Since 2005, collaborators Chet W. Scott and James Woodhead have fashioned incredibly moving and innovative music as The Elemental Chrysalis. During this time, each has made his mark exploring a deeply personal journey as solo artist- Chet as Blood of the Black Owl, and James as At the Head of the Woods. With both projects creating incredible snapshots into their respective journeys, here, on a split crafted over a long period, and arriving at the cusp of new full length material from both, the presence of these long time pioneers could not be felt in a more rich and inspiring way. This is a limited release, featuring art by James Woodhead.
Track I: AT THE HEAD OF THE WOODS
"HERE I STAND" 24:12
Track II: BLOOD OF THE BLACK OWL
"VISIONS OF STRIX NEBULOSA" 25:19
Beautiful, powerful ritual musical offerings to the Earth spirits. It’s often hard to tell where the made music ends and the natural sound recordings begin: drums pound like heartbeats, flutes call like owls, rattles become snakes become Knowing. Homegrown heathen wisdom from the Pacific Northwest! Dave Aftandilian
Blindingly beautiful solo tribal nature ambient/folk. Looking up, I hear her cry split the heavens. Her blessing floats down to me, lightning, shining, cleansing. Her mark sears my body and I am transformed; my cry splits the heavens even as I am split, and remade whole. Dave Aftandilian
The Elemental Chrysalis returns! I've loved the first two albums for a long time now and, to be honest, I wasn't sure how they would follow those up. This recording not only achieved that, but has become some of my favorite material of theirs. Pure psychedelic hypnosis from two incredibly authentic spirits. Evergreen
The music of Reading group Chaos Emeralds feels like it weighs megatons, with its thick rivers of distorted guitar and gluey textures. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 15, 2022
Mexican psych band Dorotheo get eccentric à la Stereolab by bringing spooky experimental elements into their spiraling space rock. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 10, 2023
Lovely nature-inspired, drone-drenched ambience. Sunlight warms my upturned face, and I slip into gentle dreams of forest and stream, cloud and wind. My mind floats free, cradled in Gaia’s loving arms. Soon stars wheel gently overhead, and cricket song lulls me to sleep. How I long to remain here forever, far from the human realm, in peaceful contemplation. Dave Aftandilian