Year : 2019
Total Time: 48:56
Label: Debemur Morti

Personally, I always felt that the status of BLUT AUS NORD in the Black Metal scene was higher than their true value as a band. They never released anything that could be considered as a masterpiece, on the contrary they released some very mediocre albums. The “777” trilogy gave them a lot of credit, but again I think this was because the venture was initially difficult and demanding, and the vision remarkable, rather than the project itself. It had many inspirational moments, but as a whole it was uneven and ultimately did not live up to my expectations. Perhaps the negative thing about them is that they try to please everyone. With the “777” albums the most prog audiences, with “Memoria Vetusta” EP’s the more traditional ones, the “Deus Salutis Meæ” and the split with ÆVANGELIST (fantastic release) they enter more extreme industrial paths but not always with success.

Sure BLUT AUS NORD is a respectable project, but they have too many releases and a willingness to play every possible style. Now we have “Hallucinogen” and another change of style, as expected. The cover and the general layout (logo, colors etc.) put you straight in the mood and “Nomos Nebuleam” leaves no doubts. Here, BLUT AUS NORD make an album of adventurous, psychedelic, melodic Post/Prog Black (?) Metal. “Hallucinogen” is based on VINDSVAL’s awesome guitar job. There are melodies that travel your mind and it is very enjoyable and easy to hear. It is a funny thing (thinking of everyone’s story) that the French now went into unknown territories and played better than expected. They were influenced by bands of the modern extreme (I won’t dare to say Black Metal) sound and they are better than the bands that are already there for years. Influences from bands like DEAFHEAVEN, LITURGY and VIOLET COLD are obvious throughout the album, of course through their own perspective. Tracks like “Sybelius” are not easy to create. Adhesive riffs, flawless aesthetic solos and a stunning atmosphere. The vocals are somehow back in the mix, more like an accompaniment, leaving the main role to the guitars. “Mare Cognitum” may be reminiscent of points, more like a mood, without that specific stellar essence, of course.

So, that’s a truly good album, but is it for everyone?  I don’t really think so. It is sure that now their fan base will expand, they will be commercially more successful, and it may later be considered as one of their best works. For the black metallers, I, personally speaking, think that “Hallucinogen” contains not even a single trace of darkness or blackness…. It is not twisted or distressed, not even imposing or scary. In the end it is not Black Metal at all. Gradually, however, as you study their discography, you realize that the more they move away from Black Metal, the better they become. Probably this is their path now…

I admit it is a great album, I enjoyed it being fully aware of what it is but ir’s not what I would like it to be. Also, I have the feeling that from now on our roads will not meet again ……

Rating: 8/10
Editor: Labros Katsakioris
Related Link: Blut Aus Nord – Official Page