Rejoice! I’m Dead! is Gong’s first release since the death of founding member Daevid Allen. Lead by singer and guitarist Kavus Torabi, a man recruited by Allen himself, the band carries on in true Gong form, just as Allen himself had said he wanted them to before he died of cancer in 2015. The soaring guitar mover, “The Thing That Should Be,” goes right into the jumpy “Rejoice!,” which features some wild popping from bassist Dave Sturt, and a kinetic instrumental Middle-Eastern mid-section.
“Visions” is a true outer space volume pedal-and-atmospheric guitar instrumental soundscape. And you have to love the harmony-rich, sax bleating, sardonic lyrical send-up of “Insert Yr Own Prophecy.” The 28th studio release from Gong — Torabi, Sturt, Fabio Golfetti on guitar and vocals, Ian East playing wind instruments, and Cheb Nettles manning the drums — continue the legacy well into the future with Rejoice! I’m Dead!
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
