Afsky - Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død (Album Review)

Afsky - Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død

Release date: 12/5/2020

Label: Vendetta Records

Written By: J.C.L.

It is hard to talk about current black metal in Denmark without talking about Ole Luk. Not only is he partially responsible for Solbrud, and the revival they caused, but also for his solo-project Afsky.

In 2018, Afsky released their debut full-length "Sorg" to much acclaim. Now back with the follow-up containing 6 tracks of Danish black metal, Ole Luk has set out to give another piece of his mind with "Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død".

Afsky is perhaps the more melancholic and reflective side of Ole Luk's projects, at least in terms of lyrics, but sound-wise there is many parallels to his other band Solbrud. Layers of instruments makes up the songs, with the drums pounding at the bottom an the guitars weaving in and out of each other at the top, creating stellar and stormy harmonies. The vocals on top has a faintness to them, like trying to penetrate an ethereal veil that is separating you from another realm.
Production-wise it's almost a revisit of "Sorg" but with the notable addition of more juice on the bass-drums. Guitars and vocals occupy their same places in the mix as before, but I feel that the bass guitar has been forgotten in the background. It's there, but it would not hurt to hear it more distinguished.

The album opens with the sound of waves, a lone acoustic guitar melody and some strings, before they are overtaken by the drums and electric guitars. A good way to segue the listener into the mood of this album, without overcooking it.
There is something like the intro to "Tyende Sang" which reminds me a lot of "Et Sidste Farvel" from Afsky's first EP, a welcome callback (And definitely worth a listen), and the rest of the song is a climax of the album.

Ole Luk - Afsky

One of my main concerns with "Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død" is that, while I don't find it offensive or bad, it's just sort of there. I don't really feel much engaged by this album while it's playing, and too often I found it just drifting into the background of my mind without much to highlight. The quality and songwriting-skills are present, yet most songs just feels same-ish. I would have a hard time trying to tell two songs apart, if I were quizzed on them.

I want to briefly touch on the cover artwork: An old social-realistic painting by H. A. Brendekilde called ”Udslidt”, which depicts an old farmer, who has worked himself to exhaustion and a young woman calling for help. I feel that this painting is appropriate, given the lyrics which draw from Danish poets and authors from the same period. This also tells me that thought and effort was put into this album, which is a plus. I would have wished for some more contrasting colors of the frame and album-title, cream and white just melts together in my eyes.

In summary, I believe that "Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død" is a good piece of atmospheric and melancholic black metal, but it's hard to find standout moments to commend. That shouldn't hold you back from jumping into this album, as it is still well above average in terms of musicianship.

I give this album

Out of 6

Favorite tracks: Altid Veltilfreds, Tyende Sang

Tracklist: 

1: Altid Veltilfreds 

2: Tyende Sang 

3: Imperia 

4: Bondeplage 

5: Stemninger I & II 

6: Angst 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afskymusic/

Bandcamp: https://afsky.bandcamp.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCioLxfiu1AUWUEagGypDGxw