Release Date: June 26, 2023
Label: Tabu Recordings
The self-titled Lords of Atlantis recording is now one of those recordings that carries an air of lore in the surf instrumental community. Featuring the lead guitarist Ivan Pongracic (The Madeira, The Space Cossacks), it ranks as one of the finest releases of the genre in recent years.
There is quite a mixture of talents with Ivan from
other well-known bands, including the following:
Jeremy DeHart-Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Lead
Guitar (The Manakooras, Aqualads, The A-Men).
Jonpaul Balak-Bass guitar (Insect Surfers, Tikiyaki
Orchestra, The Scimitars).
Dane Carter-Drums and Percussion (The Madeira, The Troubadours).
A wealth of experience and talent converges to create this surf instro supergroup, setting them apart from other, more popular acts from other genres that often receive all the credit and attention. What distinguishes this community is its humility and genuine appreciation for one another. Rather than following trends, they set them—driven by a true passion for making music.
Success is measured not by fame but by the satisfaction of one's art. This humility and lack of awareness may contribute to the genre’s underappreciation, but it hasn’t hindered its global growth. Ultimately, the ongoing need to spotlight this music—no matter when it was created—inspires me to raise the consciousness of music lovers and celebrate its significance.
“Chariots of the Gods” begins in a mellow way, then explodes for a time, then reverts to the original melody. After that segment, you will hear more defined lead guitar runs jump out front before all the instruments move the tempo to the next level. Towards the finale, the drums take the spotlight and segue into the next track seamlessly without pause. This is a good example of surf instro on fire!
“Temple of Poseidon” picks up instantly after the previous track and has a nice mellow surf sound with the necessary twang and reverb. The bass sounds rhythmic as the drums keep time with crashing cymbals for effect.
“Leading Edge” kicks it back into high gear again, with tremolo taking hold, the bottom end is strong and tightly woven into the guitar’s movements. This is another instance where the guitar playing shines, with its tempo shifts and an aggressive yet tasteful push forward. Nearly three minutes of musical perfection.
“Libertas!” carries a more traditional surf vibe and pace, slowing things down with an island-in-the-sun atmosphere before the tempo picks up. The guitar is superb, and the tremolo is the highlight, showcasing that style of rapid-picking artistry. The bass and drums at the beginning have a jazz feel before shifting to match the guitar's pace, which I found interesting.
“Long Live the King!” resonates with the rock aspects of the genre and a classic first-wave sound and rhythm. The King of Surf Guitar is Dick Dale, and it is a great tribute to his legacy and sound. The power and majesty of surfing, the culture, and the music that became intrinsically connected to it rock here! A great group effort and message received.
“Eye of the Sahara” takes things in a different direction. The guitar's resonant tones create the necessary scenario in your mind. As you traverse the desert, the band takes you there in a heartbeat. Some of the passages are sheer beauty, and others grab your attention with a sudden, powerful change. The explosive guitar that enters on occasion makes sure they have your full attention.
“Seaglass” has an acoustic guitar backing with some lovely, crisp, ringing licks from the electric guitar. This composition shows how the band can pull back and deliver some tasty playing that holds at all positions. That “island surf” feel returns, reminding us how beautiful this music is, like waves shimmering in the sunlight.
“Maroc 7” is where Ivan draws on his lifetime of love for The Shadows and incorporates it into his style and approach. The strumming guitar has a Latin essence, pushing it along as tremolo and reverb rules the day. Excellent change of pace and overall sound, showcasing more diversity.
“The Bastion” is one of two tracks over four minutes. The layers of instrumentation and guitars are a highlight. It felt like a Mediterranean influence was at work here, with the drums and bass in line with the guitars' transitory nature. This is one of the more complex presentations because of how the bottom end responded to all the changes.
“The Fiery Trident” takes off into more rocking territory straight away, once again changing course entirely, then switching over to a more mellow guitar strumming and picking. The key to this music is hearing all the changes, textures, and overall mood they can create. Nearly halfway through, the tremolo kicks in, and the trajectory of the entire composition changes, emulating the word 'fiery,' then back again; it goes in a circle with these changes. Amazing guitar work once again with tremendous support from the rhythm section.
“Barbary Corsairs” takes on a different tone, with a meatier beginning, then quickly switches to the more explosive, resonating guitar notes. This kind of guitar playing reminded me of why I loved The Space Cossacks so much and still do to this day. There is a brief, quieter transition on guitar, then directly back to the powerful pinpoint bursts of notes that make tracks like this so exciting and memorable.
“Atlas” keeps the rock essence flowing with an energetic opening, then steps back a pace as the guitar focuses on more accentuated notes, with strong rhythms from the bass and drums, and then the quick transitions to the power base this band commands at the flip of a switch. Tremolo and reverb are superb as things take off into yet another direction with the tempos! Killer surf instro with a lot of oomph!
“Sands of Mauritania” is the closer and their longest track, clocking in at 5:13. It is an atmospheric composition tastefully executed. It has all the elements of the mellower side of surf instro that we all can appreciate. The drums and bass move along with an easy touch, as I have previously noted, in a more jazz-influenced style, accentuating the guitar tone and maintaining an even pace. Musical bliss from beginning to end.
The Lords of Atlantis' self-titled recording is more than a collection of remarkable tracks—it's a testament to the enduring spirit and innovation of surf instrumental music. Each song is a musical journey, blending tradition with fearless creativity, and together they form a vibrant tapestry that both honors the genre’s roots and carves out new territory. This album doesn’t just invite listeners to experience surf music; it compels them to feel its pulse, celebrate its evolution, and recognize the artistry that will keep it alive for generations to come
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder
March
9, 2026
Tracks:
01. Chariots of the Gods 3:21
02. Temple of Poseidon 2:22
03. Leading Edge 2:54
04. Libertas! 3:11
05. Long Live the King! 3:31
06. Eye of the Sahara 3:15
07. Seaglass 3:20
08. Maroc 7 2:35
09. The Bastion 4:07
10. The Fiery Trident 3:58
11. Barbary Corsairs 2:45
12. Atlas 4:12
13. Sands of Mauritania 5:13
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