Solstafir
Til Vahaller
[View Beyond Records (Cze)]


Metal from Iceland? Indeed! After listening to this CD, I attempted to list a few bands from Iceland. I came up with: Christ Blood and…um…. well that's it. With such a proud culture and impressive environmental layout, it's actually quite bizarre to not see some greater metal influence making its way out of the country. I best start working to track down some bands (since I've been assured they have something of a metal scene there)!

Anyway, the four songs here are interesting, varied black metal style tracks. The vocals are especially punishing and unique, as they are harsh, raw, and shouted. The music is wonderfully appealing as well, and with the interesting drumming (all over the place) melting all over the nifty riffs, this CD is far from being another generic, boring, slab of wasted blackness. Rather, this is a CD definitely worth tracking down!

If you like fast, semi-raw, well thought out black metal, this will be your cup of tea. It contains a very successful atmosphere: dreamy, cold, and twisted. Lyrics are all in their mother tongue, some Icelandic folk influences are apparent, and it's no less than worth the price of a mCD. I hope to see some more quality full length work from this lot in the future.


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