TULUS – MORBID DESIRES

From the very first moments, 'Salme II' envelops the listener in a haunting atmosphere, that makes room in this trance-like atmosphere for aggressive yet impassioned screams and tremolo-picked guitars. The melodic undercurrent stays, transforming into a pure, old-school black metal. Flowing at a measured mid-tempo, the track’s roots in the dark heart of the genre remain clear. Brief moments of quiet—even an acoustic guitar interlude—create striking contrasts, adding layers of depth and dynamic variation. Despite the unrelenting ferocity, the song retains a brooding, melancholic undertone that carries until the end. Next one up is 'Skabb', the band shifts into a more restrained, groove-driven approach. The track continues in a calmer pace, anchored by a walzing rhythm and sharp, piercing vocals that cut through the sound. Short Piano passages here and there, adding an unexpected and slightly dissonant texture that sets the song apart. As it nears its end, the composition tightens and accelerates, culminating in a twisted, almost unhinged finale, marked by a piercing, uncomfortable making scream. Few bands balance groove and atmosphere as effectively as TULUS, and "Morbid Desires" highlights this strength with clarity. The album seamlessly blends the band’s signature elements into a cohesive whole.

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'Kistesmed' briefly reintroduces sharper black metal edges, surging forward with an initial burst of aggression before settling into more restrained, melodic guitar passages. The track thrives on the contrast between frantic drum outbursts and a steady mid-tempo backbone, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that sustains its momentum throughout. That sense of familiarity extends into the Track 'Vanvidd', where recurring chord patterns and a largely uniform vocal approach begin to take hold. The repetition becomes more pronounced, lending the album’s later stretch a more homogeneous feel. At the same time, traces of rock ’n’ roll surface more clearly, subtly reshaping the band’s sound while reinforcing its stripped-down, groove-driven core.'Hedengangen' opens as a punchy, relentless track, driven by blistering vocals that twist and writhe throughout. Early thrash-esque lead work sets the tone, adding sharp intensity to the first half. As the song goes on, the tempo eases slightly, yet the energy remains, allowing the vocals to expand into a more expressive range before the track regains its previous, relentless momentum. On 'Fossegrimens Vakt'—or "The Watch of the Waterfall"—plunges the listener in a dark, brooding atmosphere from the very first note. The track begins with clean, nearly meditative guitar riffs that gradually build in layered intensity, creating a sense of slow-burning tension. When the vocals arrive, they are raw and menacing, stretching into long, evil phrases over a subtle groove that drives the atmosphere. The outcome is a carefully crafted piece that balances reflection with underlying menace. True to its name, the closer 'Sabbat' pays homage to BLACK SABBATH, opening with a slow, lumbering build that conjures a menacing, almost ritualistic atmosphere. When the first distorted riff hits, it’s easy to double-check the playlist, expecting a classic Sabbath track-but Blodstrup’s powerful vocals quickly pull the listener back into TULUS’ unmistakable sound. The track’s unusual textures-cowbell accents, acoustic guitars, and even a harmonica midsection-add layers of surprise and character, making 'Sabbat'one of the most distinctive and compelling moments on the album.

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Morbid Desires finds TULUS at the peak of their craft, blending old-school black metal roots with subtle experimentation and dynamic songwriting. Dark, melodic, and fiercely memorable, the album reinforces the band’s status as one of Norway’s most compelling voices in the scene.

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SCORE 8.5/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY

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