Morokh – Insomnia

Moscow’s Morokh unleashes a blistering assault on the senses with their latest album, “Insomnia.” Gone are the traces of hardcore influence that lingered in their earlier works. Here, Morokh embraces a full-fledged black metal assault, drawing upon the genre’s wellspring of fury and despair while showcasing impressive dynamism and songwriting.

Track-by-Track:

• Prophecy: The album explodes into existence with “Prophecy,” a hurricane of blast beats, tremolo picking, and vocalist Danil Orlov’s inhuman shrieks. The track throws in a surprising curveball with a clean-sung section that adds a layer of chilling atmosphere before diving back into the abyss.
• Coma: A shift in pace arrives with “Coma.” Tom-driven drumming lays the foundation for a more atmospheric soundscape, punctuated by bursts of aggression and sinister lead guitar work. This ebb and flow keeps the listener constantly engaged.
• Hunger/Sacrifice/Paludes Mortis: The following trio, “Hunger,” “Sacrifice,” and “Paludes Mortis,” showcases Morokh’s strength in crafting relentlessly punishing black metal. “Hunger” is a savage onslaught, while “Sacrifice” injects a dose of melody amidst the chaos. “Paludes Mortis” stands out with its inclusion of female vocals by Margarita Abaimova, adding a haunting beauty to the track’s oppressive atmosphere.
• The Way to Eternity/Insomnia: The album reaches its epic midpoint with the sprawling “The Way to Eternity.” This nearly eight-minute journey takes the listener through a gauntlet of emotions, from crushing heaviness to melancholic tremolo riffs. The title track, “Insomnia,” picks up the pace with a furious display of Morokh’s blackened fury, perfectly capturing the album’s thematic core.
• Endless Void/Doppelganger/Possessed: The final stretch of “Insomnia” maintains the relentless intensity. “Endless Void” throws in a touch of dissonance, while “Doppelganger” injects a dose of welcome groove into the proceedings. The album closes with “Possessed,” a monolithic slab of black metal that leaves a feeling of utter desolation in its wake.

Verdict:

“Insomnia” is a triumphant return for Morokh. While firmly rooted in black metal’s core tenets, the album demonstrates impressive songwriting and a willingness to explore different sonic textures within the genre’s framework. The relentless aggression is masterfully balanced with moments of chilling atmosphere, making for a truly immersive listening experience. Fans of black metal seeking a fresh and potent dose of aural punishment will find much to worship in “Insomnia.”