Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.: Japan’s psychedelic rock powerhouse

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. is a legendary Japanese experimental rock band formed in 1995 by guitarist and producer Kawabata Makoto. The band is renowned for their sprawling, improvisational performances, eclectic musical styles, and prolific output, often releasing multiple albums in a single year. They are a central part of the wider Acid Mothers Temple collective, which includes numerous related projects and collaborations.

Acid Mothers Temple (AMT) is known for its fusion of psychedelic rock, space rock, progressive rock, krautrock, and avant-garde experimentalism. Their music often incorporates extended instrumental jams, heavy use of effects, and cosmic themes. While plenty of music does this to some extent, this is one of those that goes further out.

Inspirations include legendary acts like Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, and Gong, along with traditional Japanese music and noise experimentation (maybe some would call them "the Japanese Pink Floyd," if we're talking about the Syd Barrett era). The lineup has been fluid, with Kawabata Makoto as the constant member. Other recurring collaborators include Higashi Hiroshi, Cotton Casino, and Tsuyama Atsushi. Still, they are a collective, and at least adjacent to being a supergroup experience.

The "Melting Paraiso U.F.O." designation refers to the main band project within the larger Acid Mothers Temple collective. They are incredibly prolific, with dozens of albums released under various names and configurations. Notable albums include La Nòvia (2000), In C (2001), and Univers Zen ou de zéro à zéro (2002). Releases often feature surreal titles, intricate artwork, and long, multi-part tracks.

Live performances of Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.

AMT is celebrated for their high-energy, hypnotic live shows, which often feature lengthy improvisations and an immersive soundscape that comes across as more organic than manufactured. The band frequently tours internationally, gaining a cult following for their electrifying stage presence. Their work often reflects a cosmic, mystical aesthetic, with references to UFOs, spiritual enlightenment, the sublime and the surreal.

Kawabata has described the band’s music as aiming to achieve a state of universal sound. Acid Mothers Temple is a cornerstone of the Japanese underground and psych-rock scenes, and they were still actively touring around in 2024.

They’ve influenced countless musicians and gained a devoted global fanbase. Will you let them influence you?

Fun facts:

• Kawabata Makoto claims to have formed the band in response to a vision of an ideal psychedelic music collective. When asked his opinion on modern psychedelic rock, he answered, "I don’t know 'scene'… it doesn’t matter. I just play my music from my cosmos, that’s all."

• The band’s extended improvisations sometimes last over an hour in live settings, much like their album cuts. This might lead to some wondering where to cut off the listening experience, as many would cynically consider it a sign of being "pretentious" (an accusation thrown around at any artists more experimental or free-flowing in their approach).

• Despite their prolific output, they maintain a DIY ethos, often recording and producing music themselves.

If you’re into mind-bending, exploratory music that pushes the boundaries of rock, Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. is a must-listen!