I have known 'Sykelig Englen' since they first formed in around 2012 and it's been a pleasure watching the project grow and grow over the year, so the latest installment of misery lets go!
First off massive darkwave 80`s influence on mix, tones and drums etc it sounds like a time capsule but the possessed corpse of the "goth" genre, these songs are different to anything 'black metal' typically does tbh pushing Sykelig out the genre. It's got edge and sincerity, its not trying to be anything like what's come before can only be a credit to the record.
Even though it's short definitely not short on interesting structures riffs and sounds one man band Jorg shows some incredible guitarwork and structures that had me surprised throughout!
'Unearthing The Hex' and 'Bearer Of The Ritual Lantern' were such interesting tracks with eerie solos and sinister riffage and odd drums making me physically enthralled and disturbed simultaneously.
'This Hollow Land' follows suit with outright weird guitar intro with upbeat drums flowing into a flurry of uncomfortable dread and snarls, The tones on this song are noticeably unpleasant and dark and it feels like its sums the EP up into one song, Moving in every way disturbing, beautiful and dark.
Normally EP`s dont have bonus tracks but we were gifted with 'Parasitic Affection' which i feel was unnecessary and felt thrown in considering its mixed differently to previous tracks and does not have the same atmosphere but i did enjoy the clean singing section because as previously mentioned my brain went to 80s goth. which was nice.
Overview: Atmospheric, disturbing, beautiful and sad sykelieg Englen continue to challenge the norms and expectations of the black metal genre and never fail to surprise me.
7/10 RIFFS