ALBUM REVIEW: DREAMCRUSH – MØL

Returning with their third full length album, Danish quintet MØL are set to offer up another piece of sublimely crafted blackgaze. Like the beauty within a thunderstorm, MØL are masters of dominant loud dynamics with illuminations of captivating melodic brilliance. They’ve gone from strength to strength since their initial EPs and 2018 debut, with previous album Diorama receiving widespread and thoroughly deserved acclaim. Lauded for their songwriting and musicianship, MØL are a band that stands apart from others with their ability to build multi layered emotionally intense walls of sound that are both grandiose and engaging. DREAMCRUSH promises to deliver a trove of the same.

The appropriately titled DREAM opens the album. Appropriately titled as it is a rich, dreamy soundscape that layers the textures and melodies, generating a truly enthralling introduction.  MØL have become known for having wonderous production and right from the off, DREAMCRUSH delivers. It is impossible to not feel the emotive connection that the band are seeking to create. It moves between an ethereal level to an utterly crushing all out attack of exuberance. Gloriously uplifting in its crescendo and fulfils the role as example of how the album plays out.

Små Forlis delivering a guttural vocal attack straight after the opener, there is little doubt that the band are still keen to hold onto their darker edge. It is this edge that they look to explore within the concept of the album, how dreams can both be inspirational and lead to us to goals. But can also become a weight of expectation and highlight the crushing burden of the everyday. This play on balance is something that fans of the five-piece will be accustomed to with their earlier works.  However, DREAMCRUSH takes everything from previous releases and elevates it tenfold.

To highlight this, the crushing power of Young and Mimic are an absolute cascade of noise and might well represent some of the heaviest material they’ve yet released. Comparatively, the climax of Favour is electrifying in its melody. Guitar hero levels of mastery and utterly captivating.

Every note seems to have been carefully weighed for its inclusion; nothing is overlooked or discarded. There is space within the compositions allowing for moments to ring out and breath creating unfathomable depth. Yet when the textures are thickened out and a cascading wall of sound is employed, there is no one element overpowering another and all components serve a purpose. Album closer and latest single CRUSH is the shining example of this. Lush in its entirety without becoming opulent, the DNA of MØL is by now well established and this album serves to strengthen their presence.

Capitalising on their previously critically acclaimed works, DREAMCRUSH can reasonably be considered MØL’s magnum opus. At times, dark and oppressive and others delicate and enticing, they continue to broaden their horizons and push the boundaries of blackgaze. Offering moments of lofty melodic magnificence while retaining crushing rhythmic foundations, DREAMCRUSH represents another confident stride forward for these artisans of emotive metal.

Rating: 9/10

DREAMCRUSH is set for release on January 30th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records. 

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