Album Review: Psychonaut – World Maker (Pelagic Records)

Belgian psychedelic post-metal masters Psychonaut return with their triumphant new album World Maker, released 24th October via Pelagic Records.

Delivering a post metal masterclass while being inherently progressive and still managing to make the whole thing feel trippy, Psychonaut’s new album is very special. One with layers of dreaminess that immediately cuts right through to the soul on the melodramatic opening title track. A subtle, exposed, and haunting showcase of post-infused melody and vibrant vocals.

A burst of instrumental energy is welcome in the following Endless Currents as Psychonaut really begin to stretch their progressive muscles, and they’re rippling. Nonetheless, melody still plays an important part here, shored up by a harmonic chorus, bursts of heavy intensity, and a sense of positive drama that permeates the entire record. Least of all a track like You Are the Sky, which is delightfully weird and wholly addictive, Everything Else Is Just the Weather, which soars with grandeur, and the expressive experimentation of And You Came with Searing Light, which takes us to the halfway point in memorable fashion, showcasing both the light and the dark sides of Psychonaut.

After all, this record takes the form of life lessons for guitarist/vocalist Stefan De Graef son, who at the time of album writing, learned he was to be a father. There’s very little as life changing as that, and although misery would follow not long after the birth of De Graef’s son as the devastating news that both his own father and Psychonaut bassist/vocalist Thomas Michiels’ father had been diagnosed with advanced cancers, the record is still focused on the positive experience of becoming a dad. It doesn’t matter if you can relate or not, you’ll be able to understand the feeling in this record, regardless.

Of course, this does mean we have a Psychonaut record with a different ‘vibe’ overall, less philosophical and spiritual, and more present. Yet, the core idea behind the band remains the same and that is what drives things forward. Giving us incredible efforts like Origins, where dominating atmosphere melds with vivid instrumentation that expands in immense ways as the track goes on. The use of tabla, a pair of Indian hand drums, is a particularly inspired aspect.

Incredible efforts like All in Time and the way in which the hypnotic guitar tone and soft vocals lull you into sense of security, only for the track to erupt in intense fashion. Or incredible efforts like Stargazer, named so for De Graef’s son being born in stargazer position, which might be the finest example on the album of how Psychonaut effortlessly combine delicate melodies with mammoth heaviness. All while adding thick layers of progressive thinking over it too.

Of course, such a listen needs repeats as it’s the only way to truly take in the sprawling journey that Psychonaut take us on here. Across multiple listens, more beauty is exposed, more intensity comes through, and the connection grows stronger and stronger. Yet, even on an initial listen, tracks like All Was Quiet and Endless Erosion prove to be so powerful. The former, a short and emotionally captivating piece of melody with just a hint of symphonic and cinematic bombast. The latter, the album’s epic in so many ways, yet, as sensitive and thoughtful as ever.

Psychonaut may never make an album quite like this again, that is how unique an effort it is, but long term fans won’t be turned off by it either as so much of what makes them who they are is present. It’s the most contemporary the band has sounded, and with that, comes something truly unforgettable.

Psychonaut – World Maker Track Listing:

1. World Maker
2. Endless Currents
3. You Are the Sky
4. Everything Else Is Just the Weather
5. And You Came with Searing Light
6. Origins
7. All In Time
8. Stargazer
9. All Was Quiet
10. Endless Erosion

Links

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Pelagic Records