There are two bands named Egregore. I did not know this fact, so I will fully admit that I picked up this promo thinking this was the Canadian black metal band. It is not. Is this a bad thing? Spoiler alert, no, but it is probably the first point that needs to be made, since we here are all fans of Egregore the Former. However, Synchronistic Delusions differs in quite a number of fundamental ways, to the point that no one listening side by side would confuse these outfits. And yet, there are still some curious thematic connections that I feel like exploring, because coincidence, or lack thereof, can be a funny thing.
This Egregore, the one this review will attempt to talk about properly and without too much comparing and contrasting, is a one-man grindcore act hailing from Utah, about as far removed from progressive black metal as is possible. Weaponizing a love of grind, crust and 90’s death metal, specifically the seminal works of Carcass, Egregore seeks to, and I quote, “destroy reality and liberate the mind from its carnal prison.” Lofty goals, those, and it is in these goals that we can draw (I promise, for the last time) a comparison to their counterpart, because both of these bands are rooted in the traditions of esoteric mysticism. Both bands dabble (or submerge themselves, rather) in occultism, dark forces and the pursuit of higher truths. This makes up the bulk of the lyrical content on Synchronistic Delusions, as well as Jungian philosophy, supernatural theology and “paranormal cabalism,” whatever that entails. Truthfully, if you look at the cover art, you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. And what a cover it is, courtesy of Lev.FM of SLEEPWALKER, who also released an excellent album that exemplifies an unrestrained descent into madness.
Synchronistic Delusions wastes no time getting to business, as the title track throws nasty death metal inspired chugging right in your face almost immediately after an opening thesis statement on Carl Jung’s ideologies before lurching into high gear with d-beats and tremolo-picked insanity. The grind and crust influences are front and center, not only in the guitars and drums, but also in the howled and vomited vocals. This thing is fast and heavy, with scant few tracks going over three minutes; it doesn’t faff about in any of its 33 minute runtime. Songs bounce around between the usual suspects of d-beat power chords and tremolo melodies, but it’s also readily apparent that Synchronistic Delusions borrows from its death metal influences its fair share as well. Tracks like “Walk In Soul” are practically Carcass worship, in the best way possible, and there are traces of Heartwork-like melodies scattered throughout the album. I would say the last half of the album is where the death metal influences really shine, because that is where there is the highest concentration of guitar solos, and they are supremely tasty. “Incorporeal Vivisection” and “Birth of Death” are standouts here, but all the guitar work is really solid. There are even a few pieces of ambient noise and sampling breaking up the ferocity, like the track “Metaprogramming the 8th Circuit,” that includes soft acoustic strumming in between what sounds like modular synths droning and warbling through dark, atmospheric soundscapes. Overall, Synchronistic Delusions is a very balanced record; it is aggressive and oppressively dark, but nothing feels too overwhelming or underwhelming. All the right pieces are in the right spot.
Serendipity is the word I would use to describe my experience with Synchronistic Delusions. It’s not the album that I thought I was going to get, but I am not at all disappointed or let down. It just means there’s two bands named Egregore I need to keep my eye on. This really is an album that does what it sets out to do: it disintegrates the corporeal self; it transfigures the soul and opens the third eye.
— Ian
Synchronistic Delusions will be available September 1 on Sentient Ruin Laboratories. For more information on Egregore, visit their Bandcamp page.
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