Since 1999, the German collective Weltraum (which translates to ‘Outer Space’) has operated under a single, non-negotiable principle: 100% improvisation, a fact confirmed by the liner notes of their early releases. Their albums are not collections of structured songs, but long-form documents of fluid, spontaneous excursions into deep psych-rock and kosmische grooves.
theSpaceJamSessions Part2 is the latest such document, reportedly captured during a period of “heavy sunstorms” in May 2024. The resulting album—a colossal 13-track, two-hour odyssey—is less a record you listen to and more a space you occupy. It demands commitment, patience, and a comfortable pair of headphones.
The Collective Consciousness
Weltraum isn’t a typical power trio; they are a sprawling, seven-member ensemble, and the diversity of their 2024 lineup is the key to the album’s unique atmosphere. With multiple guitarists (Schwong, BaalBrain, Conny Maly), a dedicated synthesist (Bozzi), and a percussion section featuring both traditional drums and exotic instruments (DNS on Drums/Gongs and Armin on Djembe), the sound palate is exceptionally rich.
The addition of the Duduk (the double-reed woodwind, regardless of any potential variant spelling in the credits) and Saz provides the critical “ethno” component that sets Weltraum apart from their heavy-riffing peers. This blend ensures that even when the band locks into a heavy, repetitive Krautrock beat—such as the relentless rhythm that anchors the 12-minute “OZZA MONS”—the music always carries a distinctly Eastern, raga-like shimmer.
The Cosmic Pilgrimage
The tracklist, named after mythological figures (like “PERSEPHONE,” “APHRODITE,” and “ISHTAR”) and planetary features, sets a tone of spiritual pilgrimage. This album is deeply immersive, often finding a groove and holding it for eight, twelve, or even twenty minutes.
Tracks like “VORTEX VENERIS” (20:31) demonstrate the full scope of their collective mastery. It’s here that the ambient, space-rock drone phases truly shine, giving way to volcanic bursts of heavily-echoed guitar wailing and the subtle but essential textural depth provided by the Gongs and Djembe. The improvisation is focused; they never truly lose the thread, even as they chase sonic shadows. The music drifts and flows, often building massive, tension-filled crescendos only to dissolve back into meditative synth loops and bass throbs, echoing the great German kosmische pioneers of the 1970s.
A pivotal moment of sonic introspection arrives with “UNDA”, and for me, this is the standout track—it’s pure atmosphere. The minute that airy, flute-like tone (which we know comes from the haunting Duduk) kicks in, it instantly conjures the profound soundscapes of artists like Byron Metcalf. More than that, it directly channelled the intense, trance-inducing feeling of those spiritual voyages; it immediately brought back the deeply immersive feeling of my own experience with ayahuasca. This brief, focused improvisation acts as a powerful sonic ritual, demonstrating Weltraum’s capacity to transcend simple space-rock and reach a state of pure ceremonial consciousness.
If you enjoy bands that prioritize the journey over the destination—such as Øresund Space Collective, Colour Haze (on their extended jams), or the experimental side of Ash Ra Tempel—this is highly recommended.
Tracklist (Highlights)
Connect & Listen
- Bandcamp: weltraum.bandcamp.com
- Website: weltraum.tv
- Clostridium Records (Vinyl): clostridiumrecords.com/p/cr-091-w3ltr4um-th3sp4cej4ms3ssions-volume-2-lp-marbled
