It’s great to see more fantasy elements returning to metal, and I realize that it never actually went away. It just seemed for the longest time that any artists of this ilk were off on their own corner while everyone was trying their best to be heavier and more brutal than the rest. Metal can be the best form of escapism, and it feels like that’s coming back in full force.

Morke is one of those bands, a one-person project helmed by Eric Wing, and the latest album under that banner, “To Carry On,” keeps the castle metal focus strong as ever. Over nine tracks, Wing (joined by session drummer CJ Yacoub) blasts into Medieval times, making it feel like you should be leaping on a horse with a goddamn sword looking to defend the village folk. Sure, that’s in your mind, but again, escapism. You’ve kept up with current events, yes? What better time than now to indulge in a record that can take you away from all of that and give you an adventure to keep you sane. This delivers that in spades. By the way, the mighty Tanner Anderson (of the like-minded Obsequiae and also Crypt Sermon and Majesties among others) adds guest guitars and vocals, which makes all the sense in the world.

“Sublymed Respair” has guitars washing in, echoing as howls pierce, the speed taking control quickly. Shrieks fire as the guitars soar and float, the melodies flooding the senses, loons calling out at the end. “Falling Leaves” opens with glorious melodies, a ravaging pace, and screams blasting you right in the chest, the power blazing heavily. The guitars pour fuel on the fire as catchy power overwhelms, the spirit feeling like it’s storming the gates for a mighty defense. “Ashes of Feudalism” has leads liquifying rock, vicious howls rippling, the drums picking up and carrying the swarm. The tension continues to spread, howls stinging as the leads glow, swimming in and out of a rushing stream. “Myne Owne Hertis Rote” rushes forward, the shrieks scorching, the center exploding and delivering melodic heat. The playing calms before slicing back in again, the riffs raising spirits, and a mesmerizing pace taking over and bleeding into oblivion.

“Coup D’oeil” has the guitars circling the wagons, churning and spitting smoke, a tornadic pattern taking over and threatening. Warmer tones then waft before the fires spread, the playing loops, and everything disappears into the flames. “Viola Odorata” rouses with guitars mangling, the drums rattling, and melodies gusting, devastating the ground. The energy jars as spirits rise and run amongst us, ending this instrumental piece on a jarring note. “Crystalline Firmament” has a classic metal feel, the riffs flowing, shrieks twisting muscle as the humidity thickens. The drums punish as the guitars surge, the pace shaking the earth, floating off into oblivion. “Wisterian Arbor” has blazing guitars and churning howls, the drums shaking loose any cobwebs, the melodies bending through the ages. Shrieks flood as temperate leads surround, melting into trickling water. The closing title track fires up right away, the vocals wrestling you to the dirt, the riffs encircling and causing dizziness. A hazy lull gives you a breather before the pace ignites one final time, the shrieks peel away at ivy towers, and everything dissolves into echo.

“To Carry On” is a step up in the metal world for Morke, and anyone who likes their metal equal parts fantasy and skullduggery surely will find a lot to like here. At times, the riffs blend together a little simply because they’re channeling the same spirit, but subsequent listens help those layers split a little better. It’s another strong entry from this project that continually shows its strength in emotion, heart, and properly archaic melodies. The album calls for us to answer a bell that takes courage to face, to not back down against a force of shallow leaders disguised as a house of cards.

For more on the band, go here: https://morkemn.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://truecultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/to-carry-on

For more on the label, go here: https://truecultrecords.bandcamp.com/