On numerous occasions I’ve come across the scenario where someone has moved to somewhere inspiring like Scandinavia or Ireland, and has composed a work based on the inspiration. Such is the case here where an Australian known as M moved to Sweden and has produced a work of “isolation and expanse, bleakness and beauty” – “melancholic optimism” is what he calls this.
I am reminded of Windir as we embark upon the advancing journey of “Kebnekaise”, Sweden’s highest mountain. A persistent driving tune, it branches off into a winter-like expanse. A man roars in the background. The wind is getting up. There’s a quiet guitar tune. Here’s the melancholy but it’s wrapped in an ambient atmosphere. This gives way to a more urgent metal section, but always with the surrounding mysticism which combines with the heaviness and harshness. Humans 0, Nature 1. “Kebnekaise” comprises a number of moods over its 15 minutes, perhaps too many to have coherence, but it is a rousing piece. Notwithstanding the growly hissing in the background, “Bruksleden” starts dynamically and melodically in the style of Insomnium, developing into a dreamy section and bursting out with energy. It’s not massively original but it does have spirit. An electronic twitter adds impact to the fiery and lofty “Polarsken”. It ends in mystical fashion – I could have listened to more of this, as the pattern to this point had been uniform. Finally, “Séracs” sets off in a heavy blackened blaze of glory. The electronic vibe shudders through the black metal power but other than adding a layer, I’m not really sure what it did add to this final fiery blast.
“Lapporten” had all the promised expanse and sense of isolation, but strangely I didn’t get a complete sense of majesty. I think that’s because the journey was quite diverse, even within the four lengthy pieces, and whilst there was mobility and plenty of atmosphere, I didn’t have a sense of the direction where we were going.
(6.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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