Now marking twenty years since their inception, and a strong rise through the tiers of the black metal scene, Norwegian act Mork‘s new album, Syv, is out now through Peaceville, as is their latest single, ‘Holmgang’.
Available digitally, here at RAMzine you can also check out an animated video for the single by Matt Vickerstaff that hearkens back to the brutality of days gone by.
About the video, Mork frontman Thomas Eriksen said “How to settle an argument or a feud in the old days, fight til death. Two men on a small isle. The boat will only carry one man back. A historical theme wrapped in a simple and yet traditional sounding soundscape. Holmgang!”
If follows previous single, ‘Heksebål’, that’s been described as “their latest instalment of filth and misanthropy.” When asked about that single, Eriksen said: “A depiction of mankind destroying what they don’t understand. Witch-hunts and witches at the stake burned to a crisp. Probably one of the more progressive songs with spellbinding riffs of witchery. May the spell curse those in doubt to a lifetime of bad luck and misery!”
An epic and progressive piece journeying back to the old times of judgment, fear and witch burning, ‘Heksebål’ arrives alongside a haunting video also by Matt Vickerstaff that you can check out here at RAMzine.
Previously, the band issued the single ‘Utbrent’, about which Eriksen said “Utbrent’ is a depiction of getting burnt out and the struggle of holding oneself standing. Even whilst silently knowing the day will actually come and break you down… The harsh punishment of living as life breaks you down and burns you out.”
Syv is available as a black vinyl gatefold LP, cream white vinyl gatefold LP, jewel case CD with 12-page booklet and digitally. It will feature the tracks ‘I Tåkens Virvel’, ‘Holmgang’, ‘Heksebål’, ‘Utbrent’, ‘Med Døden Til Følge’, ‘Ondt Blod’, Tidens Tann’, ‘Til Syvende Og Sist’ and ‘Omme’. It can be ordered here.
The album follows on from Eriksen’s self-titled Udåd project that debuted earlier this year; a dark album release that explored the more underground and murkier-sounding waters of primitive black metal from a by-gone era. Syv now emerges as the new pinnacle of Mork’s and Eriksen’s evolving journey, as well as a creative expansion both sonically and compositionally.
Syv is also said to represent Mork’s most expressive and diverse works to date, with “exquisite melodies interspersed with brutal and even occasionally progressive riffs amid an ever-present air of melancholy”. This provides a backdrop for Eriksen’s thematic dive through the contemplations of looming mortality, and digressions through the depths and contrasts of human existence; from the blackness of despair, to the pride and strength in overcoming, as well as absorbing additional inspiration from tales of old.
“We have reached the seventh chapter of the Mork saga. As I have stated earlier, it has been important for me to let the music evolve over the span of albums. It has really been a rewarding couple of years writing and recording Syv.” Said Eriksen. “When listening back the finished product I felt a great satisfaction. Brutal riffs meeting melancholy and melodic passages with a slight progressive approach. Lyrically scraping the bottom of human existence and frailty as well as touching an immense pride and strength. This is probably my most varied album to date. Which in my mind makes a perfect outcome and addition to the Mork catalogue.”
Syv was performed, recorded and mixed by Eriksen himself, with engineering assisted by Freddy Holm (who also contributes with strings and synthesisers). Mastering work on the album was carried out by Maor Appelbaum (Sepultura) in collaboration with Jack Control at Enormous Door (Darkthrone).
Mork was created by Eriksen in 2004 and was primarily a side-project from inception until the debut album, Isebakke, in 2013. Since then, with a constant flow of releases and live performances spanning various continents including a hugely successful slot at this year’s Hellfest, the band has become one of the top Norwegian black metal acts of recent years.
