Seven years was a damn long hiatus. But Sonic Beat Explosion made the most of it, and the quartet from Altenburg near Leipzig seems to have little interest in toning things down or becoming more sensible. “Chasing Ghosts” is the band’s fifth studio album and is deeply rooted in garage rock. Their roots stretch all the way to Detroit: MC5, The Stooges, The Dirtbombs. Add to that a healthy dose of Scandinavian high-energy rock, complemented by the snotty West Coast punk spirit. Sonic Beat Explosion, however, don’t use these influences as an excuse to take a trip back in time; instead, they build their own version from them and reinterpret their great role models.

Twelve songs. Not an overproduced rock album, not an attempt to turn every track into a little monument. It’s all about energy, great riffs, and melodies. The album was recorded at Charlie Paschen’s (Coogans Bluff) studio in Leipzig, with mixing and mastering once again handled by Jürgen Hendlmeier, who has worked with The Flaming Sideburns, Baby Woodrose, and Sweatmaster, among others. All the elements seem to fit together perfectly, creating a thoroughly cohesive whole.

Thematically, the album moves between the past and the present, hope and doubt, new beginnings and self-reflection. The title “Chasing Ghosts” symbolizes the struggle with memories, unfulfilled dreams, and the courage to face one’s own demons without losing sight of the future. And perhaps that is exactly the right attitude for a band that’s reemerging after a long hiatus and simply picking up where they left off, as if nothing had happened.

Sonic Beat Explosion don’t play rock as a retro exercise, but rather in a contemporary way, right here and now: raw, passionate, and without major compromises! Loud and full of fun, to help you forget about everyday life—at least for a while. They seem stronger than ever, and they’re far from reaching the end of their journey.

* Martin – Gesang, Gitarre
* Zeze – Gitarre, Backing Vocals
* Stötzi – Bass
* Marius – Drums, Backing Vocals