Der Blutharsch And The Infinite Church Of The Leading Hand
Dream Your Life Away

THE REVIEW

I announce the release of this live album by the legendary Der Blutharsch And The Infinite Church Of The Leading Hand, a band which, in recent years, has demonstrated artistic integrity despite changing their musical style from martial-industrial to psychedelia. This is also thanks to the foresight of Albin Julius in surrounding himself with talented collaborators. His has been a genuine journey back in time towards a rough and wild psychedelic rock sound that owes something to Krautrock bands like Amon Düül II. The album, titled Dream Your Life Away, is professionally recorded yet remains raw enough to appreciate the energy that the new Blutharsch can unleash live. The setlist features some tracks (3) from the 2019 album Wish I Weren’t Here. It begins with “Evil,” introduced by a sacred atmosphere and Gregorian chant: it feels like being inside a temple while the devotees of a forgotten cult celebrate rites older than mankind. The music is obsessive and repetitive and, at least live, sounds even more rock and aggressive compared to its studio version: the acid guitars accompany the hieratic singing of Marthynna, priestess of this alien ritual. In the dark and minimal “Wish I Weren’t Here,” characterized by a pulsating bass that opens the mind like a can, it feels like listening to Joy Division on acid. “Chant” starts off acidic and atmospheric then leads us to dizzying heights marked by a powerful rhythm, space synths, and guitars that are just the right amount of acid. The following “Land Of Free” (from What Makes You Pray) is explosive and engaging while “Lord” (again from Wish I Weren’t Here) is slow and hypnotic. With “Today I Want To Catch Clouds,” the thrill continues with hectic and tight rock. The closure is entrusted to the long (about 10 minutes) title track, a true psychedelic and expansive trip that will blow your mind. In conclusion, we have a good album here, but it adds nothing for those who already know the group. Available on Bandcamp: https://derblutharsch.bandcamp.com/album/dream-your-life-away.