Review by Fernando on April 26, 2021.

The last decade brought a lot of changes to black metal. One major trend that spawned off the polarizing “blackgaze” style is bands embracing a more punk direction, or going into more atmospheric routes. However, today we have an interesting case with the Swedish band Dödsrit, who are releasing their third album Mortal Coil through Wolves Of Hades Records. While a relative new name, the band has steadily been making themselves known. Starting out as a solo project, the first two records released displayed a unique blend of blackened crust punk with atmospheric black metal, and with their 2018 sophomore they really caught a lot of people’s attention. Three years later in 2021 for album #3, the band have seemingly taken a different direction while refining their now signature tendencies.

In terms of music Mortal Coil is much more melodic than the previous two records and with a melancholic tinge and epic atmosphere in some areas reminiscent of Dissection and Immortal. For example, in the first two tracks (particularly the second track 'Shallow Graves') music heavily features guitar driven riffs that are equally sorrowful and have a grand scope, with fast and aggressive blast beats and double bass drumming, and harsh and dry screeching vocals, all of which is accomplished through the performance of the band as a quartet. Unlike the first two records which were done solo style by band founder Christoffer Öster, he has now assembled a new lineup, and the difference is noticeable from the get go and in the deeper cuts. That being said, Mortal Coil is noticeably more “blackened” than the band’s previous work, and in some places it worked out for the better. For example the title track with its face-melting solo, the punk influence hasn’t been discarded or superseded by the more “atmo-black” style and it starts out like a pure black metal epic where after the already mentioned guitar solo it goes full blackened D-beat for the rest of the track and it seamlessly keeps the more blackened guitarwork, which is impressive in it of itself. That same blending of black metal and punk applies for the closing track 'Apathetic Tongues'.

With all that said, while Dödsrit switching from a solo project to a full band had a significant change with excellent results, that change of direction also caused something of a tradeoff in the band’s style. If you play the band’s discography the change in sound and style of their first two records and this one is extremely noticeable, as the more blackened direction and presence of a full lineup somewhat took away the band’s uniqueness. Make no mistake though, this is still an excellent record and the new direction breathed new life into the band, and like I said, none of the familiarity is completely gone, but it’s very clear Dödsrit in 2021 is a much different entity than what it was in 2018 and 2017.

Overall Dödsrit were successful in their sonic change of direction, even if some of its more unique elements were minimized. Mortal Coil as a whole is a worthy follow-up for this band as they enter a new chapter in their musical journey.

Best tracks: 'Shallow Graves', 'Mortal Coil'

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by JD on February 15, 2016.

Doom metal - a strong, ponderously fucking heavy beast that lurks the darkened forests of metal to stomp all other fake music under its booted heel. Yep, that is what it is all about in a few short words. But what about some funeral doom? It is ball busting!!

Linking a great collection of musicians together into a band that is from all across the world, Gallow God’s Riccardo Veronese and killer vocalist Rob Mura from URNA unleash a slow motion attack like no others could. Heavier than any normal doom act out there, they combine seismic delivered rumblings with a large progressive element as winding as any Dream Theatre masterpiece or as complex as some Rush songs. The result this band gets is simply more than amazing.

I was surprised at the level of melody Aphonic Threnody could get. Candlemass is based on melody, but this band sets it in stone. Long tracks carry the sombre mood wholly, and never once it gets monotonous. No track here is less that ten minutes in length, and yet it goes well. Songs like the nearly eighteen minute 'Death Obsession' to the bleak thirteen of 'The Children’s Sleep' seem to mournfully carry you along and happily you ride the funeral trip.

Simply put… slow motion stellar album done by musicians who together are the epitome of awesome. You may decide to simply forget this write-up but if you do, you're missing out on a album that even if you're not quite into the progginess of doom, will change your mind.

Rating: 9 out of 10