MÖRK GRYNING might’ve missed the first shrieks of second wave black metal in its native Scandinavia but, since 1995’s Tusen ảr gått…, founding members Goth Gorgon and Draakh Kimera and cohorts spread their shadows of melodic blackness over a handful of impressively solid albums until Mörk gryning of 2005. This would spell what most of us though was the end – and credit and hails to the founder(s) for halting the band when they felt their passion waning – yet metal in any form be a hard beast to tame, and thus was Hinsides Vrede born as the world writhed in the throes of pandemic.

After an absurdly pastoral intro track, ‘The Seer’ instantly pulls us into the world of the band, Draakh Kimera’s vocals the welcome return of a fellow warrior as newcomer S-L’s lead guitar joins his in a tasteful yet tenacious riff extravaganza. Also must be mentioned drummer C-G, who joined just in time for the hiatus mentioned before, but has lost not one step (and gained a few, it seems) even since the return album. ‘Tornet’ whirls, a vortex of stars and galaxies, a true cosmic storm at its center and undeniable in its grandeur.

Not all is heady and cerebral here, as ‘Before The Crows Have Their Feast’ is bass-driven rage, as Aeon weaves almost transparent keyboard tapestries at times, others heavy, oceanic waves under which to drown. He does this over the course of Fasornas tid, and proves himself vital to what this album is. Aside from Pieces Of Primal Expressionism (2003), MÖRK GRYNING has largely – and wisely – kept its songs within the 4-5 minute range, and the same holds true here, though the prog devotee in me, reminded of the talent and proficiency of the quintet would love to hear what could happen in a more expansive setting. As it stands, though, there’s not a wasted moment, observed in the 4:12 ‘An Ancient Ancestor Of The Autumn Moon’. When the spoken section shows up in the coda, it’s perfectly where it belongs.

‘Barren Paths’ hearkens unashamedly back to the days when black and death metal bands weren’t scared to pick up acoustics for an interlude, and this one is simply breathtaking, despite its brevity. Which is useful, as ‘The Serpent’s Kiss’ is incendiary, striking its match and burning to inferno within the first few seconds, the guitar tone matching the lyrical subject matter, more rough ‘n’ ragged than we’ve heard thus far. A chorus arrives – useful when 4/5 of the band are more than capable vocalists in their own right – just before the emotional (dare I say, bluesy) solo of S-L.

Bassist Goth Gorgon delivers vocals on ‘Det Svarta’, a speed-fueled nonstop race to closer ‘Age Of Fire’, and leaves no doubt that Fasornas tid will rightfully assume its place in the legacy of one of black metal’s most underrated bands.
Review By: Lord Randall

MÖRK GRYNING
Fasornas tid
Season Of Mist