Under Spell Peak is a one track, 72 minute industrial-ambient/acid-techno musical about a priest climbing a mountain.
You probably already know if this album is for you. If that description sounds even a little bit enticing, you should give it a listen, and I highly encourage you to commit to the whole thing. Even if you don't like it (a very real possibility), you're in for an interesting and extremely unique experience. I think in an alternate timeline, this could have been a treasured cult classic from 1989, with the original vinyl release now considered a rare collectible.
Let's talk for a moment about that "cult classic" label. Not everyone will enjoy this. The vocal performance is slow and repetitive. The singing is frequently out of tune and off time. The lyrical writing is rough. Long portions of the experience consists of nothing but drones, sparse percussion, and repeating dialogue between the priest and the mountain. I was only a few minutes in before I felt like choosing this album was a mistake. But I persisted. Like the priest climbing the mountain, I felt drawn in.
"And so I climb. The true test of my faith begins now."
About half way through, I found myself planning the next time I want to listen to this. I found myself thinking "I wish I wasn't trying to write a review for this so I could just close my eyes and immerse myself fully". I sent the link to a friend and urged them to listen.
I put a pillow over my face to block out the light.
About three quarters of the way through, without realizing it, I had almost completely abandoned my attempt at taking review notes. I just wanted to experience what was happening.
The story is told in 9 parts. My notes for part 8 is the single sentence "what a special experience this is".
And what a special experience it was. I feel so grateful art like this exists. My complaints about the vocal performance are honestly silly. The performance is raw. It's perfectly suited for the story of an ordinary man compelled to undertake an arduous pilgrimage. In retrospect, a clean performance with catchy lyricism wouldn't have made for nearly as memorable or impactful of an experience.
The next time I listen to this, and there will certainly be a next time, it will be with headphones and closed eyes.