Svartsinn — Mørkets Variabler

Four years since his last release, and eight years since his last for Cyclic Law, Norway's Svartsinn is back with another lush slab of wonderful dark ambient. His latest, Mørkets Variabler (which translates to "Variables of Darkness"), makes use of varying levels of darkness and gloom to bring across a deep, dark, sprawling record. Although very bleak at times, Mørkets Variabler has brighter, more inspiring moments as well, and really helps reinforce Svartsinn's album take on more breadth.

Spread over seven very full, very rich tracks, Mørkets Variabler vividly unfolds before the listener like a shimmering aurora. Unlike the traditional Northern Lights, this aurora is rife with dark colors, rich in their depth. This, by contrast, makes the brighter, more airy tracks gleam with more intensity. Svartsinn exploits this contrast with impressive skill by bookending the album with such a juxtaposition. Sprawling forth in a subterranean shimmer, "And In This Cloak of Darkness I Cast My Shadow Short (Ghost Boy)" opens Mørkets Variabler with a slow, creeping ominousness that predicates the album's mission statement. While it's not as low and grumbling as the following tracks, the cthonic tones work in stark contrast to the closer, "Vemod (Cello Mix)." Nearly breaking free from the bonds of gravity, "Vemod" soars through the heavens like a long, majestic, ethereal dragon. Large in body, light in mass, this beast shimmers like sun off of a bell while deftly weaving between the clouds, enjoying it's safe vantage point from the churning below. Well organized, but grim and dark, this churning makes up the body of Mørkets Variabler. While moving between deep, almost sparse pieces and frantic, noisy moments, Svartsinn creates an atmosphere that is comforting in its darkness.

Weaving lush layers together like a magic loom, Svartsinn crafts another dark ambient gem with Mørkets Variabler. While the darkness may vary, his skill for evoking feelings never wavers. The music on display here is inspiring and invigorating, and a great addition to Svartsinn's catalog.