Origin: Halden, Norway 🇳🇴
Genre: Black Metal
In 2004, during a period of rapid evolution for black metal, Thomas Eriksen set upon the olde path to true Nordic BM, and thus Mork was formed. Mork is one of countless solo black metal projects to have emerged onto the scene since the early 90’s, but few are creating black metal that’s as pure or that possesses the same level of adoration for Scandinavian heritage as Mork. It’s a matter of heart, tradition and inspiration taken from the scene’s pioneers. But above all, Mork is a project realized with a purpose – to aid in the preservation of true black metal. On March 24, Mork released its latest triumph, “Dypet”, via the prestigious Peaceville Records.
Black metal was realized through blood, sacrifice and honor. And with “Dypet”, the passion, the sound and the style all pay homage to that very testament. Projects like Kampfar, Djevel and of course Mork – modern-day pillars of the scene and keepers of the gates. Albums like “Dypet” are vital to the genre, and as you take in the ominous opening track, “Indre Demoner”, not only will you taste True Norwegian vintage, but also true wickedness; the binding, unfiltered Satanic energy that courses through the heart of the genre and separates true BM from the mainstream. Rich and deeply melancholy is the following track, “Forført Av Kulden” and the same can be said about its successor, “Svik”, as both cradle you in a kind of warmth not akin to typical black metal. There’s a sense of yearning and sorrow to these tracks as if they were inspired by the dread of bitter realizations and the futile hope of better things to come. But standing paramount above all this is Thomas’s black metal IQ; the kind of artistic maturity that’s gained through experience and that cannot be emulated, but only earned. “Dypet” is musical wisdom incarnate.
“Dypet” is a mostly mid-tempo’d recording in the vein of Khold, but with more melody and exploration. A couple of slow-burners to be experienced, as well, as you make your way through “Høye Murer” feat. HJELVIK and “Bortgang” – compositional specimens of how world-class black metal should sound and soul-sacrifices for Thomas who leaves everything he’s capable of out on the table. “Dypet” is riff-driven, captivatingly melodic and without overindulgence in tremolos and blast-beats. And despite the heartwarming vibe that blankets parts of the album, there’s an air of evil that makes its presence felt throughout tracks like “Avskum” and “Tilbake Til Oprinnelsen”. An unlikely pairing of album cuts here that span the divide between contemporary riff-inspired BM and that which rouses olde Gamle Erik’s mischievous daemons of yore from out of their haunts – folkish undertones that evoke images of tales being told by firelight or perhaps of tears being shed by candlelight during the bitterest winter’s night.
For some Nords, it’s just in the blood… Genuine black metal albums like “Dypet created by genuine black metal people like Thomas are of the utmost importance. And so long as Heathen blood continues to flow through Norwegian veins, so too shall there remain hope for the integrity and longevity of our proud genre. 47 minutes worth of quality BM crafted under the mark of one of the international scene’s most respected record labels; a pinnacle of artistry that will undoubtedly go down as one of the year’s finest black metal albums and arguably Mork’s greatest accomplishment to date.
9/10
Experience “Bortgang” from “Dypet” right here as presented by Peaceville Records:
~Jeger
