| CD review: Sorg Uten Tårer - Grave Songs |
| Self-released, 2008 | Review published: 2008/02/26 |
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 Sorg Uten Tarer's new album has just been released several days ago, and as soon as I heard of the news, I eagerly went to their website and downloaded the album. Their previous effort (Moonsilver) brought about a slightly less aggressive, but much more thoughtful mood than the previous albums. I wondered how this album would sound, and like usual, it retains the style of melodic black metal, but just one listen will show you just how different it is.
Firstly, you do not even have to listen to the songs to tell they are different, the songs are longer than before, the opening song being some eight and a half minutes long, instead of the normal intro/outro set-up that the band has held since their first album (Bladesong). The file-size is also quite a bit bigger as a result of the production going up a lot.
Like usual, the lyrics continue the tradition of lyrics based upon writings, but it sways more away from the fantasy type. Edgar Allen Poe, the great poet known for his depressive life and alcholic problems, was the inspiration for the song, “Spirits of the Dead”. In fact, the song is just his poem with music playing to it, personally I think it is great. William Shakespeare also has his part on the album, “CXXVII” is another song that is based solely on a writer's works.
This album on the whole, sounds more dark I think. The man stayed true to his word on the interview, that the music will be getting more harsh. In fact, I think that even though it became harsher, I personally hear a lot more melody incorporated in this as well. There are also more acoustic breaks, and more choir based stuff as well. It adds to the mood very well.
Singing here ranges from the normal black metal harshness of “Damnation” to the soft spoken verses of “Gravesong”. These two ways of singing oft blend with each other on songs, switching off back and forth, or at the same time, creating an almost eerie effect. Lyrically, the songs are also more dark and depressive, from songs like “Vengeance” that have lyrics that emit pure hatred for someone, to songs like “Ode To Sorrow Pt.1” that are purely sad, and seem like they belong in a Doom Metal genre. Don't be turned off by this though, Sorg Uten Tarer can take these lyrics and mold beautiful music around it, and he does, time and time again.
There were not many things I didn't like about this album. It is much more dark and harsh than the others before it, along with more melodies and contrasts throughout the album. I really like the new style, and it has replaced “Black Panther Metal” as my favorite Sorg album. Any fans of either black metal, or melodic music will find this an interesting and worthy album to listen to. Whats more, most will fall right in love with the harsh beauty this album offers. Remember, all their albums are free, so you really have no excuse to rob your ears of the honor of listening.
Patrick Burent
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01. Vengeance
02. Damnation
03. Gravesong
04. Spirits Of The Dead (Edgar Allan Poe)
05. CXXVII
06. Knight Of The Black Rose
07. Ode To Sorrow Pt. I
08. Ode To Sorrow Pt. II
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 Read also: Sorg Uten Tårer - Black Panther Metal, Sorg Uten Tårer - Interview - Retribution
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