05) Doedsmaghird, Omniverse Consciousness (Peaceville Records)
Like Skei, Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez defines ingenuity. Although I am already guilty, attempting to analyze Omniverse Consciousness can only amount to an act of arrogance, a grand declaration of war against this sublime creation. Indeed, Vicotnik never fails to leave those with ears to hear speechless. Omniverse Consciousness was intended to build a bridge between Dødheimsgard’s Satanic Art (1998) and 666 International (1999) and to furthermore serve as a companion to Black Medium Current (2023). Moreover, Omniverse Consciousness continues Vicotnik’s tradition of presenting listeners with something new with each title.
Due to the poetic and intellectual merits of this record, I have already been afflicted by the incessant need to recite its artfully crafted lines, so we’ll just call Omniverse Consciousness the most quotable original release of 2024. Vicotnik mostly penned the lyrics himself. However, for one song, he adapted a text found after the death of his friend, Ole Svensli, fulfilling his wish to be part of an album. For another, he requested that a different friend, Frode Ophsal, capture the downward spiral that he was then experiencing in words. Vicotnik’s go-to man, Olivier Côté, also provided lyrical assistance — he will be more involved in Doedsmaghird in the future. Meanwhile, Dreams of the Drowned’s Camille Giraudeau contributed musically. In addition, the veteran artist Ole Teigen, who has been part of important bands like DHG and experiments solo, provided a piano piece.
04) Lethe, Alienation (Dark Essence Records)
Lethe’s gorgeous Alienation is one of the most powerful and unique sonic drugs I have ever consumed. Exactly as the group’s appellation suggests, their music is an experience that may be likened to imbibing of the waters of Lethe. In this regard, it is infinitely more effective than vodka, so save yourself the broken glass and degenerate behavior, and pick up Alienation instead. Verily, this “Sedator” of an album has the most unnerving yet calming effect on the subconscious with its nightmarish dreamscapes.
Although I didn’t think it was possible, Alienation has managed to even grow on me since I first enthusiastically welcomed it this spring; its nuances unfold infinitely. Born of radical individualism, Lethe is the duo of Skei and Anna Murphy, two divinely talented figures, as established above. Lethe epitomizes what it means to successfully experiment. One could say that Lethe encompasses elements of basically every genre under the sun: metal, electronic, avant-garde, pop, dark rock, pop, jazz, trip-hop, etc. However, Lethe is simply Lethe, a style of its own, flowing and harmonious. The more I listen to Alienation, the less I feel inclined to taint the experience, or any of Skei’s other untouchable records, with my filthy words.
Alienation benefits from the expertise of special guests: Manes’ Eivind Fjøseide on guitars and synths; ex-Manes Tor Arne Helgesen on drums; the Swiss rapper “K-rip,” or Pierre Ripka; and Martyra’s Marita Hellem on vocals. There are additionally smaller contributions by Manes’ Rune Hoemsnes and vocalist and journalist David Genillard. Indeed, Skei is- and only collaborates with the best. In the past, Lethe has incorporated the iconic voice of Shining’s Sir Niklas Kvarforth, with whom Skei founded the number one black metal supergroup, as confirmed by Loudwire — Høstsol. As we look at Skei’s undying black metal wizardry with that powerhouse as well as with Manii and Syning, we are even more mind-blown by his work in light of his continued versatility.
03) Manes, Pathei Mathos (Aftermath Music)
The eternal culprit behind many of the most exciting musical pairings, Ole A. Aune, recommended the angel-voiced yet, like Skei, extremely versatile Marita Hellem to Manes. Hence, Skei began collaborating with Hellem, and one of the first fruits of that partnership has blessed us in the form of her phenomenal performance on Pathei Mathos. Hellem injected the EP with such surreal levels of grace and ethereal beauty that we’re still hypnotized by what she has accomplished here. I really hope and expect that Hellem will receive the recognition that she deserves because I would call her metal’s most underrated woman, the songstress with the most potential. For me, Pathei Mathos’ penultimate number, “A Vessel for Change,” has equated to the biggest earworm of the year, owing in large part to Hellem’s vocal lines.
I cannot describe this EP any more accurately than Hellem did in conversation with us:
“It’s definitely atmospheric, and almost like being in a trance. Both mediative and explosive at the same time, if that makes sense. Every song feels different to me somehow. Some are more twisted, and some more sober. The wide range of emotions in Pathei Mathos made the recording process very exciting. I had to approach every song with a different mindset.”
Yet again, Skei has demonstrated his supremacy as a composer. If MetalSucks deemed Sir Niklas Kvarforth the man of 2023 (as well as their role model, hero, the performer they respect the most, a great sex symbol, and much more), then Skei, along with Carlsson and Taccardi, is the MVP of 2024. In fact, Skei’s music has been the biggest obstacle to writing this article, given that it constantly absorbs and therefore distracts me.
02) Cold Prophet & K.F.R, Imperiled Future (The Sinister Initiative)
It might have seemed as though we had forgotten something earlier, but the split EP Imperiled Future demanded its own slot: This Finnish/French 40+-minute sonic atrocity proves a truly terrifying dose of brilliantly orchestrated misanthropy, courtesy of Tuomas Tahvanainen’s Cold Prophet — the pioneering “Death Ambiance” act — and Maxime Taccardi’s K.F.R. Like Taccardi, whom we discussed earlier, in addition to being an esteemed musician, Tahvanainen is a highly sought-after visual artist. Thus, he is responsible for Imperiled Future’s stunning artwork. Although Cold Prophet’s second composition on Imperiled Future, the skin-peeling “Endtime Protocol,” has been described as the band’s greatest yet, we are told that there is more magnificence in store for us: Cold Prophet’s sophomore record, the follow-up to 2022’s awe-inspiring Cold Prophet, is sure to incinerate us instantly with its exhilarating violence in 2025. Not enough can be stated in regard to the inestimable worth of Cold Prophet — one of the very best and most underrated bands around.
With Déhà on drums, K.F.R presents us with an alternative take on “The Serpent’s Kiss,” a sprawling single from K.F.R’s Pain/Ter. Whereas the previously released version boasts Kvarforth on the latter half of the song, Kvarforth appears as the sole vocalist this time around. The legend delivers a performance unlike anything we’ve ever heard from Him, demonstrating that He indeed remains Självdestruktivitetens Emissarie, or the Emissary of Self-Destruction. After all, Imperiled Future stands as a proud product of Kvarforth’s label, The Sinister Initiative. K.F.R then guns listeners down with “Silent Screams” — as Cold Prophet’s work, this is clearly one of the most psychopathic and utterly demented offerings that I have experienced during the course of my wretched lifetime. One wonders how Taccardi was able to conceive such a thoroughly convincing and dangerously potent monster without committing mass murder in the process. His success could therefore drive method actors to suicide.
Thanks to the best efforts of the top talents, or rather chthonic deities, involved, Imperiled Future is my vote for the most innovative title of 2024, aside from Skei’s output. I send my eternal and boundless respect to all who participated, the embodiments of uncompromising and complete artistic commitment. Imperiled Future is such a paragon of perfection that it’s infuriating; it numbers among the most meritorious musical curses to have befallen me. This is true art, true darkness, blacker than any film.
