Showcasing the Contemporary Excellence of Symphonic Gothic Metal - A Review of Mortemia's The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions

Mortemia is the solo project by Norwegian musician and singer Morten Veland who is best known for his work in symphonic gothic metal bands Sirenia and Tristania. The project's first full length effort Misere Mortem focused on a calm, introspective and thoughtful atmosphere based around the creative leader himself and four chorists supporting him.

The project's second release The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions follows a very different approach. The solo project has been revived after a decade of silence due to the isolation during the last pandemic. The music presented here can still be described as symphonic gothic metal but it's catchy, energetic and variable as it follows a completely different approach than the first output. Each track features a different female vocalist. This strategy adds much diversity, entertainment and versatility to this output.

This guest list should greatly appeal to any genre fan as it features veterans such as Liv Kristine of Theatre of Tragedy, Leaves' Eyes and Midnattsol fame, new stars like Melissa Bonny known for her work in Rage of Light, Ad Infinitum and The Dark Side of the Moon and highly talented singers still waiting for their international breakthroughs such as Zora Cock who usually performs in Blackbriar and Magoria.

Morten Veland has managed to adapt each song to the skills of the different singers without losing the tone of atmospheric symphonic gothic metal with occasional electronic music samples out of sight. "My Demons and I" featuring an energetic Brittney Slayes of Unleash the Archers fame for instance focuses on heavy riffs, dynamic rhythms and swift pace. On the other side, "Here Comes Winter" featuring Myrkur's Maja Shining is a dreamy, elegant and inspiring power ballad with a dark twist in form of Morten Veland's additional harsh vocals.

At the end of the day, Mortemia's The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions is an excellent symphonic gothic metal release born out of scary restrictions in a difficult time. This record entertains from start to finish with excellent vocalists, energetic rhythm section and catchy melodies. Genre fans should discover and revisit it time and again. This album certainly deserves more attention and promotion. 

The discovery however shouldn't stop here either. Morten Veland is currently working on another record entitled The Covid Aftermath Sessions that follows a very similar and equally entertaining formula. To be perfectly honest, Mortemia's contemporary releases easily outclass the current music published under the Sirenia moniker and Morten Veland should push this rewarding solo project even further.