The finest Mork album to date? Dive into the darkness and feel the menace and aggressive of this solid black metal release.

August 6th, 2023

Mork

'Dypet'

Think of a mix of Darkthrone, Satyricon and a sprinkle of Burzum and you got yourself some MORK. Strong riffs. Has a classic feel but clearly wasn't made in the 90's and that's down to the production, which is fine but doesn't go full on black metal kvlt if that's what you expect from the fine artwork. Songs where it's progressive it pays off, and songs, where it's straight to the point, don't go dry later in the track. Well worth the listen as we enter into Autumn or better, on a cold Winters night.

Starting with “Indre Demoner,” its unique cosmic and ambient touch sets it apart as a MORK piece. Subsequent tracks tend to emphasize melodious elements, with “Svik” being the prime illustration. In contrast, the powerful later track “Avskum” would absolutely feel right at home on Katedralen. MORK is a Norwegian black metal project created by Thomas Eriksen in 2004. Dypet is MORK’s sixth record. This album is an exceptional testament to the profound emotions of sorrow and pain from the first note to the last. I hesitate to contrast it with its forerunners or to ponder its standing next to the esteemed Katedralen, which remains close to my heart. With every new release, this project continues to flourish, never veering into the realm of mere adequacy. Clearly, Thomas Eriksen possesses an unwavering commitment, fueling his fervor and ensuring the band's narrative progresses with undiminished intensity.

This is a pretty solid black metal record, although not anything overly special for it to go down in the metal history books. I was never necessarily let down I just expected more creative moves and perhaps the drums could've hit a little harder in certain sections to give the songs more intent.

Overall, while Dypet may not surpass its notable predecessor, it undoubtedly stands firm on its own merits. This album is straightforward, catering to Mork’s loyal listeners and the wider metal community, yet it sprinkles in nuanced changes to invigorate the sound and carve new directions for the seasoned band.

Review written by Catherine Bale

Overall Verdict: 7/10

Rating
Songwriting (Composition, structure, cohesion) 8/10
Performance (Proficiency, professionalism, delivery) 8.5/10
Production (Mixing, mastering, overall sound) 6/10
Originality (Innovation) 5.5/10
Lyrics (Depth, strength, complexity) 8/10
Artwork (Quality, creativity) 6/10