Absolute Elsewhere marks a bold leap forward not just in Blood Incantation’s discography, but for metal as a whole, as they seamlessly blend progressive rock with their established death metal roots in an ambitious fusion that manages to feel both experimental and accessible, while remaining undeniably fun. The album’s sprawling structure moves effortlessly through moods and textures with vintage synthesizers and mellotron played by Thorsten Quaeschning of Tangerine Dream from soaring riffs to intricate polyrhythms. Absolute Elsewhere is an odyssey that traverses heavy, riff-driven peaks and ambient, meditative valleys, inviting listeners to embark on a cerebral voyage of dense sci-fi existentialism, pushing the boundaries of metal by embracing progressive rock’s complexity and depth. 
The scope of Absolute Elsewhere is nothing short of galactic. Spanning two expansive tracks - “The Stargate” and “The Message” - the album unfolds as a journey through soundscapes that blend the technicality of death metal with the grandeur of progressive rock. Both tracks are divided into multiple movements, allowing Blood Incantation to explore all sorts of styles and emotions with seamless transitions. “The Message [Tablet II],” stands out for its unabashed nod to Pink Floyd, and while the composition is unmistakably lifted from “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, the reinterpretation feels intentional and reverent, woven seamlessly into the larger tapestry of the album rather than being a mere rip-off.

What makes Absolute Elsewhere so striking is its ability to balance extremes. On one hand, it’s a technical marvel, with intricate layers of instrumentation, staggeringly ambitious compositions, and tectonic shifts in tone and style from crushing death metal riffs, to delicate ambient interludes, to expansive prog rock passages. Yet for all its complexity, Absolute Elsewhere is surprisingly accessible, with an undeniable catchiness to the melodies, and a sense of groove and rhythm that makes even its most intricate moments feel inviting. The album challenges its audience without alienating them, carrying a sense of playfulness alongside its more cerebral ambitions. Blatant nods to progressive rock greats never feel derivative, and the album never feels fragmented or disjointed despite the sprawling nature of the songs and the myriad influences at play.

Absolute Elsewhere is an awe-inspiring triumph of modern progressive metal. The ambition of its composition, the mastery of its execution, and the sense of wonder it inspires all feel like a leap forward for both Blood Incantation and death metal. It’s an exhilarating and rare treat to find music this intricate and intellectual without losing its sense of fun - an extraordinary fusion of progressive rock and death metal that redefines what both genres can achieve.