Old Eyes, New Heart

Old Eyes, New Heart is the eighth studio album by Madder Mortem, arriving six years after Marrow. It represents a deeply personal milestone for the band, particularly the Kirkevaag siblings, as it was recorded following the death of their father, Jakob. His artwork graces the cover, providing a visual tether to the album's themes of legacy and grief. Sonically, the album continues the band's tradition of 'Madder Metal' - a genre-defying blend of progressive structures, doom-laden weight, and avant-garde jazz sensibilities. Critics from Angry Metal Guy and AllMusic have noted the album's exceptional dynamic range and Agnete's vocal prowess, often citing it as one of the most emotionally resonant entries in their thirty-year career. The track 'Cold Hard Rain' serves as a centerpiece, showcasing their ability to blend bluesy atmosphere with crushing metal crescendos. It is an album that honors the past while pushing the band's sound into more intimate, stripped-back territories without sacrificing their signature heaviness.