Sworn are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fifth album.
Sworn are one of the best melodic black metal bands active right now. Coming off a genuinely top tier previous album, (2023’s A Journey Told Through Fire), and with a strong back catalogue overall, any new Sworn material is going to be hotly anticipated. Enter the 44-minute Null Crowned the Infinite.
Sworn’s melodic approach to black metal is well-written and executed. This new material is aggressive and sharp, while also demonstrating an increased grasp of atmospheric worldbuilding. Sworn’s understanding of pace and structure is well-developed across these six songs, and each track sounds professionally wrought, yet retains a dark, icy passion at its heart. Sworn also know a killer riff when they see one too, which only adds to Null Crowned the Infinite‘s appeal.
Null Crowned the Infinite covers a lot of ground, from the delicate to the savage. Synth-enhancements provide an additional layer of feeling, while the melodies blaze with furious feeling. The more aggressive aspects of the music are balanced by emotive ideas and melodic dynamics that are designed to appeal. Texture abounds, including acoustic interludes and spacious atmospheric breathing space.
The influences are old and new, but ultimately all that matters is how good these songs are, and they are extremely good indeed. Null Crowned the Infinite offers up a masterclass of melodic black metal, delivered by a band at the top of their game. Sworn provide the lucky listener with a very enjoyable and satisfying experience to hungrily devour.
Null Crowned the Infinite is a worthy successor to the well-regarded A Journey Told Through Fire. Sworn have created a high quality melodic black metal album, with a strong atmospheric flavour. It’s dark, melancholic, and carries a powerful frosted bite. Sworn, once more, have impressed.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 