Label: Relapse Records
Review by Warren Mayocchi
There are albums one does not expect, “Mausoleum” is such a production. It is a listening surprise for those familiar with the studio album from 2015 – “M”. To experience it for yourself, cease reading now and go listen (come back after and read the review of course!). This being a live album, I expected a crushing black metal experience, instead it is an album of delicate mournful beauty. Full of simple guitar and piano arrangements, backed by the Norwegian Girls Choir and Myrkur brings us an emotive performance bordering between emptiness and celestial. It is difficult balance to be struck and requires a masterful performance from all involved, they are up to the task. At 27 minutes the album is relatively short, but the listening experience is fine – the ears are happy with the length. Most of the songs are from the “M” album. The exceptions; “Frosne Vind” from the “Myrkur” EP, “Den Lille Piges Død”, a standalone song from 2015 and “Song to Hall Up High”, a Bathory cover. Each song has personality and a lingering sadness, almost a formal funeral procession in full effect. The selection of the Mausoleum as venue may have helped musically with the echoing effect of the music and provided atmosphere for inspiration. In terms of a live performance, there is very little of the crowd in evidence on the album, though “Dypt i Skoven” closes the performance with some extended applause – this sounds somewhat like hard rain and fits with the mood well. Myrkur has incorporated everything we hear on “Mausoleum” in prior work, just not in this distilled pure manner. The poignant vocals, choirs, and simple instrumentation, all are present in her prior work, but here they have a chance for center stage – and the success in the spotlight shows us the talent of Myrkur is deep. Certainly it was a surprise, but is that not a compliment to the band – to be surprised and grateful for the experience.
Rating – 88/100
Tracklist
- Vølvens spådom
- Jeg er guden, I er tjenere
- Skøgen skulle dø
- Byssan lull
- Den lille piges død
- Frosne vind
- Onde Børn
- Song to Hall Up High
- Dypt i skoven
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