MOLDiorama

Depending on what view you take, Danish blackgaze punks MOL have either timed their musical career to perfection, or are ultra stans of the sounds laid down by the best in the business (read:Deafheaven) hellbent on snapping up as many metalheads mourning the latters descent into indie territory as possible.

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Of course, one might write off comparisons of MOL with Deafheaven as lazy, akin to comparing modern thrash metal bands with the likes of seasoned veterans Slayer and Exodus.

However on this, their sophomore effort Diorama, the influence of the aforementioned pitchfork darlings is worn so clearly on their collective tattooed sleeves that it at times one forgets that they’re not listening to an offcut of Sunbather. From frontman Kim Sternkopf’s blackened shriek (which sounds scarily identical to George Clarke) to the Slowdive meets Emperor guitar tones and occasional blast beats hurtling out of the ambient, post-rock infused soundscape, the influence of the 2010’s blackgaze crusade is plastered all over Diorama, at times to bemusing amounts (even their press shots are oddly reminiscent of Deafheavens hipster metal aesthetic).

There’s no denying the talent possessed by these Danes’ when it comes to giving their instruments a right thrashing though, with the Travis Barker-esque drum lines of Vestige and deep-fried riffage of Serf providing some glimpses of MOL’s broader musical personality

There’s no denying the talent possessed by these Danes’ when it comes to giving their instruments a right thrashing though, with the Travis Barker-esque drum lines of Vestige and deep-fried riffage of Serf providing some glimpses of MOL’s broader musical personality—one that shines brightest when the metallic element of their sound is given enough of a leash to do some serious sonic damage. The songs for the most part are also tightly constructed, with all but the final pairing clocking under six minutes—a positively radio-friendly notion for a band flirting with shoegaze and ambience. Indeed, we live in a time where Deafheaven have moved on from the world of blast beats and big sky pedal riffs, with their polarising (but brilliant) recent LP Infinite Granite, and for those who miss the metal, Diorama will scratch that itch. Overall though, it’s hard not to walk away from this LP without a sense that one has heard this all before, albeit echoing from across the other side of the Atlantic from a different time.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Vestige, Serf, Diorama
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Deafheaven, Kvelertak, This Will Destroy You