The Third Eye

Nedogled is a unique psychedelic doom-synth solo project coming to us from a solar-powered studio nestled in the remote Serbian wilderness amidst the trees. We’ve written about many “nightmare psychedelia” over the years – from Aiwass to UFOMAMMUT – and Nedogled fits this category.

Just listen to his bio: “In a haunting blend of sludgy riffs and shadowy synth-scapes, Nedogled unfurls a chilling narrative of nature’s inexorable return to assert its dominion over the human realm.”

Climate change is here, Mother Nature is angry, extreme weather is everywhere, and Nedogled’s music is the soundtrack for our future, dystopian hellscape on Earth. Nedogled has released two EPs, and he’s returning with a debut album called Spiritwood on December 1st. 

It’s an ambitious project that’s the musical adaptation of crowdfunded short stories initially written in Serbian that chronicle eerie occurrences in places rarely tread by mortals like you and me. An attempt to translate the stories into English ended once he realized the tales of the woods couldn’t be re-told in a different language. So, he decided to turn to the universal language: music.

Spiritwood draws inspiration from the spectral realms of darksynth and the sludge of doom metal, comprised of ten songs composed and recorded over two years. Nedogled used an old-school hardware-only approach, firing up his PC and entering the DAW when it was time for mixing.

Nedogled is a recovering nomad now living in a Permaculture community in the wild hills of eastern Serbia. He gets his inspiration from deep immersion in nature’s patterns and observing mainstream culture from afar. His music doesn’t shy away from triggering dark emotions, but he says it still gives “glimmers of hope in a chaotic epoch.” As I’ve mentioned in other recent reviews, the appeal of darkness and dystopia is strong among indie musicians today.

Spiritwood and his other releases show a love for distorted riffs and elaborate soundscapes mixed with his background of running underground raves. There are instrumental psychedelia influences, too.

The Serbian word “nedogled” (недоглед) translates to “endlessness” or “boundlessness.” The artist says this “suggests something that extends beyond what can be seen or perceived, conveying the idea of vastness or infinity.”

There are currently four tracks from Spirtwood available to listen to on Bandcamp, and all proceeds of sales will go towards funding projects in an experimental community that’s testing adaptive solutions to the changing climatic and socioeconomic conditions in the hills of eastern Serbia.

“Gljive / Mushrooms” has a dark, psychedelic feel, with the synth sounds uncurling like creepy crawlers in the woods. It gets heavier midway through, a glow-in-the-dark banger that’s part trip-hop and part rave music. “Krzno / Fur” starts slow and features the occasional wolf’s howl, adding to the overall creepy forest aesthetic of the album. This one also gets heavier midway through, and though the synth has a weird Eighties vibe, I still enjoyed it.

Birdsong and the lapping sounds of a stream are heard at the beginning of “Krug / Circle,” showcasing a more peaceful side of Spiritwood. The track is like ambient synth and something you may meditate to. There’s even the brief cry of a baby, as I detected the song is about the circle of life. “Mesec / Moon” is the last track we’ll discuss, which clocks in at precisely four minutes. The chugging doom-synth riffs and metal influences are more prominent here, another song that felt like Nedogled’s underground rave background inspired it.

Overall, Spiritwood is a fascinating listen good for electronic and industrial music fans. The psychedelic aspects of the record are subtle, but they’re definitely there, mixed in with the spooky soundscapes and Nedogled’s storytelling through sound. Head to Bandcamp to pre-order Spiritwood, which drops on December 1st, and check out his previous EPs – if you dare.

Support Nedogled by finding him on Bandcamp, his official website, or social media (Instagram, YouTube).

Like what you read? Then consider supporting The Third Eye on Patreon.

Sign up for email updates from The Third Eye below: