Band:	Blut Aus Nord
Album:	Hallucinogen
Style:	Atmospheric black metal, Melodic black metal
Release date:	September 20, 2019
A review by:	Auntie Sahar

01. Nomos Nebuleam
02. Nebeleste
03. Sybelius
04. Anthosmos
05. Mahagma
06. Haallucinählia
07. Cosma Procyiris

Advance statements for Hallucinogen regarding its sound appeared to imply that it would be the start of a considerably new direction for Blut Aus Nord. And so it is.

Coming off nearly a decade of cold, plodding, industrial-infused black metal, Hallucinogen comes as something of a major transition point for Blut Aus Nord, the start of a new chapter in their discography so to speak. The music here is, at least by the band's own standards, a lot more straightforward and less abstract, being more in line with the conventions of contemporary melodic and atmospheric black metal than with some of the more experimental avenues the band have explored previously. Rather than the grinding, mechanical, and apocalyptic aesthetic listeners may have come to expect from the band after their last 3 or 4 releases, Hallucinogen is by contrast quite bright and uplifting, featuring energetic midtempo riffing embellished by choirs and an overall unifying sense of harmony. Opener "Nomos Nebuleam" is as good an example of this new sound as any: a lot warmer and more airy, but still featuring some of Vindsval's distinct riffing patterns.

Although Hallucinogen is, perhaps regrettably, less out there and psychedelic than its cover art and title may imply, it still manages to be a pretty emotive and dynamic listen that shuffles well between two main styles. In addition to the riff driven, midtempo approach that forms the bulk of the album, occasional moments of more relaxed atmosphere pop up that have more in common with elements of post rock, prog, and perhaps even a bit of shoegaze. These dreamier moments are often positioned very well within the rest of the more chugging approach of the music, coming both at the beginning, middle, and end of the album's various tracks and always transitioning either to or from the heavier sound quite well (the shift into this approach on "Nebeleste" is particularly delightful).

With Hallucinogen Blut Aus Nord have definitely shaken things up with a new, rather unexpected approach. Though it may be a little more generic and less out of the box than some were anticipating, they still manage to own the atmospheric black metal style and make it their own without really mimicking any one band too blatantly. Though it may leave some things to be desired in the way of experimentation and overall weirdness, if Hallucinogen proves anything it's that Blut Aus Nord aren't too comfortable playing any one style for too long a time, and are dedicated to evolving their approach, a trait surely worthy of admiration.

Snack time.