Blut aus Nord - Hallucinogen

This is your brain on atmoblack.

(Originally submitted to the Metal Archives on July 22nd 2022)  

Not too long ago, I covered Blut Aus Nord’s most recent release, Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses, a dark and murky listen that hearkened back to the band’s work in the early 2000s. That being said, it’s not my favourite release of theirs. That honour goes to Hallucinogen, an album that ironically enough is diametrically opposite in terms of its sound, it being a far less brooding affair and all. It was my introduction to the band as a whole, and not only did it inspire me to look into Vindsval’s endeavours to begin with, but it has also become a piece of art I find comfort in whenever I revisit it.

Said comfort stems from the fact that it sounds like pure bliss. Despite it very much being a black metal album at its core, it boasts a very bright and uplifting sound, and thanks to the added psychedelic touches it turns into a beautifully dreamy experience. From the moment the tremolo riffs of “Nomos Nebuleam” burst forth, you are taken on a journey through music that is seemingly alive with how it constantly twists and contorts. Throughout the Hallucinogen’s runtime, the band constantly mixes things up and never lingers in one place for too long, in great part due to W.D. Feld’s drumming. I’ve heaped plenty of praise upon him before, but I can’t help but mention again how excellent he is. His footwork on “Sybelius” gives the song a propulsive edge, whereas the gentle cymbals on “Mahagama” hover over some explosive tremolo riffing, adding some very delicate touches to the proceedings. He’s a rare case of a black metal drummer who has an instantly recognisable style, and it’s hard to imagine Blut Aus Nord’s sound without him.

That being said, Feld’s drumming, however adventurous, serves as a base for Vindsval to engage in the wizardry he usually does, and boy does he deliver. Hallucinogen is a tapestry of some of his most expressive guitar playing to date, despite how deceptively simple it might seem at first. While the melody-tinged tremolo riffs are at the centre of the experience, they are joined by great harmonies and tempo shifts, resulting in some great forward momentum. His leads in particular rise over the music, and provide some very memorable moments, such as the minimalistic lead on “Mahagama”, as well as the short and relaxed solo on “Haallucinählia”. There’s also some very crunchy mid-tempo riffing, as seen on “Nebeleste”, which adds a layer of percussive intensity that feels heavy despite the music’s general brightness. Even the acoustic and ambient breaks are memorable, and their implementation is very deliberate and thought out, giving the listener a little bit of rest before things get going again.

This journey though wouldn’t have been as potent had it not been for the excellent sound this album has. It’s bright and full, and the general application of reverb on the instruments leads to a very spacey sound, which brings the most out of the compositions. The woozy, psych-tinged guitars float around the driving drums, accented by the cymbals, all while the bass adds an extra layer of texture and depth. Furthermore, the mixing is flawless, with all the layers the band has going on having their own room and being discernible at all times, allowing for the music to breathe, resulting in a dense experience that never gets tiring.

Now, you want to know why despite all this praise this album gets a 98% score instead of 100%? It’s specifically because of one part that funnily enough is redeemed immediately after. Around the 4 minute mark of the closer, “Cosma Procyiris”, there is a long-winded acoustic break that I find goes on for a touch longer than it should, going on for roughly one and a half minute. But that’s okay, because it’s followed by a moment of pure catharsis. A hefty mid-tempo riff comes forth, and is then joined by this soaring lead that follows the song to its end, resulting in a finale that genuinely makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand up every time I hear it. It’s honestly one of the most emotionally resonant ends to an album I’ve ever heard in my (short) life, and I just can’t think of many times where a closer has hit me in such a way. A final burst of bliss to cap off an album that was already brimming with it, it’s hard to put into words just how good it is.

Hallucinogen is a trip, both in the psychedelic and emotional sense. It’s a project that has touched me deeply, and it never fails to instil a sense of peace in me, despite its intensity. It’s been in regular rotation for me ever since it came out, and every time I listen to it I become ever so slightly fonder of it. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and I know for a fact that I’m guaranteed to have a good time whenever I put it on, regardless of what might be going on at that moment. If you haven’t listened to this yet, do yourselves a favour and change that immediately. Even if you don’t find it as impactful as I did, it’s still a very unique experience, and there isn’t anything quite like it out there.

Highlights: Nomos Nebuleam, Sybelius, Mahagama, Cosma Prociyris

Rating: 98%