SOD

I knew that SOD was going to be an exceptional addition to my fragrance collection. Why did I know. It was really quite simple. First of all I knew that Antonio Lasheras and Rajesh Balkrishnan had collaborated on it and I already own and love REA and ARC, their previous work. I am not saying, lt it be clear, that these all smell quite similar. That is not accurate at all. What I have discovered is that each of their fragrances attempts to cover new ground while maintaining their unwavering commitment to producing individual scents that will appeal to those who appreciate mastery, subtlety, commitment to using the highest quality ingredients, many of which are atypical, but work together to create a mood, an experience, a journey. Of course, it does not take a Sherlock Holmes to deduce the direction of this this scent. SOD points us to the way soil tincture is going to lead us into a world that is close to the earth. But what makes this scent even more earthy is the use of Mitti Attar, which is supposed, I have been told to evoke Indian clay moistened by rain. And then there is also Nagarmotha oil which is only found in India and also is earthy and woody. If at this point dear reader, you are worried that this has an overwhelmingly earthy smell, fear not. The ingrediants are mixed carefully. The silage is moderate but also intoxicating. What I advise is to let the scent unfold. We end the earthy world quickly but then it slowly begins to let other elements in. There is oud, patchouli, civet, and frankincense –familiar notes in a whole range of fragrances—but they are carefully nestled in the earthy bed that has been prepared. Is this a challenging scent? To me it isn’t. It can be worn day or night, it has good longevity. I believe most might say it leans male, but I think anyone could wear this. Where I live it is late Autumn and when the wind blows after a rain shower there is spiritually nourishing aura that connects me with the ground below and the air around me. When I wear SOD I feel warm, comforted, if not one with nature then perhaps a part of a sacred ritual that connects me my morality and my ability to rise above it through help of a magic potion.

Another very strong release from the Mallo brand. I have found that most of the fragrances from this brand use very high quality natural ingredients in high concentration. This one is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. SOD stands for Students of Decay, and it fits the fragrance. I'm from the Pacific Northwest, and one of my favorite things to do is walk in a fern covered forest, and this fragrance immediately reminds me of that, but with an extra added fruity sweetness in the opening. Civet adds just a touch of animalistic quality . It contains Mitti Attar, which also gives it that damp, earthy smell that is present after a rain. It's the perfect fragrance for this time of year, and also I believe it could be definitely worn in the winter, but I like it as a Fall fragrance. I definitely think this could be worn by either gender as well, and the projection and longevity are quite solid. This one is limited to only 75 bottles, so I would grab one while they are still available.

SOD by Mallo is a deep, meditative exploration of the earth’s essence. Created by Antonio Lasheras and Rajesh Balkrishnan to mark the 20th anniversary of the experimental ambient label Students of Decay, this scent captures the raw, primal beauty of soil and wood. From the first inhale, SOD gives me a golden color and a grounding calmness of nature. It is neither dark nor light, but that rich and warm golden middle way. There’s a brooding depth to its composition, a tactile sense of moss-covered roots and ancient trees, evoking a spiritual connection to the natural world. But, to me, the benzoin is the star of the show and balance the green and earthy notes perfectly. In this regard, it reminds me a little bit of Lune Feline. That semi-sweet, balsamic benzoin/vanilla that balances out woody and green notes. SOD is a very unique scent with the best ingredients on the planet. Perfect for those who seek introspection and serenity. Excellent!

Due to shipping issues, I wasn't able to receive a sample prior to SOD selling out, which is a shame because I think this would have been a purchase for me. I love benzoin, and that note really sings in this composition, so this is a big love. With a description so focused on "soil," I wondered how wearable this would actually be, but it's an extremely approachable and comforting scent. I rarely come across an amber fragrance that feels like it's bringing something new to the table, but this is a great example of covering well-trod ground in an innovative way. It's grounding and uplifting in equal measure, and rises far above its own brief IMO. If you can get your hands on this one, I'd highly suggest it. Hope to see them reboot it in the future.

I was expecting SOD to smell strongly of vetiver and soil, a deep dark earthy and woody smell. On first spray I was surprised to encounter quite a bit of sweetness. A smooth, almost chocolatey combination of the benzoin, davana, and patchouli, presumably. This is accompanied by a light musky petrichor smell, making for a unique juxtaposition. As it dries down, we are greeted with a luscious oudy amber. Performance is quiet, but longevity is quite good, lasting 12 hours on me. All in all, a surprise, but a pleasant one to be sure.