Harakiri For The Sky - Mӕre (2021)

As one of the most awaited releases of 2021, Harakiri For The Sky returns with their melancholic Post-Black Metal with “Mӕre”. Unleashing a massive 84 minutes of music, this release further develops the band’s melodic sound into more complex and yet atmospherically sweeping territories. From start to finish, this release will please fans due to the band’s signature style, while taking in new listeners with a more refined take on the genre.

Opening with “I, Pallbearer”, we get that signature bleakness of Harakiri For The Sky through their layered guitars and J.J’s emotional vocals. Expanding the band’s sound, “Sing for the Damage We’ve Done” has a dreamier edge while featuring Neige on guest vocals, and “Us Against December Skies” delivers a doomier edge with dramatic keyboards and a very crafty drumming.

Drumming is one of the highlights for this release, as Kerim Lechner (Septicflesh) does a great job crafting intricate drum patterns for the heavy onslaughts and staying back and just framing the melodies when the band goes full-on melodic. Perfect examples of this can be hear on “Three Empty Words”, the moody “Once Upon A Winter”, and our favorite “And Oceans Between Us”. The band’s use of layered guitars alongside melancholic tempos is brilliant on songs like “Time is a Ghost”, showcasing they don’t have to be too brutal to get their point across.

Closing with the emotive “Song to Say Goodbye”, we are left quite pleased on how Harakiri For The Sky continues to evolve with their unique sound. The band delivers melody, heaviness, and high doses of melancholy in a very well crafted package, making “Mӕre” one hell of a release and a worthy successor to “Arson”. We can’t wait to hear all these amazing songs live, so hopefully they make it across the pond at some time in their career.

Label: AOP Records

Release: February 19th, 2021

Genre: Post-Black Metal

Country: Austria