ninehertz

Earthslayer have returned to their epic Häxan, a remaster of the record they released a decade ago (then as EORÐESLAJYR). It is important to understand that it was crafted as a soundtrack to the silent film ‘Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages’ by Benjamin Christensen, because only then does it make even a modicum of logical sense as a record.

With that knowledge onboard, I recognise this artistry as giving an auditory illusion to a film I have never seen, turning confusing passages and noises into narrative arcs. This isn’t a musical album as we know it, instead a utilisation of field recordings and ambient noise to give life and volume to a story. Where it does turn to more recognisable musical structure, it typically appears in the shapes of dark electronics, jazz and synth-rock, all with a psychedelic overture.

It would be impossible to fully describe the whole expedition you are sent on without writing my own further step removed interpretation of the source. Instead I’ll describe some moments from across its ten tracks as to give a flavour – starting with the opening Surrounded By Nine Angelic Choirs, with its series of gurgling, alive field recording of some mutated amphibian gutter life, then a crashing awakening before quietening to piano. There are hints of jazz in the noise, all of which is as if from a Silent Hill meets Twin Peaks styled nightmare. There’s a picked violin or some such making it all the eerier. It’d be wrong to call it ambient as it is an agitating, itchy listen, but it is creaking and thin, until an excoriating industrial blast brings you round.

The tracks are never alike so the same level of detail can be picked out from within each, individual to everyone. There are squiggling electronics as if someone is playing with a makeshift radio, lounge music as if made by aliens, the surprisingly genteel Lullaby, a sensation as if you’ve sat on the “cosmic effects” button on your Casio keyboard… and many more such visions gifted upon you.

At its most musically coherent and focussed, you sense a Kid A / Amnesiac era Radiohead influence, even verging into Aphex Twin’s world at times. But it is for one too often too harsh a sound to settle on this comparison and even in its quiet there are as many moments of folk or dungeon synth, all with an industrial presence never far away.

This reissue and remaster adds a bonus trio of live recordings at its end, adding weight to the sense that had already arisen that they must be an incredible act to see on the stage. Häxan is undeniably a difficult listen, yet equally bravely ambitious. It has completely immersive pull that is fascinating and illuminating.