Elysian Blaze - Blood Geometry - review
Elysian Blaze - Blood Geometry - review
Tracklist
Disc I [Arcane Throne & Mourning Star]01. A Choir For Venus
02. The Temple Is Falling
03. Sigils That Beckon Death
04. Blood Geometry
Disc II [Blood Conduit & Void Pursuit]
01. A Blade For Twilight
02. Pyramid Of The Cold Son
03. Blood Of Ancients, Blood Of Hatred
04. Void Alchemy
A review by
Auntie Sahar February 01, 2013
The first disc of Blood Geometry starts off with "A Choir For Venus," a short, yet beautiful, piano-laden instrumental that serves as a bridge into the heavier meat of the music. Right away, one will notice that Mutatiis put a lot of thought into the overall composition of this album with the spacing out of the instrumental parts. The music contains all the traits that Elysian Blaze has, up to this point, been known for: a heavy, funereal pace, simple (yet effective) percussion, raw guitars with clear, expressive leads... all enveloped in a signature cloak of eerie, sinister atmosphere. Yet this time, perhaps because of the length of the album as a whole, Mutatiis seems to be a lot more comfortable with throwing some more tricks into the mix, namely with the symphonic and orchestral elements of Blood Geometry (see especially the soft, hidden choirs and melodic piano in the middle of "The Temple Is Falling"). Much like with Deathspell Omega, the music dances back and forth between these elements and its more brutal, aggressive side according to the narrative set by the lyrics, and with this complicated, though well-executed, technique, the composition never appears bloated or overdone.
Disc 2 in many ways picks up right where Disc 1 leaves off. The melancholic ambience of "A Blade For Twilight" continues in the direction that "Blood Geometry" began, and this sense of cohesiveness throughout the album's duration only helps to reinforce its power. Then follows the real package of Blood Geometry that really makes the depth of Mutatiis's skill as a composer shine: "Pyramid of the Cold Son," and the 36 minute monster "Blood of Ancients, Blood of Hatred." Too long? Boring? Not in the slightest. Somehow, through, all the dissonance of the guitar reverb and thundering percussion, Mutatiis manages to keep the music entertaining, with everything that made the first disc fantastic coming to a peak in the second: the atmospheric mood of the piano and organs being intertwined flawlessly with the harsher side of the album at exactly the right moments, so that the music accentuates the emotion of the lyrics precisely when it's meant to. The second disc, notably, also has a lot more of a heavier, "doomy" vibe to it, almost like a more ambient version of The Ruins Of Beverast.
Blood Geometry is a lot like an opera, really. Each of the longer tracks have multiple movements to them, with a lot to take in on behalf of the listener, but it's not all unnecessary fluff and waffle. This album is by no means extravagance purely for the sake of extravagance... no, it's more like a mesmerizing, powerful tale set in ancient times, about an individual's spiritual transcendence, as reflected by the various tempo and mood shifts within the music. It's a lot to swallow, but like with any good story, the theme doesn't necessarily come immediately. This 2 hour masterpiece that Mutatiis has offered up in 2012 is creative vision taken to its fullest extent. This is art in the fullest meaning of the word. If you're armed with an open mind, and a willingness to sit through a long, but incredible musical trip, then hop to it. You will not be disappointed.
*Also, if you listen to the album, make sure you have the lyrics in front of you to read. They follow like an epic poem of sorts, and it's impossible to take in the full power of the music without following along with how said music reinforces the lyrics.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 10 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 10 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written by Auntie Sahar | February 01, 2013
Comments
Comments:
25
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 Posts: 4603 |
Posts: 4603
The beginning of this review... Apothecary, I am going to love you forever.
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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Posts: 8004
I guess you said it all. I especially agree with the parallel you draw with opera (or classical music), indeed each song seems to have all these movements that seamlessly blend into one coherent piece. Apart from the fact that this evokes the same sort of feelings to me as The Maniacal Vale, I am really impressed that nothing seems superfluous or too long on this 2-hour plus album. Anyway, this is by far my favourite album of last year. Also my Extreme Doom pick in this year's awards.
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Posts: 3645
Here we are with the passion thing again  Great review though, I really liked it, same with the album. I wouldn't say it deserves a 10 for originality though. The only problem with this album is that I rarely have a 2-hour gap in my day where I can just sit and listen to this, even though I often want to. That being said, I do have one today so I'll just go ahead and... yeah.. see ya.
