Review Summary: Fugit is back with another massive release, Astral Consciousness, further developing the weird doom-metal approach to black metal of sorts.
Fugit is back with another massive release, Astral Consciousness, further developing the weird doom-metal approach to black metal of sorts.
Overall it sounds like Alcest clashing with My Dying Bride – the average tempo is mid to slow, and there are a lot of keyboard melodies and mysterious vocals.
Aside from familiar doom-laden metal riffage, this release also features a deeper psychedelic twist in the vein of Darkspace and Blut Aus Nord.
The opening track creates an uneasy atmosphere with a voice sample in the tradition of underground metal, which goes on for pretty much the whole track. The ethereal keyboard melody then explodes with the next track.
On Psylocibin Fugit presents his rendition of hallucinogenic experience – it lies everywhere between Pallbearer and Swallow the Sun, showing a great diversity of vocals and an interesting psych mix.
Celestial Hermit instantly changes the mood with its thunderous drumming and heavy-ass guitars; the Godflesh/Isis vibe here is strong but with way more brutal (“true metal”) vocals. A lot of shred and blastbeats for all your black metal needs indeed.
The calming notes that come after mark the beginning of Distance – an ultimate doom metal epic with plenty of acoustic elements and roaring like a wounded beast.
The Sunset Ritual is an amazing interlude with the appearance of Alia Fay, a folk-goes-full-speed-shamanic madness trip, three minutes of pure tribal drumming and flute to reboot your attention and brainwaves.
After that one is bombarded with familiar doom/post-metal, this time of instrumental nature. Can’t really point anything out, but to notice how it emits the mid-2010 feeling within the genre (say Hydrahead and stuff).
Martina Questa is yet another guest vocalist on Metempsicosi, a more symphonic gothic number. And I mean it: halfway through the song it turns into an actual Theatre of Tragedy, with female vocalize, tons of strings and keys, and even some sensual whispering.
While being a pretty solid release Astral Consciousness if no stranger to fillers – at least Corrosion in Dissonance sounds like one to me – here Andrea’s moves become a bit predictable and feel like a chore.
OIltre Il Varco combines all the previous elements heard earlier in the album, like the cosmic motifs, female chants, gloomy riffs, and heavy use of keyboards.
Getting closer to the end Astral Consciousness goes to the territories of funeral doom with a seven-minute track full of despair and slow stuff like Esoteric used to do.
The closing track Goodbye is a lullaby for the weary mind, starting with sounds of waves and ambiance; with time it takes it’s toll on droning soundscapes in the vein of Lustmord and leaves nothing behind.
Fugit is consistent and efficient, releasing one great album after another. Astral Consciousness highlights his progression as a musician, producer, and artist.
