ALBUM REVIEW
Urisk – Call
The Modern Cry of Celtic Legends
A scream... The simplest, most sincere form of human plea. Alongside the pain, sorrow and defiance it carries, there can sometimes be a hidden joy, too. Given this layered nature, I have always loved the way screaming finds its expression in music. That is precisely why my attention instinctively shifts to the vocals when listening to the new album by German atmospheric black metal band Urisk. These screams are the sounds that guide the listener through the album’s overall feel and mystical allure. There is something fascinating about a piece of music that draws you into its own universe from the very first moment and stirs complex emotional upheavals within you. At the very entrance to this experimental journey, I want to draw your attention in particular to Marleen Bügener, the vocalist behind that powerful voice.
Emerging from Bonn, Germany, Urisk greet us with their second studio album, Call. What do they have in store for us in these dark waters? First of all, the fact that the album draws its concept from Celtic mythology and Scottish legends immediately sparked my curiosity. Concept-driven works are among the strongest elements that nourish an album’s soul. When they revolve around something I love or have a particular interest in, they manage to draw me even deeper into the music. In this respect, I can safely say that Urisk have absolutely won me over.
Spanning 45 minutes and comprising seven tracks, Call opens with "Ro-Ràdh: Air Chall 's Gruama", setting the stage with something folkloric yet equally striking. With this intriguing, unsettling introduction, we set sail across the boundless seas of atmospheric black metal. The musical diversity running throughout the album, occasionally flirting with progressive territory, provides a solid backbone that keeps the record from becoming monotonous and makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to. I certainly don't mean that the band have taken the easy way out; quite the opposite, I'm talking about compositional skill that keeps the listener engaged with a constant sense of curiosity without wearing them out. Most commendable of all is that, while exploring this diversity of genres, the band never compromises the uncompromising, raw and dark essence of black metal. The real challenge, and what makes this genre so special, lies precisely in striking that balance.
The second track, "Uprooting", is unquestionably my absolute favourite on the album. Over its seven-and-a-half-minute runtime, it pulls the listener away from the physical world and carries them into entirely different realms. The remarkably accomplished drum parts and rhythmic craftsmanship behind the song deserve particular attention here. The third track, "Jaws of Dawn", is the kind of piece that makes you think, "Yes, we're listening to a quality atmospheric black metal album right now." The fourth track, "The Hauled and the Waif", certainly doesn't disappoint, although I have to say it falls just short of the extraordinary heights the album reaches elsewhere.
But then comes the fifth track... "Night Call: To You Who Lie Buried Face to the Ground" hits me right in the heart, quite literally. The lyrical passage towards the song's final stretch, in particular, really takes it to another level. The sixth track serves as a seamless transitional passage within the album. It follows a clean, steady course, welcoming us back to Marleen's enchanting voice without any surprises. "A' Choille Ghruamach" has such cinematic power that it makes you feel as though you're right at the heart of a Tolkien story. The fast, aggressive opening of the closing track, meanwhile, once again convinces the listener that they're hearing a genuine atmospheric black metal album. The closing moments of "Fògrach // Spirit Flight" feel like a final touch in response to the question, "What did you expect from this album, and what did you find?"
Urisk offer fans of the genre more than just a record worth listening to; they deliver an album capable of challenging for the top spots on personal year-end lists. It would also be unfair to overlook the artwork, which crowns the album's philosophy with a flawless visual presentation. The care and considerable effort invested in this album, from its concept to its production, are unmistakable, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Care and attention to detail are among the album's greatest strengths. For anyone wishing to hear the noble cries of Celtic legends in the modern world, this album is an ideal fit. So, I say, let's don our armour and wander through these promised realms.
Stay metal.
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