Album Review: Harakiri For The Sky – Mӕre (AOP Records)

Austrian melodic/atmospheric post black metal band Harakiri for the Sky return with their new album, “Mӕre,” out February 19th 2021 via AOP Records. This will be the band’s 5th full-length album and follow up to 2018’s critically lauded record “Arson.”

Constantly and consistently one of the most exciting bands, not just in atmospheric and melodic post black metal, but in metal full stop. Harakiri for the Sky never fail to bring epically heavy and thrillingly detailed music to the ears of eager fans. To the surprise of literally no-one, they’ve done exactly that again with Mӕre. At times, they’ve even outdone themselves here.

There are no question marks surrounding the quality of this record once the opener that is I, Pallbearer gets underway. A frenzy of black metal with post-rock underlay, there’s a lot of passion here with the vocals in particular, sounding so strained.

The stunning Sing for The Damage We’ve Done sees Alcest frontman Neige lend his incredible voice to an evocative effort. Us Against December Skies has dark clouds gathering for a truly melancholic listen albeit with Harakiri for the Sky’s abject intensity. I’m All About the Dusk has even more of the eclectic instrumentation that makes this band’s music as equally gloomy as it is elevating.

So much detail, so much quality and it’s not even half over. Do bear in mind that Mӕre is nearly 90 minutes long. Which might sound like too much but when it comes to Harakiri for the Sky, they make every minute feel as important as the last.

Take the fantastic Three Empty Words for example, the mid-point of record and a personal highlight. Where the fierce appetite of the band blazes with fiery glory and the racing intensity of the guitars and drums are truly outstanding. Once Upon A Winter is akin to having a lead weight tied to your ankle and having to walk through thick marshlands. Whereas And Oceans Between Us has a peppier and more upbeat rhythm, or at least as upbeat as Harakiri for the Sky can get.

Which leads us to the latter part of the album and the anonymous voice of Gaerea helping make Silver Needle – Golden Dawn a choking slice of black metal to get down. It being one of the shortest tracks at just over 7 minutes makes it all go down that little easier though.

The end is in sight and the extremely chilled start of Time Is A Ghost is very relaxing. Making the speeding drumbeat, frenetic riffs and throat shredding vocals more impactful. This is a track that drifts through the ether though, the dejected drops outstanding. Before Song to Say Goodbye closes out arguably Harakiri for the Sky’s best album to date with one final push to greatness. Something they more than achieve.

Harakiri for the Sky – Mӕre Full Track Listing:

1. I, Pallbearer
2. Sing for The Damage We’ve Done
3. Us Against December Skies
4. I’m All About the Dusk
5. Three Empty Words
6. Once Upon A Winter
7. And Oceans Between Us
8. Silver Needle – Golden Dawn
9. Time Is A Ghost
10. Song to Say Goodbye

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | AOP Records