SULT -SULT

Ixone

This was supposed to be easy… seems I was wrong once again. Typically, the “misanthropic Black Metal” genre tag is enough to guarantee an album a fairly high rating, at least on my behalf. So, when I dived into this album and I was right off the bat not very impressed by it, I felt the urge to slap myself in every fiber of my being. That being said, despite my initial reaction, SULT’s self titled debut ended up being a fairly pleasant listen. However, make sure you listen to it on a decent sound system and with a high volume, otherwise you’re doing yourself a huge disservice, and will end up feeling like you’ve wasted the last hour of your life.

I have mentioned in previous articles that Black Metal has a lot, and I mean a lot of caprices. Disregard one and you’re left with the embodiment of mediocrity. Work around them and you’re in for a great listen. In the case of SULT, its most significant aspect is that the reaction to it depends entirely on how you listen to it. The album is raw and grimy, obviously, in a way that typically should show up even when listening to it on a lower volume, but for whatever reason, when you do that, the sound becomes ridiculously muffled and loses a lot of the harshness that it possesses. This was actually what made the difference in my case, because when you’re actually paying attention to the textures of the album, it becomes unexpectedly satisfying.

If I were to choose, I would say the best part about the record is how surprisingly thought out it is. The songs are medium in length, but the songwriting skills end up shining in such a way that it makes them feel more expansive. A good example of this is “Er Livet Livet Værd”, which makes great use of slower atmospheric parts that contrast the faster moments in order to really drive home the themes of isolation and misanthropy. It is also one of those tracks that stands out even at a half hearted listen, and its memorable melodies and vocal performance only make that all the more clear. If I were to compare it to works by any other project, the one in question would be Mork, most likely.

One can easily notice that atmosphere is a big deal in the case of SULT, even though it isn’t an atmospheric black metal record by any standards. That stems generally from how the themes are reflected in the music, mainly the riffs and the pacing. This is particularly noticeable on track no. 4, “Brudstykker af Liv”, where the skillful use of midpaced tempos and power chord based riffs create a sinister atmosphere that exudes a perpetual sense of anxiety. The vocal performance stands out too, mostly through its expressivity and placement at the front of the composition. Some of the grit of the instrumental seems to cling to it almost like a fuzz, which adds another layer of interesting textures.

Overall, if what you’re going for is groundbreaking, innovative records, I’d recommend staying away from this one. However, if you have a knack for oppressive moods, agonizingly gritty soundscapes and existential dread, this one might just be right up your alley. As for myself, I will definitely be revisiting it when I finally reach a grimmer mood.

Label: Deadbangers Production

Release date: July 25 , 2025 (physical release)

Website: https://sultblack.bandcamp.com/album/sult

Country: Denmark

Score: 4.0/5.0