Morthal Sounds is the cinematic-style creation of Orbit Culture‘s Fredrik Lennartsson. Debuting in October of 2023 with Stories, the December follow-up EP titled Heritage features tales and images from Fantasy epics across the globe, creating a cinematic masterpiece in short but impactful bursts. Closing my eyes, tracks like “The Unwritten Hymn” had me wandering Skyrim’s vast mountain trails, while the title track “Heritage” had me settled in to reflect upon my life in the Shire. Packed with stunning orchestrations, masterful sound, and vivid imagery, Morthal Sounds caters to music and Fantasy fans alike giving them a soundtrack to any story.
Opening with “The Unwritten Hymn“, notes of a rising dawn, and fading twilight are sprinkled upon a vast horizon. It’s the morning of adventure, the reflection of a new day and the prospers that await. As you traverse the cloud-like highs, climbing the mountain steps, the inquisitive lows make for caution and intrigue poking both a curious and excited mind with ease.
“Remembered, and Forgotten” puts us lost in a fog. Careful steps take us through grey landscapes, forgotten woodlands, and the dying trees that stand like gravestones. The smooth, cascading orchestration takes this journey and puts you at its center, to reflect upon the beauty of your past and the small, fleeting glimpses that you pray to see once more. A clouded mind is shaped by mist and frailty under notes of calm and sorrow, yet the stride of a high bringing this song to a close finds you settled into the green meadows, flora and fauna once more catching your breath, a smile on the lips as your memory peaks; the fog slowly moving ever closer.
“Pathways” dances on mellow piano keys with a gentle orchestra at its back. As the music begins to rise like lanterns on the roadside, this track plays upon velvet strings and climbing chords like the scent of morning dew, or fresh rain against a summer sky. It gave me Gladiator vibes as the choir rose up, backing the epic imagery of a long-winding road through a golden field of wheat, calling out once more for “freedom” but at what cost?
“The Lone Optimist” commences, and the battle begins. Wits and wisdom stand at your back, but does courage there meet you? A stunning array of instrumentals bludgeon from all sides and the contemplation of fight or flight courses through you. Deep breaths come slow, but footsteps echo out and the sound of sword and shield clink at the ready. There’s no turning back, your kin stands at your side; the time is now.
“Silence of the Defeated” comes in like raindrops on a windless nights. The battle is fought, your victory remains at your palm, but at the sacrifice of many. Still the glory of victory, the honour to die in battle, does not go unrewarded. Fires alight for the glorious dead, friends and family gathered on the hilltop in sorrowful celebration. Igniting the night sky like a new sun, the cheer and roar of a tearful crowd call into the darkness, once more sparking the memory of their fallen loved ones, letting their names and memories be heard and remembered through land and light forever.
“Thanatos” immediately sent me into my Gargoyles era. The 90’s cartoon that swept millenials by storm and ingrained itself upon us for eternity. The threatening drums that call forth, echoing the dreams of a conquerer, are veiled by false intent and balance as tuned by gentle sound and a calm melody. The rising beat demands action and the plot of Thanatos once more comes into play. Will it be weapons and manipulation once more, or will a call to old magic be made?
One of the longest off the album, this track brings impact with extended story and curiosity. The plots that dotted the Gargoyles timeline flowed through my memory like the blink of an eye. The Witches. The intertwined fate with Demona. The castle fall. The iron Gargoyles, and the mercenaries. It brought a smile to my face and definitely has me itching for a rewatch.
“Heritage” took me back to pipe weed and feet up by the hearth. It was a wind instrument kick-off that put me into the rolling hills and greenery of Tolkien’s beloved Shire. Clouds pass by, folk tend to daily chores, and the thought of adventure and chaos is far from the mind.
It’s calm and joyful, speckled with bits of contemplation and irritation. Is this all there is to life? Is this enough? Is it enough for me?
“Gaia” brings on the Final Fantasy vibes for me with a timeline stricken by turmoil. It’s cinematic glory that rides in on horseback, spears pointed, shields shattered and battle cries echoing forth. It’s absolutely packed with that soundtrack feel you expect from films like Gladitor, LoTR, Van Helsing, and others. It’s got those battle-scene highs, and the victorious lows all riding on violin strings that will have you in tears. It’s so well-crafted that I had it cranked to the max, my eyes reflecting the very scenes of glory and sacrifice, of joyful reunion and sorrowful goodbyes with every blink. My favourite of this album, Fredrik put his heart and soul into it all but this felt the full dynamic of his aspirations.
“Our Time” feels like footsteps on forgotten gardens. The Grey Havens. Valhalla. Elysium. It has that weary, tired melody that calls for rest as it truly says ‘it’s time to go’ with every paused piano key. I adore this track’s emotional honesty and how well it caters to the depth one’s heart and soul aches for relief. Adding in the beauty of bag pipes only amplifies the raw emotion this track is built upon, and it could not have left me more breathless. Truly an epic, this song would have me at a standing ovation, and I could see its title painted across any cinematic masterpiece with ease.
The longest track that completes the album is “A Happy Place” at nearly 5 minutes in length, this track casually strides in with mysterious darkness in its tone. It’s both intriguing and suspicious, with anxiety-inducing lows matching a skyward high of strings. Twinkling starlight returns and it brings with it this album’s entire emotional journey. From the moment adventure crosses our minds, to the battles we face, it touches upon each moment of our life with balanced chords, chiming quips, and fearful harmony. You’ve had your loss, your victory, your smiles. The burden of life has ended yet you cannot escape the strain still latched upon your soul.
Worn fingers stare back against tired eyes, your gaze having faltered long ago as you sit at the water’s edge. You hear the waves wash against the shore, the boat slowly making its way towards the dock and you let out a sigh. Just as spoken, our time has come, our happy place will always be within, but now it is time to go.
Just as with Stories this EP is absolutely breath-taking. Heritage takes the foundation upon which Stories was built and pulls it into a single reflective journey across memory and world. It stays calm and quiet yet brings bursts of battle and bloodshed to your feet. It’s impossible not to see every sound etched with a story or piece of the journey. You may paint your own, reflect upon favourites, or even find forgotten lore. It’s beyond anything I could’ve imagined and I’ve been listening to it since its release over and over. I can see the nominations roll in for soundtrack awards. I could see the impact such music has on stories, audiences, and listeners and I am still in awe.
Those who dance upon any level of Fantasy will find their home in Morthal Sounds‘ Heritage and I know it will stick with you in story and sound just as deeply as it has with me.
You can grab your own copy of Heritage and Stories from the Morthal Sounds Bandcamp link. You can also follow Fredrik on Instagram, as well as Morthal Sounds to stay up-to-date on new releases, and more!
Valkyrjian 