Every time that I find myself before the vast realm of all that psychedelia encompasses, I never find myself any less than bewildered at the sheer scope of it all! From its heaviest reaches to its most sublime depths, there are still hoards of secrets to be tapped into should anyone be venturous enough to tap into such glory as long as the fire burns bright at the core of the genre, and it has never been brighter! That comes with plenty of exploration from many new acts out there with more than enough potential to catch the interest of the masses the world over. Håndgemeng is one of the thousands of new names out there that have eluded my radar until now, and it’s with all that’s been brought to the table for this bold new opus that I’m not keen on letting them out of my sights from here on out.

First appearances can be quite deceiving. After setting my gaze upon the cover art for “Ultraritual”, it was every iota of my very being that was screaming that this looked to be little more than another creation of psychedelia whose direction will be taken in a rolling, heavy form or one that takes you to the very reaches of our consciousness. However, what Håndgemeng had in store for me was always far more than just that. Including plenty of those elements and then some with more than enough riffs and trippiness to get any fanatic of the genre interested in a heartbeat, the diverse energies of “Ultraritual” are what still has me hooked from beginning to end. It’s one thing to be sonically adventurous in a style this broad, but it’s with focused intensity whose roots can be traced back into the world of hardcore that’s blended with surprising quality alongside the likes of 70s rock and modern heaviness as well as its mind-bending properties that Håndgemeng instantly makes itself a name that is not to be considered amongst the common rabble. This is what it means to really go for the throat with your own tenacious sound and deliver to the fullest extent! “Ultraritual” is a true experience of the genre taken to bold new territory the likes of which I’ve never seen before even in today’s world of constant and competing innovation that never seems to falter in the face of even the greatest adversity! Håndgemeng’s great power is not something to be denied with any who find themselves caught within the grand way of “Ultraritual” sure to succumb quickly and seamlessly into the grand flows that each song brings after the true wonders that came just before it.

A record that is constantly surprising and keeping you engaged at the highest level to the deepest reaches of your subconsciousness, it should go without saying that Håndgemeng has achieved an undeniable, complete victory with these seven testaments! There is so much to be found within “Ultraritual” that should be more than enough to scratch the itch of any who come into contact with the record such that I wouldn’t be shocked if this record becomes as one of the most celebrated creations in all of psychedelia out of all that 2023 has and will throw our way.

“Ultraritual” releases on March 10th via Ripple Music!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Ultraritual” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Håndgemeng on Facebook here.