Tårfödd - Mörker täcker livets ljus

Tårfödd is a one-man black metal band from Sweden, the mastermind behind it being Simon Lindgren (also of Grimveil, who just released a great album too that I reviewed).  This latest album, “Mörker täcker livets ljus,” is the project/band’s sixth full-length album, in addition to several EPs and a compilation.  

Although Tårfödd’s music certainly embraces many traditional aspects of black metal, their sound contains many variations of the genre.  Post, DSBM, atmospheric, and even some prog all finds their way into the sound. 

“Mörker täcker livets ljus,” embraces these different dynamics and approaches while still retaining a sound that is firmly archaic and dark. But this darkness has an incredible depth to it and each song offers a world to get lost in.  Its abrasiveness doesn’t change the fact the album is very moving and grandiose in a way that only Tårfödd can do.  There really isn’t a band that sounds like them and this album further cements their legacy.

The songs have a lot of details and intricacies but not in a convoluted way–nothing here is thrown into your face with gratuitous fervor but instead unfurls itself like the rising of the moon as night eats the day. 

The opening moments to “Skies Collapse in Ashen Grey,” is a prime example of what I mean.  The clean, low tones are, in a way, gentle yet they are not because of what they forbode—the coming of rising shadows.   It’s impressive that Tårfödd isn’t afraid to show off a different mood when most black metal bands would just open with black beats and never-ending tremolo.  This intro fades away around the 2:19 mark, for a brief moment of quiet tranquility before the song turns into a banger.  I love how it’s fast as hell and has that classic violent black metal feel, yet the atmosphere never leaves. 

The production/mix works in the album’s favor.  It’s certainly not a ‘clean’ production but it definitely doesn’t sound like it was recorded in someone’s septic tank either.  On a song like “The Weight of Continuing,” where the bass can fully be heard, it makes all the difference in the world.  More black metal bands should let the bass be heard!  This is an awesome song because it handles melody without making it center stage.  Everything in the song is balanced and has its place.  This approach works well because even as the intensity rises through the ticking seconds, the flow is always on point. . 

Sometimes the album sounds majestic and regal, such as the use of acoustics in the beginning of “Bones Beneath the Blame.”  The vocals on this song are pretty raw though, but I like that because there is just something about melancholic, depressive black metal that always works with throat shredding vocals.   This song is one of the ones that combines that sound with aggression the most but the little details, like the clean keys, keep it enchanting and atmospheric.  

Let’s talk about the title track, which is one of the best songs on the album (as it should be).  The vocals are so painful they made MY throat hurt.  The music swirls together in a gut-wrenching display of depressive resignation but its enthralling to the point where I might even say this is catchy (for what it is) and that isn’t something I usually say about depressive music.  Moments like the clean piano and accompanying solo are those little details that make the song even better.  The final moments with the slow groove and the vocals that scream out into the night sky are so good that the hair on my hair stood up.  

The final song, “Farväl till allt,” goes for broke.  The opening acoustics, the whiplash speed, the melodic riffs…everything about this song is total Tårfödd and its one of the best songs Simon has ever created.  The middle passage is insane–lighting face drums, minimalist guitars until it all roars into a mighty black flame.  The song, and album, is capped off by a lovely (can I use this word in a black metal review?) acoustic outro that brings the album full circle.

Tårfödd’s “Mörker täcker livets ljus,” is atmospheric/depressive/whatever black metal done right.  It tackles the emotions and feelings associated with the genre but in a way that is more engaging and imaginative than a lot of bands in this style pull off.  This is an amazing album that is sure to survive the end of the year and make a lot of “best of” lists. 

Rating: Excellent