Some supergroups stick near house. An artist bursts with concepts of their chosen subgenre, and so–like Stephen King utilizing the pseudonym “Richard Bachman” to crank out horror novels–the brand new entity produces one thing not so far-flung from the work that made them well-known. Then there’s Morbikon. Ov Mournful Twilight sees Phil “Landphil” Corridor of occasion thrashers Municipal Waste and Vrenth from blackened people establishment/oddity Finntroll be part of forces to start a slab of frostbitten second-wave worship that comes full with a deadpan v of trvth within the title. In case you pitched that to me in an elevator, I might nod politely and inch away whereas fearing for my security. Thank Baphomet we reside in a world of boundless surprises as a result of Morbikon’s debut makes mincemeat of these preconceptions. Ov Mournful Twilight manages to be each trve as fvkk and fvn as fvkk. Right here lie eight meloblack rippers, each calibrated to deliver winter to your soul and whiplash to your neck. Don’t depart 2022 with out ’em.
Ov Mournful Twilight fuses a breakneck tempo with layers of guitar overdubs, atmospheric keys, and diverse manufacturing pomp. You’ll hear echoes of Immortal circa Within the Coronary heart of Winter within the frigid earworms, however the band additionally channels a few of Emperor’s extravagance. Stir in a touch of 90’s melodeath and a beneficiant heap of hooks that recall this 12 months’s sure-fire lister In Aphelion, and also you’ve nearly nailed Morbikon’s sound. Landphil handles all of the guitars and songwriting, and he proves himself proficient on each fronts. Standout “Cursed to March on Shattered Limbs” showcases the ambition and scope of Landphil’s black metallic daydreams. Its seven minutes of trem-picked riffing and stomping tempo adjustments lure you in because the music blazes previous, to the purpose the place one among my wild Ferox-lings, no fan of utmost metallic, requests replays and has ordered me to look kindly on Morbikon.
Vrenth’s vocals match what you’d anticipate from his work with Finntroll, which is to say he rasps forth a fierce and dedicated efficiency on Ov Mournful Twilight. It’s not an out-of-left-field shock like Landphil’s songwriting, however Vrenth engages with and elevates each the music’s brvtal facet and its penchant for theatricality. Landphil’s Municipal Waste bandmate Dave Witte retains it tight on the skins. His background in punky thrash influences his enjoying and energizes the unit as they tear by way of cuts like “Common Funeral,” Deaththirst,” and “Ov Mournful Twilight.”
I discovered Morbikon through the feedback part of my Morbific evaluate, so at the present time of thanks looks as if a very good second to (begrudgingly, resentfully, and from a lofty editorial peak) acknowledge the AMG commentariat. You might be greater than only a chaotic torrent of scorching takes and half-baked personas, you’re additionally an occasional supply of suggestions. Your concepts for the place to search out new and fascinating stuff had been an enormous a part of why I lurked this tyrannical hellscape as a reader, they usually proceed to be a part of my metallic schooling now that I’ve ascended to a dimension of pure disdain. Within the case of Morbikon, a stray remark led me to a stunning spotlight of my fall, one which deserves consideration from extra of you unstable characters. I worry you, commenters, and I might by no means allow you to eat off the nice China… however I additionally lengthen you the Critic’s Salute, with one pinky raised proud and dainty to Heaven.
Tracks to Test Out: “Common Funeral,” “Cursed to March on Shattered Limbs,” “Ov Mournful Twilight”