Archeoplanetary by Ruptured World (Review)

As the title suggests, the second “Planetary” album — 2019’s Archeoplanetary — is actually a prequel of sorts. Whereas Exoplanetary is set in the distant future on a distant world, the events of Archeoplanetary occur in Scotland circa 1936. There, Dr. Archibald Macrae of the Transatlantic Institute of Archaeological Investigations has recovered a cache of materials that once belonged to his friend and mentor, Dr. Marian Tarknassus, who disappeared several years earlier while attempting to decipher an ancient text called the Pictish Ogham.

Archeoplanetary is essentially an audio journal of Macrae’s attempts to determine Tarknassus’ fate, and his initial recordings are filled with excitement as he begins to decipher the text’s secrets for himself. Macrae’s research eventually leads him to a remote northern location. Subsequent recordings describe his archaeological expedition and thoughts on the region’s ancient history as well as the bizarre dreams and phenomena that he begins to experience upon his arrival.

Narratively, Archeoplanetary unfolds like a classic H. P. Lovecraft story, and as such, culminates in a discovery that has shocking implications for humanity’s place, both in the cosmos and on planet Earth, and it leaves Macrae in a distraught state. Sonically, Archeoplanetary possesses ominous soundscapes that are of a piece with Exoplanetary. But Rennie incorporates doomed piano passages (“Rituals of Attainment Through Time,” “Passages of Exposition”) that feel appropriate to the album’s setting. Meanwhile, field recordings and sound effects bring Macrae’s archaeological activities to life.