Vehemency
Mgła is a proof of that Poland still provides essential black metal. While the most known Polish black metal releases came out in the 90s and since then only Graveland and a few others have continued, Mgła arrives with a different style.
Grim black metal from its core, the music of Mdłości has vibes of hopelessness and also pride in what it stands for, being an ultimate combo in every way. No exaggeration. All the instruments are audible and well executed, from the tightly but not soullessly played drums to the excellent reciprocity between the well-thought rhythm guitar parts and the goose bumps inducing lead melodies. The vocals are delivered with power and real feeling.
Being a seven inch vinyl, there is absolutely no room for mediocrity and this is what Mgła has indeed comprehended - I can’t think of any mediocre moment on Mdłości. Every riff is in its place, from the grim yet utterly epic first track with its fitting lyrics (”Every single dream shattered, trampled and lost / Every single word silenced for ever, and evermore”) to the even more hopeless, abysmal atmosphere of the second track that also has such powerful and fitting lyrics. When the singer delivers the line ”The Gardens withered and the Colossus perished” it is almost an underestimation to call it a dive into the deepest abyss.
I’m not sure if I have given a notion that Mdłości would be some sort of depressive black metal, and if I have, that notion isn’t what Mdłości really stands for. What Mgła does seem to possess is misanthrophy, and self-destruction not seen as a a bad thing (”Our almighty new god / Turning man back into mud”). This whole theme (that I have seen called in one review as metaphysical nihilism, which is actually quite fitting) is reflected on to the music, resulting in a perfect mix of sick yet beautiful black metal. I’m unable to find any flaws from this EP, so a five star rating is deserved.