Blood Incantation's Absolute Elsewhere: A Fusion of Morbid Angel and Pink Floyd Influences
Blood Incantation's fourth album, Absolute Elsewhere, showcases the band's unique blend of Morbid Angel and Pink Floyd influences. Released in late 2024, the album received critical acclaim and topped Metal Hammer's album-of-the-year list. Guitarists Paul Riedl and Morris Kolontyrsky drew inspiration from classic rock icons like Pink Floyd and incorporated their love for progressive rock into the album's structure.
The duo's approach to songwriting on Absolute Elsewhere features two lengthy tracks divided into three sections each. By combining elements of Morbid Angel's death metal sound with the melodic sensibilities of Pink Floyd, Blood Incantation creates a captivating and nostalgic listening experience. The band's decision to look back to the '70s and '80s for inspiration sets them apart from the current trend of futuristic death metal bands.
The album's vintage charm is evident in the sprawling compositions of The Stargate and The Message, which clock in at over 20 minutes each. Riedl and Kolontyrsky prioritize creating memorable melodies and atmospheres reminiscent of classic rock legends like Uli Jon Roth and Robin Trower. Their recording process at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin allowed them to experiment with a variety of tones, blending thick distortion with ethereal cleans and effects.
During live performances, the guitarists rely on pedal effects like the MXR Carbon Copy and Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator to recreate the album's diverse sounds. The lead guitar parts were recorded using a modified Peavey 5150 amp borrowed from Mille Petrozza of Kreator, while the clean tones were achieved through bi-amping with a chorus echo and classic amplifiers. The resulting stereo spread and layered textures on Absolute Elsewhere evoke the rich sonic landscapes of iconic albums like Carcass's Heartwork and the Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream.
Blood Incantation's commitment to blending death metal intensity with progressive rock intricacies shines through on Absolute Elsewhere, solidifying their reputation as a band that defies genre boundaries and embraces the timeless appeal of classic rock influences.