Mitochondrial Sun – Sju Pulsarer (Review)

Mitochondrial Sun was a new name to me and thus a totally new experience. Let’s start at the beginning, though. I saw this record posted in a Death Metal / Black Metal related Facebook group I administrate and I instantly got hooked by the artwork. The art reminds a little of Beksinski’s more abstracted works, which is always a big plus, considering Beksinski being my personal favourite artist. As everything else on this record, the art has also been done by Niklas Sundin, former Dark Tranquility guitarist, and it’s in a rather raw and more in a conceptual manner than what he usually illustrates

Dark Tranquility – Atoma
Aephanemer – Prokopton
Green Carnation – Leaves of Yesteryear (and many more)

The music behind this fits the artwork very well. Sju Pulsarer, which means seven pulsars in Swedish, is fairly unique and conceptual. The album works best if its listened from beginning to end in one take. It feels like the artist’s plan was to create some sort of trance-like, immersive feeling while listening to the 7 Pulsar songs and all I can say is: it works! While the record is not breaking any ground, I really like the non-conservative use of instruments on it. The melancholic synths often take over the lead, and on some songs the guitar is only adding the counterparts. Most of the songs are mainly constructed on programmed, ongoing blast beats which adds to the hypnotic, trance-like feeling, although that also seems to be the biggest (maybe only?) negative point for me on the other hand. The drumming is, as said, pretty monotonous so I’m sure many will find it boring. It’s not ruining anything for me, though I wouldn’t say no to more variety overall, either.

Did I mention that there is no vocalist? It’s an instrumental project, yes. There are some rare, distant screams and howls in two of the songs, but that’s about it. The fact, though, that there is no vocalist often steps into the background because there is always enough sound, effects and buzz there to keep you focused on other aspects. Don’t get me wrong, it is not as much a wall of sound as it often is in atmospheric or even more in cosmic Black Metal, even though those are the genres this record is the closest to. So, if you are willing to go on a unique journey, Sju Pulsarer is your ticket, enjoy your flight!

8 / 10

Favorite Tracks:
“Pulsar 3”
“Pulsar 5”