Blood Incantation have been plugging away on the fringes of death metal for just over a decade now. They piqued interest and gained attention in the underground for their unique approach early with their debut EP Interdimensional Extinction and even more so when they revealed their debut album Starspawn. Their otherworldly philosophies have been worn on their sleeve since the beginning, but they truly hit the death metal zeitgeist with breakthrough album Hidden History of The Human Race. Fully showcasing their intricate process for melding old-school inspired death metal ferocity with progressive sensibilities, helped greatly by the eye catching, if somewhat cheesy, ancient aliens-esque artwork. The band have always toyed with trippy, celestial atmospherics in their crushing death metal, with 2022 EP Timewave Zero they shocked their fanbase with a purely instrumental synth odyssey exploring psychedelic and new-age realms. It came as somewhat of a curveball at the time, but clearly it was just a step towards their grander plans.
With an album title informed by an obscure extraterrestrial side project of progressive royalty King Crimson, Absolute Elsewhere is compromised of just two tracks (although separated in six movements on streaming platforms), named ‘The Stargate’ and ‘The Message’. Both are lengthy, twenty-plus minute arrangements exploring various realms, genres and textures, fully embracing their wide scope of influences and crafting a one of a kind progressive death metal experiences. Throughout both extended odysseys, the band transition from pummelling atonal horror into expansive progressive synth-scapes and new-age atmospheres. On paper it sounds like a disaster, however only a band like Blood Incantation could not only bring their idea to life, but pull it off in spectacular fashion. It truly is an interdimensional journey on Absolute Elsewhere, invoking a variety of sensations while being hurtled through the expansive galactic voids.
Their love for the early days of experimental electronic music is at the crux of the albums craft. The band even relocated to Berlin and recorded at the legendary Hansa Tonstudio (boasting clients such as Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Tangerine Dream and countless others), allowing the city, studio and its history to become a living breathing part of their vision. Working alongside producer Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Spectral Voice, Kreator) who does an excellent job ensuring the albums production is fully realised. It sounds immense, retaining a classic death metal feel without feeling primitive, having a modern sheen without feeling overproduced. The different atmospheres mixed and rolled into each other seamlessly, both the band and Rizk did an excellent job ensuring the high quality experience possible.
Blood Incantation refuse to conform to death metal convention, ambitiously melding a cavalcade of progressive and new-age influences into two enthralling and transcendental, esoteric philosophy infused compositions. Yes, it’s a bit chin strokey in a “big bong rips and discussing metaphysical philosophies while couch locked watching ancient aliens” kind of way. Likewise it continues to be justified by the band in the most mind melting complex ways you can think of, but this just continues to add to the band’s appeal. As an album, it works incredibly well; their shake up of progressive thought process’ in death metal continuing to build an identity that is unique for them and them alone. At a time where the genre may be reaching a modern peak in popularity, a band like Blood Incantation pushing the progressive envelope almost 40 years after the introduction of death metal to the world is not only welcomed with a wholehearted embrace, but necessary for the continued health of the extreme metal world. Simply put, this is essential listening.