Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere Review
In the world of death metal, few bands have managed to push genre boundaries as relentlessly as Blood Incantation. Their latest release, Absolute Elsewhere, is an ambitious, sprawling two-track album that fuses sci-fi-inspired storytelling with a captivating mix of death metal, progressive rock, and spacey ambient sounds. Blood Incantation hails from Denver, Colorado, and they have rapidly gained a following for their unique approach, combining the intense energy of death metal with an almost psychedelic, introspective feel.
This release is a daring step forward, showcasing the band’s ability to incorporate elements as diverse as Tangerine Dream-inspired synthesizers, Pink Floyd-esque guitar work, and relentless jazz-rock drumming. Absolute Elsewhere spans just two epic tracks: “The Stargate” (20 minutes) and “The Message” (23 minutes), each filled with complex, genre-defying layers.
Blood Incantation’s lineup on Absolute Elsewhere includes:
Paul Riedl – Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Synthesizers
Isaac Faulk – Drums, Gongs, Percussion, Additional Guitars, Mellotron
Morris Kolontyrsky – Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars
Jeff Barrett – Acoustic & Electric Guitars
The album credits also reveal that all music was composed by Riedl, with contributions from Faulk and Barrett, adding a collaborative spirit that defines the album’s rich, immersive soundscapes.
In Absolute Elsewhere, Blood Incantation takes listeners on an unexpected journey through heavy riffs, ambient soundscapes, and jazzy interludes. “The Stargate” opens with growls and crushing death metal, then evolves into sections with spaced-out guitars and synths, channeling bands like Camel and Tangerine Dream. The unexpected melodic passages provide an otherworldly contrast to the album’s heavy moments.
“The Message” explores jazz fusion, with hints of bands like Soft Machine, before diving into metal sections filled with intricate riffs and powerful growls. There are sections of this track that even evoke classic British prog, like early Pink Floyd, with stunning guitar solos and experimental synth work that build toward an epic, ambient finale.
Absolute Elsewhere is a fearless release, cementing Blood Incantation as a band that isn’t afraid to take risks and defy genre expectations. With two intricate, genre-blending tracks that invite listeners to explore every musical corner, this album is essential listening for fans of progressive metal, ambient soundscapes, and anyone looking for something truly boundary-pushing.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
