SUNKEN is a black metal band from Denmark.  They formed in 2012 under the name ARESCET before changing to their current moniker in 2013.  "Livslede," is their second full length album, in addition to having an demo. SUNKEN's style is very heavy on atmosphere but also manages to be focused on instrumental work as well, especially the guitar.  The focus allows for the band to branch itself out side of the normal confines of black metal while still being fast, heavy, and very raw.

The song structures are very interesting as well.  With the exception of the intro track, "Forlist," the remaining songs are more along the length of something you might see in post or doom metal.  Two of the tracks are over eleven minutes-both of those needed to be trimmed down but with that being said....there isn't a bad song on the album. "Forlist," is actually a rather beautiful and moving piece of music. Warm, ambient tones glide across the background while clean keys take center stage.  The silence sets in at the track's end to see the return of clean instrumentation in the second song.

"Ensomhed."  This track bursts wide open at just a minute into the track.  Rapid fire drums, sorrowful riffs, and excellent rhythm guitar lead the way for much of the track.   When the vocals kick in, the song turns down a couple of notches for a movement that replaces hard riffs with a blanket of atmosphere.  The later half of the song sees it taking a more clean approach to the instrumentation again before ending in a swirl of dark beauty.

The melodic bass in "Foragt," lays down a strong rhythm section but its melodic nature mixes well with the riffs.  I loved the middle portion of the song with the keys pulling the vocals through.  The final eight minutes are fantastic-adventurous but absolutely dripping in evil melancholy. "Delirium," is the oddest track on the album.  I enjoyed it for what it was but it kind of kills the flow of the album.  It is a bit too slow to build up and doesn't really go anywhere when it does pick up some momentum.  While certainly not a bad song, and one that is drenched in atmosphere, it just doesn't hold up as well as the two before it or the final track.

That track, "Dodslaengse," is one of the best tracks on the album.  The blackened screams jut roll off the music in waves, crashing against the bass and drums, particularly the cymbal work. The song ramps up in intensity as it goes but still pulls off a very post metal feel, what with the whirlwind riffs and keys working together. "Livslede," may have some pacing issues and a slight problem with track lengths but I enjoyed my time with the album and look forward to what SUNKEN will have to offer in the future.  This album has a lot of emotion that is pulled off very well because the keys played off so well with the other instruments.  For those who prefer their black metal to focus on epic soundscapes rather than a non stop hell ride, you could do worse than checking this album out.