“Omnivory is our unraveling through death. Death is decay. Decay is cosmic consumption. Our bodies are consumed, over and over. Because death is nothing but consumption, the elements of consciousness are not destroyed. Through death, consciousness becomes unbound and no longer individuated in incarnation. Travel without imagination. Awareness without concentration. We exist unrecognizably to us, always and everywhere” ~ Christian Culak
A veteran of twenty one albums since 2013, not to mention singles and collaborations, Christian Culak is a multi instrumentalist with a serious reputation. Stylistically his previous works have been an amalgamation of Drone, Death, Sludge and Doom Metal with elements of Post-Rock, Shoegaze and ambience thrown in for good measure. His latest magnum opus is an extended play, a single track of twenty two minutes length that is split into five dimensions or movements with two separate pieces within each. A concept piece, it muses on the universe as a devourer of all life and while Christian Culak is found in San Antonio Texas and not ancient Greece, he is a philosopher and university instructor…
In many ways there are parallels between the cryptic writings of Culak and those you might expect in the realm of Classical music and the complete freedom to explore strange new worlds without compromise is a big part of it. A deep seeded sense of melancholia runs through the epic grandeur of opening passage (0:00) “Human Death“, a bold and cinematic introduction of the highest quality that conveys the sentiment of its title majestically. That transcends through (3:06) “Disembodiment“, a melodic interlude that offers a moment of calm in the space between a blink and a tear before the storm of (5:35) “The Center of Infinitude” begins. Progressive Death Metal riffs and powerful percussion build a sense of oppressive darkness in the expanse of space and time with flavours of bands like Rivers of Nihil. The interplay between the instruments is impressive with nuances in piano, choir and bells providing depth and texture as the discerning listener floats into (8:40) “Etheric Paths“. Rich melodies that feel like the warmth of the first sunlight as it caresses the sky play out as the heavier elements fade, hints at 80’s science fiction film soundtracks as influences flowing freely. By the time (10:12) “Awake in the Dream” surfaces its like you’ve been caught in the headlights of a vision from Devin Townsend, synths giving everything a sense of well being after the perceptual darkness.
Slowly with dream light quality guitar chords ring out as (12:01) “Polyvoyance” takes shape, the transition between thoughts and feelings captured brilliantly as Culak expresses himself in a way which has to be heard to be believed. Hammond organ shines with a drone like quality throughout (15:29) “Nestled in Oblivion” until (16:13) “One Thousand Petals Unfold” begins, the sounds of horns and bells leading into orchestration and choirs as no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of matching the vision held in the minds eye. Its as if we’ve gone from the sounds of a wedding to the sounds of birth as a heartbeat leads us into (19:38) “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once“, a moment of crowning glory. Its bold, brave and epic, worthy of a grand auditorium like the Royal Albert Hall or Sydney Opera house as a suitable setting for performance. The journey concludes with (20:52) “Forever“, a final moment of bright sunlight through dark clouds that leaves you in awe of what Christian Culak has achieved with “Omnivory”. Captivating, enthralling and spellbinding to the very last second doesn’t feel like it does it justice but it is very much all of those things and then some [9/10]
“Omnivory” by Culak is out 5th November 2025 and is available over at bandcamp
