Tvlpa - Mountain Of The Opposer (2016)

A tulpa or what is also known as an egregore, is a type of thoughtform. Most gods are tulpas, yet our images of superheroes or other fictional characters could also be considered tulpas. For instance, among the pagan community (this was years ago) there was an instance where Tom Hiddleston's Loki derived a lot of interest in the Nordic archetype of that being. Particularly among women. The whole thing brought about it's own tulpa/egregore which only became further fueled by the amount of emotional passion and energy put into it. Almost like religionists who pray to various deities, or rather, their imagined view of such deities. The archetype is given energy through their tulpas, even though one can use an archetype to create a tulpa as long as they make sure to give it a purpose. Here we have what I'd consider a Swedish mix of Dragon Rouge and Chaos Magick formed by a group of anonymous musicians. Though calling this “music” doesn't really fit. I've studied the occult long enough to know when I'm listening to a full-on ritual and this hour's length of such nodes is most certainly that. So, if you're religious and afraid that you'll burn in the fiery pits of the fetid inferno from listening to this, you had better stop reading this now or risk being infected by the “devils” laden within such music. Sometimes we get really grim here, and that goes beyond guitar solos and pounding drums. There's a much different nature of grim here, which some of you just might not be able to accept. These musicians consider themselves to be members of the left-hand path, which is seen by some as a much darker and volatile form of magick. If you find the right magician, you'll argue for hours as to the validity of that (which is why I've given up in that regard) but for all sakes and purposes, it is true here.

Now for the record itself. We've got several drones here, among some rather ominous whispers and what some might even consider dark, or at least demonic vocalizations. I know not what archetypes are being referenced here, but I do have a few ideas. I know that Karlsson wrote a lot of material about Lilith, who is indeed a very dark mistress beyond what some of you might have seen beyond television and comic books. Although, I have a feeling that this relates more to Kali Yuga. Makes perfect sense, as she has come up several times within the Therion heavy metal soundscape. Considering these pieces, this is definitely work that I would liken to her level of existence. Some pieces are even quite electronic, like “Mounatin Sermon” and everything sort of takes a very simplistic, yet atmospheric approach. Tvlpa aren't barreling over themselves to create this atmosphere. They're using small effects in order to make something that feels awfully mantric, and could effect the subconscious in ways that I'm not even so sure they full comprehend. “Ko-Phu” yields a similar effect, although much shorter than the previous, as it is the disc's shortest overall cut. I'm definitely getting the Steve Roach vibe here, especially in the electronic areas. That being said, Tvlpa are not an electronic act – not completely. There are sections of electronic synthesizers, but most of the work here is ominous and creates a misty soundscape. I'd almost say that eighty percent of the album is just that, which amounts to a rather disturbing or dark meditation. It's not zen, rather it's the anti-zen. Pieces like “Dragon Mound”, “The Becoming I” or “Daka Yantra” might actually end up frightening you more than soothing you, and chances are that you wouldn't want to play this record as “fall asleep music” or something by which to relax to during the twilight hours. There's nothing here that even feels so much as remotely pleasant and once you've jumped in, you've got to deal with the effects of this abyss. I could say that the disc's closer “Descent and Rebirth” feels the least oppressive to the senses, but it also feels as if a dark god-being is being hailed or worshiped by the piece. If you enjoy hearing very deep, mantric compositions that are not for the faint of heart and might scare tree-hugging hippie New Agers to death, then you might opt for a purchase of this record. Once again, Tvlpa do not create calm, zen-like meditation. If you choose to put this on and attempt a trance, I have no idea what you'll see and experience within the context of it. Having been more familiar with the heavy metal approaches to Karlsson's darker approach to Swedish magick, it's definitely interesting to see an atmosphere that also embraces it. I can certainly say that the piece is just as dark here as anything that we'd expect from The Dragon Rouge and it's worth picking up. Just don't expect peace and happiness. Mountain Of The Opposer is just not that kind of record.

(9 Tracks, 59:00)

8/10