Myrkur (LP)

Emerging from the darkness of Scandinavia comes the much anticipated debut ep by one-woman black metal band Myrkur. Combining the rawness of second wave black metal bands like Ulver and Darkthrone with the natural sonic beauty of Sigur Ros Myrkur has created a wholly unique perspective on the genre. With a distinct sense of Nordic isolation Myrkur’s debut is a feminine yet definitively brutal record that has burst onto the scene like a Valkyrie into battle. Review Following the tradition of semi-anonymous one-person black metal bands, Danish black metal entity Myrkur surfaced in 2014 with this self-titled debut EP, the work of a sole Scandinavian woman. Though the seven songs dig deep into the middling fidelity, tormented blastbeats, and over-the-top darkness of some of black metal's greatest names (early Burzum, Emperor, Ulver) much of the album also embraces a gentler side of the dread and wonder found in nature. “Fronse Vind” is an entirely acoustic composition, playing courtly melodies while a host of haunted choral voices sweep in overtop with a medieval melody. It's only moments until the metal chaos returns, however, and tunes like standout track “Nattens Barn” perfectly blend the two worlds of graceful, icy ambience and all-out hellish black metal wailing. All Music Guide – Fred Thomas Track Listing: Side A: Ravnens Banner Frosne Vind Ma Du Braende i Helvede Latvian Fegurd Dybt i Skoven Nattens Barn Ulvesangen