Artwork by Kjell Åge Meland
On November 5th, Norwegian metal band Sarke is releasing their 7th album 'Allsighr' on Soulseller Records. Within their ranks are members that have long roots in the Norwegian metal scene and that experience can certainly be heard on this record.
Sarke, the bass player of the band (real name Thomas Berglie, drummer in Khold and Tulus), started this band as a one-man project. He wanted to play the music that he liked, and he just asked his friends to join him on his musical quest. Among those friends: Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone on vocals, Steinar Gundersen, who plays in the live band of Satyricon, on guitar, Anders Hunstad, also in the live band of Satyricon, on keyboards and Cato Bekkevold, who played in Enslaved, on drums. This means that experience levels......
But Sarke doesn't play standard black metal. Just as their friends in Darkthrone, they play black metal with a deep bow to the old gods. Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath. Without these bands, we wouldn't have the metal music we have today and you can say that 'Allsighr' pays a huge homage to these bands. The record is filled with slow doom metal parts, inventive guitar solos, proggy keyboard solos and outstanding riffs. Those riffs sound simple, but the simplest riffs are the hardest to play. Just listen to The Ramones.
The first single 'Bleak Reflections' makes the most impact with its eerie keyboard lines and palm-muted guitar riff. It's a perfect opener to show what Sarke has in store. 'Glacial Casket' is a perfect exercise in creating that coldness that can only be created by people who endured many Scandinavian winters. 'Through The Thorns' is so great because it has that doom vibe, and throw in that great bellow of Nocturno Culto and you have a great song that's very cinematic.
Sarke does not do anything outrageous, but what they do, they do perfectly. Every song has its atmosphere, has its own story and they don't limit themselves by something as short-sighted as genres. They have a lot of skill and they put it to good use on 'Allsighr'. The retro 70's vibe, the dark cold Scandinavian climate, it all comes together on this fine record that makes me wonder what Sarke will do on their next album.
Tracklist:
Bleak Reflections
Grim Awakening
Funeral Fire
Allsighr
Beheading Of The Circus Director
Through The Thorns
Glacial Casket
Sleep In Fear
The Reverberation Of The Lost
Imprisoned