Review MORK “Syv”

Norwegian black metal merchants Mork started twenty years ago, and after releasing six full-length records, the band returns with “Syv”. Mork released a lead single for the album with “Utbrent”, the title track, which is a harsh song about getting burnt out. The song clocks in at just over 6 minutes and combines the frenetic black metal blast with a dark and cinematic middle section that reinforces the wistful vibe of the song.

Mork’s latest release contains a total of nine songs and represents the most mature work of the Norwegian black metal force. While Thomas Eriksen followed the primitive aspect of this extreme metal genre with Udåd, it is the new release under the Mork banner that combines the blackened soul with some well-crafted melodies and progressive elements, giving songs like the opener “I Tåkens Virvel” a special spirit.

Next comes “Holmgang”, which is slower paced. It’s a rogue riff monster that comes at you, and it’s the special orchestration with violins that adds a lot of sadness to the track. It is the perfect song for the fall season when nature prepares for a long winter sleep.

Compared to the multi-layered opener, a song like “Med Døden Til Følge” blows out of the speakers in a straightforward manner, while not shying away from some twists that spice up this black metal anthem.

Photo: Daniel Pedersen

The closing song of the album is the most unusual one penned by Eriksen and Mork. “Ommen” is an emotional song. Acoustic guitars and clean vocals, that’s it. Almost being a lament, the song is a somber way to end the album, while it is this very dark atmosphere that connects the tunes to the rugged Black Metal blasts you have listened to before reaching “Ommen”.

Mork deliver with “Syv” one of the most exciting black metal albums of 2024. Showing the potentials of a genre like black metal is an exciting experience and creates an exciting flow to this album. As the puristic approach to black metal is still present, some boundaries are challenged with this album and it could be the starting point for an innovative future.