Best of Canberra Music with Vince Leigh

Picture this: a sonic stew brewing in the heart of Australia’s capital, infused with the spirit of ‘70s space rock, boogie, and glam, and seasoned with a hint of proto-punk rebellion.

Fasten your seatbelts and put your trays in an upright position: Pilots Of Baalbek are about to take off; and there WILL be turbulence.

Drawing inspiration from the pantheon of rock deities—including Hawkwind, The Sweet, The Stooges, The Ramones, New York Dolls, AC/DC, Kiss, and Jimi Hendrix— Pilots of Baalbek concoct a heady brew that, upon first listening, seems to defy categorisation.

It’s a melting pot of rock styles in the classic vein, a bold and brazen mash-up that pays homage to the past while hurtling towards the future with a blisteringly reckless abandon.

Now, brace yourselves for their sophomore effort, the eagerly awaited follow-up to their 2020 debut, Uncontrolled Airspace. Kicking off the album with Sea Fury, Pilots of Baalbek waste no time in unleashing a barrage of riffs, accentuated by sixteenth note drum rolls amid a sonic cocktail that’s two parts AC/DC, one part Status Quo/Motorhead retro but infused with a twist—a vocal attack that ignites with unguarded intensity.

Each track reveals a new facet of the band’s sonic arsenal as the album unfolds. Glide Slope sees more riff heavy goodness, with vocals buried deep in the mix, adding to the overall power and fury of the sound.

Cargo Cult takes us through more ‘70s guitar riffage, juxtaposed with a melodic streak that adds depth and dimension to the relentless groove.

As we delve deeper, Freddy offers a controlled slice of rock ‘n’ roll, with a rhythm section introduction paving the way for gliding guitar riffs that soar to expected but nonetheless spirited heights.

Meanwhile, Family Knowles bursts forth with quick-paced momentum reminiscent of Motorhead’s flag-waver, Ace.

Of Spades, barraging us with an onslaught that can best be described as relentless.

Moon Pigeon reveals the band’s more melodic side, opening with a torrent of muscular swings and stabs before segueing into a classic rock groove adorned with fiery guitar work.

DB Cooper takes us into darker territory, with a menacing intro that morphs into another pub rock fashioned track.

And Reverend Gill brings the album to a close with an unfaltering rock groove showcasing the band’s myriad influences in all their glory.

Pilots of Baalbek harness an array of rock sub-genres, amalgamating the band’s exhibited sensibilities—riffs, syncopated incantations, and blistering rock vocals. They embody the aura of musicians delving into interconnected musical styles, crafting an enticing and authentic version.

Have yourself a listen on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp