Sørgelig - Φθορά

Sørgelig is a black metal band from Greece, who formed in 2017. Their latest release, “Φθορά,” is their third full-length album; they have also released four EPs and a split.

As soon as I read that Sørgelig was from Greece, I had high hopes for this album. Honestly, I don’t think I have heard anything under the blackened category from Greece that I haven’t liked. “Φθορά” is definitely yet another strong album to help build the rich legacy of Greece’s underground metal scene. 

“Φθορά” can best be described as “fast but melodic.” However, that doesn’t really explain the depths of the album. Yes, they are fast but it isn’t straight up speed just for the sake of it. The melodies aren’t there to provide some catchy hook or give it a mainstream feel. Everything, every element, has a very natural flow to it and everything is exactly where it should be. A bit of DSBM can be found in here as well, as the album is definitely well protected against the light. But, of course, there is plenty of groove and perhaps even a bit of thrash as well.  

Sørgelig isn’t here to reinvent the wheel but their commitment to their sound and the ultra tight musicianship which brings it to life is commendable and keeps that wheel rolling as hard as ever. Odious’ vocals are depraved and wild—he sounds like some kind of wounded beast that’s trapped in a corner.  

Production wise, the album is pretty well balanced. While it obviously doesn't have a poppy sheen, or fancy bells and whistles, it does sound pretty good for the style. The mix is solid too—the guitars fit right in where they should be. And the drums and vocals aren’t overly loud–so many black metal bands make these two elements way too loud but on this album there is a place for every instrumental and vocal.  

The album opens with “Breed of Waste,” and a cacophony of inhuman sounds that kick the song off before the guitars rip through. When the band comes together, their music becomes like a force of nature. By the time the one minute mark is based, every member is firing on all cylinders and it is nearly surreal. The album is just as effective in the slower parts as well, such as the middle part which allows the song some breathing room—and plenty of room for the band to come back full force.

“Αποσύνθεση” highlights the effectiveness of N.D.’s drums—a robust sound that fills up the air around him without overpowering everything yet is still a major force of presence. This song is sort of hypnotic, with the way the guitars have a slightly dissonant quality to them. Near the end, the guitars take a more old school approach and finish it all under an obsidian moon.

“Of Wrath and Pyre” is a groove machine; Reactive, N.D., and Έκπτωτος is surprisingly catchy they move from a mid-paced tempo to a faster one with apparent ease—it’s a massive attack with a deadly approach but it sounds natural and smooth. Around the 2:46 mark, the song grows even darker and ominous, slowing down to a crawl while Odious barks like an insane person.

The final song, “Dreamscapes of Lethe,” is my personal favorite on the album—this snarling monster of a song is over 11 minutes long. It has energetic vocals that send shockwaves through the riffs, a few of them I found to be unique, odd combinations of groove and dissonance plus good ol black metal blasting

The song picks up speed until the notes crest against the darkness and spill over with wild noises and a unrelenting fervor that's almost hard to process. 

The bass in the middle part song really sticks out, carrying the rhythm over it while snarling vocals and deadly drums pound it out.

The last couple of minutes are clean but just as dark and intense in their own way.

Sørgelig's “Φθορά,” is a fantastic black metal album that honors the Greek scene but has enough variety to make even the most cynical fans respect its approach.