ALBUM REVIEW: Doedsmaghird - Omniverse Consciousness

The mastermind behind Doedsmaghird and this debut album, Omniverse Consciousness, has some deep thoughts about its concept. The thing is; if you were to play the album without having this prior knowledge, you would still be aware of this. While the music has roots deep into black metal, there is a lot more going on here.

Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez says “A concept of universal awareness that transcends the present individual experience and connect the dots across multiple timelines and dimension. Consciousness is like nodes within a vast, interconnected web, where the black medium current serves a conduit for information exchange. Within this singularity, all path leads inward, and the concept of time ceases to exist. Every possible timeline, past and future converge into the enigmatic state of the omniverse consciousness. Palpable as a whispered secret, we present this intersection of experiences and outcomes. Symbolizing the unattainable potential that never was but is. This emergence through conflict and synergy shaped from the original entities involved. A transformation and innovation where two points in time merge into a point in the middle…”. Thus, proving the writer has more intentions than just making you bang your head and scream ‘Satan’. 

Ample use of varied and sometimes rather odd musical styles to make this point. Whether the use of this technique resonates with the listener would be truly down to the individual, but if the music does intrigue or cause a stir in your mind, you will surely then move on to read up on Vicotnik to get to the nuts and bolts of his meaning. 

The metal foundations are covered with electronic drumming and the occasional EDM moment in the first track Heart of Hell. The vocals growl but are ultimately decipherable, and occasionally manic. The dance beat continues, leaving you in no mind you are in for a different ride. The intentional weirdness continues into the next track with strange crying swirling around the drum beat until a haunting spoken word section takes over. Speedy black metal then returns under the demonic vocals. All the while strange sounds bust and pop around the speakers. None of this album is run of the mill, you could say it’s a mix of Satyricon and Mr Bungle, and even then you would not be close.

If you love your experimental music, and the recent Blood Incantation album does not go far enough into the world of the different, this could well be your next favourite.

Omniverse Consciousness is released on 11th October via Peaceville Records. 

Review by Neil 'Thrashtash' Bolton