ALBUM REVIEW: Mork – Katedralen

Traditional Norwegian Black Metal master MORK is back with his 5th full length album, out on March 5th via Peaceville Records. By now I do not feel a need to introduce this entity, so let’s get right into it.

After a short moment of introspective ambience, a blistering inferno of blastbeats and phenomenal riffs fire into fruition with boundless energy and an overall triumphant feeling that is a glorious return from Mork immediately. Once more we are greeted with very 90s and Norwegian sounding Black Metal, however when the vocals join with a rabid bestiality to them, it feel more like Mork has developed a bit more of a unique personality though still proudly wearing his influences on his sleeve. Those biting Norse grooves are certainly still present as is the icy production, however a more ritualistic, dark and mature energy has also come from further in the depths of the creator to deliver a far more scolding performance. Thus far I have enjoyed all of Mork’s material, traditional and yet still bold from day one. We see a gorgeous balance of aggression and melancholy, something Scandinavia has always reliably offered, emotional contrast in extreme music. So from the get-go hopes are high for this tome of darkness, let’s see if the relentlessly ferocious and yet sombrely touching excellence is maintained.

Seeping from the abyss, the darkened mystique of the record ebbs and flows with a more standard example of Norwegian Black Metal which truly enhances the Mork experience by delivering the promised goods of 90s barbarity played in truly magnificent fashion with a volatile and unpredictable edge that helps the project stand out on its own as far more than a nostalgia act and a formidable force in the underground. Barrages of brilliant riffing, hard-hitting drums and morbid vocals land consistently furious blows of devilish Black Metal with splendidly malicious intent. All of the energy of the old school days meeting the modern day without losing that gritty feel is something hard to achieve yet Mork has done so with every release thus far, more so than ever here with this marvellous slab of macabre soundscapes. “Svartmalt” for example is the grooviest Mork song ever released, yet is followed by the haunting and spectral atmospheric prowess of “Arv” which while entirely different feels like a suitable progression, showcasing diverse skill and superb compositional abilities.

As a fan of the obvious Norwegian influences, it was always a wonderful thing to hear this sound kept alive yet it is all the more glorious to hear it strongly burning at the heart while being showcased in new and exciting ways while never betraying the important sounds and sentiments. While traditionalist Black Metal bands get called rip-offs and the innovative ones get called pretentious, there is always a vitriol towards anything from one side, walking the line, however is a far bolder and braver move. This move in question has benefitted Mork in a credible way and allowed the evolution to maintain the bands core values while not stagnating, an important balance to hold for any creative entity. It feels like we can expect Mork’s grandiosity and extremity to only grow as their untamed passion and ferocity is clearly held in high regard by both old schoolers and the current Black Metal underground, deservedly so.

In conclusion, Mork has delivered both the most Norwegian Black Metal revivalistic tome while also their most unique and self-defining moment too. We see the perfect blend of tradition and originality meet for a frost-bitten slice of charmingly primal music with a more expansive feel than ever before, showing more daring to experiment with elements like clean vocals and more deathly riffs. This is a record both old school Black Metal traditionalists and those with a taste for the more unique can enjoy equally. A majestic experience that to me, is the definition of Mork developing from a great worship of the old days to a beast in their own image.