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Equally inspired by the progressive and psychedelic musical heritage, GDEVA formed in Saint-Petersburg in 2005 when guitarist Andrei Petrov joined forces with bassist Valery Berestov and drummer Alexander Kravtsov. Known among local instrumental music lovers for a great deal of kraut-improvisation in their live shows, the concept behind the band was never make the same composition twice and try to do something different every time they got together. Their first recording jams displayed an obvious tendency to create rather moody material which stood on the sharpest edge of obscurity or epic dazzle. Keyboardist Andrei Alekseev was added to the line-up in late 2008. The band began compiling new material for future releases. Their first studio experience as a quartet was the track contributed to the compilation "21st Century Space Adventure. Logbook 1" in autumn 2009. It saw GDEVA toning up heavier edges to their sound and demonstrating a greater willingness to experiment with melody and grooves.
For more information and booking please visit GDEVA's Official homepage or MyspaceMusic page. Andrei Petrov is also a member of an obscure post-industrial band CYCLOFILLYDEA, and runs his own noise-industrial project GOOD INFECTION.
Gdeva / Bubbles, Bubbles... (2007) / CD $11.00
For a band that's only been together a short time, psyche rockers GDEVA are certainly versed! On its debut release, the band tries to explore prog-rock territories while routing the map of late-60s and early-70s psychodelia by using decrepit vintage musical equipment. Within these five jams – all recorded live-in-the-studio with no overdubs in two days – you'll find the charms. Steady bass and drums set the flow, while the guitarist (or two guitarists) rocks the improvisational waves in more gentle and intellectual manner. The players don’t try to show what they know and the dynamics are controlled carefully – they really know how to listen. Their influence may be apparent, but there’s a pleasing loose, space, and organic flow to the compositions. This young band could easily turn into one of the greatest space-kraut-prog-psyche outfits you’ve probably never heard of! (5 tracks - 60 min.)
PRESS CLIPS
"This set of improvisational jams that make up their debut release takes the listener on a wild, mind bending trip through time and space. Each track flows with a natural grace, never rushing to reach its final destination, but instead concentrating on slowing building the tension while unraveling each sonic layer one at a time with careful precision. While the overall sound is quite minimalist, with just a typical guitar, bass and drums format, the music is anything but typical. The effects laden guitar work of Andrei Petrov coupled with Valery Berestov's smooth and intricate bass lines and drummer Alexander Kravtsov's multi tempo rhythms, creates an effective aura of both distance and coldness. This is achieved not only in the performances themselves, but also in the recording and production technique as well, which relies heavily on reverb to create the overall atmosphere of distance... Overall Bubbles, Bubbles is a very solid opening statement from these talented musicians. As mentioned earlier, for only three guys they do fill up a lot of space; however it will be interesting to see if they choose to add any new instrumentation on future releases which could further develop their sonic palate. (Score: 3,5/5)" – by Ryan Sparks of Sea Of Tranquility (USA) (October 2007).
"Creative to the extreme, the three musicians function very well together, fashioning a sound at once muscular and arresting, but also brooding and atmospheric. Rather than relying on supporting each other soloing, they create the music in a synergy of all three of them, their instruments weaving in and around each other. Petrov gets some really intriguing tones for his guitar, providing much of the more atmospheric elements of the music, while Berestov’s and Kravtsov’s rhythm section lean more towards the throbbing, brawny side of their sound. But each musician meets the other in the middle for a nice balance... Dark, challenging, but always listenable, GDeVA brings a welcome new sound to the improvisation scene. The band claims to never play the same piece twice, so I’m glad the five pieces on this album were captured for posterity in all their raw, unadorned and original intensity." – by Jeff Fitzgerald of Aural Innovations (#38 January 2008).
The album was also reviewed at: Nota-Bena (Russia), DisAgreement (Luxembourg), Psychotropic Zone (Finland), The Silent Ballet (USA), ProgArchives (USA), ProgressiveEars (USA), DPRP (UK).
| Title | Media | Price |
| CD | $11.00 | |
| mp3 | free-to-download from the band's homepage |
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