Hidden History of the Human Race
Hidden History of the Human Race fulfils its large ambitions through music that also works in smaller details. The riffs are heavy and active, the drums keep surprising, and melodic passages receive enough space. Blood Incantation connect these elements into death metal that sounds ambitious without pursuing complexity purely for its own sake.
Slave Species of the Gods starts directly. Low vocals and fierce drums give the song considerable force while the guitars keep finding new shapes. Changes of pace maintain movement without removing cohesion. It is a convincing opening because melody and rhythm remain clear within the violence.
The Giza Power Plant allows more room for atmosphere. Its guitar melodies have an Eastern character, and slower passages add weight to the heavy riffs. The quieter moments belong inside the same piece of music. When the guitars return with greater force, the song feels as though it has taken another step forward.
Inner Paths (To Outer Space) then reduces the pressure. The largely instrumental piece relies on psychedelic sounds and a gradual build. It provides a useful pause, although it lacks some of the individual strength of the surrounding songs. Its function within the album is clearer than the impression it leaves alone.
The long closing Awakening from the Dream of Existence to the Multidimensional Nature of Our Reality (Mirror of the Soul) brings the ideas together convincingly. Heavy riffs and solos give way to open passages before the music takes shape again. Its quiet ending consequently carries real meaning.
The production keeps the instruments understandable without polishing away the dark atmosphere. The connection between the guitars and active drums does much of the work. Hidden History of the Human Race has considerable range while remaining convincing as a set of developed songs. That makes its ambition particularly easy to appreciate.
