Sweden’s Mörk Gryning  (‘dark dawn’) were in a bit of a grey area coming up in the late 90s early 00s Scandinavian melodic black metal scene. Never achieving the status of say Dissection or Naglfar or the underground gem status of say Catamenia or  Vinterland years later, but delivering 5 decent albums arguably peaking with 2001s Maelstrom Chaos, then calling it quits with a self titled album in 2005.

Now I’m sure the black metal world wasn’t exactly clamoring for Mörk Gryning reunion like maybe And Oceans or Naglfar this year, but here it is with various members from the band’s past from the 90s and 00s. But holy shit does this album smoke, and like those two bands , delivers utterly perfect 90s /oos melodic  black metal.

In particular, the album’s more direct, searing first 2/3 is chock full of absolutely seething, melodic riffs to die for. After a brief intro, “Fältherren” uncorks the first of many such ‘wow’ moments, especially in its relentless second half. “Existence in a Dream”, delivers more of the same but introduces some call Viking ish clean vocals that are well done and fit perfectly in the songs dreamy savagery. “Infernal” delivers a more restrained, varied pacing before “A Glimpse of The Sky” delivers arguably one of the year’s most catchy riffs with a gloriously melodic march and more well done, subtle clean vocal use.

One of my personal favorites, “The Night” delivers yet another example of searing melodies before the album takes a bit of a turn towards ore controlled, less vicious material with “Sleeping in the Embers”, interlude “For Those Departed ” and “Without Crown”. Penultimate track, the rollicking “Black Spirit” picks things back up and adds some cool female chants to the mix and ends the album on an fine note (closing instrumental “On the Elysian Fields” not withstanding).

I’m comfortable saying Hinsides vrede (‘Beyond anger’) is right up there with …And Oceans’ Cosmic World Mother and Naglfar’s  Cerekloth as far as recent black metal reunions that no one really thought would happen, and while And Oceans’ album might get more attention, don’t sleep on this blisteringly melodic beast.

[Visit the band's website]

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