BLUT AUS NORD

Hallucinogen DEBEMUR MORTI

Gallic cosmonauts take a far-flung trip beyond the black

Since 1995, Blut Aus Nord have emerged as one of the most prolific artists in the black metal scene; to be fair, they’ve long since abandoned the dark, loamy fields of black metal or any atmospheric variation thereof, treating genre boundaries with the same reverence that a lumberjack might show a tree. With their latest, BAN conjure an immersive new landscape dominated by driving, double-kicked tempos and a heightened focus on psychedelic experimentation. From the echo-drenched reveries of Nomos Nebuleam

through the punishing climax of Sybelius, Hallucinogen synthesises an encyclopaedic range of styles, moods and textures into a dreamy and absurdly addictive voyage. The compositions remain rooted in repetitive, distorted riffing augmented by glittery melodies and bruising blasts of classic power chords. Richly produced and teeming with swagger and emotion, Hallucinogen will surely find a home on several end-ofyear lists. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Deathspell Omega, Altar Of Plagues, Darkspace

JOE DALY