Review by Vladimir on September 23, 2024.

When it comes to the Norwegian black metal band Mork, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, you just know that everything you get will end up being just solid gold. For a band that's been around for so long, you would expect that we'll probably get something to celebrate the 20 years of misanthropy and darkness. Well, say no more folks, because that time is now. On September 20th, 2024, Mork released their seventh album Syv via Peaceville Records, marking a new chapter that was met with the crucial task of pleasing the fans and standing proudly on its feet. Now, is this album truly worthy of celebrating the band's 20th anniversary? Let's find out...

From the very get-go, the traditional Norwegian black metal elements of Mork make its grand appearance, once again presenting an incredible display of solid musical extremity and catchiness. The opening track 'I Tåkens Virvel' does a wonderful job at setting the grey misanthropic tone of Syv, where you can clearly feel the slow entrance in the album's dark and unsettling nature through the constant solid riff work, drumming and harsh vocal performance of Thomas Eriksen as it shapes the heavy road ahead. Once the stage is set after a couple of tracks, you will truly feel like the band's musical horizon is expanding even further into different territories as it progresses, where everything is executed in such a way that you get this sense of chronology, like a direct continuation to the predecessor Dypet from last year, which certainly shifted the course after ending on a high note. One of the greatest and everlasting strengths of Mork's work was its psychological aspect, because you always get so immersed into the music with a sense of storytelling, and this album is no exception by any means. Syv gives you this perspective of a protagonist going through various challenging stages in his journey, full of questions and answers, and such is the progression of the album itself, because you really go through different scenarios and you just follow along as it goes. What's evident about this album is that the overall execution provides a highly nostalgic throwback to some of the band's earlier days that include the notable works such as Eremittens Dal and Det Svarte Juv. Apparently it's a common feeling that many people got after hearing the singles 'Utbrent' and 'Heksebål', and I guess it's a matter of simplicity that is highly valued about the music of Mork, especially since these albums are regarded as solid examples that built the band's strong foundation that would always go to the next level and so forth. Something that's so surprising and exceptional about Syv is the acoustic outro track 'Omme' with clean singing vocals, which aside from giving the incredible sense of conclusion, was executed so well that it's like the end credits rolling after the the great climax.

Songwriting is as strong and consistent as ever before, with a dynamic and complex approach implemented in the already rich song structures. No matter how many traditional Norwegian black metal elements there are all around the work of Syv, you just never stop to think that there is a repeated pattern throughout the entire album, because there aren't any instances of formulaic or template-based songwriting that would inevitably erase all the established potential. Every song on this album showcases that not every black metal band is doomed to end up with a monotone direction that is the general flaw of many artists, especially those who do not even care or think about avoiding one-dimensionality and mediocrity. Great examples such as 'Tidens Tann' or the instrumental 'Til Syvende Og Sist' successfully showcase that Thomas Eriksen is both a focused songwriter and dedicated musician who puts sweat and blood into his craft, and anyone with that kind of mindset will never let anything go to waste. I always said that Mork is a contemporary black metal interpretation of Theodor Kittelsen's art, both from a musical and visual perspective, and yet again the band proves itself worthy of that reputation, because the great sombre cover art of David Thiérrée alongside the excellent musicianship go hand in hand, plus you can't deny that the instrumental work really makes the album cover come to life.

Honestly, what can I say? Is there ever a reason to doubt that Mork will come back with another great experience of an album that will shine all the way through? If I may be so bold, I think that Syv truly shows the everlasting beauty of the band, as well as the exceptional quality of their music that just cannot disappoint. Although the impression of Dypet from last year was still incredibly fresh and circulating all around, I was more than happy to see where this album would take me, and despite all the general familiarity that I got from their music, Syv successfully avoided ending up within the realm of musical mediocrity and had only managed to go even deeper into the depths. In the end, we are all so lucky to have got another fine Norwegian black metal album that many fans will love and appreciate for years to come.

Rating: 9 out of 10