The artistic evolution of Blood Incantation continues to expand. The cosmic death metal innovators have officially released All Gates Open (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) through Century Media Records, offering fans a unique glimpse into the earliest creative stages that eventually led to Absolute Elsewhere, one of the most acclaimed metal releases of recent years.
Previously available only as part of the deluxe edition of Absolute Elsewhere, the project is now being released as a standalone package that includes both the complete soundtrack and a 73-minute documentary focused on the album's creative journey.
Rather than serving as a simple companion piece, All Gates Open acts as a crucial chapter within the band's artistic narrative. The four compositions included were originally created in 2021 and reveal a dramatically different side of Blood Incantation's musical identity.
Far removed from the crushing intensity of their death metal sound, these tracks explore ambient textures, acoustic arrangements and introspective soundscapes built through synthesizer improvisations, organic instrumentation and exploratory studio sessions. Absolute Elsewhere.
Guitarist and vocalist Paul Riedl describes the material as a complementary counterpart to Timewave Zero, representing another essential dimension of the band's ongoing artistic development.
To accompany the release, Blood Incantation unveiled the official video for "Dawn", directed by Miles Skarin of Crystal Spotlight. The cinematic visual transports viewers to a distant desert world filled with ancient ruins, planetary alignments and mysterious dimensional gateways, further expanding the mythology introduced in Absolute Elsewhere.
Unlike previous visual projects that relied heavily on digital animation, Dawn was filmed on location, emphasizing physical exploration and discovery as central themes of the band's current creative era.
The documentary included with All Gates Open takes viewers inside Berlin's legendary Hansa Tonstudios, where the band spent a month writing and recording Absolute Elsewhere. Directed by Niklas Tschaikowsky and Tammo Dehn, the film provides an intimate look at the band's creative process and immersion into Berlin's cultural environment.
The documentary also features appearances by members of Tangerine Dream, Hällas and Sijjin, offering additional insight into the influences surrounding the album's creation.
Riedl emphasized that the release should not be viewed as a follow-up album. “It’s not the next album or follow-up to Absolute Elsewhere. It’s the soundtrack to the documentary about making the album with songs that are from before.”
Mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk and featuring artwork by Jodie Day, All Gates Open stands as an essential document of Blood Incantation's artistic evolution and the origin story of one of modern metal's most ambitious works.
