Album Review: C.I.A Hippie Mind Control – Growing Old on a Dying Planet (Self Released)

Seven months on since the release of ‘The Oresteia’, psychedelic and progressive death/doom band, C.I.A Hippie Mind Control are back with ‘Growing Old on A Dying Planet’. This brand-new album will be released on February 2nd, 2024.

You never have to wait too long for something from C.I.A Hippie Mind Control, but they betray the adage that less is more, by consistently delivering quality release after quality release. Releases that are varied, exciting, appealing, and challenging. The group’s ambition is always clear and that focus continues to impress on this new record.

Especially when it begins with such a hefty and hearty track as The Nine Stabbings of Ezekiel. The whole tone of this track is eccentric but it features some dynamic guitar rhythms and truly twisted vocals. C.I.A Hippie Mind Control setting out their path from the off and continuing to rampage down it with the doominess of Nightmare Believer. A truly horrifying case of how dark this band can be.

Although that is a bit ‘par for the course’ when it comes to C.I.A Hippie Mind Control. As is the fact that you really never know what you’re going to get next. Case in point, Infecting the Brahman, which captures the essence of psychedelic gloom really well. Then there is To the Patrons of Our Cities, which balances garish death and doom noise perfectly, but changes the tone with grander guitar parts and clean singing. Followed by Fitness Express (Two Chords and a Mountain of Lies), a track that puts emphasis on the more bizarre aspects of C.I.A Hippie Mind Control.

Yet, like so much of what they do, it proves to be wonderfully creative.

Fancy something that has some old-school death metal flavour to it? C.I.A Hippie Mind Control have you covered with the unrefined brutality of Shedding of Skin. Before they, once again, turn things even darker with the doomy tome that is the title track.

Hold on tight though, it’s all been building to this. A 11+ minute penultimate track called Left Hand Path Through the Center of the Storm. An absurdly imaginative piece that pulls from all the elements that C.I.A Hippie Mind Control are known for, and then some. It’s one of the most effective listens of the album because it drones on, but keeps changing tones and direction, so you’re never left feeling bored.

To be honest, if that had been it, that would be more than fine, but there’s a bonus track too and it’s called Nightcall. A lighter, more atmosphere, more psych-tinged, and more melodic listen that is very welcome on an album that really does give a lot to the listener. It’s not the most accessible album you’ll hear this year, not by a long shot, but it will capture the imagination and leave you wanting to hear it again and again.

C.I.A Hippie Mind Control – Growing Old on A Dying Planet Track Listing:

1. The Nine Stabbings of Ezekiel
2. Nightmare Believer
3. Infecting the Brahman
4. To the Patrons of Our Cities
5. Fitness Express (Two Chords and a Mountain of Lies)
6. Shedding of Skin
7. Growing Old on a Dying Planet
8. Left Hand Path Through the Center of the Storm
9. Nightcall (Bonus Track)

Links

Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube