Cthuluminati – Tentacula

Dutch, progressive & avant-garde metal quartet, Ctuhuluminati is back after an almost six year hiatus! Tentacula is the title for the second full-length from the band, released independently last spring. The story of the band dates back to 2005, a solo project (Devi Hisgen) called, Morquis. After numerous line-up changes, now as a duo, the band embraced a new musical direction and released their ambitious 2019 debut named Reliqideus.

Now more than six years later, another captivating six-tracker from this progressive/black/doom/sludge/avant -garde four-headed entity, has been released.

Track list:

01. Ctrhl
02. Squid Pro Quo
03. Abysmal Quatrain
04. Transformation
05. The illusion of control
06. Mantra

As stated above, the album consists of six songs, four of which are lengthy (exceeding 10 minutes), and two are just under 10 minutes playing time. First thing notable is the fact that these guys dive even deeper into their signature sound; blend of diverse infleunces, and an intriguing mix of psychedelic, avant-garde and progressive metal sounds. The result is a soundscape where the boundaries between the genres dissolve into a hypnotic realm. Furthermore I would say that at first spin Tentacula appears a bit challenging listening experience due to numerous layers in each of the songs. Thus, with each new spin of Tentacula one discovers some new things.

All instruments (guitars, vocals, drums & bass) show an incredible variety of sounds. If we begin with vocals – these are really impressive/mixed and varied, showing the wide range while experimenting and utilizing new techniques. The guitars are ranging from very calm and meditative to more shredding riffing. There are some lumbering bass notes, perfectly illustrated in one of my album favourites, track called “The Illusion of Control”. Drumming is as varied as other instruments; to times weird, steady, and sometimes with a full on psych rock escapade.

Lastly; I find Tentacula to be another strong opus from this Dutch quartet, with its endless ability of genre-bending creative sound, and some adventurous compositions that reaches the right balance between complexity and accessibility ensuring a great and rich listening experience. Thus, Tentacula is a great way to express the realms of darkness where the band’s mission remains clear; to create music without boundaries, a space ‘where the absurd meets sublime, and innovation reigns supreme’.

Recommended tracks: “Cthrl”, “The Illusion of Control” and the closing “Mantra”. Tentacula is another great showcase of band’s talent and as such can be recommended for fans of Oranssi Pazuzu, Ihsahn, Dream Theater, Ved Buens Ende, Enslaved, A Forest of Stars, Arcturus and similar prog/avant-garde metal acts. I’m sure worshippers of these bands will appreciate the epic touches and numerous twists and turns to be heard on Tentacula.

Want to hear the sound from Tentacula? Check it out in a full-length at the link below. For further info on this storytelling psychedelic metal formation from The Netherlands visit https://www.facebook.com/Cthuluminati/