Everybody’s favourite Icelandic cowboys are again, this time with their most mature and refined file up to now. Sólstafir‘s Hin helga kvöl is nothing in need of a masterpiece. I first found Sólstafir once they participant Maryland Dying Fest a very good variety of years again. This when a lot of the bands performed within the big parking zone out in the course of downtown Baltimore.
Sólstafir have been a fervent a part of the underground scene for a few years, flying slightly below the radar. One distinctive characteristic of the band which may have prevented them from better mainstream success has been their apply to solely sing tune of their native Icelandic, (in need of one song, “Her Fall From Grace” on their earlier file, Countless Twilight of Codependent Love launched again in 2020). Whereas Icelandic may be one of the tough languages for foreigners to be taught, I’ve by no means minded the truth that I could not totally perceive what’s being sung. The music actually helps inform the story of their songs and I like to think about the lyrics as one thing that provides one other distinctive texture to their already advanced sonicspheres.
“Hun Andar” is the opening observe. The plush guitars have virtually an indie sound to them whereas the percussion and rhythm kind a somewhat upbeat backdrop. Layered vocals give the tune some good texture.
The title observe, “Hin Helga Kvöl” is a speed-infused rocker that’s reveals the band’s stable roots in metallic. After all, of their typical fashion, the foursome give us some twists and turns somewhat than depend on pure velocity or heft. It is a somewhat uncooked lower, sonically, entrenched in black metallic origins. “Nu Mun Ljosio Deyja” is the same observe that additionally will fulfill these searching for one thing significantly heavy.
“Blakkrakki” is a enjoyable observe with a an equally enjoyable video that has the band on a shifting flatbed taking part in throughout the Icelandic panorama. A departure from the heavy feelings normally discovered of their music, this can be a extra playful lower that exhibits that Solstafir can simply have some all out good occasions as nicely. And when you’re questioning what a “blakkrakki” is, it is merely a black canine. I hear some early U2 affect on this observe, maybe that is why I can not seem to get it out of my head.
“Vor As” is a rocker. Maybe their closest factor to one thing you may hear in an area. Replete with feminine backing vocals, the band appears to drag a rabbit out of a hat right here. “Freygatan” is one other tune that is firmly entrenched in traditional rock roots. This one will evoke a little bit of David Gilmour with it is guitar solo that is available in in the direction of the top of the observe.
Feelings run excessive in each “Gryla” and “Kuml.” Each very shifting and considerably bleak, nonetheless, followers of the band would anticipate nothing much less. Talking of the bands’ fan following, I’ve come to suppose that many will discover heaps to like on this latest file. Quite a lot of range and professional songwriting offers Hin helga kvöl a clearly distinguished place within the band’s good catalog.
