Review of Mistur - "In Memoriam"
QUANTITY AND QUALITY
By: Geoff Teach
More than a few times a year, I come across impressive acts, and many of them receive press from yours truly. However, from time to time, a band comes out of nowhere and legitimately blindsides me with their incredible music. And recently, I again had the distinct pleasure of experiencing another unexpected railroading, so allow me to elaborate...
While it’s hardly a secret that Norway is fertile breeding grounds for top-flight metal acts, it was still a welcomed shock to my system when I first heard the fascinating sounds of In Memoriam, the sophomore full-length release from Sogndal-based Mistur on Dark Essence Records. Although sporting only six tracks, In Memoriam possesses both quantity and quality, with no song lasting any less than seven minutes and sixteen seconds – and every single cut is out-and-out stupendous.
Descended from notable Norwegian melodic black metal acts like Windir and Vreid, Mistur’s In Memoriam is colossal, grand, and majestic, evoking the landscapes and ancient histories from whence this talented sextet originates. Proficiently written and competently produced, In Memoriam shines from open to close, with nary a weak selection on the effort. Or, in other words, Mistur knocked this one out of the fucking ballpark.
“Downfall” sonically bucks, pitches, and rolls like a knarr upon the Nordsee, “Distant Peaks” is a black metal feast of snow-capped style and arrangement, and “Firstborn Son”, at ten monstrous minutes, riffs away with blast-beat-laden fury at times, while thrashing and swaying at others; it is certainly my favorite number on the disc. Moving into the back half of In Memoriam, “Matriarch’s Lament” is coldly beautiful and fetching, whereas “The Sight”, another one of my favorites, has a rock tinge to it that is perfectly placed (think Kvelertak), and the closer, “Tears of Remembrance”, is dark, doleful, and downright divine.
In short, Mistur’s In Memoriam is an absolute masterpiece of melodic black metal virtuosity, and this stellar release is undoubtedly in the running for one of my top albums of the year. This gem is presently available for purchase (see Related Links below), so don’t delay in getting your hands on In Memoriam today!
To hear In Memoriam in its entirety, just press play below!
Related Links: