Review
The Haxan Cloak
Excavation

Tri Angle (2013) Bob

The Haxan Cloak – Excavation cover artwork
The Haxan Cloak – Excavation — Tri Angle, 2013

What dream like states can you imagine, and how exactly might you reach such a trance? Do you use illicit and not so illicit substances, or are you maybe touched a bit having brushed wings with delirium one too many times? Regardless of how you might enter a waking dream world, what do you enjoy to use as the soundtrack?

Ever since the second full length from The Haxan Cloak was released, my dreams (both waking and others) have at times been dominated by the creeped out beauty that permeates from my speakers and headphones whenever Excavation spins on my turntable; and trust me when I tell you that this is one of those releases where people listen and view the record in a haze of critical kudos and maintain that the album really is as good as people say it is.

There is a general tension and feeling of unease that subtly attacks your senses when Excavation circles the turntable would be virtually palpable if the album was not so completely mesmerizing, and while it has been a challenge to impart any kind of description for individual songs (simply because I zone out all the time whenever I put on the record), there some awesome moments when you can focus on what is playing. Songs like “Excavation (Part 1)”, “Excavation (Part 2)” (this one simply kills with a nice sub woofer), and “The Drop” are more ambient mood pieces, whereas songs like “Mara” and “Miste” sounds as though they could be a soundtrack to a thriller movie or something like The Shining due in no small part to how creepy and effective the tension building is; and yet there is more as “The Mirror Reflecting (Part 1)”, “The Mirror Reflecting (Part 2)”, and “Dieu” sound less like ambient pieces and more like esoteric nightmarish soundscapes.

For quite a while, I considered Excavation to be a good record where I could consistently pop it on my stereo and enjoy listening whenever I wanted; but that feeling or regard for the album slowly gave way to something much more in that Excavation became an album that I found myself subconsciously drawn to popping on time and time again, and just perhaps, that is why I find myself espousing just how great this album is to other people. I cannot just call this album from The Haxan Cloak good any more and have to refer to the record as great instead as it so frequently dominates my listening habits; even when I walk away from Excavation, the compulsion to listen always returns and always has me thinking that I should pop the record on again.

8.5 / 10Bob • December 9, 2013

The Haxan Cloak – Excavation cover artwork
The Haxan Cloak – Excavation — Tri Angle, 2013

Related news

Daily line-ups for Denovali Swingfest London

Posted in Shows on February 26, 2014

Recently-posted album reviews

Kreiviskai

Motinai
Infinite Fog Productions (2025)

Kreiviskai's origins are deeply rooted in the neofolk sound and ethos. Their debut record, Zemmis : supnãi, focuses on the musical lineage of Tver, embracing the traditional instrumentation to produce a somber and moving piece. Their follow-up record, Nonregnum expands outward, focusing on various historical events and introducing further influences. The pull of neo-classical is palpable, while the abrasive industrial … Read more

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more