Technicians of the Sacred cover

Technicians of the Sacred

Ozric Tentacles · 2015

89 min · 11 tracks · progressive rock

A cosmic tapestry of intricate melodies and rhythmic explorations that transport listeners through space and time.

Top tracks — play these first

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    The High Pass — Opening with an expansive soundscape, this track sets the tone for the album's cosmic journey, showcasing Ozric's mastery of melody and rhythm.
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    Butterfly Garden — This track features intricate guitar work layered over lush synths, creating an enchanting atmosphere that embodies the band's psychedelic essence.
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    Changa Masala — With its fusion of world music influences and progressive rock elements, this track exemplifies the band's eclectic approach and adventurous spirit.
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    Rubbing Shoulders With the Absolute — This piece showcases a dynamic interplay between instrumentation and improvisation, highlighting the band's prowess in crafting expansive musical landscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong craftsmanship, with distinctive soundscapes typical of Ozric Tentacles.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended instrumental passages, with several tracks exceeding six minutes, allowing for intricate musical explorations.
  • The final track, 'Zenlike Creature', concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering atmosphere that invites reflection.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • cosmic journey through soundscapes
  • dynamic peaks and valleys
  • intricate rhythms for deep focus
  • expansive melodies for exploration

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Reaffirms the band's place in progressive rock after a long gap.
Themes
cosmic journey· psychedelic landscapes· world music fusion
Career context
Released in 2015, Technicians of the Sacred is Ozric Tentacles' first studio album in nearly six years, following the compilation release of Paper Monkeys. The band had been active since the 1980s, known for their unique blend of progressive rock and psychedelia, which continues to evolve with each project. This album marks a return to their signature sound while exploring new musical territories.
Stylistic neighbors
Gong· Can· Hawkwind

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 The High Pass 8:23
  • 2 Butterfly Garden 5:04
  • 3 Far Memory 7:11
  • 4 Changa Masala 6:04
  • 5 Zingbong 8:26
  • 6 Switchback 10:11

Disc 2

  • 1 Epiphlioy 11:50
  • 2 The Unusual Village 6:20
  • 3 Smiling Potion 7:11
  • 4 Rubbing Shoulders With the Absolute 8:36
  • 5 Zenlike Creature 9:53

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata