Fremmede Toner
Dark Essence, 2023
8/10
A folk-metal outfit from Norway, Lumsk took inspiration from the author André Bjerke for these 12 progressive tracks, where rich textures and much attention to detail makes this a highly interesting listen.
“Det Døde Barn” opens the listen with a stirring atmosphere, where calm keys and gorgeous singing emits a haunting beauty, and “En Harmoni” follows with emotive strings alongside the expressive singing that builds into a dense prog-rock display of power and melody.
In the middle, the gliding warmth of “Fiolen” unfolds with a brighter tone, while “Das Tote Kind” erupts into buzzing and thick guitar driven rock that’s hard hitting yet elegant.
Approaching the end, the intimate “Under der Linden” uses meticulous piano and poetic singing amid the light strings that eventually finds crunchy, loud places to reside, and the mesmerizing “The Day Is Done” exits with rugged male vocals and metallic ideas complementing the playful synth.
It’s been 16 years since Lumsk released an album, and let’s hope it isn’t another decade and a half, cause their Nordic folk meets prog-metal ways make for a very captivating listen.
Travels well with: Tusmørke- Intetnett; Jordsjø- Jord Sessions