Album Review: Møl - Diorama
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
2018’s debut ‘Jord’ served notice to the world that Danish blackgazers Møl meant business. It was an album that blended black metal with the shimmering tropes of Slowdive, and it worked beautifully. Well, if ‘Jord’ made us sit up, Diorama moves Møl up a division or two because it is an album of some magnitude and quality.
Blackgaze isn’t a genre that I spend enough time lost in, but with this release it’s the perfect reminder that this is a dream world where life can be paused. The combination of swirling guitars, blistering aggressive segments and ferocious vocals that interchange with gentle passages and ethereal moments as the album develops are a delight.
‘Diorama’ has an explosive start with ‘Fraktur’, but whilst the black metal is most definitely the dominant element, the intricate and fragile beauty that is laced throughout this album ensures that the balance that was established on ‘Jord’ remains. Kim Song Sternkopf’s hissing vocal delivery has become more focused since the debut and is countered by some enchanting female vocals on single ‘Photophobic’, the melancholic breakdown and change of tempo providing the introspective elements that the Aarhus outfit deliver with such aplomb. There are also cleans which add even more layers, such as the simple yet effective delivery on ‘Vesitge’.
It’s been some time since I’ve listened to ‘Jord’ but having dipped back into it there is no doubt that Møl have developed their creative side; ‘Diorama’ is exquisitely crafted with an underbelly of steel that provides a delicious counter to the more melodic parts. The darkness remains but the uplifting melodies on tracks like ‘Redacted’, which work in tandem with angst-ridden vocals make this an album to listen to on repeat.
‘Diorama’ maintains contact with the band’s black metal roots in magnificent style on penultimate track ‘Tvesind’. A churning maelstrom of frantic riffing, it gives way to soaring melodies that paint a cinematic soundscape. Submerging oneself deep into this album is hugely rewarding, with the contrasts in each song adding light and subtlety to already complex music. The title track that closes out the album sees more harmonies in a stunning duet, and it’s a perfect way to conclude another record of insanely high quality. Blackgaze may not be for everyone, but should you want an album to absorb yourself in, then this is that release.
