The word “legendary” is thrown around with reckless abandon these days, so much so that it has lost much of its currency, but when it comes to Icelandic metallers Sólstafir no other word will suffice. Formed in 1995, the band have created a unique sound that deftly avoids easy categorisation. The trail of vinyl they’ve left is indicative of this and has incorporated everything from post-metal to post-rock and every other extreme genre with a love of the loud. Album number eight (their first for Century Media) is a diverse collection of songs that’s stitched together by its own eclecticism and Hin Helga Kvöl finds this quartet armed and dangerous, and ready to take on the world.
Sólstafir have never been a band to play by the rules, and their latest offering is no exception, opening track ‘Hún andar 1’ is a quiet storm and might take those unfamiliar with the band by surprise. With vocalist Aðalbjörn Tryggvason singing over a discombobulating soundscape, the track has a funereal feel, the band are like Vikings burning their boats and moving forwards towards a new future. That the band refuse to be constrained by any genre classifications becomes immediately obvious and this theme will echo throughout the album as the band successfully sidestep any boundaries and throw off shackles, sending shards of sonics in every direction. However, as you’d expect from a band who’ve been in the game for almost 30 years, Sólstafir know just how far to push things. To get the right mix requires almost scientific methodology; too much and they could become an unlistenable stew, too little and the band could find themselves in the unenviable position of having no appreciative audience to play to. Thankfully, the band hit that sweet spot right in the middle and deliver songs such as ‘Grýla’ with so much force and authenticity, it hurts.
Walking the fine line between their black metal roots and a desire to deliver forceful, anthemic rock, Sólstafir have produced an album in Hin Helga Kvöl that is at once powerful and tuneful. Bringing to life their Icelandic surroundings through music means that this record resonates with the listener on some deep level, and it’s sure to send its vibrations throughout the world.
- Hin Helga Kvöl is released via Century Media on 8th November 2024.
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Track List:
1. Hún andar
2. Hin helga kvöl
3. Blakkrakki
4. Sálumessa
5. Vor ás
6. Freygátan
7. Grýla
8. Nú mun ljósið deyja
9. Kuml
