Mork – Dypet
Release Date: 24th March 2023
Label: Peaceville Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal
FFO: Darkthrone, Taake, Mayhem.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Dypet is the 6th album from Norwegian Black Metal act, Mork, otherwise known as Thomas Eriksen. One of the more respected modern Black Metal acts, Mork’s latest opus demonstrates yet further growth from Eriksen, enveloping the listener in a web of black metal goodness. Basically, if you are a fan of the genre, it is more than likely that Dypet will tickle your fancy.
Insistent growls dominate an album, as Eriksen throws down an inspired vocal performance. The old-school delivery is reminiscent of True Norwegian Black Metal from its heyday. At times, the vocals are really quite spectacular, raising the album up from mere pretenders.
8 tracks long, a majority of them are top notch, with only a handful failing to hit heights. Ironically, these tracks are towards the end of the album, meaning that you are at risk of losing interest. Don’t! Where Dypet is strong, it is very strong – it is He-Man strong. It is the Master of the Universe, with a couple of tracks being Adam. If you bear with it, give it the multiple listens it deserves, you will get the benefit.
A few highlights include, ‘Bortgang’, the first single that can be found on YouTube, but it is the 7 minute 31 seconds long, ‘Et Kall Fra Dypet’ that impresses the most. With themes of ‘hatred, death, betrayal, inner demons and misanthropy’, the album is not for those with a weak constitution. However, unlike many albums in this genre, it is not a challenging listen. The tracks somehow entice you in, and I would imagine, punish those who dare to resist.
One of the slight disappointments is the inclusion of former Kverlertak vocalist HJELVIK. Before there are howls of complaint, this isn’t a comment on his performance, more that the album doesn’t really need the input. Eriksen, throughout the album, is excellent, with the addition of a ‘special guest’ appearing to be somewhat superfluous. Still, we can’t really complain can we?
Dypet is an album that can’t fail to impress. 6 albums in, and Mork continues to impress, and continue to be the vanguard for modern Norwegian Black Metal, perhaps even leading the genre to a slew of new fans. One can only hope.
(4 / 5)
