It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Blood Incantation is one of Death Metal’s underground darlings and that its first two albums are already modern classics of space Metal. However, the band pulled an “Ulver move” with Timewave Zero, alienating much of its fanbase. Even after what many would call a misstep, I remained optimistic about what Absolute Elsewhere could offer. Now that the band had gotten all that intense psychedelia out of its system, could it return to something more familiar for us Metalheads, or would it fully embrace the path of Ulver? Let’s find out.
As usual, Blood Incantation offers complexity in deceptively simple forms. There are only two tracks here, “The Stargate” and “The Message”. You’re probably already sighing in relief, as Absolute Elsewhere embraces the band’s Prog side to its fullest. It’s not as aggressive as Hidden History of the Human Race, but it pushes the wacky and psychedelic elements to new heights. So yes, it reminded me a lot of the last Tomb Mold album. There’s also a subtle yet evident sense of evolution between the tracks. Blood Incantation isn’t content with just mindless brutality; it wants us to contemplate the vastness of the universe.
I love how this album sounds! The production is a throwback to ’70s Prog. Don’t you hear the King Crimson vibe? For a band focused on aliens and sci-fi, Blood Incantation sounds remarkably human. Say what you will, but this album exudes confidence from a group of musicians who do whatever they want. Luckily for us, this strange crossover between Prog Rock and Death Metal is beautiful, and despite its complexity, it doesn’t devolve into unnecessary indulgence. The writing is top-notch, and so is the pacing—but that’s not a surprise anymore coming from these guys.
Funny enough, my first run with Absolute Elsewhere wasn’t incredible. I wasn’t entirely convinced by its psychedelic elements and its softer moments, but then it clicked! So, my recommendation is to have some patience. There are plenty of quirky elements here that even the most hardcore among you might struggle with, but I still think you’ll be rewarded for your effort in the long run.
Blood Incantation has returned to form! There’s not much else to say. We’ve had some (I can’t believe I’m saying this) gorgeous Death Metal this year—stuff that transcends simple style definitions. Absolute Elsewhere is joining this group of bands that have delivered albums this year that are simply sublime. I know I’m supposed to entice you with dad jokes and nihilism, but like the final act of “The Message”, this album makes you believe! In what? I don’t know—maybe the enduring power of art or the meaning of suffering. I don’t know! I’m just a dude writing in the dark. Go out there and enjoy this thing!
Label: Century Media
Release date: 4 October, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/@BloodIncantationOfficial
Country: USA
Score: Arriving somwhere, or 4.2/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 
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