Album Review: Mork – Syv (Peaceville)

Now marking twenty years since inception – which has seen a strong rise through the tiers of the black metal scene – Mork return with their latest album, ‘Syv’, out on September 20th, 2024, via Peaceville.

Two decades of Mork brings with it hefty expectations, but also the knowledge that the black metal music they offer rarely disappoints. Showcasing blackened extreme metal with all the hallmarks of the early days of the scene, but with a more modern and mature style of song writing. Mork return with icy fire in their veins. Delivering ferocious intensity, but with layers of creative melody and progressive twists.

Darkly melancholic and deviously wicked sounding, this new album hits a near unbeatable high from the start with I Tåkens Virvel. Mork immediately pushing a more progressive edge to the forefront, and taking the listener on a unique journey layered with delicate melodies and twisted black heaviness.

This exceptional start is then complimented by the creative sound of Holmgang and the patience rewarding Heksebål. The former has unusual touches of playfulness to its medley of sounds, while the latter takes an initial lethargic approach and transforms it into something more savage sounding as it goes on. A strong continuation of the album’s strength, which is Mork’s ability to freshen up a black metal sound that, at its core, is very traditional.

So much of his comes from Mork’s mature take on the sound. Sure, they can be garish and delightfully wicked, but this is still built on a bedrock of melancholic darkness. Which is what infects the senses bit by bit and keeps tracks like Utbrent and Med Døden Til Følge so compelling, even as they get so intense.

A churlish showcase of heaviness puts to bed any doubts that Mork are mellowing with Ondt Blod. The heaviest, and grooviest, slab of blackened noise on the entire album. Before Tidens Tann creates a tense experience with an edifying progressively tinged experience that skirts the line of heaviness and melody nicely. Then there is Til Syvende Og Sist, a daring progressive instrumental that really takes hold as it goes on and more detail is revealed, such as a violin.

Finally, to cap off an immense experience (again) from Mork, it’s Omme, and while some may be expecting a big explosion of blackened noise to wrap things up, that’s not even close to what we get. Instead, we get the most mellow track of all. A moody and severely melancholic finale that features dramatic melody and clean singing. It’s unique closing track, but that’s Mork for you, always finding ways to push the boundaries.

Mork – Syv Track Listing:

1. I Tåkens Virvel
2. Holmgang
3. Heksebål
4. Utbrent
5. Med Døden Til Følge
6. Ondt Blod
7. Tidens Tann
8. Til Syvende Og Sist
9. Omme

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