It is kind of funny how far extremity has come in music, I mean people thought Elvis and The Beatles were shocking back in the day! Imagine if they could see the very depths of the Metal underground. Even still to this day there is a certain stigma surrounding harsh vocals in particular, the classic ‘I listen to everything’ comment being a prime example of just how closeted so many people still are. Equally I find it rather amusing when people will call me close minded for listening to Metal despite the fact that I literally ‘listen to everything’
One band who would almost certainly decimate the ears of many a casual or mainstream music fan are the Swedish bestial Blackened Death Metal cultists Mylingar. Formed back in 2015 the band swiftly released their debut EP a year later, it was entitled Döda Vägar and began the bands gradual incline. Further to this came the 2018 full length Döda Drömmar which exploded into the underground receiving critical acclaim and seated the band upon a pedestal. We now come to the final blow, the completion of the trilogy if you will, Döda Själar. The album is put out through Amor Fati and promises sonic torment of the most violent degree.
The fuzz laden riffs of Obalansen come cascading in, almost completely eclipsing the drumming which bubbles under the surface like haunting chimes. Next to arrive to the funerary parade are the vocals which are every bit as spite ridden as one might expect. Hints of Black Metal arise throughout the release along with notions of Death Metal, namely in the vocals. All in all this is one turgid journey through the bowels of disgust. The album is more of an experience than a song by song affair, Blaendningen is perhaps the next to really grab the listener’s attention due to the fact that it bridges the gap so well between each half of the album through its consistent output of nigh on War Metal.
In fact War Metal seldom does Mylingar justice, for these barbaric deviants are their own breed of brutality. Their shoddy, murky production and tomb-like qualities assure them a place in the crypts of Extreme Metal. This brand of utter chaos, to me at least is highly appealing I revel in the bands ferocious riffs, dissonant drumming and careless nature. Perhaps the shattered jewel in the fusty crown of sickness however has to be the climactic closing track Förlusten. At over ten minutes long it is the bands longest work to date and a fitting memorial to this trilogy of stomach turning putridity. The song plays out much like the rest of the album is a cluster of guttural barrages that are sure to make even the most seasoned listen of Extreme Metal astounded.
So in short if you like your Metal to sound like an analogue radio being attack furiously with a screwdriver then Mylingar are the band for you. As an existing fan of this band myself I can wholeheartedly state that this album is a most befitting rendition of madness and by no means any sort of dip in quality. That said neither does it exceed prior work, and personally I really like that, the idea of complete transparency across releases can often be a vital part of garnering a deep seated fan base. Do yourself a favour and listen to one of the grimmest albums of the year Döda Själar
(8/10 George Caley)
06/08/2019 at 4:12 pm
Sounds good. I must check it out. I had to laugh at your comments about “I listen to everything”. So true. ILTE seems to be a byword for intolerance and closed-mindedness.
07/08/2019 at 11:30 am
Mylingar are a really strong band man, their other material is equally powerful. Absolutely, most people who ‘listen to everything’ don’t much care for that ‘shouty’ music.