Not content with dropping his self-titled Udåd project back in March, Thomas Eriksen is back with his seventh Mork release, Syv, a milestone album that marks twenty years of Mork.
Mork – Syv (Peaceville Records)
Release Date: 20 September 2024
Words: Jools Green
“We have reached the seventh chapter of the Mork saga,” Thomas told us. “It has been important for me to let the music evolve over the span of albums. It has really been a rewarding couple of years writing and recording Syv.
“When listening back to the finished product, I felt a great satisfaction. Brutal riffs meet melancholy and melodic passages with a slight progressive approach. Lyrically scraping the bottom of human existence and frailty as well as touching an immense pride and strength.
“This is probably my most varied album to date. Which in my mind makes a perfect outcome and addition to the Mork catalogue.” 
It definitely has a sophisticated and rounder edge to the sound, and those listeners who are familiar with the previous Mork offerings will pick up on familiar echoes from past albums.
It is, as Thomas comments, very varied. That slight progressive approach he mentions adds to the fluidity of the album as well as playing a big part in developing the sophisticated quality of the album.
The balance of brutal riffing and raw, acidic vocals against those melancholic yet melodic elements make it a massively engaging and enjoyable listen. I have always been impressed with Eriksen’s past endeavours but Syv surpasses those magnificently.
Lyrically, as previously touched upon, he takes a thematic dive through the contemplations of looming mortality and digressions through the depths and contrasts of human existence. From the blackness of despair to the pride and strength in overcoming, as well as absorbing additional inspiration from tales of old.
It is all in Norwegian, but you do not need to understand the language to feel the power of the emotions woven into each track. After pushing himself beyond his comfortable vocal limits with Udåd, Thomas pushes the bar higher with is vocal capabilities on this release. Not to the tortuous extent of Udåd, but expanding on the usual range used for Mork releases.
Syv delivers nine tracks spanning a generous fifty-one minutes and opens with I Tåkens Virvel, which builds with eerie intent, bursting forth with an acidic scream over a repeat rolling riff. Immediately, there is a comfortable familiarity, musically delivering a signature element that is unmistakably Mork. It is a superbly engaging, up-tempo offering, and the mid-point vocal delivery, which is more spoken than sung, is dramatic and impactful.
Holmgang has a repeat that is almost folk-like as it opens, which adds a quirky, unusual touch that I like and which works really well. The track turns darker as the lyrical content is delivered with acidic precision, and the flowing melodic aspect makes it a hugely engaging offering.
Heksebål also has one of those eerie, almost sinister, but at the same time melodic builds. Then, becoming a little mystical, the acidic lyrics are delivered with dark intent and are balanced and complement perfectly the haunting repeat. The protraction on some of the vocals is downright impressive.
Utbrent, the album single, “is a depiction of getting burnt out and the struggle of holding oneself standing,” Thomas says. “Even whilst silently knowing the day will actually come and break you down…the harsh punishment of living as life breaks you down and burns you out.”
This is brutal, complex, and driving to open, with the vocals cutting through with venomous intent. I love the rawness of this track. It makes a stark contrast to the previous pieces. Utbrent does change tempo and mood just before halfway through, taking on a more reflective atmosphere, but holding onto that dark, powerful feel throughout. The vocal layering is sublime, with the higher reflective cleans adding a haunting layer, returning to that dark, raw feel it opened on.
Translating as Resulting In Death, the next piece, Med Døden Til Følge, does have a sinister undercurrent to the delivery. With a very classic Black Metal style to open, it also has more of those superb vocal layers, with a higher clean layer above the acidic raw delivery. There is a bleak, reflective and quieter segment just after midway before resuming the ominous and sinister course it opened with.
Dark and intense to open, Ondt Blod has a superbly sinister edge. I love the mix of punchy drive, dark, ominous melodic elements and the acidic vocals, particularly the deep extended protractions. I also love the way it builds in chugging increments, and the burst of second-half riffing adds even more impact.
Tidens Tann is reflective and introspective to open but builds with rapidity to a very classic Black Metal feel that is immediately engaging. A complex piece that twists and turns and ebbs and builds but remains very fluid in its delivery.
With its sharp opening repeat that builds subtly, the penultimate piece, the instrumental Til Syvende Og Sist, also has a very eerie and unusual quality, courtesy of the string and synth work. While developing a folk-like influence towards the close, it is so powerful and engaging.
Final offering, Omme, is a very stripped-back and beautiful closer. This is a mix of reflective, clean guitar and clean vocals, with haunting strings in the background. A sublime piece that shows another side to Thomas’ capabilities.
If it’s not already apparent, I think Syv is a superb listen that is engaging from end to end. You are completely swept up in the sound, and Thomas is very right to feel satisfied with this album.
Syv was performed, recorded and mixed by Thomas. The engineering was assisted by Freddy Holm, who also contributes with strings and synths. Mastering is by Maor Appelbaum (Sepultura) in collaboration with Jack Control at Enormous Door (Darkthrone).
Syv will be available as a black vinyl gatefold LP, cream vinyl, CD or digital download from Mork (burningshed.com). In addition, signed/numbered black vinyl copies will be available through the official Mork store.
