Metalcatto
I know that when you hear the words one-man Black Metal band, your heart fills with dread—especially if it leans toward the atmospheric side. However, today we’re doing something different. Sakna is a project that existed in hard drives for decades, but after the tragic passing of its creator, his brother S. took on the task of restoring Solemn’s legacy. Hence, this review is written with more respect than usual, because what could be more Black Metal than an artist speaking to us from the grave? De Syv Dødssynder is here!
Yes, the album is depressing, raw, and long, but it has glimpses of hope that keep you moving forward. It’s not afraid to take its time to set the stage, yet it also has bursts of energy—so it’s not just dense fog, but also sunrise and moonlight to guide you through the gloom. It’s astonishing to think that Solemn was only 14 when he began writing De Syv Dødssynder, and by 18, it was complete. Most can barely play an instrument at that age, let alone compose every part of an album with such maturity. That makes his loss all the more heartbreaking.
The pacing here is unusual—short songs followed by mammoth ones—and while the order seems erratic, the agony and melodic sharpness of the music hold it together. There are no filler interludes; every moment feels deliberate. This record was clearly conceived before those tropes became standard in Black Metal. De Syv Dødssynder delivers sorrowful, meaningful passages that never lose focus. It’s nearly an instrumental album, as the vocals function more like a texture than a centerpiece, but they still manage to haunt the mix beautifully.
It’s bittersweet to write feedback knowing the artist won’t read it, but Sakna displays so much potential that I can’t help but imagine what could’ve been. The project shows promise that deserved time to evolve—better production balance, a few more vocals, perhaps a more cohesive pace—but all that comes with experience and growth, which were tragically cut short. For something this raw and underground, though, it’s remarkably solid. The closing track may drift into minimalism a bit too much for my taste, but it still feels like a fitting farewell.
If you crave Atmospheric Black Metal that actually goes somewhere for most of its runtime, Sakna offers a time capsule to when Dissection-inspired melodies still shaped the genre. I can already imagine how younger listeners like Ixone will lose their minds over it. And let’s not overlook the dedication it took for S. to recover and release his brother’s work—dude, that’s pure devotion. I’m not usually sentimental, but this time, I’ll make an exception.
Label: Hypaethral Records
Release date: 31 October 2025 (physical release)
Website: https://hypaethralrecords.bandcamp.com/album/de-syv-d-dssynder
Country: Canada
Score: That someone may love you as much as S. loves his brother.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 