ENTHEOGENS "The Gnostic Mass" LP 1995 (Sweden)

Mostly a live album that features jam sessions recorded at various different locations in Sweden by artists of the swedish Xotic Mind label (St. Mikael, Adam, World of Life, Stefan etc.). A monster psychedelic trip aiming to recreate the effects of entheogens use (such as mushrooms, natural LSD and cannabis) as eucharistic substances; magickal elixirs to Aleister Crowley's Thelemic 'Gnostic Mass'.

As described in his Liber XV:

"The DEACON, opening the door of the Temple, admits the congregation and takes his stand between the small altar and the font. (There should be a doorkeeper to attend to the admission.)

The DEACON advances and bows before the open shrine where the Graal is exalted. He kisses The Book of the Law three times, opens it, and places it upon the super-altar. He turns West.

The DEACON:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I proclaim the Law of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty in the name of IAO.

The CONGREGATION:
Love is the law, love under will.

The DEACON goes to his place between the altar of incense and the font, faces East, and gives the step and sign of a Man and a Brother. All imitate him.

The DEACON and all the PEOPLE:
I believe in one secret and ineffable LORD; and in one Star in the Company of Stars of whose fire we are created, and to which we shall return; and in one Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name CHAOS, the sole viceregent of the Sun upon the Earth; and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.
And I believe in one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name BABALON.
And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name BAPHOMET.
And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA.
And I believe in the communion of Saints.
And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us daily into spiritual substance, I believe in the Miracle of the Mass.
And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom whereby we accomplish the Miracle of Incarnation.
And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that was, and is, and is to come.
AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.

Music is now played…"

Then enter ENTHEOGENS in an ethno-psychedelic sonic ritual of power and beauty, beyond early SILOAH, KALEIDOSCOPE (US), SEVENTH SONS or debut THIRD EAR BAND.

Gnosis is a distinct category of mystical experience beyond the physical or psychic levels of being. It involves direct experience of the sacred, rather than relying exclusively on faith, belief or study of sacred texts. Gnostics have always been accused of being "out there". But "out there" often means an inward journey into the wellspring of knowledge.

For all you late night, dark room, altered state, music listeners out there…

Get it here.