Årabrot – Of Darkness and Light (Review)

Årabrot are a Norwegian rock band and this is their tenth album.

2021’s Norwegian Gothic was a very special record, one that ended up on my end of year list just inside the top ten, due to how damn good it was. So, a little over two years later, how does Of Darkness and Light find Årabrot?

In fine form, thankfully. Of Darkness and Light has a different feel to Norwegian Gothic, yet is recognisably of the same stock. It simultaneously carries on with the overall style of its predecessor, while also striding out boldly on its own. Årabrot’s new record is a fascinating, multifaceted blend of different styles and influences, all coming together and coalescing into a streamlined 42 minutes of idiosyncratic rock music. Each track has its own unique personality, yet the album flows holistically remarkably fluidly. Of course, Årabrot know exactly what they’re doing with their music at this point, which is why Of Darkness and Light offers such a thrilling, immersive experience.

This is an album that’s imbued with great character and presence. Årabrot’s musical voice is rich and strong, delivering sermons that the great unwashed would do well to heed. Boasting a treasure trove of songwriting and performance gems, Of Darkness and Light is a ridiculously enjoyable listen. With hooks that make you move and depths that hypnotise, this is a very eloquent and expressive album that’s layered with sounds and feelings, all of which are designed to engage.

I was a little apprehensive when approaching Of Darkness and Light, simply because of how much I love Norwegian Gothic, and did not want to be disappointed. I should not have been concerned though, as Årabrot are superior artists that deliver the goods. Of Darkness and Light lives up to the legacy of Norwegian Gothic, yet also starts one of its own. This is a very hard thing to achieve, but Årabrot have managed it seemingly effortlessly.

Essential listening.