The Hologram People – Sacred Ritual to Unlock the Mountain Portal

Over the last week or so I’ve been reacquainting myself with the debut album from Dreamlord and Kosmische aka The Hologram People. Sacred Ritual to Unlock the Mountain Portal was originally released back in 2021 on Woodford Halse and subsequently its first highly prized vinyl release on Drone Rock Records the following year. I was at once struck by this albums immediacy and ability to weave pictures in my mind of far-off lands and vistas new.

Multi-instrumentalists Dom Keen and Jonathan Parkes, with help from a handful of guests, focus their considerable talents on these eight tracks. Yes, at just over 30 minutes this is a shorter excursion than any of their subsequent outings but my god, this is a trip. This is, more often or not, my choice for late night listening. Headphones on and off we go. Now with its remixed and remastered edition about to be launched on the world for 2024 I just had to head off to the mountain, one more time.

The album kicks off with the acoustic psych folk of the title track. It’s a pacy opener and immediately I’m on the foothills of the mountain, setting out on my journey. It’s a funky, psychedelic wig out that has a real sense of progression as the track builds and evolves. The lysergic energy is here right from the off and it sets the tone for the rest of our journey.

Soon we walk into a clearing where magick is being practised. ‘Pray To The Maypole Witch’ builds on that pastoral psych sound and darkens the edges. This is moodier piece tinged with menace and foreboding. It’s got big Wicker Man feels and that’s high praise from me.

‘Lord Shiva’s Mothership’ is quite a ride. It blends cosmic psychedelia with a kind of spiritual, mystical aura. I think it feels like a journey through different realms, guided by otherworldly rhythms and melodies. The fusion of seventies sounds with its eastern energy is the fusion that powers this expansive track. At just over eleven minutes it’s the longest cut on the record and at no point does it outstay its welcome. This is the blueprint for many of Dreamlord and Kosmische’s finest moments to come.

We come back down from the cosmos with the more grounded, relatively speaking, ‘A Seventies Void’. Its retro, spacey feel perfectly captures a kind of nostalgic, yet futuristic vibe: blending those classic 70s psychedelic elements with modern production. The swirling synths and groovy bass lines create a dreamy, almost hypnotic atmosphere. It’s like a trip back in time with a cosmic twist. These guys are good.

It’s the bass taking the lead on ‘Étoile Voyageuse’. That groove, locked in tight with the drums from the outset will get your head bobbing along in no time. This ode to a travelling star dips into the smoky, dimly lit ambiance of AIR. The French spoken word element only adding to that. It’s yet another mood and by this point I’m revelling in this embarrassment of riches.

 We return to that cosmic (Kosmische) pastoral sound again on ‘Sun Breaks on Saturn’s Return’. This time alongside the psychedelic swooshes and swirls we have sweeping strings lifting us off the ground and sending us soaring through the clouds. All I can equate it to is ‘Flying’ by those cheeky Scousers. The deftly plucked acoustic guitar holding it all together as we reach the very edges of our consciousness. Sheer bliss.

The tone darkens once again as we enter the hazy heat of ‘Planet Sahara’. The looping repetition of the riff on piano and bass is wonderfully hypnotic. The track builds and emerges in a most satisfying way. Each element being allowed its own moment in the spotlight. The attention to detail in the sounds in my headphones is nothing short of spectacular. Gentleman, you are spoiling us.

All too soon our cosmic rambling must come to an end but what a way to finish. ‘Deep Into The Cosmic Ocean’ is by far the albums most visceral and visual number. Every time I get to this one, I feel like I’m swimming in the deep void of space with some interdimensional whalelike creatures in perfect peace. Like we’re old friends and they’re happy to see me. This is how you end a sonic journey.

As I said, at just over 30 minutes in length, it’s nowhere near the longest album The Hologram People have in their esteemed back catalogue. That said, Sacred Ritual to Unlock the Mountain Portal will always hold a special place in my heart and record collection. It’s one of those records that BEACAUSE of its length makes you flip it over for another spin, another ride. In the past I’ve waxed lyrical about how this band fires my imagination, sends me on fantastical journeys in my head. Well, this is where it all starts. This 2024 remaster polishes up and sends these songs sparkling into your ears. If you missed out first time around this is your chance. Let Dreamlord and Kosmische take the controls.

The all new remixed and remastered Sacred Ritual to Unlock the Mountain Portal is out via Dreamlord Recordings on Thursday 24^th October 2024. This time around its pressed on gorgeous sacred sunset orange 180g heavy weight vinyl with obi strip and is limited to 300 copies. Get on over to Dreamlord Recordings Bandcamp Page and follow them so you don’t miss out. This one is going to fly.

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