There are those who believe the current time in which we all live is merely a single line in many layers of existence that occur on numerous planes and throughout the universe. Who’s to say they’re wrong? We’re connected to so many realities on just this level, and our dreams and déjà vu moments have to come from somewhere, right? Are there more versions of us somewhere else with whom we’re wired?

If Dødheimsgard exists alongside of us here on earth, Doedsmaghird would be their twin on another timeline, creating strange, avant-garde black metal informed by electronics. Except, both bands live alongside us, as Doedsmaghird contains two members of Dødheimsgard—vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez, guitarist Camille Giradeau—and this project’s debut record “Omniverse Consciousness” explores similar cosmic corners but goes at it a little differently. This duo delves more into their main band’s past, more of what they created around the turn of the century, and what we hear on this nine-track record brings some industrial nostalgia with a daring rocket into the future.

“Heart of Hell” begins spaciously, sound exhaust wafting as synth bubbles and the growls curdle. The intensity continues to build as beats crackle and howls pile up, the weirdness getting chaotic as it swims through electro pulses. New Wavey warmth boils as sounds rattle, wordless calls chilling to the bone. “Sparker Inn Apne Dorer” is manic, speak-sing words leaving shatter marks, chants dashing as the playing blisters. Unsettling yelps meet with warbling samples, the punishing playing becoming a greater factor, spacey grains disappearing into a vacuum. “Then, to Darkness Return” attacks with black metal fury, folding into the psychosis, the vocals mangling veins. The words then strangle, commanding and marching as this brief track ends suddenly. “Endless Distance” meanders purposely through clouds, punching its way out as thick singing sets layers, the synth jarring before settling in black breezes. Howls wrench as the ugliness melts into the shadows, the playing stirring as jazzy keys cool before a burst of heats melts metal and brings a beastly end. “Endeavour” is an alluring interlude built with glistening and frosty keys, liturgical vocals, building a perfect entrance into the second half.

“Death of Time” explodes, smoke choking as the music stirs, howls leading the violent drive. Keys lap as the mists thicken, the singing icing the blood in your veins. Things gets kind of zany, sounds looping through animalistic growls, spiraling playing, and a whirling end. “Min Tid Er Omme” is trippy and punchy, keys zapping past the stars, driving through alien pulses you can feel in your organs. The playing burns harder and more savagely, keys reflecting surrounding lights, the mechanical arms twisting and warping steel, bouncy notes disappearing behind the moon. “Adrift Into Collapse” blazes right away, beats shattering, the playing storming as the growls crumble. The pace gets faster as the atmosphere turns hypnotic, going into a tornadic push that meets with warping screams and melodies doubling over. Synth strings add regality as a cinematic sound scape sends everything into closer “Requiem Transiens,” a quick outro with thick keys, fluttering singing, and bizarre winds causing freezing permanence.

On a record that plays with cosmic mysteries and parallel existences, Doedsmaghird feels like the spiritual version of current Dødheimsgard, bringing more of the electronic madness back to the forefront. “Omniverse Consciousness” is an ambitious, pulsating record that puts more industrial and mechanical bits back into black metal in a heavier dose. It might take some time for it to sink in its hooks, but once that happens, this record becomes a starting point for exploring the strangest ideas in your mind.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/DODHEIMSGARD/

To buy the album, go here: https://usa-peaceville.myshopify.com/collections/doedsmaghird

For more on the label, go here: https://peaceville.com/