Surf Instrumental Review: Agent Octopus-SURF! MONSTER! SURF!!

 Release Date: October 16, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

Agent Octopus is an indie surf band based in Florida. They are influenced by Euro-Slavic song structures and 60’s - 80’s surf pioneers. As the band states on their Bandcamp page, they consistently push traditional surf out of its comfort zone.

Their six-track EP SURF! MONSTER! SURF!! was released prior to Halloween 2025.

“Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman” gets the spook fest started. The howling is heard in the background as the guitar begins a slow step before exploding into colorful sounds that make the scenery real and exciting as you imagine the two creatures facing off. Midway, a transition occurs, with more subtle, tasteful licks, the surf sound intact, while keeping the horror atmosphere alive. Then some tremolo picking to finish it off.

“Alchemy of the Creature” features the familiar, haunting keys that provide the intro layer to set the mood. The guitars are taking form with layers of intricacies that make them come alive. Then a quick step back for some sharp leads as the rhythms are well placed to move it all along. The guitars blend with the bass, drums, and keys, reaching a crescendo of sound!

“The Haunting Sea (The Bride’s Theme...)” begins like a slow burner, waltzing into the unknown dangers of sea and all the ghosts that remain there. The guitar’s beauty shines here even though the subject matter is creepy as hell! Fine musicianship is consistent throughout these tracks. The feeling I got was a “Sleepwalk”- type instrumental.

“March of the Dead Surfers - Halloween Mix” continues with our atmospheric creep show. The drums and bass take off as the guitars engage them into bursts of energy and blasts of tremolo for more effect. Irresistible rhythms and hooks abound! The surfers may be dead, but this band is so alive with reverb and surfy sounds resonating throughout. The sound of waves washes over as the dead surfers march…

“Ghost of Tom Returns” opens with an introduction from a woman named Melody. At a medium tempo, the guitars lay the groundwork for that creepy organ sound to enter the mix. The feeling of trepidation envelops you as the music takes you there. Picturesque and believable!

“March of the Dead Surfers (Bonus)” is a revisit, but a faster tempo takes hold, and the guitar takes its place once again as the driving force of all this music. The supporting positions are strong as they have been throughout. The transitions on lead guitar are exceptional, shifting the mood from exciting to foreboding. Well done!

Agent Octopus Presents SURF! MONSTER! SURF!! will be a fine addition to any surf instro collection.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

January 14, 2026

Credits:

Lead & Rhythm Gtrs - Art Svrjcek

Bass & Add'l Gtrs - Jim Colby

Drums - Dennis Holt

Keyboards - Art Svrjcek

Farfisa - Mike

Add'l Gtrs - Wes Fleming (Haunting Sea and Night of the Dead Surfers)

Vocals - Melody (Ghost of Tom Returns)

Drums - Gio Maucieri (Ghost of Tom Returns)

Tracks:

1. Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman 02:31

2. Alchemy of the Creature 03:19

3. The Haunting Sea (The Bride's Theme...) 03:53 

4. March of the Dead Surfers - Halloween Mix 03:33

5. Ghost of Tom Returns 03:21

6. March of the Dead Surfers (Bonus) 03:15

Surf Rock Instrumental Review: Magnatech - The Red Boudoir

Release Date: April 15, 2026 Pre-Order

Label: Independent

Website

Hailing from Bocholt, Nordrhine Westphalia, Germany, Magnatech has released several instrumental recordings since the 2020 release, Mr. Magnatech is not afraid of you!

The Red Boudoir is scheduled for release this April.

Magnatech is an ultra-talented one-man show playing all the instruments. He creates music that keeps the spirit of the first wave of surf instro alive and well. Every track adheres to the standard two-minute plus but under three-minute window, with plenty of guitar spotlights and transitions to keep a listener interested.

“Sun, sea & Sylke” sets the waves of music in motion. The soft undercurrents and smooth guitar lines imply that the sun and sea are as smooth as silk. At least that would be my interpretation of what the title means. The guitar creates a very relaxing and beautiful soundscape. This is a mellow way to start, but I am sure it will change very quickly!

“Blood Red Boudoir” draws on the album title, placing greater emphasis on the color’s impact. Straight away, it has an air of mystery and horror, with the organ notes floating through, the bottom end keeping a steady rhythm, and the guitar coming in with subtle fuzz. A very retro ’60s sound takes hold.

“Just like Nathalie” continues with the retro vibe. The lead guitar has a resonating tone as the guitar rhythm stays steady, along with the bass/drum parts. The cymbals crash at just the right time as the guitar shifts back and forth. Real catchy.

“More Twist” is a very familiar song, and many people will recognize it instantly. It’s a minute short of 2. It is compact and impactful, with a jangling rhythm guitar; the leads are punctuated to perfection.

“Geneviève’s Nocturne” carries the retro feel with today’s modern production values. I thought of The Shadows more than once. I like the way he uses the rhythm guitar as a layer of sustainability for the leads to seamlessly weave in and make their transitions.

“Down Witch Alley” starts with an evil laugh, then launches into the rhythms and leads you would expect with a title like that, except this time a saxophone joins in before the layered leads explode with sound, then pull back into the more relaxed tempo of a surf instro. The air of mystery around the framework makes you think about the scenery it creates.

“Sankt Pauli Stomp” is a walk back to when The Shadows were making all their great instrumentals. The guitar and added keys provide an interesting transition in timing and change, then shift back to the focus, with the guitar lines echoing for effect.

“Velvet Delirium” features a resounding bass line, with the guitar taking the lead through a range of sounds and tremolo runs. It sounds thick, and the picking sounds as retro as it gets, making this another look-and-feel to the first wave of surf instro.

“Capri Cascenade” has a solid bottom end, with the guitars taking the spotlight through several tempo and texture shifts. A listener must keep in mind that this is one person making all these sounds come together. This is an important trait shared by all these tracks.

“Nagasaki Shore” picks up the pace with crashing cymbals, and you get the vibe of Japan in the reverberating guitar lines. The bass is always impressive, and, of course, the lead guitar remains exceptional, paying tribute to the first wave.

“Taiga Twist” is full of hooks in the leads and bass. The tremolo and reverb are superb here. The rhythms are significant in all these tracks, and this one is a real toe tapper. The guitar’s effects are used effectively here as well.

“Rathenau” starts with a gunshot (which you will hear a few times), making you think this may go into spaghetti western mode, but it doesn’t. The lead guitar hints at it with its resonant tones, then shifts to a surfy, thick echo-chamber sound.

“Monster Surf Stomp” is a classic ’60s tune, complete with the organ, although subtle, like you would hear on a period TV show. Think of one of those concerts back in the day, at a large hall overlooking the beach in Southern California.

“Salomé” begins with a Middle Eastern motif, then quickly shifts tempo to a more rhythmic, clear guitar line. I think the operative words here are rocking and smooth, with some tremolo runs to remind you of where this music originated and how it’s kept alive.

Those who enjoy ’60s surf instrumental music will love The Red Boudoir and how it maintains its roots from start to finish, using today’s production values and tools to deliver clear, crisp tracks.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

January 12, 2026

Tracks:

01. Sun, sea & Sylke 2:15

02. Blood Red Boudoir 2:10

03. Just like Nathalie 2:31

04. More Twist 1:59

05. Geneviève's Nocturne 2:28

06. Down Witch Alley 2:12

07. Sankt Pauli Stomp 2:12

08. Velvet Delirium 2:33

09. Capri Cascenade 2:24

10. Nagasaki Shore 2:19

11. Taiga Twist 2:18

12. Rathenau 2:11

13. Monster Surf Stomp 1:54

14. Salomé 2:21