Review by Dominik on February 1, 2025.

"If you want peace, prepare for war". Or in this case, prepare for debates on globalization, originality, and the ethics of copying. Some albums don't just play music—they serve you food for thought on a silver plate. Lömsk's debut EP, Act I, is one of those releases. Two big questions came to my mind before the first spin even finished: the pros and cons of digital globalization, and the eternal dilemma of when a copycat is truly a copycat.

Let's start with the obvious. Digital globalization has transformed music, making it accessible to everyone, everywhere. The underground can gain recognition without breaking a sweat, and fans can discover bands that, two decades ago, would've been lost in the local scene. Obscure acts from tiny Swedish villages (hello, Lömsk) can now have their music discussed by review elitists (like me….) across continents. But there's a flip side. This easy accessibility and more cross-cultural influences can dilute local identities, pushing bands to chase global trends to gain attention, which leads to a more homogenized sound.

This brings us back to Lömsk. While the band hails from Sweden, about 90% of their inspiration seems to have emerged from a damp, smoke-filled cellar in Warsaw enriched with some sonic crumbs that have been collected in France and Finland. This becomes painfully obvious the moment the opener "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" ("If you want peace, prepare for war") kicks in. The track practically screams Mgła—from the melodic guitar lines to the gloomy mid-tempo pacing. The atmosphere dominates, and Lömsk's frontman delivers vocals that sound like Mgła's M. if he'd had a rougher, more aggressive day. The closer is cut from a similar cloth, starting slow before picking up speed halfway through.

The other two tracks spice things up. "Shovels And Ropes" still feels tied to Polish black metal geography, though it leans more towards acts like Blaze of Perdition but with a touch of Finnish heritage for good measure. A memorable chorus sits between fast, dynamic sections, all held together with well-placed melodies and even some subtle keyboards. The real standout is "Spetälsk" ("Leper"). It's the most ferocious track on the EP, blending the cold precision of Polish black metal with the controlled chaos of France's black metal scene. The blistering midsection, in particular, feels like it was ripped straight from Caïnan Dawn's album "F.O.H.A.T.", creating a seamless fusion of geographic styles. If anything, this track hints at the potential for Lömsk to carve out a sound of their own.

What brings me to the second question to debate: when do we condemn a band for copying, and when do we let it slide? Lömsk doesn't even pretend to hide their inspirations. Much like the German Groza, who famously debuted sounding like Mgła's tribute band (and got their teeth kicked in for that), Lömsk walks the tightrope between imitation and homage. It's a fine line, and Act I treads it precariously. Allow me to share my main considerations:

The Polish (and a bit of French) influences are undeniable, and Lömsk isn't shy about showing their sources. So the degree of similarity is high. However, while the riffs and aesthetics draw heavily from sources we all heard before, the band seems to approach this with genuine admiration rather than laziness. The Swedes avoid outright plagiarism by weaving in other influences—think Finland and France—and while these inspirations dominate, there are glimpses of originality ("Spetälsk" especially). And in the end, we should not forget about the genre context. Black metal, by nature, has its boundaries, and Lömsk stays well within them. And that doesn't necessarily disqualify their effort.

Ultimately, Act I doesn't give us much insight into Lömsk's true musical identity. But for a debut EP, it's a cohesive and entertaining effort. Yes, the band wears its influences on its sleeve (and its riffs, and its vocals), but they do it with good intentions and enough skill to avoid condemnation. I am hoping their next release dials back the Mgła worship and adds a dash of Swedish frostbite to the mix. For now, they've earned their place in the conversation—even if that conversation inevitably includes the phrase "heavily inspired by ….".

Rating: 7.5 out of 10, because originality is overrated—until it isn't.

Review by Jeger on November 10, 2024.

A step away from Occult-driven affinity into the realm of warmongering have the Swedish black metal scene’s Lömsk boldly taken, and these gas-masked harbingers of doom are treading intrepidly into the minefields of the soul - into the battle-hardened spirits of those weary from the scourge - an ode to the will of those lost to life’s bitter conflicts. Take up arms and prepare for the charge! But this is no hunt for glory, this is dread and this is heartbreak; the loss of one’s will to survive the perilous night. On November 1, 2024, Lömsk set into motion via Vendetta a campaign of the most dismal consort in the form of their debut EP, Act I. 

I don’t normally review EPs, but this one is a masterclass and deserves all the praise it can get. Not only is it a work of harmonious/melodious perfection, but you can palpably feel the gloom like saturated storm clouds hovering above the fields of battle just before rainfall. And as the boots dredge up the earth beneath and as the panzers shimmer under freshly fallen showers of perdition’s rain, it’s to the sound of true Swedish black metal: melodic, epic, and untainted by modernity’s curse. Not a harkening back to the second wave and not a contemporary work either, but it is its very own entity; a piece fit for the ages. Act I - a foreshadowing of future greatness and a call to arms for the broken. Boasting heartfelt tracks like 'Shovels And Ropes' and 'The Eternal Return' that conjure up visions of the grudge and of the eternal struggle as portrayed by warfare, this EP is truly a cathartic experience. Rolling tremolo riffs and finesse rhythmic patterns provide a most ethereal atmosphere thus far without the use of keyboards or synths; unpretentious and dignified black metal crafted with patience and integrity at the fore. 

Heed the alarm! As the aforementioned 'The Eternal Return' begins, it’s to the ominous sound of droning sirens just before a most despairing musical passageway into the realm of all hope lost unfolds. No refuge or sanctuary from the onslaught, no hope or dreams for a better tomorrow, only the reality of war - the perpetual internal conflict and there are no prisoners taken this night. Ghostly groans; the echoes of spirits lost to the indiscriminate impact of an existential blitzkrieg. The atmosphere thickens into an even more sinister ambiance now as keyboard effects compound an already misery-drenched experience. Wisely composed and brilliantly executed black metal. Music for the bitter remembrance of innocence lost, for candles burned to stumps, and for memento mori. 

LÖMSK - a brand new presence on the scene, but you’d never know it upon listening to Act I. This is obviously a group of veterans who’ve been doing this for a while. You just don’t get this kind of quality or this level of artistic maturity from newcomers. With Act I, Lömsk are bound to make a memorable impact on the world of Swedish black metal and it’s only the beginning. Come now and reap the spoils of war! For the fruit of suffering has arrived and it’s a most fulfilling bounty - the kind of nourishment for the spirit that only true black metal can provide. Bravo.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10