Coming out of Oslo, Norway, The Holy Mountain is a dark synth pop trio armed with an original sound that cuts vocals, synth and drums with the unique use of accordion to craft an enthralling musical experience. Since forming in 2015, when they released their first demo as a duo, The Holy Mountain has ventured on a compelling musical journey, winning over audiences with their unique and memorable sound.
In 2018, the band made their studio debut with Toad of Light, an instrumental record that distilled their dystopian sci-fi inspirations into their own musical expression. Over the years, their sonic explorations expanded on the 2020 full-length album Ending it All Tonight, as their line up grew to a trio with Catharina Janner Røed on vocals, Andreas Angell on accordion and Aleksander Tidemann on synths.
Their 2023 release, The Dawns Here Are Quiet, demonstrated the trio’s versatility by adding Nordic jazz stylings to their output while drawing inspirations from visionary directors like Tarkovsky and Bergman. Now they’re set to drop their next EP, They Are Asleep, promising an upbeat fusion of their characteristic melancholic sound with new influences like techno, sci-fi horror and synth pop.
Introducing us to this forthcoming EP is their latest single, “Remains Unsaid,” a synth-driven outing that blurs brightness with darkness and showcases the trio’s unique blend of accordion-injected pop music. Themed on relationships reaching their end, the song captures the emotional turmoil, portrayed through the fusion of emotive vocals, slick accordion performance and immersive synthesisers.
Recorded and mixed by Marcus Forsgren at Studio Paradiso, with mastering by Espen Høydalsvis, the crisp production of “Remains Unsaid” delivers an engrossing sound. Crafting an uptempo synth-driven alternative pop ride, “Remains Unsaid” places the band’s catchy songwriting into a grooving soundscape full of energy and piquant instrumentation.
Brought in by the soft arpeggiated tone of a synth as the drone of buzzy accordion stretches out, the shuffling rhythm of the beat and spacey top lines are met with ethereal vocalisations before settling into the verse. Catharina’s gentle vocals contrast the moody pulse of synth as they drape elegant melodies over the sonic fabric as the accordion flourishes take over.
Rising to an anthemic chorus, delicate vocal leads flow beautifully above the danceable rhythm of the drums and enveloping array of instrumentation, resulting in an unforgettable sound that’s at once accessible while also entirely unique. It’s a superb showcase of the trio’s creativity and ability to craft hook-filled music while building the hype for their upcoming EP release.
Commenting on the release, the band describes the song as “an intricate tapestry of yearning and fulfilment, guiding you from shock and clarity to the profound serenity of acceptance as you step into the unknown, and ultimately, the freedom of being liberated from something that held you back.”
Listen to Remains Unsaid below
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