Release Date: August 20, 2019
Label: Independent
Website
It’s time to jump back into the music
time machine with Intóxicos and their 2019 release End Times.
I
think the premise of this album is to send a message about how the “end times”
are right around the corner because of all the subject matter in the track
titles. In some cases, their music may not reflect the seriousness of the
subject matter.
“Disaster”
gets things rolling on this serious topic. Being that surf instro music is so
much fun, I was not sure how this would sound. I can say right from the start,
I never heard disaster sound so good!
“Poison
Wave” has a great melodic riff and a 60s-swinging swagger. Excellent
transitions featuring standout musicianship create the right atmosphere.
“Pacific
Trash Vortex” has a lot going on and many changes throughout. Toe-tapping
rhythms, with exceptional bass and drums backing the twangy with reverberating
tones flying off the guitar, answer the call of the oceans.
“Last
Refugees” has an island feel to it, and the guitars’ flourishes get you sitting
under a palm tree on the beach, sipping that tropical drink as the sun bounces
off the waves and surfboards. The sounds are hypnotic. Suddenly, it changes
dramatically to a reggae beat, sounding like an entirely different track. It’s
a brief burst, then back to the piercing guitar lines to finish.
“Invasion
pt. 2” jumps right into a sci-fi movie. The music’s pace is significantly
faster on this track. And because of that, it’s like imagining running away
from the invaders. Weird emanations come from your speakers as the band sweeps
you away once again into their world.
“Paradise
Simulation” is something they excel at in their music. That is the idea of any
good music: creating a scenario in your mind’s eye, a feeling of being there in
an imaginary world. The bass and drums are superb once again as the six-string’s
transitory nature unfolds.
“Keep
Out” is a warning, but do we really want that? This music is so good! The
tremolo sounds are strong here. This one really takes off, giving you a slice
of their own trademark traditional surf instrumental sound. Very well done!
“Nuclear
Alarm” begins with just that, the sound of an oncoming raid. That is something
we never want to hear, and I think that’s the point. The tempo indicates a bit
of chaos, then there is a big change about three-quarters in, with the tempo
slowing down and some very nice guitar lines, then it finishes with a bang, no
pun intended!
“Cyberattack”
continues at a frenetic pace, like the quickness and purpose of such an attack;
it’s decisive and damaging. There are a few points where they slow down, but
they end on a high note.
“End
Times” begins in a different territory, creating a somber tone and palette. The
use of the organ is essential here as the guitar slows things down so you can
absorb what this all means. The guitar sounds like bluesy surf, once again
making sure it matches the tracks’ implications. Freaky synths enter the
atmosphere, and the grand finale is that mushroom cloud entering the sky with a
sonic boom. It is the longest track at 3:50 and one of the best.
End
Times is
a sonically tasty achievement by Intóxicos, proving that surf instrumental
music can tackle weighty themes without sacrificing its raw energy and melodic
joy. By weaving apocalyptic subject matter through reverb-drenched guitars and
driving rhythms, they’ve expanded what the genre can express—showing that twang
and tremolo can carry messages as urgent as any lyrics.
This
album doesn’t just paint pictures; it redefines the canvas of what surf instro
can be.
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Reviews Founder
February
11, 2026
Tracks:
01. Disaster 2:28
02. Poison Wave 2:14
03. Pacific Trash Vortex 3:13
04. Last Refugees 3:25
05. Invasion pt. 2 2:17
06. Paradise Simulation 2:36
07. Keep Out 2:30
08. Nuclear Alarm 2:15
09. Cyberattack 2:13
10. End Times 3:50
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