Everybody’s favourite Icelandic cowboys are again, this time with their most mature and refined document so far. Sólstafir‘s Hin helga kvöl is nothing wanting a masterpiece. I first found Sólstafir after they participant Maryland Loss of life Fest a very good variety of years again. This when a lot of the bands performed within the large parking zone out in the midst 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 higher mainstream success has been their follow to solely sing tune of their native Icelandic, (wanting one tune, “Her Fall From Grace” on their earlier document, Countless Twilight of Codependent Love launched again in 2020). Whereas Icelandic may be one of the crucial troublesome languages for foreigners to study, I’ve by no means minded the truth that I could not absolutely perceive what’s being sung. The music actually helps inform the story of their songs and I like to consider the lyrics as one thing that provides one other distinctive texture to their already advanced sonicspheres.
“Hun Andar” is the opening observe. The luxurious guitars have virtually an indie sound to them whereas the percussion and rhythm kind a relatively 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 steel. In fact, of their typical type, the foursome give us some twists and turns relatively than depend on pure velocity or heft. It is a relatively uncooked reduce, sonically, entrenched in black steel origins. “Nu Mun Ljosio Deyja” is an identical observe that additionally will fulfill these in search of one thing significantly heavy.
“Blakkrakki” is a enjoyable observe with a an equally enjoyable video that has the band on a transferring flatbed taking part in throughout the Icelandic panorama. A departure from the heavy feelings often discovered of their music, it is a extra playful reduce that reveals that Solstafir can simply have some all out good occasions as properly. And in case 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 enviornment. 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 basic 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 tip of the observe.
Feelings run excessive in each “Gryla” and “Kuml.” Each very transferring and considerably bleak, nevertheless, followers of the band would count on nothing much less. Talking of the bands’ fan following, I’ve come to assume that many will discover heaps to like on this latest document. Quite a lot of range and professional songwriting provides Hin helga kvöl a clearly distinguished place within the band’s good catalog.