Møl – Jord
Shoegaze Black Metal sounds like an odd mix, especially someone who has been slightly adverse to that area of extreme metal in the past. But after being exposed to the likes of Alcest in recent years I found myself tempted towards that particular rabbit hole. On the face of things it’s a strange mix, but Black metal has always been about its atmospherics, so when the pace is dialled back slightly and the evil is replaced with melancholy, there’s a sweet spot to be found.
Møl are a band that finds that spot amazingly well. There’s an interesting balance between what are essentially brutal riffs and blast beats, and the haunting chords draped across. Production is a key factor here, with the reverb certainly present in the vocals and key guitar melodies as is to be expected in the genre. But the riffs and drums are solid a rock provide a strong foundation for the prettier elements to stand on their own.
Across the eight tracks there is plenty to keep the listener interested. They play with cleans and melodies all over so it’s neither all doom and gloom or face shredding evil. The bio I was given doesn’t mention synths or keyboards so credit must go to their guitars for creating some fantastic ethereal vibes, even if they use backings it doesn’t matter, when they go off on an instrumental tangent they fill out the noise with some great moments that contradict and expand the listening experience all for the better. I’d be very interested in hear this in a live environment.
Right there is the strength of Møl’s sound in my view, you can listen to this album in an angry mood or a chilled one. Jord sits directly in the middle of so many emotions which seems impossible for a black metal band, but there you go. Maybe I’ve been educated by this record.
The result is excellent in my opinion, whilst it might not be for everyone I feel that in a genre as seemingly impenetrable as Black Metal, Møl have created an album that stands out enough to people like myself to grab hold of, whilst potentially opening them up to the more traditional bands. That said, we’re not straying too far out of the woods for Jord to be an unfamiliar sound for the purists.
Score: 8/10
Jord will be released via Holy Roar Records on the 13th April.
Tracklisting:
- Storm
- Penumbra
- Bruma
- Vakuum
- Λ
- Ligament
- Virga
- JORD
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