MARROW

For almost 20 years now, the story remains the same. All critics and aware fans scream their lungs out to tell us that Madder Mortem is one of the best metal bands, in terms of quality and endurance but the majority of the metal scene turns its head the other way, towards opportunistic, trendy or even shallow bands. I have quit all hope that Madder Mortem will get the wide recognition they deserve but then again, why should this matter? Nothing of the above is powerful enough to influence the secret, ritualistic and eclectic delight they offer us with each new album.

For almost 20 years, the story remains the same. Like in their previous 6 endeavours, this year's album, Marrow, remains true to the fundamentally unchanged roots of their music, keeping a masterful balance among lyrical, dramatic and aggressive expressions. The dark tales they weave are ultimately for adult listeners: the atmospheric pursuits are being blended with doomy and prog ideas while the riffing always retains a modern character, despite the Norwegian origins that occasionally draw their music towards melancholic and dreamy soundscapes. It's a fact, Madder Mortem is still very hard to categorize and their compositions are always adventurous and open to transformation. This is music of high intensity that looks like the beast whose skin is silky and its claws ferocious. Art that resembles a beautiful mermaid rising up from a deep abyss enchanting you, only to realize that she has terrible, blood thirsty teeth.

For almost 20 years, the story remains the same. We will continue to regard Agnete Kirkevaag as one of the most, maybe The most amazing female performer in metal music and the majority will go on believing that we exaggerate. It is their right to do so. For us, it will still be a privilege to enjoy these performances and to realize that they have become even wiser and richer in Marrow, with less 'yelling' and more colour and texture. In the same time, some of the included compositions slightly reveal some folk influences, for the listener that yearns to discover things beneath the notes. In the list of all the fantastic songs they have delivered through these 20 years, we have to add many from this album, like the epic 9 minute long 'Waiting to fall', the first single 'Moonlight over silver white' and 'Until you return' ' one of the greatest songs they have ever composed, in my opinion. Just surrender yourself to its hypnotizing groove and watch it explode into an outburst of passionate heaviness.

For almost 20 years, the story remains the same. Each time they release an album, it is doomed to be included among that year's exceptional metal records. Remaining loyal to the stylistic visions they alone created 20 years ago, Madder Mortem is here again, strong and hungry as always. I don't know how success is defined but, artistically speaking, this band is one of the most successful out there. On 21/9 you will have another proof for this.

And I can do nothing more than hope that for the next 20 years the story will just remain the same.

Originally posted in Against the Silence.com