Dismal Euphony
Soria Moria Slott

Dismal Euphony is a band that has reaped very little compared to what they have sown: Creative and unconventional music. “Soria Moria Slott” is the first cry of the Norwegian band; it was released in 1996 when the Norwegian black metal scene was in a great phase.

Many categorize this work as gothic: in reality, “Soria Moria Slott” is an album of atmospheric and very melodic black metal (try listening to the buzzing guitars). This work has nothing to envy to the early works of Dimmu Borgir, just to give an example. It is a complex, risky, incomprehensible work for those who do not manage to enter its world. The production is really terrible (almost reminiscent of Darkthrone's), but the same can be said for the subsequent “Autumn Leaves”: the bad production further accentuates the sublime atmospheres of the work: at times dark and obscure, at times foggy and magical. However, the album differs from AL. In the latter, the atmospheres are more icy and painful. The work is very slow and claustrophobic, obsessive and oppressive. As for the vocals, Keltziva is always divine, delivering a truly outstanding performance, and Ole also gives his best in the more aggressive parts. Moreover, there are clear folk influences, such as the presence of acoustic guitar and the flute. Also in this work, Elin's keyboards play a significant role, bestowing a suffering and at the same time sublime aura.

The album is entirely sung in Norwegian. The CD opens with “Prolog,” an atmospheric intro, and then continues with “Et Vintereventyr,” a beautiful song with an exceptional melodic taste, especially due to Elin's synths and keyboards. Keltziva is absolutely divine. The piece paints enchanted forests, malevolent demons, and guiding spirits. It then continues with “Natten løftet sitt tunge ansikt,” with a truly excellent Ole in the growl. It is a very dark, decadent, and icy piece. Once again, Elin's keyboards, here still 16 years old, are divine, expressing all her suffering and pain. “Alvedans” is an instrumental piece: it begins with the sweet notes of a flute and then completely changes, delivering more unhealthy and restless music. The piece closes in a very folk and naturalistic way. “Trollbundet” is another masterpiece: pain and suffering, iciness and obsessiveness are best expressed in this track, which has a truly touching and oppressive chorus featuring the overlapping of Keltziva's voice and Ole's clean singing this time. In the interlude, when the flute takes the lead, bringing the listener to a state of ecstasy, as if in contact with something inexplicable and heavenly. “Ekko” is a very long track, with its over 9-minute duration, boasting a continuous succession of atmospheres, sensations, and noteworthy feelings. It moves from very ethereal atmospheres to others with a horrific flavor. “Isgrav, det siste hvilested” is also beautiful, endowed with extraordinary atmospheres capable of providing infinite sensations. Here too, there is an interlude where the flute reigns supreme in a regal and majestic manner, with a slightly different style from the other tracks. The CD closes with the sinister and unsettling “Epilog.”

In short, we are facing a true masterpiece. My review is quite limiting, as it fails to express in the best way all the sensations that this work can give. If you love catchy choruses, stay away from this CD; but if you love darker atmospheres and the sounds of the night, make this masterpiece yours.
When you listen to it, turn off the lights, so the darkness can take possession of you…