Mortifero (Latin/Italian for mortal, lethal, deadly) are a brand new dark folk project from Groningen, The Netherlands, presenting their debut with the EP The Death Ballads on German Ván Records.

Founded by vocalist, lyricist and principal songwriter Mortifero, the trio plays music in the line of King Dude and Amigo The Devil, but with female vocals. The atmosphere is gothic and dark, the lyrical themes occult and intriguingly morbid, exploring subjects like death, murder and witchcraft. Seven songs, with titles like Necromancer, Jane Doe and The Death Call, add up to a playing time of eighteen and a half minutes. Enough to get you acquainted with the band’s sound and to get you to like it.

The band’s music is characterized by three major elements: Mortifero’s velvety, often tender vocal performance, acoustic guitars and an ever-so-slightly reverberating bass line. All three elements appeal to me, but I especially like the bass, since it provides a dark undercurrent and forms a good contrast to the soft female vocals. The song writing here is minimalistic, yet thoughtful and effective.

After a few listens, it becomes apparent that the EP’s atmosphere changes slightly from track to track. The first three songs are of a somewhat darker, more urgent shade than the rest, and the release ends on a more meditative, soothing note than it began.

The stand out track among The Death Ballads is probably the pre-released Battle Cry. In addition to the three song writing elements sketched above it makes very effective use of percussion. The howling vocals call wolves, forests, night time and hunting to mind.

If you are a dark folk fan, this is money very well invested. I’m looking forward to a full-length album.

(7.5/10 Slavica)

https://www.facebook.com/Mortifero-100999548700562