Review: Nepal Death ‘Pilgrims And Psychonauts’
Music is a powerful force that resonates in our hearts and minds, often transcending the boundaries of language and culture. It offers comfort, enlightenment, and a deep connection to our inner selves. When in 2021, I stumbled upon the debut album by Malmö, Sweden based Nepal Death, I was instantly transported to another musical realm, where sound intertwined with spirituality and emotional fuzzy guitar noise.
Their unique blend of heavy psychedelic and spiritual acid folk rock brings forth a joyful yet meditative experience as an invitation to reflect on the sacred and the sacrilegious. It was like listening to a heavily breathing version of Quintessence’s Indweller, an album that, at the time, dominated my listening. Nepal Death‘s debut record finds its ‘quintessence‘ expression in the evocative melodies of songs like Om Kali Ma, Sita Ram, and the poignant Death In Nepal, which resonate deeply, echoing like a ceremonial prayer.
The accompanying videos, inspired by the haunting imagery of the 1973 classic The Wicker Man and spiritual journeys in India and Nepal, capture the haunting beauty of their themes, exploring the essence of dark religion and embracing its light. Each song, mostly sung by their cult leader Anders Hallberg, is like a journey, offering joy and reflection, reminding us of music’s extraordinary power to connect us both to the divine and to ourselves.
In 2022, their second release, Dhyana Mortis – Psychedelic Death Meditation, truly caught me off guard. This album marked a significant change in their musical style, venturing into a dark, atmospheric world I hadn’t anticipated. As the first notes unfurl, you are transported into an abyss of deep darkness, where each sound feels like a gateway to another dimension. The music doesn’t just play; it envelops you, allowing you to experience a journey through the cosmos that feels both eerie and enlightening.
The album contemplates the deep inner world of kosmische musik, beautifully interweaving celestial voices and intricate textures. It features a blend of instruments, such as cello drones, electric and bass guitars, alongside the subtle chimes of Tibetan bells. Each element harmonises, creating a sound that seems to be delivered from the afterlife, pulling you into its hypnotic embrace. As the sounds of pulsating shakra energy dance through solar and sacral flows, you can almost feel its power shifting around you. It reminds me of the exploratory spirit of Popul Vuh, evoking memories of their works like Affenstunde and In Der Garten Pharaos. The music takes on a life of its own, resonating deep within the soul.
Three years later, the band returns fully equipped to take us back aboard their battered hippie van for a new immersive and imaginative journey on a ‘72 Hippy Trail, a path they initially blazed with their debut album. Their new concept album, Pilgrims And Cosmonauts, their first for Kali Psyche Records, is something special, a vibrant celebration of life, brimming with joy, devotion, and the transformative power of love.
It masterfully captures the inner musical spirit of each band member, amplified by the contributions of their special guests, who feature members from much-acclaimed psychedelic-experimental krautrock outfits including The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Øresund Space Collective, Exorcist GBG and Papir.
The album itself is ingeniously divided into two distinct and sacred musical journeys, each meticulously centred on a powerful Hindu deity: Mahakala and Mahakali, both representing the complex concepts of time, death and universal power. The whole experience unfolds fluidly and musically, capturing our listening attention from start to finish.
a dynamic and captivating sonic landscape…
The album’s intro, which marks the beginning of phase one (Mahakala), invites us to climb back into the van for a reimagined exploration of The Hippy Trail. This sonic journey quickly explodes into Polycromatic Route, a fast-paced, uplifting, and almost dizzying space rock track that seamlessly segues into Freak Street Blues. Here, the sheer joy of life is celebrated with an infectious energy, driven by pounding percussion, soaring flute melodies, vibrant guitars, and soulful OM chants – ‘I’m dying for you, I’m breathing with you’.
A Word Of Warning, a brief but poignant interlude, serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls that can accompany even the happiest of paths. This thoughtful pause then gives way to Divine Destroyer (The Mahakala Mantra), an almost cathartic yet undeniably divine mantra in its own right. Its sound blossoms and unfolds like a sweet lotus, offering a moment of profound sonic beauty.
The subsequent tracks that conclude the Mahakala side are filled with glorious soundscapes and a sense of calm meditation, preparing the listener for the journey ahead that continues with the Mahakali side.
This second journey plunges us into a completely different realm, overwhelming our senses and drawing us into their purifying psych raga sound. Here, all the instruments engage in a mesmerising battle, sometimes frantic and chaotic, sometimes calm and mantric, creating a dynamic and captivating sonic landscape. Hallberg‘s voice acts as a powerful manifestation of earthly, frenzied chanting, adding to the intensity of the whole experience.
Sister Nirvana, with its evocative flute melodies, driving drums, and gloriously fuzzy guitar, beckons you into a captivating dance, reminiscent of Hawkwind’s Stacia Blake’s legendary stage performances. Through the otherworldly electronic noise of an analogue synth, we are transported into the spiritual karma of Shooting Star, accompanied by the celestial, atmospheric sound of tanpura and sitar.
The spiritual chant of Hare Krishna blends seamlessly with Hallberg‘s mellifluous, heartfelt and spiritual voice, creating a truly transcendental experience. His mantra mechanism effortlessly transports us, body and soul, into the depths of the transcendental She Demon, a song reminiscent to the Rolling Stones’ Sympathy For The Devil. The flowery and immersive journey ultimately concludes with The Exorcism Of Rakshasi (She Demon Pt. II), a universal instrumental embrace in which all the instruments coalesce, blending together to create a surreal and unforgettable dance.
This collective of music pilgrims has delivered an album whose groove, at times, recalls Australia’s Tame Impala, but at the same time brings in their blend of the spiritual and the artistic that makes Nepal Death not just a musical experience but a profound journey into the Hindu’s spiritual world. As I immerse myself in their sound, I find that their music is indeed what we need to lift our spirits and stir our minds.
Label: Kali Psyche Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
