Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere

Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere

It was sometime in the mid-60s when the idea of ​​the astral origin of the human race first appeared. In the 70s, no updated library was missing the work "The Chariot of the Gods" by Erich Von Daniken, a phenomenal writer who had developed in the 60s the cult theory, according to which the entire evolution of humanity was achieved with the assistance of non-terrestrial humanoids. In particular, he believed (and continues to believe to this day) that aliens visited our planet thousands of years ago, mated with ancient humans thus changing our genome, gave us technological and scientific achievements and left with the promise of coming back.

A theory that was later embraced by the well-known researcher Zachariah Sitchin who made it more widely known and resulted in the creation of the movement of supporters of the well-known theory of ancient astronauts.

This theory, although initially met with disbelief and derision, recent discoveries in biology seem to support it. For example, the DNA double helix described in ancient deltas found in the Dead Sea has only been deciphered by the scientific community in recent years. Also, recent studies of biology which concerned the dating of ancient human skeletons, showed that Homo sapiens lived in the same time period as the modern man and did not precede him chronologically, as it is believed until today and therefore did not come from him.

Blood Incantation, as a genuine restless musical entity, attempts once again with their new album to communicate this knowledge and it is easy to understand that such a demanding and at the same time controversial concept presupposes the corresponding artistic investment. Something they seem to express adequately through the two triple tracks of their third album, "The Stargate" and "The Message".

"Absolute Elswhere" I believe is not just a worthy successor to the exquisite "Hidden History of Human Race" (2019) but the epitome of their creativity, since the band works as a time machine by successfully combining the avant garde/progressive death metal sound (Timeghoul , Demilich, Ctheilist etc.), the progressive/art rock of the 70s (Eloy, Pink Floyd, Nektar etc.) with the ambient (Tangerine dream, Brian Enno). All this while they don't seem to turn their backs on their early origins (Death, Nocturnus, etc.) always keeping elements of the spirituality of Black Metal. And at the same time that all this seems like an unsolved mystery, the quartet from Denver captivates with its labyrinthine and imaginative compositions.

Excellent production work completed in Berlin (Hansa Tonstudios) by Arthur Rizk. All the instruments "breathe" as they should whether they indulge in death metal frenzies or psychedelic improvisations, suggesting a warm analog sound for a seminar against the modern trend of plasticity and flattening.

Also worth mentioning are the guest appearances which complete the band's creative vision in detail. So hold on!

Guest appearance on keyboards/mellotron/piano by Nicklas Malmqvist, from Hallas, Malte Gericke (Necros Christos) on vocals and finally Thorsten Quaeschning (Tangerine Dream) on lead synths/mellotron and programming on “The Stargate (Tablet II)” !

So, my friends, we are led with relative safety to the conclusion that a deeper understanding of a work of art can call into question even basic ideas, such as those of the properties of time and space, but also be a trigger for personal research on universal issues and philosophical questions, such as “where do we come from”, “who is our creator” and “what is the deeper reason that every time we look at the stars an inexplicable familiarity and a deeper primal fear emerges”…

In the end, the album is recommended to friends not only of extreme sound, but to every thoughtful and restless artistic spirit. Don't deprive yourself of this magical experience!

Babis Papadopoulos (Aesophis)

10/10