No, that’s not a typo above; this is not in fact a new Dødheimsgard album, but rather the closest thing we are likely to see for quite some time. From the enigmatic mind of DHG frontman Vicotnik comes Doedsmaghird, a new project inspired by the more chaotic, industrial side of DHG from the late ’90s. Driven by Vicotnik’s uncanny instincts for both the weird and beautiful, the final result is yet another unique experience to perfectly complement last year’s monumental DHG release. This is Omniverse Consciousness.

I didn’t expect much from DHG’s Black Medium Current when I first decided to give it a listen last spring; that it would become my album of the year for 2023, as well as one of the most important releases to grace my ears this decade, was certainly not something I had expected either. So to learn that Vicotnik (joined by DHG live guitarist Camille Giradeau) had a related album ready to go after just 18 months brought a sense of wonder, but also skepticism… how exactly do you follow up such a groundbreaking album, even if it’s but a detour? In this case, by following pure instinct — with Vicotnik at the helm I should’ve expected nothing less than music unlike anything I’d ever heard before, let alone greatness. So what exactly is Omniverse Consciousness? A chaotic slab of industrial black metal that serves as the dark inversion of Black Medium Current. While that album took us to the furthest reaches of space, Doedsmaghird navigates inward through something just as vast: the darkest recesses of the human mind.

Blistering trem riffs and pounding blast beats run abound (as expected), but what differentiates this album from its “good” twin is the pure chaos of it all. Layers of synths and pulsing electronic beats, as well as a plethora of other weird sounds — the most notable being Vicotnik’s vocals, of course — serve to give Omniverse Consciousness an unsettling, dreamlike quality. And as with dreams, there’s multiple layers to try and unravel. At first glance tracks like “Then, To Darkness Return” and “Death of Time” feature guitar riffs and both standard and electronic drums that clash to the point of almost being a noisy mess, but upon further inspection there is a lot more going on rhythmically. The latter takes a bit of a page from the Black Medium Current book by slowing things down after its chaotic intro, accentuating its more somber pace with a legato lead and a mournful Vicotnik choir.

Despite all the turmoil and intensity of this album, it’s not without beauty as well; the closing minutes of opener “Heart of Hell” bring back the soft “oohs” and piano featured heavily on BMC, albeit accentuated with blast beats. I’m also a sucker for the arpeggiated electronic melodies heavily featured on tracks such as “Endless Distance” and “Min tid er omme”. Piano-driven interludes have been in the DHG repertoire since 666 International, and “Endeavour” may be the best yet… two profound minutes that serve as the astral gateway bridging the dimensions of Black Medium Current and Omniverse Consciousness.

As someone who has never cared much for industrial elements in metal (especially black metal) for me to enjoy Omniverse Consciousness so much is a testament to the brilliant, twisted mind of Vicotnik; I don’t think anyone else could have made such an album work. Intentionally unpolished and compared to its counterpart released last year, this serves it well — a more down to earth, raw, human experience is contained within. Yes, there is chaos, there is noise, there is weirdness, but there is also beauty to be found within… as long as you are willing to look for it.

— Colin

---

Omniverse Consciousness will be available October 11 through Peaceville Records. For more information on Doedsmaghird, check out the Dødheimsgard Instagram and Facebook pages.