Thematic Emanation Of Archetypal Multiplicity - Blut Aus Nord

Blut Aus Nord's 'Thematic Emanations of Archetypal Multiplicity' EP picks up where preceding full length 'The Work Which Transforms God' (2003) left off, opening with a lumbering, ominous intro that gives way to the dissonant strings, snaking, doomy riffs and slow mechanical drum beats of 'Level 1- (Nothing Is)', perhaps the best track on the album. Tension is built up then released in inharmonious bursts, accompanied by coarse, effect-heavy spoken ...
...style Blut Aus Nord are to adopt on their following full-length M.O.R.T (2006).

This is followed by a fairly conventional industrial track, 'Level 2 (Nothing is Not)', which consists of minimalist beats and a repetitive bassline that die away into a muted distant pulse mid-song before kicking back in. Whilst enjoyable enough, the track is overlong and does not possess Blut Aus Nord's usual ingenuity, and may leave some fans disappointed ... more

Blut Aus Nord's 'Thematic Emanations of Archetypal Multiplicity' EP picks up where preceding full length 'The Work Which Transforms God' (2003) left off, opening with a lumbering, ominous intro that gives way to the dissonant strings, snaking, doomy riffs and slow mechanical drum beats of 'Level 1- (Nothing Is)', perhaps the best track on the album. Tension is built up then released in inharmonious bursts, accompanied by coarse, effect-heavy spoken word parts and ethereal wails and is indicative of the style Blut Aus Nord are to adopt on their following full-length M.O.R.T (2006).

This is followed by a fairly conventional industrial track, 'Level 2 (Nothing is Not)', which consists of minimalist beats and a repetitive bassline that die away into a muted distant pulse mid-song before kicking back in. Whilst enjoyable enough, the track is overlong and does not possess Blut Aus Nord's usual ingenuity, and may leave some fans disappointed due to its somewhat generic nature.

The echo-laden,' Level 3 (Nothing Becomes)', consists of a low, chiming bell and Tibetan chanting alongside what sound like ceremonial horns and the irregular beating of skin drums. Hypnotic and repetitive, it evokes a cold and incense-heavy atmosphere that is in keeping with the Nordic mysticism of the bands early albums, bringing to mind the lost frozen Nordic homeland of Hyperborea and subterranean Himalayan cities of mystic lore. A final, minute long track starts with a shrieking violin, ushering in what sounds like vedic chanting before fading away, bringing the album to a close.

Overall then, 'Thematic Emanations...' whilst less challenging a listen that its predecessor, and devioid entirely of the furious black metal elements present on the previous two albums, it is nevertheless a hugely atmospheric and enjoyable listen, marred only slightly by a somewhat awkward industrial track mid-duration. Well worth picking up.

Summary: An enjoyable mix of dissonant weirdness, ambience and industrial elements

 

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