Danish metallers MØL are the sort of band that, if you know about them, you love. You could consider them a hidden gem in a sea of post-metal. Nevertheless, after five years away, they’ve returned with a record that is considerably their biggest statement so far. Past albums, ‘Jord’ (2018) and ‘Diorama’ (2021), firmly established the quintet’s brand of “blackgaze”, being praised for their balance of beauty and brutality. On album No.3, ‘Dreamcrush,’ MØL look to expand into new sonic territory.
From the outset, as the rich guitars of ‘Dream’ breeze in, they build a sense of anticipation that something special is about to happen. Soon enough, vocalist Kim Song Sternkopf erupts with a vicious scream. Joined by heavy, choppy guitars and a kinetic display from drummer Ken Lund Klejs, it sets the bold tone for the rest of ‘Dreamcrush’.
Throughout Sternkopf sings and screams in English and Danish. adding to the dynamism on show. Furthermore, it feeds an emotional narrative. It reflects on how dreams can shape a person, the expectations and the burden they can bring. Yet it’s countered by an element of acceptance. At the same time, both grief and joy are woven into MØL‘s musical fabric.
Tracks such as ‘Hud’ demonstrate their scope. Gentle instrumentation and vocals glide, easing you into a satisfying lull, before its choruses momentarily spew with venomous intent. Likewise, ‘Favour’ is embedded in post-rock with strings and plucky guitars, gradually building to heavy guitars and Sternkopf’s scathing tongue.
Although they intend to build on their heavy foundations, tracks such as ‘små forlis’ and ‘A Former Blueprint’ explode with a thunderous metallic bite. The latter has an anthemic quality, with solemn verses, ringing guitars, and some exhilarating fretboard work from Sigurd Kehlet and Nicolai Busse. Meanwhile, ‘Young’ is a sharp reminder of MØL‘s ferocious energy, with Holger Rumph Frost’s rumbling bass aiding Lund Klejs. Throw in some riveting guitars, courtesy of Kehlet and Busse, and Sternkopf’s guttural vocals, and you’re left with a stellar MØL track. They’ve never sounded so sharp or as big.
For all the intensity that ‘Dreamcrush’ produces, MØL consistently show their song structural capabilities. For example, ‘Dissonance,’ eases in with acoustic guitars and hypnotic vocals before launching another sonic assault. The instrumentation allows each member to be distinct, unified by a dynamic understanding of one another. It is this dynamism that allows tracks such as the album’s lead single, ‘Garland,’ to stand out and make ‘Dreamcrush,’ as a whole, a delight to hear.
It all comes to a head with ‘Crush’. Clouded in blackened intensity, its choruses hit like a furious wave, awashed with Sternkopf’s demonic delivery. While Lund Klejs, questionably ‘Dreamcrush’s MVP, and his thunderous drum work, leads the band into a cinematic “blackgaze” finale. As the final chords fade away, you’re eager to experience ‘Dreamcrush’ all over again.
On the surface, there may not seem to be much evolution, yet the further you live with ‘Dreamcrush,’ the more you begin to understand its ambitious intent. MØL have crafted a record that is rich and dynamic in its scope. By dripping in alt-rock elements, they’ve created a record that sounds bold without sacrificing the crushing heaviness or delicate beauty of their past.
‘Dreamcrush’ by MØL is released January 30th on Nuclear Blast Records.
Find MØL on: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Threads | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Linktr.ee
