Lo and behold! The mighty Boarhammer has returned to the pages of Scrolls! After the review of their highly acclaimed demo “I: Cutting Wood for Magickal Purposes” and an in-depth interview, now it’s time to analyze the band’s first full length album that we’ve all waited for for so long.
“II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms” will be out on the 26th of January via the Finnish label Naturmacht Productions, both on limited tape (100 copies) and jewel case CD versions (200 copies).
As the album name implies it, this record basically takes things further from where the demo left them, as a logical continuation of the sonic voyage described in part I. The stories Boarhammer sings about happen in the same background, and by that I mean the forests and their hidden secrets which are only revealed at night, under the light of the full moon when strange rituals occur.
“In the clearing the circle is set
In the dark of the moon, listen to the broom’s call“
The album contains 9 songs (the physical copies feature a cover of the The Rattles track “The Witch” as bonus) with a running time of almost 45 minutes. Musically, the sound is pretty similar to the one from the demo. The band immerses itself again in that “proto” black metal madness combined with psychedelic elements (demented vocals, chaotic riffs, crunchy bass lines, intricate drum patterns) and classic heavy metal touches (ex. “Tree Transvection“) and the result is pretty amazing. It defies and challenges all the modern black metal norms and it’s extremely hard to categorize, which I truly think it’s a fantastic achievement. I love the way the 2 musicians have developed their own style and direction, creating a trademark with just 2 releases. I’ve seen analogies with Master’s Hammer and Root, with Cultes des Ghoules and whatnot, but don’t be fooled, Boarhammer is Boarhammer, something completely different and unique.
The Vessel‘s hoarse vocals, combined with Wodwoz‘s additional background input, form an atypical soundscape for those expecting traditional black metal screams. Like an exotic ingredient, these unholy vocals add an unsettling vibe to the whole experience that is a Boarhammer record. Softly spoken passages, harsh, commanding screams and clean vocals mingle and intertwine into a single powerful voice, as if a demented and possessed human speaks in tongues (ex. “Extreme Unction“).
Lyrically, on this first album the 2 musicians address the same topics they already used on the demo, enhancing them through the use of magic mushrooms and other intoxicating ingredients (hence the album name “Chemognosis“). The band delves deeply into occult topics which deal with witches, witchcraft, wild hunts and midnight gatherings but also takes care to perform the last rites for the dying, before meeting at night at the crossroads.
“A portal has appeared among the rowan trees.
It is across this bridge I now take flight.
Over Winter’s hedge, and into the darkest night!“
Each song sounds like an alchemical experiment during which Wodwoz and The Vessel assiduously try to create their own philosopher’s stone through the transmutation of all the occult elements that make up their music. If they have succeeded it’s up for you to judge, but I truly think that with this second release, Boarhammer has created a perfect psychedelic black metal album whose magical essence will linger on many years from now. Hail the true Boarhammer!
Boarhammer – “II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms” track list:
1. Entering Forest Twylite
2. Skeins of Demented Magick
3. Tree Transvection
4. Erdkaul
5. Arboreal Portal Ritual
6. Behold Those Fell Candles
7. Extreme Unction
8. Lysovik – Midnight Conjuring at the Crossroads
9. The Witch (The Rattles cover – bonus track for the physical releases only)
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