Entheogen – Other World

An atmospheric short instrumental aptly entitled ‘Entering the Other World’ introduces us to “Other World”. This is the debut EP by Entheogen from Ghent. Formed in 2017, the band set out to create experimental music with a base of various styles of metal. With this, came the hope of making unique pieces of music. The current line-up was completed in 2019 with the addition of drummer Chevy Mahieu.

This young Belgian group must be frustrated by the current pandemic situation and limitations. They had played several gigs in Ghent and Kortrijk, won the Moshroom Rockrally 2019 (Moshroomfest Sint-Eloois Winkel) and were due to perform at the Belgian Blast Festival 2020. Then, just as things were starting to happen for them, everything was put on hold.

So, they set about recording this EP, biding their time, and hoping that they will be able to start gigging once again. They certainly have bags of potential and obviously the ambition to stamp out a unique identity for the band. Can they do it? Time will tell. Entheogen is a chemical substance, typically of plant origin, that is ingested to produce a non-ordinary state of consciousness for religious or spiritual purposes. I wonder if this is the source of their grand designs.

The second song ‘Fade In’ has a title that could well be the opening track. It is heavy in parts with rasped vocals, softer in others and changes halfway through to purely instrumental riffing that carries it to the end.

Fade In – Entheogen @Kinky Star (click here if the video does not play)

‘Disintegration’ has a delicious beginning, reminiscent perhaps of early progressive metal bands such as Queensryche. This is quickly joined by a chomping riff and then some electronic whirling effect over the top before changing to a heavier feel drawing on multiple styles of metal and some lead solos. ‘Of Remembrance’ has a heavy staccato style initially, changing briefly to a more mellow riff, then swapping back and forth between this and the heavier sound. Lastly ‘Mountainous Wave’ is an instrumental track that starts with some nice string tapping from first one and then both guitars, then evolves into various guitar configurations and tempos.

Entheogen – Mountainous Wave Live @Kinky Star 04/10/2019 (click here if the video does not play)

These guys probably need to hone their skills a bit more if they are to achieve their ambition of unique status. Time is on their side though and things will return to something like normal one day. All in all, not a bad effort for a debut release, with some nice touches and good ideas. It will be interesting to see how they develop in their future projects.

Track List:

1. Entering the Other World
2. Fade In
3. Disintegration
4. Of Remembrance
5. Mountainous Wave