Box of delights
Project Bläckfisk review
Rating – 
As promised, normal service has resumed here, and what better way to return than with a (pretty much) brand new conspiracy themed audio drama. The UK is showing that it’s still a force to be reckoned with in the indie podcast community.
So let’s head off to Manchester, and prepare to become entangled in a shocking mystery that casts a long shadow, even to this day.
So what’s it about?
The past literally comes back to bite podcaster Amber Sykes after she takes delivery of a strange box of old documents, purportedly from her deceased grandfather. Amber’s grandfather was a scientist who created the Linear Particle Accelerator (whatever that is), but as she delves into these records, another side to his life comes to light.
David is a computer expert who has devoted all his spare time to discovering what happened to his grandmother. His lack of social skills and idiosyncratic ways are at odds with Amber’s outgoing personality, and there is a lot of friction at first.
The two of them soon find themselves embroiled in a mystery that still echoes to the present day. A mystery that is just as deadly. Project Bläckfisk casts a long shadow that still terrifies the people who were involved. But what exactly was it?
Is it any good?
I have not been backwards coming forward with my disdain for shows that revolve around files/boxes/archives. Believe me, there was no shortage of reservation before I actually pressed play. Thankfully, my feelings were unfounded.
The story is very well written, and whilst it isn’t completely unique, it skillfully avoids the tropes that are often the undoing of even big budget shows. The show notes say it’s for fans of Limetown, The Bright Sessions, and TMA.
This may seem weird to you, and I’ll forgive you for thinking I’m odd, but hear me out. I categorise audio dramas in two ways. The first is what gets called “television for your ears”, and is just that. Lots of sound effects, binaural recordings, different locations, and “space”. You are inhabiting the world the events take place in. The other is what I call a ”radio play”. Just as dramatic, just as good, but has a “closeness” and intimacy. This latter style however, isn’t just limited to audio drama. There were plenty of vintage TV horror shows that fit in here, and going back even further, stories like The Monkey’s Paw. Limited locations, high stress environments, and taut acting ratchet up the emotions to fever pitch.
This show is rather unique in that it straddles both these styles very well. It has all the world building of the former, whilst retaining the intimacy of the latter.
Final thoughts
While the audio drama market seems to be flooded with content from America, it’s nice to have a British show to sink my teeth into, it’s just a shame that the episodes come out every two weeks! This podcast is haping up to be something very special indeed, and I cant wait to see where it goes from here.
You can get Project Bläckfisk here:
For more great reviews, I recommend GreatPods