the second track “Cycle” as both lead guitar and bass guitar take the lead this time, as the vocals glide along on top of the mix.

Lead guitar gets a chance to shine as drums are serving at the command of lead guitar, vocals also have their say before there is more than meets the eye with the drums as they flow so smoothly. There is so much conviction and clarity, it is certainly one hell of a track as there is so much class and intuition. “Heavier Than Me” as we hear a drum rolling pattern bring the next track in with guitar riffs humming and ringing also with harmony as the vocals come back in as they do prolong certain notes, with guitar accompanying so suitably. There is certainly a very peaceful and somewhat consistent tone as well as the structure of each track, Lead guitar takes a short solo part but there are certainly more instrumental intervals than before.

“Sphinx” comes next; the same sounds of guitar and drums are very much present, as vocals follow along with the same objective in mind. Guitar really does well to allow each note to echo and vocals giving such pronunciation to each word being spoken, but they still work so well as they are in control of how they sound. In the second half of the track, we can feel the intensity building slowly and then drums become very soloistic, vocals take a breather until we hear the next track coming in. “The Unknown” as the full band is in motion, except vocals as we hear lead guitar and drums standing out more, even the growling effect of guitar as the drums sail away with such positivity. Vocals come in just over halfway through the track, even the emphasis on vocals with drum lashing those cymbals, does work very well now in the mix.

“Away” strolls in with style and composure, drums playing a straight forward pattern as lead guitar tip toes into the next section as vocals enter the frame as drums play in a psychedelic or perhaps a blues approach. Even the contrast and dynamics of drums and lead guitar are arranged very nicely, as drums and lead guitar have their own section together to make the track more appealing. So moving on to the next track which is “Under Its Spell” as the drums kick us off in this track, lead guitar enjoying some nice melodic riffs and vocals gradually emerging from the shadows. As the lead guitar becomes more rhythmic, this is the highlight of the track as lead guitar is the setting an example with the narrative of this track.

Some pretty cool riffs from lead guitar take over before vocals come back in again to allow the transition into the final track of this album. “Nothing To Everything” as the bass guitar sets the tone, with circling sound effects and lead guitar also joining in as vocals haven’t come in just yet but they do eventually. This is when the lead guitar pulls back and allows drums to play for a short time to give them the spotlight briefly, then lead guitar begins to become more prominent, as the vocals do also provide depth lower range notes as well giving the final track some warmth too. A secondary vocal line is heard after this point, before lead guitar brings the other instrumentation into a short solo section, as we approach the closure of this album.

Overall this has been a great album to listen to, so well arranged and put together in such a unique way, the guitars especially do well to allow the vocals or drums to have some time to show what they can do by themselves. I can safely say that this album will meet your expectations if you have enjoyed listening to a lot of psychedelic, doom or stoner metal, then this band will impress you, especially when they have a female vocalist at the helm, with lots of creative drumming as well as lead guitar that has such an iconic tone of blues/psychedelic rock.