Metalcatto
I didn’t see this one coming. Panopticon is arguably the project to beat in Black and Folk Metal. Even though Laurentian Blues left me a bit skeptical, every album since Roads to the North has been close to a masterpiece. The ups and downs that Lunn likes to put us through make Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet enigmatic and unpredictable even before the first listen. But let’s get to it, shall we?
There’s no other way to put this: this is probably the most emotional album I’ve listened to this year. Many themes are explored here, any of which could have made a great album on their own, but the way Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet weaves them together is flawless. The common thread running through everything is inevitability. Things change. Species and people get outcompeted. Some die out. Some evolve. Some choose to let immediacy consume their roots. All of these ideas are touched upon in the most heartbreaking way possible. As someone with immigrant roots, this album made me reflect on what legacy I am passing to my children. How many Metal albums make you go there?
I know Panopticon is famous for its violin work, but this is probably its best to date. The songwriting has changed significantly too. There is much less blasting and more contemplation of the elegance and horrror of mother nature. Lunn can write songs, and this could be the best-written album in the band’s catalog. The pacing allows every moment to breathe, and the folk elements feel organic rather than decorative. The emotional weight is carried not just by the lyrics but by every instrument here.
What’s bad here? Well, almost nothing. Sure, the tracks are long and sometimes repeat themes too much, but the quality of the music is such that you won’t care. If anything, Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet feels like a more compact and refined version of The Rime of Memory—another spectacular album I thought couldn’t be topped. Aside from needing to clear out two hours of your life to fully embrace this thing, there’s nothing wrong here.
Panopticon reminds us of two obvious yet often forgotten truths: that the world can be dark, brutal, and full of sorrow, but also beautiful, majestic, and breathtaking. No other band has managed to touch the mind and the heart as deeply as Det Hjemsøkte Hjertet does. This is the album to beat for the rest of the year. Now, where’s my copy? I ordered it yesterday. I can’t wait.
Label: Bindrune Recordings/Nordvis
Release date: May 8th, 2026
Website: https://thetruepanopticon.bandcamp.com/album/det-hjems-kte-hjertet
Country: USA
Score: 4.5/5.0 (They deserve your money!)
Metal Eclipse Reviews 