---- I hate bonus tracks
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Posts: 3554  |
Posts: 3554
Pure, unadulterated passion, haha. Great review. Agree with you on pretty much all points.
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Posts: 508  |
Posts: 508
Alright, that's it. I was initially put off by the immense duration of this album but having read this review I am now convinced that I just have to check it out in one complete playthrough.
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Posts: 2796
I loved this review, haven't heard of the band before and it seems I'm missing out on something that I'll probably like.
---- He who is not bold enough to be stared at from across the abyss is not bold enough to stare into it himself.
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Posts: 5989 Written by Deadsoulman on 01.02.2013 at 11:38 Yeah, it really does seem very neoclassical at points, a part of it that I really enjoyed. I think that composition technique is what really helps it not get boring, because (like an opera) there are enough twists and turns in the mood of the music to keep the listener entertained.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 5989 Written by Zap on 01.02.2013 at 11:57 I will admit, I did put a bit of fanboy bias into that, cuz this album honestly just blew me away on the first listen But in a purely non-subjective sense, it is an amazing listen. The length is the issue, you really have to be in the mood to sit through all of it and absorb it for what it is. I'd recommend doing it at night, whenever you get around to it, just to enhance the overall atmosphere 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 5989 Written by UnknownCheese on 01.02.2013 at 17:48 Sometimes less is more
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 3645 Written by Auntie Sahar on 01.02.2013 at 17:27 Indeed, if I ever listen to this album it often is at night, or just when it's dark and cold outside. By the way, I was also blown away on the first listen 
---- I hate bonus tracks
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| Posts: 5989 |
Posts: 5989
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 2574
Man, made my day with the opening line; agree with Milena, will follow your reviews from now on. But seriously, you write very well, and will try to get to this album some time.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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Posts: 5989 Written by K✞ulu on 06.02.2013 at 16:49 Thanks buddy, glad you enjoyed it. I'll prob be doing this new Cloak Of Altering album (if no one else claims it first) next, so be on the lookout
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 18614 Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.02.2013 at 17:02 Aaaaaah Bitch.  Well, I'm sure you'll nail it. I already wrote the staff pick and the write-up for the Awards so I can't take everything ahhahaha.  I'm gonna expect a good review, that album really deserves one.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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Posts: 5989 Written by X-Ray Rod on 06.02.2013 at 17:50 Might do this Wormlust band that JOEE picked first actually, really been enjoying that release. It's also a bit easier to digest, Cloak Of Altering will take me awhile (like you said, it deserves a good review, and it's a bit hard to describe, so I don't wanna rush it).
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 1689
What a beautiful album, no need to add something more to the review, everything that can explain how great is this it's now above. This album came to me in a moment when the music made me feel like suspended in an atmosphere of pure melancholy. Thanks for this great review.
---- "Les vers savent qu'ils n'ont pas d'ailes, c'est pour cela qu'ils se cachent sous terre"
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 Posts: 4367 |
Posts: 4367
Sorry but this review is way too long and has too much words about describing many parts of each and every song. But I am going to check this out after I back catalog his earlier two albums. I am looking forward to this after the recent discussion about long albums in SB reminded me of this.
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Posts: 5989 Written by 3rdWorld on 02.11.2013 at 16:59 A short review simply wouldn't do this justice. You'll see what I mean when you give it a playthrough
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 18614 Written by Auntie Sahar on 02.11.2013 at 17:45 It's all a thing of personal taste in the end. if you ask me, 700 words IS too long. 500 tops for me no matter the album and I do understand him when he comments on the nearly "song by song" feeling of the review. Example: I really like Jupi's review of The Maniacal Vale. Around 360 words for an album that is also very long.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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Posts: 4367 Written by Auntie Sahar on 02.11.2013 at 17:45 Now gave this a full read-through and I like the first and last paragraphs and not the middle ones. But like doc said I don't like the "song by song" style descriptions and the ones about style transitions unless it is very necessarily needed for something like a Botanist record.
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Posts: 5989 Written by X-Ray Rod on 02.11.2013 at 18:49 I wouldn't say this is really a track by track review though, I pretty much describe how the album progresses in reference to certain tracks, and there are certain ones that I didn't mention at all. You want a track by track review, head on over to MA
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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