psychedelic black metal

Second Circle: Polymoon and Entropia

ZykloniusLeave a comment

In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new (ish) albums that share a common theme.

It’s time for a heroic dose of heavy psychedelia administered by two of my old favorites that have found new imaginative pathways on their latest albums: Polymoon’s Chrysalis and Entropia’s Total.

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Album Review: Waste of Space Orchestra – “Syntheosis”

Zyklonius3 Comments

Waste of Space Orchestra - Syntheosis

How do you describe something that defies description at every turn?  What does ‘avant-garde’ even mean when you are so far removed from your peers that you don’t even seem to notice them? George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel is not necessarily your go-to spirit guide for examining and understanding boundary-pushing psychedelic metal, yet here we are, listening to Waste of Space Orchestra’s monumental Syntheosis and witnessing abstract concepts swirling and coalescing around us. True to Hegel’s dialectical method, concrete meets abstract and both are reconciled to pure absolute during the course of the album, in the sublime manner of an eternally recurring sonic metamorphosis equal parts primal and cerebral. Continue reading →

Concert Review: Maryland Deathfest XV, Part Four

DanLeave a comment

maryland deathfest xv

[click here for part one]  [click here for part two]  [click here for part three]

As I hit the “Publish” button on this post, it’s a little less than three weeks since Maryland Deathfest wrapped up its 15th edition down in Baltimore. I’d like to tell you that the delay’s been down to me “just processing it all” or “trying to find the right words” or some shit, but let’s be real, I’ve just been busy with other things. However, the timing of my posts should not be construed as a lack of enthusiasm for this year’s fest. In fact, I’ve been quite jazzed about my experience in the time since it all wrapped up. But more on that later; for now, let’s jump into the final recap and see how Sunday closed things out… Continue reading →

Receiving the Evcharist: Oranssi Pazuzu & GT Gose

Vincent2 Comments

Receiving the Evcharist

Welcome back, dear readers.  This week’s offering sees me playing catch-up two fold.  I’m bringing you an album released almost a month ago that I forgot about, paired with a style of beer that I am still attempting to familiarize myself with.  Let’s get into it.  The Metal: Oranssi Pazuzu’s Kevät / Värimyrsky.  The Booze: Anderson Valley Brewing’s GT Gose.   Continue reading →

Album Review: Oranssi Pazuzu – “Värähtelijä”

Manny-O-War16 Comments

oranssi pazuzu Värähtelijä

Finland’s Oranssi Pazuzu caused quite a stir with their 2013 release Valonielu which was about as straight ahead as these psychedelic exorcists get. For their 2016 release Värähtelijä the band came to a fork in the road and took it. The album is exceptionally experimental, plunging down the psychedelic road into unchartered territories of black metal, noise, and chaos. Yet, the album is accessible. Easy enough for a casual fan to spin and appreciate yet complex enough for those who have followed the meandering path of Oranssi Pazuzu to transfix themselves. Simply put, Värähtelijä is a startling work of uncompromising genius. Something that alters the way human beings consume and listen to not only metal, but all music. Continue reading →