“A Temporary Utopia” is a long-awaited new release from Occult Stereo – a solo & open-collaboration project from Greek-American multi-instrumentalist Alex Eliopoulos – which blends experimental rock, noise rock, psychedelic, post-punk, acoustic, industrial, ambient, and improvisation into a sprawling, atmospheric work with over an hour of new music.
It’s a unique & hybrid album of diverse songs melded with experimental improvisation. It also features sublime contributions from Astra Pentaxia (Astra Brinkmann), Januarius (Steve Scarlata), Vas Panagiotopoulos, Nikos Makris, and Landra Eliopoulos – all of whom elevate the music’s DNA.
The album cover is inspired by a journalistic photograph of children in Siberia who must bathe in UV light due to lack of sun exposure. This eerie, beautiful, and compelling image inspired the collage cover that symbolizes our human condition in the cosmic void. This concept also ties in to the title and overall vibe of the record.
This album was recorded over 3 years in Athens (GR), but built on tracks and demos that existed since Alex’s last days in San Francisco during the pandemic era.
The full album released on June 5, 2025 on Bandcamp and for streaming on Soundcloud – with just one single (“Perfectly Obvious”) being released to streaming services.
Album: https://occultstereo.bandcamp.com/album/a-temporary-utopia
Occult Stereo embraces aural freedom in many forms, from ambient soundscapes to fuzz-guitar freakouts and drone-like psychedelic oceans. Alex is a Greek-American guitarist & multi-instrumentalist who combines experimental, psych, and art rock influences in spontaneous ways.
Live, OS occupies a unique space that combines traditional songs/structure with improvisational, noise, and wall-of-sound intensity. Dual guitar & bass amplifiers provide a full-spectrum sonic wash, creating an otherworldly vibe when combined with manipulation of beats, electronics, and voice.
In the past, Alex has shared stages with an eclectic array of artists like Azalia Snail, The Veldt, Ava Mendoza, 3 Leafs, Naxatras, Avi Buffalo, Coastlands, Death Hawks and Clipd Beaks. His music has received US west coast radio airplay on KALX, KZSU, and KFJC, and KOCF, and inclusion in San Francisco Public Library’s “Bay Beats” archival collection.