The Mysticism, The Apocalypse, The Religious, The Darkness
Black Mass Rising
Review

In the spirit of psychedelic exploration, Shazzula Nebula traveled with her phone, filming in Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Sardinia with the most modern and unlikely of devices for the feature length visual journey that is Black Mass Rising. The result is a moving Rorschach, part music video and part psychological exploration of humanity. The imagery is beautifully accompanied by almost all original tracks by notable bands from around the world, who were given the inspiration of The Mysticism, The Apocalypse, The Religious and The Darkness. The result is a seamless visual and audio experience, taking the viewer/listener from one stunning track to the next with psychedelic, magikal images. Highlights are the beautiful and transcendental tracks by Master Musicians of Bukkake and The Entrance Band, which open Shazzula’s vision and lead us into Chapter 1: The Rising. I have never heard The Entrance Band sound so eclectic and foreign, and I love it. It’s easy to get lost in the tumult of images that blast your eyes in Chapter 1, a full-color epic of cacophony, a symphony of rituals, like being in the third eye of a shaman as she connects to the goddesses through hallucination. My advice is to let it happen; this isn’t a “story” to follow, it’s more of a holistic experience – you may not understand it as you watch, but afterwards you will realize what took place in your mind. Chapter 2: The Black Mass gives your color receptors a rest, as it takes you into an underworld of blacks and greys. The highly contrasted images are complemented by the ominous and heavy music, throbbing tones and dark chanting from bands like Kinit Her, Burial Hex and Menace Ruine. Chilling power is conjured from dead landscapes and memorial architecture, and we are led into caves and black spaces, confined in a sharp contrast to the open landscape of Chapter 1. I can’t imagine what it would be like to see this in a theatre – an intense and memorable experience to say the least, and likely one that would develop a cult following. I hope that I get the chance to find out! Lucky Roadburners got to see Black Mass Rising this month courtesy of Roadburn Cinema, and Shazzula also did a premiere in Lebanon. After the jump, check out some preview images of the DVD, and make sure to pick up your own copy of the Black Mass Rising DVD and soundtrack HERE!