Tempelheks – Midnight Mirror

I’m really digging the releases of the DIY-label Cursed Tongue Records lately. Sure, on every label there will always be releases that simply don’t appeal to you, but CTR seem to have a nose for interesting bands. Tempelheks for instance. This band is from Oslo and play songs that balance on the edges of doom, folk and (seventies) hard rock. Midnight Mirror is their third full-length.

This album needs time to sink in.  I’ve had Midnight Mirror on rotation for a few weeks now and my opinion has gone from ‘this is okay but nothing special’ to ‘damn this is a really atmospheric and diverse album’.  I usually avoid namedropping other bands to express how a band sounds like, but I can help myself, because the sound of Tempelheks is hard to describe. I definitely hear influences of Witchcraft , Pentagram and Danzig seeping through in their songs. Especially in the more (doom)-rocking songs Gates Of Python, Bury Your Children and The Witch And Her Man and I think Witchcraft would be very proud if they would have written a song like Prey.

Tigress is a nice surprise between the more dark and heavy tracks. This is a beautiful acoustic folk song I imagine minstrels would play in the Middle Ages. Harem Ritual is another highlight and reveals seventies rock influences with some nice twin guitar harmonies in the main riff. Phantom Messiah is a personal favorite of mine. Again, the atmosphere makes this song. And the vocals in the beginning remind me of OM a little, which is always a good thing.  The vocals of founding member Martin Horn Sørlie are an acquired taste. His deep and low voice might not appeal to everyone. He might not be the most versatile singer, but the fact that he knows how to intonate and emphasize certain lyrics appeals to me. Also, the mix of cleaner and low vocals throughout the records brings enough dynamic to the table.

Midnight Mirror is a great record if you like dark, moody hardrock. These tracks take time to absorb. If you do, your patience will be rewarded, because these songs are really fun to explore.

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