Myrkur has always straddled the line between metal and, well, non-metal. Throughout the project's four albums, Danish composer and multi-instrumentalist Amalie Bruun has woven folk, synth-pop, and traditional Scandinavian music into her gothic black-metal expressions.
In fact, her 2020 album Folkensage was an almost total retreat from the heavier stylings of her first albums. This year's Spine eclectically brings back the blast-beats while also keeping things weird and pleasantly challenging.
To pair with the record's diverse set of influences, we asked Bruun to pick her favorite non-metal albums that she thinks metalheads might get a kick out of. From underrated post-punk to folk that brings tears to her eyes, see all seven of her selections below.
The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge
A post-punk band from England that I like. I feel like they should have been bigger?
Mariee Sioux - Faces in the Rocks
An American folk singer with indigenous Mexican descent. Her voice is just so pure and her lyrics are more like dreams and streams of consciousness with a connection to her roots.
My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything
A noisy shoegaze classic. It has really beautiful songs like "Lose My Breath" and then harsher yet sexier songs like "Soft as Snow (But Warm Inside)."
I saw this band live in New York some years ago and, well let's just say I am glad I was warned about their sound level and brought ear plugs.
Nico - Desertshore
I love Nico and her weird voice and vibe. This album is pretty dark and folky, so naturally it speaks to me. The song from my album called "My Blood is Gold" was inspired a little by this album.
Norma Tanega - Walkin' My Cat Named Dog
A beautiful folk singer-songwriter with very interesting and unpredictable chord progressions. Gorgeous arrangements of the songs. "No Stranger Am I" makes me cry.
Smashing Pumpkins - Adore
A gothic, electronic-rock classic. Beautiful songwriting and very innovative production.
The Sundays - Blind
I love this band and their airy sound. Her voice is so clear and I feel like you can almost see her melodies visually.
I kind of miss this era of music where bands were more low-key, and you could have a girl singing with some guitars and good songs, and you weren't expected to have a gigantic production and crazy outfits.
