Myrkur: M

Mrykur's debt EP generated quite a bit of buzz, both positive and negative. At first, there was a sense that hers was a fresh new voice in extreme metal. And then the backlash kicked in. Some listeners didn't like that she came of a pop background and that she had done some modeling. How extreme was she? Debating aside, the EP itself wasn't too bad; it offered listeners a good-enough blend of haunting and ethereal vocals mixed in with the usual guttural growls. I liked it, but didn't get lost either in the music or in the debates surrounding it.

This release, Myrkur's first full-length, comes to us not long after the EP. It is noteworthy, in part, because it is the first recording produced by Garm of Ulver in over 15 years. The album does sound good and should generate growing interest both in Myrkur and in her style of extreme metal. Those who liked the EP should enjoy this album as well since it generally delivers more of the same kind of sound.

Having said all that, I found the album to be somewhat disappointing. As I said, I enjoyed the EP for the most part, but I found the album to be uneven in terms of what kind of music it wants to create. I'm all for eclectic and fresh approaches to black metal, but this album sometimes blends too many components together and does so in ways that that don't work as well as they should have. I was also somewhat surprised by the amount of medieval-style harmonies and chord progressions. Others have pointed out that Myrkur sounds a bit like Obsequiae. I think that's a better comparison than to a band like Agalloch, one of the bands mentioned in Myrkur's press release. Ultimately, I'm torn. The album was often good, but was inconsistent in ways that I found distracting.

Track Listing:
1. Skøgen Skulle Dø
2. Hævnen
3. Onde Børn
4. Vølvens Spødom
5. Jeg er Guden, I er Tjenerne
6. Nordlys
7. Mordet
8. Byssan Lull
9. Dybt I Skoven
10. Skadi
11. Norn

Added: September 3rd 2015
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Bandcamp Page
Hits: 1755
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]