Sometimes it’s bloody difficult to find information about a band. Take Sowulo and their fifth (!) album: Niht. There’s nothing on Metal Archives about them at all, I mean, five albums in, you’d think there’d be something, right? Nope. So here I go into this with only the barest of information. It’s a good thing that Niht is a fucking solid album, bringing some of the most ominous music I’ve heard this year.

I’m not kidding. This is a somber, instrumental powerhouse; this haunting as fuck album echoes through corridors of time and dust.

Taking cues from Wardruna, Heilung, and (to my ears) Ulver, they weave their way through these thirteen tracks beginning with “Niwe Mōna” a tone setter, the drums pounding out a steady heartbeat for its short minute and some change run.

Setting the mood in epic fashion is where Sowulo shines. The songs don’t overstay their welcome; they keep things interesting throughout, showcasing different instruments: Carnyx, Nyckelharpa, Celtic Harp, Shaman drums, Blow horns, Irish Bouzouki, Taglharpa, Lyre, Viola… and some killer throat singing to boot.

This is their fifth album, meaning that I have four to go back and listen to… I’d better get started; I need to finish this review first, though (starts scribbling furiously).

“Seolfren Sicol” is track number two, and it’s here that I start hearing some Ulver sneak into the mix. The unsettling background melodies bring images of pitch-black nights lit with ceremonial fires to keep the darkness at bay. This continues through “Āsteorfan” the current single from the album; it’s a dark, brooding track that brings the Wardruna vibes right front and center.

“Sōl ond Māni” has more of a Heilung feeling that is awe-inspiring. Sowulo don’t skimp on the gravitas. “Full Mōna” reminds me of Enigma (their 1990 album in particular), and this feeling continues through “Miċele Steorran” and resounds with “Mōnaþblōd”, easily my favorite song on Niht, its beat is infectious and had me dancing around like an idiot.

The atmosphere of Niht is another reason why I’m enamored with it. It draws you in further with tracks like “Nihtēagan” another Ulver vibe track circa Themes from William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, “Carnyx” a song written specifically for the instrument, apparently, “Eald Mōna” and “Swefnian” bring more of the Ulver feels circa Kveldssanger; which is still my favorite album from them.

“Heolstor Sċeadu” has this martial pacing that really brings the house down. It’s a powerful track that sets up the finale that is “Genihtian”. The torches have been extinguished, and the smoke is still hanging over the ritual area, and Sowulo has delivered a fifth album to be absolutely proud of.

At the end of the night, this is some of the most epic Pagan Folk Metal that I have heard in a bit. If you like Wardruna, Ulver and Heilung then you need to hear Sowulo, it comes highly recommended!

[Visit the band's website]

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