Queensland’s Stoner Rock icons Rollerball’s original 1999 release of ‘Lost in Space’ was an EP containing six sizzling tracks (plus two hidden additions) and as their first release it came a cool introduction to the band who would go on to produce a great distinctly Aussie take on the Stoner Rock movement.
Recorded at Rocking Horse Studios in the hills behind Byron Bay with house engineer Anthony Lycenko at the helm the band managed to create a modern rock album that sported a cool retro production. Sonically Rollerball’s early sound certainly gave a large nod to those early British psychedelic proto-metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Budgie, but there also a hint of Aussie Legends AC/DC and Rose Tattoo in there too.
Here in 2019 the record sounds great as it did first time round with this 20th Anniversary release fleshing things out nicely to album length, keeping the original 6 tracks and adding 5 more (including those two uncredited EP additions). Alex von Wieding has also given the cover a nice cartoon reboot too.
Starting off with the credited EP tracks: the mountain-sized groove of ‘Jonothan E’ gets you from the off and followed by the initially laid back but soon steamrolling title track ‘Lost In Space’ and the grainy groove of ‘Dragon’ it’s a dizzying start. ‘Eye Of The Storm’ then just exploded and added all the reassurance you needed that this band were going to go far whilst ‘Lowly Sublime’ held things steady, and ‘Lake Of Life’ started out like a jazzy jam before becoming a wild rolling boogie. It’s my favourite here still after all these years.
At this point the original EP added an uncredited ‘Ganie’s Theme’ (five minutes of slowly building gentle mood music) and ‘Grissom’ (one minute of cool riffing and no words) but this re-release differs in that it adds three further tracks between those listed songs and the hidden additions. The first of those ‘ 24 Hours’ has an almost Doors-like vibe, whilst second addition ‘Far Away’ is nice, sludgy and to the point, kicking a nice amount of ass as it gets there. The final ‘new’ track ‘Main Frame,’ which is delivered in under two minutes is a nice spiky punky rocker that I still feel just could have done with that extra verse, but hey it’s a nice addition here.
It’s well worth celebrating the 20 years by splashing out on this one.
‘Lost In Space’ is also the debut release for Volcano Vinyl, owned by the band’s good friend Justin Gane. A limited run vinyl pressing of this record is available from: volcanovinyl.bandcamp.com
Beeswax – 4 Cylinder Thumping Machine
Fingers – Sub Lovin’
Talon – Lunar Tones
Tenpin – Humanoid Vocal Response
Anthony Lycenko – Electric piano on 24 Hours
Recorded at Rocking Horse studios Byron Bay Australia 1998
Engineered by Anthony Lycenko
Produced By Rollerball and Anthony Lycenko
