I’ve most likely touched on it many times before but music for sleep is very important to me. I love putting on Post-Rock, Ambient and even Noise to sleep to, it soothes my soul and means that I can get my fix of music even during the night. Basically, I can’t and won’t stop ever listening to music. I almost wish that every second of every day was filled with music and then when I wanted to watch TV or something it turned off and came straight back on when I willed it. Sounds silly I know but I just can’t get enough!
Why am I talking about sleep though? Especially with a Blood Incantation release! Well, the Colorado cosmic Death Metal masters have decided to throw a bit of a curveball with their latest offering, one which is sure to put a lot of noses out of joint. The band are hailed as a wondrous addition to the modern Death Metal roster and rightly so, I would certainly attest to that. Both Starspawn and Hidden History Of The Human Race are masterpieces in the art of Extreme Metal. However, we now come to 2022 and the release of a rather odd EP called Timewave Zero. This EP is unlike anything from the band before, it’s Ambient, electronic and certainly not Death Metal. So, sit back, chill and immerse yourself in this latest EP from Century Media Records.
So first, and most importantly this is not Death Metal! Good, we’ve got that cleared up right, now time to rant a bit. I don’t think it should really come as a shock that Blood Incantation would pull something like Timewave Zero out of the bag. Basically, it’s a Prog/ Ambient record comprising of two main compositions Io and Ea. There is a heavy sort of more electronic focus on this EP (which is basically the length of an album) and personally I’m fine with it. I look at EPs like DLC for video games, it’s not the main article so the band can have a little more artistic licence. For a community of weirdos the Metal scene can be incredibly close minded to anything that isn’t ‘trve’, I say open your ears to new experiences. Okay now that’s out of the way let’s talk about Io, the tracks builds beautifully through an ethereal landscape to bring us something both Prog in nature, and also minimalist. I get hints of Mogwai or Tangerine Dream coming through, or on a more Metal note elements of Wolves In The Throne Room’s Ambient gem Celestite. Naturally if you don’t dig this kind of thing then I get it but also don’t write it off, music like this very much has a purpose. As I stated in my opening paragraph, music to sleep or relax to and the fact that it’s under the Blood Incantation name just shows that the band are on a similar wavelength to myself and wishing to expand their minds through audio treats. Is the music complex? Not overtly, in fact it’s very simple but that’s okay, Dungeon Synth isn’t loaded with virtuoso talent but it’s still exceptional.
On to Ea the second portion of the release, any better? Well, it’s not vastly comparable, I would say that Ea is perhaps a little more free flowing, more melodic and less atonal. Simple but very effective and certainly delicate, beautiful and magnificent material. Rarely do I actually say this but quite honestly I’m absolutely stricken by this EP, for my taste right now this EP could not have come at a better time. It is relieving me of life’s stress in a manner that is so beautiful I literally am having to hold back my tears. You might perceive that as lame or over the top but Ambient music for me right now is really important and to see one of Death Metal’s best modern artists also appreciating this style is just like a perfect alignment for me. I apologise if a lot of this review comes across as personal but if you are also eclectic in taste and a lover of relaxing music then Timewave Zero is exactly what you need right now, perfection.
So there we have it, is there anything wrong with Timewave Zero? Yes, the fact that it’s an EP and therefore won’t be on my albums of the year list, aside from that it’s faultless, total beauty in audio form. On the note of end of year lists naturally I have albums that grab me each and every year, but quite honestly they seldom achieve what Blood Incantation have with this delight of an EP. The emotion I feel when listening to this makes me realise why I do what I do, why I review and why I spend so much of my life dedicated to music. Forgive me for gushing but I simply want to say thank you Blood Incantation, thank you so much.
(10/10 George Caley)
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