Em Støy, working under her solo title, FRYKTELIG STØY (Norwegian for ‘Horrible Noise’) is back with a second album, “Incandescent,” a contemplation of upheaval, death and motherhood, refracted through her muscular blackened doom lens.
Like her first album, “Incandescent” weaves multiple themes and influences into a vision of ignition in darkness, flight and witchcraft. FRYKTELIG STØY refuses the restrictions and conventions of any genre, but borrows heavily from black metal, doom and post-rock. Subtle and overt references to witchcraft, Satanism and existentialism permeate her Dionysian fury and creative madness. The story arc weaves the path of betrayal, grief and rediscovery as before – but concludes in a contemplation of birth and guardianship – grappling with the death of the self while holding hope and adoration for one’s children. Loneliness, solitude and intimacy are all examined in Em’s characteristically bold, direct lyrical style.
Strengthened by the success of the first album, “Incandescent” continues leveling up FRYKTELIG STØY’s song craft. Em pushes her voice and musicianship to even greater extremes – fast passages spiral and collapse into terrifying voids; held notes overlap – each song distinct but linked. Angelic harmonies, horrifying screeches and demonic growls carry powerfully crafted lyrics.
“Incandescent” refracts the Luciferian tradition in a modern, personal and feminine bent. A story of becoming your own light-bringer, finding hope in decay, returning to the motif of the black wings of a fallen angel in different moments of destruction, bitterness and renewal.