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Band: Merciful Nuns
Album title: Kvltan
Release date: 18 March 2022
Label: Solar Lodge Production
Genre: Gothic Rock, Dark Rock
Tracklist:
01. Kvltan: The Origin
02. Altered States
03. A Sermon From Another Dimension
04. Down Dark Hallways
05. The Kvltanians
06. Melting Memories
07. The Flood
08. Olympus Mons Peak
One of the gloomiest releases of the year so far is the new offering from German goth masters Merciful Nuns. A couple of years ago, it was announced that the band would cease to exist, but Artaud Seth, the charismatic, creative head, mentor and visionary behind the band, soon after decided that it was not over yet. Thankfully! Now we have it, the 11th offering by the trio, which doesn't need any introduction, and it is the most epic, dark and atmospheric work by Merciful Nuns, and perhaps also one of the most profound releases of gothic/dark rock ever.
The topic considers the origins of all earthly existence and why we exist. The occult visions of Artaud go beyond our steady perspective and discover the possibility of the unearthly origins of indigenous life. The question "What if life did not originate on Earth?" opens up this magnificent work and draws us into turbulent yet mystical soundscapes. Strong, dreamy and atmospheric, yet full of evocative epic parts, is the ominous Kvltan. It is a journey, a joy for sonic travellers, into dimensions unknown, yet feeling so cosy and full of pathos.
Those who venerate Merciful Nuns will get their dose of trademark darkness, but just like always, it's a new take on the music discovery. Surprisingly, Kvltan doesn't offer any instant catchy hits like it was for example "Allseeing Eye" or "Eternal Decay"; instead of that, it offers a stunning explorative, meticulous, deliberate and strongest material ever done by Artaud Seth and company. Kvltan marks a new era, a new chapter, a new dimension in the Merciful Nuns' evolution and discography.
What if David Gilmour and Roger Waters discovered gothic rock and went on the dark path? I guess that something similar will come out. Merciful Nuns is all that but not only. The true essence, tradition and most notably the evolution of Gothic rock (this time intentionally written with the capital letter G) are here. Opening up with airy Floydian synths followed by mournful moaning guitar, reverberating bass lines and Artaud's soaring raspy deep and powerful voice, "Kvltan: The Origin", sets the parameters for this evocative and cinematic work of art. The songs are epic and haunting, dynamic, versatile and sometimes thunderous, and are with ease consuming all of the listener's senses.
Sparkling, heavy and cold gothic guitars, here and there also at the edge of bluesy experimentations, and sometimes spiced up with doom metallic power, are in perfect symbiosis with gritty bass lines, spherical dreary synths, punishing drums, and yes, Artaud's unearthly shouts. The pace goes into calmer moody, murky waters in "Altered States" and becomes hypnotically divergent in "A Sermon From Another Dimension" before opening the doors of darkness in the spectacular goth anthem "Down Dark Hallways". The creative peak of this album is reached in "The Kvltanians", in my opinion, one of the best songs that Nuns ever did. Multidimensional and spherical, yet emotive, slightly melancholic, cinematic and immersive, "Melting Memories" and "The Flood" sound like a goth homage to Pink Floyd, yet reaching some kind of ethereal heights.
Strong rhythmic lines, interesting hooks and elaborated melodies intertwine with moodier parts in a mesmerizing way. Nothing seems out of place, thus the listener can get driven away by those complementing parts with ease. The album closes with the epic "Olympus Mons Peak". Serving with some of the heaviest guitar riffs and gloomiest atmospheric background that was ever done by Merciful Nuns. The darkness rarely shines so brightly, and the sonic occult ritual never sounded so addictive. I can claim that Kvltan is the past, present and future of gothic rock, a true gem and a very significant release for the evolution of this genre.
The eight songs of Kvltan are profound and exceptional in their conception, arrangement and execution. If you get the bonus material, available on some editions, to extend the listening experience into another dimension with the extended (greater light), and let's say, single/radio (lesser light) version of "The Kvltanians". Then there's the turbulent dark rocker "Martian Sirens", and almost cosmic dark ambient piece "Council Of Kvltan". Now, are you ready to ask yourself the questions about your origins? Why do we exist? Where do we come from? What was, or could be the "missing link" between a simple, indigenous life and the sudden appearance of the first High Cultures in Mesopotamia? Are you ready to embark on the dark journey with Merciful Nuns' ultimate masterpiece Kvltan?
The review was written by Tomaz
Rating: 9/10
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