Psychedelic Rock

Emerging from mid-1960s folk-rock and blues-rock, psychedelic rock is a subgenre defined by its attempt to replicate or complement the consciousness-altering experiences of psychedelic substances. Its sonic palette is characterized by the manipulation of studio technology, incorporating effects like phasing, tape loops, and extreme reverb, alongside distorted guitars and non-Western instrumentation such as the sitar and tabla. The ethos of the genre was deeply tied to the counterculture movement, valuing experimentation and expanded awareness over commercial pop structures. Its influence was absorbed into progressive rock and heavy metal, while its commercial peak waned by the decade's end.