This self-titled debut is an impressive debut, possessing a musical style that is extensive, manifesting decibels of subliminally-composed heavy fuzz and thrashing resonances inspired by a myriad of names such as Mastodon, High on Fire, and Baroness
“Somnuri” DD//LP track Listing:
01. Kaizen
02. Inhabitant
03. Same Skies
04. Slow Burn
05. Opaque
06. Welcome The Stranger
07. Pulling Teeth
08. Through The Dead
The Review:
Up-and-coming stoner/sludge/doom metal/progressive trio from Brooklyn, Somnuri, consisting of members of Blackout, Hull, and Family, they are formidably manifesting decibels of subliminally-composed heavy fuzz and thrashing resonances inspired by a myriad of names such as Mastodon, High on Fire, and Baroness. There definitely is diverse elements that can be found in their style— be it a convergence of black metal, sludge, math rock, progressive post-metal, you name it. As a result, they successfully manage to present a profound variety of paces, rhythms, and vocal ranges. They are the kind of band that would not hesitate to solicit influences from an extensive range of references in order to evolve as their own kind of authenticity. I personally don’t think that they suit only one single mundane classification of genre; they branch out in the most proficient way ever possible. They have done an awesome job of presenting how their elements can be ethereal but also belligerent at the same time-- their style is like a conundrum. It’s interesting to find trails of black metal-inspired growls in a sludge content that can be found in some tracks, as well.
The first track, “Kaizen”, is an atmospheric tune that appears to be strong on stoner elements and features a slow-paced outro which contrasts to the fast and upbeat beginning of the song. Hereafter, there comes “Inhabitant” with a blistering nuance and black metal-inspired funereal distortion. The next track “Same Skies” is in a more rapid pace than the previous two tracks, intensified by its chaotic drumbeats, and it mainly contains sonorous growls. “Slow Burn” is a droning, fuzzed-out track with prepossessing riffs and a well-crafted combination between growls and clean vocals. “Opaque” happens to be a short track that comes off as tranquil and clandestine. “Welcome the Stranger” has some circle pit-inducing malignant vibes that would trigger you to stage-dive and mosh. Next off we have “Pulling Teeth” and its convoluting riffs of the damned. The last track “Through the Dead” is a rhythmic, ethereal take on stoner that closes the album as the longest track.
This self-titled debut is an impressive debut, possessing a musical style that is extensive and not chained to one certain sphere only. It has a lot of scenes and roots implemented in its content, and it’s such a good start for them.
“Viige Urh” ignites stronger than the incineration of flames; forcefully ascends high up to Valhalla— it is a projection of eternality, packed up in a form of eight tracks as ferocious as incendiaries.
“Viige Urh” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1, Viige Urh
2. Dagger Entombed
3. Age of Sail
4. Upir
5. Jutul
6. Punishment to Confessions
7. Knifehall
8. Evolution and Fate
The Review:
“Viige Urh”, the fifth studio album by the Oslo-based black metal act Sarke, is a form of resurgence from the north that hails the nine realms and transcends into time and space— just like its title that can be translated to “time that has passed”. The concept of this album mainly revolves around the idea of time passed; chronicles that never relent. Featuring a myriad of lyrical themes ranging from realism, mythology, and history, it just seems as if these Nordic lads are ready to reign the throne and reenact the legacy of the valiant Berserkers in battles. They come off as profound in manifesting their vehement characteristic of slow-paced beats and atmospheric riffs accompanied by the way Nocturno Culto (of Darkthrone fame) sings hymns in an exalted level, while featuring several takes of choirs, string instruments, and poetry-like recitations. “Viige Urh” ignites stronger than the incineration of flames; forcefully ascends high up to Valhalla— it is a projection of eternality, packed up in a form of eight tracks as ferocious as incendiaries. Released under Indie Recordings, the release of “Viige Urh” comes only about a year after Sarke’s previous album, “Bogefod”.
The first, and also title track “Viige Urh” presents vicious riffs that happen to be the epitome of a trenchant sword that waves upward against the collision of storms. And next up, there goes “Dagger Entombed” with its atmospheric pace; it tells about powers and weapons, unleashed in a poetic way. “Age of Sail” opens up with a 30-second killer riff that would remind you of the force of warriors that have slayed battles of ages. The blasting beats of “Upir” delivers some sort of a higher infernal power that reigns. “Jutul” features poignant notes of string instruments and possesses the vibes of the ancient times; it opens with soothing tranquil singing that later forms a convergence with the fierce vocals of Nocturno Culto’s. The next track “Punishment to Confession” unleahses a poetry-like recitation, followed by ethereal choirs. “Knifehall” is one hell of a god-tier fast paced chaos that appears as a multiverse of resilience and indignation. The heavy last track “Evolution and Fate” represents the violence of the sun that thrives into the constellations.
Having the privilege to listen to this album before its official release date (October 13th), I personally am honoured; it is definitely worth listening. They sure do have a concept, and their own inherent authenticity that clearly radiates from the groove that they unravel. The incorporation of ’70s rock influence into the black metal element also can be seen mostly from tracks like “Dagger Entombed” and “Age of Sail”. “Viige Urh” may revolve around the concept of time that has passed, but still, it would transcend the facticity of time and provide eternal eclectic madness.
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