Mortiis
Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør

Release Date: 1994 | Tracklist

Ånden som Gjorde Opprør is the follow-up full-length album released by Norwegian dungeon synth artist Mortiis, and if his recent personal renaissance is any indication, it’s clearly a record that the man himself holds dear. Standing in tense opposition to his shadow-self for decades, Mortiis’ weary reclamation of lost years was formed around a re-imagining of this 1994 release, finally taming the rebellious spirit with a series of live performances preceding a reconciliatory return to the genre in 2020 - a genre which he arguably birthed and subsequently disowned long ago. It isn’t difficult to see the appeal of the two lengthy pieces which form this release, in terms of negotiating a peace deal with inner demons. "En Mørk Horisont" gallops out the gate with a boastful opening theme, marching along proudly and building confident momentum. Shadows clung to the wistful and murky hermit who stood in Mortiis’ position during the debut and demo, but here, his black cape flows behind him almost regally in the evening breeze, as he stands upon a ridge in the setting sunlight as a prince of darkness, fully exposed to the golden rays of a triumphant, synthesized symphony. The contradiction creates internal commentary. Melancholy underlies the Byronic heroism as the piece progresses, certainly, and darkness pierces the sentimental heart with tragic fatalism, but nevertheless there’s an unmistakable spirit of hope waging a quiet war against defeat itself, making a solid return right at the end of the A side to rouse the listener. "Visjoner Av En Eldgammel Fremtid" picks up the flag, and where pale white may have once flapped, the strident chords color it crimson and wrap it prominently around a harsh, trebly melody. The slow-plodding rhythmic sections Mortiis employed frequently on prior releases makes a return during the middle sections of both pieces, adding a storied-dimension to the composition and underscoring the struggle, but it’s impossible to shake the feeling that better times are just around the corner, and inevitably they arrive with bombast. I can’t say with any degree of certainty that these optimistic tones are what made this a natural choice of home-turf for the mature musician to face the ghosts of his past, but speculation and specters are what dungeon synth is all about.

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4 excellent

Rank: #0 for 1994