Mork: Legions Of The Black Light
When one looks back through the annals of heavy metal history, the second wave of black metal has long been considered one of the genre’s defining moments. Thanks to a collective of bands in Norway in the late 80s/early 90s, black metal solidified its status as one of metal’s most volatile, controversial and evil sub-genres. Flash forward three decades later, and whilst black metal has evolved and mutated far beyond the confines of that rigid and primitive style with legions of bands adopting the black flag across the globe, that iconic second wave is still adored and highly respected. Since forming in 2004, MORK have consistently been in the ascendency, showcasing that Norway is still a hive of activity for the genre it helped spawn all those years ago.
Band mastermind Thomas Eriksen is in a reflective mood as we pose the question did he ever imagine that his project would grow to become one of the leading lights in black metal today? MORK was originally conceived to be nothing more than a side-project but after 2013’s unholy debut, Isebakke, the momentum has only gathered pace. “When I created the first demos way back when and that was like, just some homemade CDs that I had, and the same goes for the debut album in 2013, that was just something I made! Because black metal, to me, has always been a solitary kind of exercise, if I can call it that! When I listened to BURZUM, DARKTHRONE and GORGOROTH, it touched those deep emotions within me that I enjoy alone and enjoy that strange kind of atmosphere and bubble. When MORK started to get picked up here and there, that was basically a surprise for me, because I did not expect that at all.”
Surprised he may be, but after just one cursory listen to Eriksen‘s musical output, and it comes at no surprise that MORK have been welcomed with open arms across the breadth of the extreme music community. A homage to the second wave, the aural landscapes in which MORK is instantly recognisable to the bands who came before but the project is so much more than just a homage to the genre that Eriksen loves. Whilst early output strictly aligned to the black metal rulebook, on new effort Katedralen, there is a distinct stamp of individuality, this is MORK spreading their wings.
“I think for each album, now, I have been reaching further and further out there. And more and more people are coming across our music and that’s very much the way every band wants to work, I’m appreciative about that. My debut album, Isebakke, when I made that, and the second album [2016’s Den vandrende skygge] that was really strict. I didn’t dare to tamper with my inspirational flow, I just wanted to make some primitive, strict black metal. And for each album that has come now, up to the present day, I have been starting to not give a fuck any more about the rules and restrictions. I’ve basically been letting myself loose more and more in the creative flow. On the last album, I was really open, and I had the elements that just came left and right, while writing the songs and even more so this time around for Katedralen. I think I have found my place within my kind of songwriting structures. It’s just 100% me being true to myself. I have found my way, so to speak.”
Honesty is the best policy and with Katedralen, Eriksen‘s reveal of being 100% true to himself within his musical output will surely strike a chord with many. Metal fans, particularly those within black metal, are fiercely loyal to the bands they support and it seems that for MORK, they are set to become one of the biggest names in black metal today. But, of course, any conversation with any band (regardless of genre or style) is overshadowed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since the world shut down as the virus spread last March, the music industry has been beaten to within one inch of its life. For MORK, the damage of COVID-induced restrictions is one of many stories felt across the industry. “I think the thing about COVID is that we were about to hit even the next step on the staircase that was continuing upwards. Last year was supposed to be our very first year as a touring band with full tours. You know, usually we’ve been playing one offs and stuff like that. But we were supposed to do a European run, we were supposed to go to South America, we were supposed to play at Wacken Open Air for the first time, which has been my goal since day one. The rug was pulled out from beneath us. But it’s the same for everyone, obviously. But I can’t, I can’t deny it. I need to bitch about it because it sucks.”
With international touring, festivals and so many other variables still all up in the air, when the pandemic passes, the music industry landscape is one which will be changed forever. But, in the here and now, Eriksen can rest assured that when the world opens back up, MORK will be ready to pick up where they left off. And the congregations for their black mass will be something remarkable indeed.
Katedralen is out now via Peaceville Records.
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