Through blackened ash, mud, and moss, Myrkur (Amalie Bruun) emerges from the darkened snow with her frighteningly powerful new album – Spine!
Through great skill and perseverance, Myrkur merges some of the most intense, genre-splitting, and avant-garde moments from her catalog to bring about a menacing, contemporary, and enticing new creation. Spine, which debuted on October 20th, 2023 via Relapse Records Inc, is the embodiment of Myrkur – her purest and most unshakable form. It’s exciting and haunting, cinematic and foreboding in each waking track.
Spine exposes Myrkur‘s archive of folklore, as Amalie Bruun weaved through one of the most strenuous moments of life. Spine is the result of those woven threads, following the essence of life from birth. From the joy and elation that comes with creating life, to the haunting thoughts of the unknown path ahead, Spine is a completion of conquering stability in the midst of calamity. For Myrkur, the album takes on the journey of human nature, what motherhood means, and the echoing of Scandinavian mythology in doing so.
“Bålfærd” (Viking Funeral) is a sorrowful yet mindful introduction to Spine. It bodes the great essence of life despite turmoil. It’s the closed eyes to lift memory from storm clouds and burden to the tongues and words of surrounding kin. A brief nod to Myrkur‘s previous works, as if an acknowledgment of moving forward on a new path, this track not only presents Spine as a new beginning, or a new journey, but as one that remembers its origins and takes them in their palm to walk an unmarked road ahead.
“Like Humans” takes a bit more liking to Myrkur’s Black Metal influences, with an ode to synthetic waves and wonder. It’s poppy, and catchy in that manner, yet still alludes to the inner darkness that Amalie experienced.
“I am a ghost. I am the most familiar nowhere. Will you stay with me?“
A verse that’s haunting and cold. Like the longing for comfort and warmth. A familiar hand to stretch out and guide us, hold us like we aren’t so fragile. It clings to the disconnect that comes with a new life, with motherhood as experienced by so many as if they are no longer themselves, the person once known to their loved ones, and have been reborn simply as ‘mother’.
Amalie Bruun:
“When I wrote ‘Like Humans’ I felt very disconnected and isolated from the human race. The lack of touch and being in the first few years of motherhood forced me to become human in a way I never thought I would. Going through all of these changes at once made me desperately want to feel a connection with the earth and humans. Writing and recording this album helped me heal and succeed with that dream.”
In that same catchy, synthetic pop sound, “Mothlike” strums in like a late night drive down the blackened path between two neon strips. It’s the sense of longing and freedom from the restrictions we’ve been bound to. We feel hands all around us, fingers gripping tightly and binding us to some unknown path ahead, but we are not like the others. We are still our own.
“Faith is what you make of it,” holds strength in so many ways. From the cursive tongue to the hopeful smile, it’s a line that is simple yet so complex as if to drown out religion entirely and give Humanity a true, inner perspective of their own making.
This track boasts an array of genre-intertwining mixes, with blast beats, Bladerunner-style synth, and tones of metal to underlay a velvety and complicated track.
“My Blood is Gold” is dark and dreary, with sorrowful, almost agonized undertones that are cascaded by torrential piano keys and menacing harmony. The music is filled with mysticism and mystery, balancing light and dark in a seamless ballet as one moves through the emotions of a new experience.
One of the most enchanting tracks on the album, “My Blood is Gold” boasts elements of black metal and folk, staying deep and low while letting Myrkur‘s voice soar through the passion of her own personal exploration. It’s hauntingly beautiful, in a way that would bring tears streaming from your eyes with ease as it echos through your speakers. Like a deep breath before the plunge into cold waters, to feel release, and to feel at peace despite the screams that echo out from all around you.
The title track, “Spine” brings about a new energy; whirling in from cooler air it brings a parade, a new march of perspective with a rising drumbeat and heavier key.
“You made me human,” rings out as one’s over-flowing well of love pours out, renewed with the rising dawn.
It’s a vivid retelling, almost whimsical in its lyrical composition as it explains birth and the overwhelming emotion that one succumbs to in experiencing such an event. It moves from the shadows, into the warmth of the sun with an uplifting melody, one that motivates and inspires as it rises and falls on striking guitars and delicate piano keys, offering us delight and comfort with every note.
“Valkyriernes Sang” keeps the vibes on high as blistering drums echo out and bring the metal back into Myrkur‘s blood. It’s a strong and powerful track that emphasizes the strength that Myrkur interpreted from the old Norse Sagas about the Valkyrie. From their roles in battle to Valhalla and Odin, this track calls to that power, and Myrkur expresses it with absolute fire.
One of my favourites on the album for its sheer beauty in strength, this track rings out like a battle cry, as the Valkyrie come riding in, spear and shield in hand, to ferry the ending warriors to the glory beyond. It breaks down with Black Metal tone, striding into Folk harmony flawlessly to bring those folk tales into the light of a new world, and away from mere inspiration. Shifting from depth and blackness to cloud-riding highs, this track holds 80’s metal prowess, with Myrkur‘s bombshell vocals holding true to the Valkyrie title.
“Blazing Sky” carries in on that same, almost 80’s like heaviness; letting Myrkur explode into a fiery blaze of passion and intensity. It’s a soul-stirring tale of childbirth, with words touching upon ‘three men, seven nurses, I undress’ before mentioning a ‘bonded chair’. To be sent into a ‘blazing sky’ as if to be given strength through the pain, and to bring reality back through ‘shock my limbs until they electrify’ as if the numbness has become too great.
It’s somber, almost doom-like in its barrage of heavy guitar riffs and solid bass lines that make it both captivating and slightly spooky.
To feel. To see. To experience light and life through and through, “can you send me into a blazing sky?“
“Devil in the Detail” dances upon a delicate palette, with light-hearted notes stepping in before the depth of those piano keys chimes like a curtain call. It’s melodic, and hypnotizing in its composition as it moves from the low instrumentals to Myrkur‘s intricate highs. The longest on the album, at almost 4 and a half minutes, it moves like a stage play, with scenes cut by the chorus and exposed in simple, repetitive verses.
“take my love, take me as I am” rings out, over and over as a battle of light and dark rings out through time.
Heavy drums batter the senses, while walls seem to close in on all sides. The Demons we face. The battles we fight. All hollow if we see nothing beyond those who seat their eyes upon us.
The final song, “Menneskebarn” (human child) feels homey and light as it winds out this album’s complex saga. It touches upon Folk notes once more, utilizing acoustics to harmonize with Myrkur‘s gentle vocals as if to sing us to sleep once more.
It’s a mother’s lullaby, gentle and light, with the warmth of sun in one hand, and comfort of a cold breeze in her whispers as she sings us into a land of bliss and wonder. Not only is it a perfect compliment to this album and its entirety, but a joyful end to Myrkur‘s experiences as we returned to that road with her.
Overall, Spine is not what you would expect from Myrkur. From Black Metal and Folklore, to Ragnarok and Ulvinde, Myrkur sets us up for the unexpected from the beginning yet showcases us something break-taking. With the journey of motherhood being no light burden, Myrkur offers us a hand, to join us through her experiences and the stories that called to her throughout.
Meshing these mythologies with her own endeavours, we get a taste of the genre-defying mysticism that Myrkur weaves with ease. Each song, and each note is intertwined with her every emotion, and is expressed in velvet lyrics and perfectly timed harmonies that not only call to our ears but our hearts.
You can snag your own copy of Myrkur‘s Spine via her website and Bandcamp. And don’t forget to follow Myrkur on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay up-to-date on concert news, releases, and more.
Valkyrjian 