ALBUM REVIEW: “… of Mourning” by Psychonaut 4

Psychonaut 4’s “…of Mourning” marks a return that is not just an evolution in their depressive black metal sound but a profound dive into human vulnerability and emotional turmoil. Now, if you know me, then you know that Psychonaut 4 has been with me for a long time, everywhere I went. When “Dipsomania” came out, I carried the songs with me everywhere—from the crowded city streets to the solitude of forests and mountains, where their music became the soundtrack to countless moments of introspection. With “…of Mourning“, that same connection resurfaces, but with an even darker, more introspective edge.

The cover artwork for “… of Mourning”
© Ronarg, Mako Lomadze and WrathDesign

The album begins with “Ghele” a brief yet deeply intense instrumental that establishes a haunting tone for the journey ahead. Steeped in sorrow, “Ghele” is crafted to stir something profound within—and it absolutely succeeds. It’s a compelling introduction that sets the mood, priming the listener for the heavier, more intense tracks to come.

The second track, “Mzeo Amodi“, unravels gradually, and for me, it was a piece I had to return to several times to feel its full weight. The first listen left me speechless, and even now, it feels like there’s something just beneath the surface that remains to be uncovered, an essence that eludes full comprehension. Lyrically, “Mzeo Amodi” weaves a complex web of despair, hope, and introspection. It speaks of sleepless nights, memories of pain, and the lingering ache of bitterness. “You will remember this pain tomorrow too/ You will lose sleep for a long time/ And if you have the strength/ You will forget the bitter thirst”—now this stanza delves deeply into the enduring nature of suffering, suggesting that the pain experienced isn’t a fleeting feeling but rather something that imprints itself over time. “You will remember this pain tomorrow too” acknowledges the inescapable reality of emotional wounds that linger, intensifying the hopelessness. It also hints at a haunting quality to this pain—it’s persistent, resurfacing daily like a shadow that one can’t outrun. The next line, “You will lose sleep for a long time”, evokes the exhaustion that comes with sleepless nights weighed down by inner turmoil. It’s as if pain itself denies rest, intruding into what should be a space of reprieve, becoming a relentless reminder of one’s emotional state. Then there’s a sense of conditional resilience: “And if you have the strength, you will forget the bitter thirst”. The “bitter thirst” could symbolize a longing or need that’s almost impossible to satiate, be it for relief, peace, or something lost. Forgetting it requires immense strength, a feat in itself, almost as if endurance is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a potent exploration of the exhausting struggle to find peace amid deep, recurring suffering.

The next tune, “Fiqrebi Mtsukhrisa“, emerges as a poignant reflection on loss and the weight of despair. The opening lines—”In silence, the tongue becomes mute”—set the stage for an exploration of isolation, where words fail to express the depth of emotion experienced. This idea of silence amplifies the feeling of being trapped in one’s own thoughts, unable to articulate the pain that surrounds them.

The stark imagery continues with “The sun is not visible in the darkness”, suggesting a profound absence of hope or light in times of sorrow. It captures the essence of feeling lost, where warmth and comfort are distant and the road ahead feels abruptly cut off, as noted in “The road ended in a rush”. This line speaks to the suddenness with which life can change, leaving one in a state of disarray.

As the song progresses, the refrain—“These thoughts, these eyes, these days/ Must end, end, end!”—carries an urgent plea for release from suffering. It emphasizes the repetitive cycle of sadness that the narrator grapples with, echoing the feeling that mourning can feel like an unending journey.