Monograf heralds the Scandinavian apocalypse.
Created in Norway by Erik Normann Sannes Aanonsen (vocals/guitar/nyckelharpa/keyboards, Ansestor), Sunniva Molvær Ihlhaug (violin), Hanna Sannes Aanonsen (bass), Erlend Markussen Kilane (drums), and Martin Sivertsen Adams (guitar), the collective called on Ingvill Trydal (keyboards) to help create their first album, Occultation, released by Overhead Productions.
The Prophet begins with an unsettling dissonance that gradually becomes oppressive even before the screams kick in, but which obviously intensifies with their arrival, taking advantage of the Folk breaks to let us catch our breath before the next cloud. The different moments are very distinct, creating a rather divisive contrast between them before finally linking them together in a striking passage where Erik‘s screams are simply terrifying in the background, then the harmonics haunt the jerky rhythm before Cripplegate takes over, adopting soaring Post-Rock touches. The vocals remain more furious, naturally heralding the heavier moments, but we continue to observe the swirls of harmonics that hover around us and bewitch us as the rhythm slowly ignites and finally joins Ashes. The track is much shorter than the others and initially focuses on clean vocals, but noisy tones are sure to darken the composition before finally giving way to Carrion Seller, where Folk instruments take center stage once again, as does the heavy saturation that once more fuels the sonic diversity and anchors the track in suffocating Post-Black Metal with a few hints of heady doom throughout. The track ends somewhat abruptly, but the band immediately follows up with Occultation, the last composition, which takes the time to gradually bring in each element and integrate it into the final mix, naturally taking on different hues to construct a truly majestic tableau, but one that includes its own shadows, rivaling the light of certain moments, which will have the luxury of closing the album.
Monograf finds its place between Post-Black and Folk, proudly embracing both influences’ roots. While the contrast is sometimes very marked, Occultation will easily appeal to fans of both genres.
85/100
