MØL anchors us in reality.
Proud of their signing with Nuclear Blast, the Danish band formed in 2012 and composed of Ken Klejs (drums, Intig, ex-Sunken), Nicolai Hansen (guitar), Frederik Lippert (guitar, ex-Sunken), Holger Rumph-Frost (bass), and Kim Song Sternkopf (vocals, The Arcane Order) unveils its third album, Dreamcrush.
Dream offers us a very dreamy first sound to capture our attention before the instruments appear, at first very calm, then using all the power of saturation in cooperation with Kim‘s visceral screams, creating a striking contrast between his violence and their heavy tranquility. More jerky patterns disturb the ocean of darkness, leading us to Sma forlis, which is immediately more aggressive and nuanced at times with a simple but catchy rhythm fueled by a touch of clean vocals before exploding again and carrying us away in its chaotic flow. Young takes a softer direction at first glance, but we can count on the band to add their touch of madness and transform it into a devastating rush punctuated by polished leads. However, the track flies by at breakneck speed, and Hud offers us a moment of respite with ethereal tones. Initially dominant, the clear vocals give way to screams to better support the catchy groove of the track, which then gives way to Garland, where we find that false calm that is just waiting to ignite and which easily succumbs when the time comes, buffeted by waves of controlled saturation. We return to calm with Favour and its enchanting riffs that last throughout the first half, darkening as they become much slower and more imposing thereafter, then A Former Blueprint re-energizes the atmosphere with light, cheerful tones, barely corrupted by rage, which then blend in completely for its final moments. Infinity takes over, offering us a moment of respite lasting barely a minute to recover from our emotions in the company of a soaring guitar, then Dissonance skillfully takes its place, remaining gentle and only setting the powder keg alight once the stirring prog influences are already well in place. We head towards the end of the album with the furious Mimic, a composition with a virulent rhythm on which leads and roars land with a bang and quickly become infectious despite the break, then Crush puts the final touch with its infectious bursts of energy that call on Screamo influences to transcend us one last time.
When I heard MØL‘s dreamy riffs, I couldn’t help but fall in love. I’ve been following the band from afar for a few years now, but Dreamcrush has convinced me of one thing: I absolutely must see them live very soon.
95/100