Resonance - Blodtar – Monark

Blodtar – Monark                       8.5/10

The Stockholm based duo that is Blodtar have returned with their third release, the incredible Monark. An album created in tragedy and the urgency to create and release it, yet without a sense of optimism and hope. Created in darkness yet yearning for light.

The self-titled Blodtar reflects the urgency of this album’s creation. It is melodic yet quintessentially black metal, carrying a vitality and a tangibility this is undeniable, the riffing frantic against the harmonic clean vocals. The title track Monark is a moment of gentle tenderness and some deft guitar work that is evocative and emotional, it elegantly sweeps you away before the main riff enters and adds to the experience, its speed driven crescendo nothing short of amazing reflecting the exemplary musicianship within. The traditional vocal cover of ‘Nu är det synd om de da’ (Kraja cover) is authentic and genuine. ‘’Bland kvällens skuggor ännu vandra’’ is a melancholic wonder, the guitar work is so eloquent it is impossible not get swept up as the music progresses into heavier territory without losing any of its atmosphere, a rare feat where the tremolo is as expressive as the acoustic.

Able to seamlessly capture the traditional with the fury of black metal, Blodtar have created a truly special piece of art that is as beautiful as it is extreme. Steeped in tragedy it is as thoughtful as it is chaotic. Its spiritual anguish is calamitous, beautiful and filled with pain. Monark is a rare accomplishment in extreme black metal that is excellent.

https://blodtar.bandcamp.com/