The emergence of bands like Misþyrming, Svartidauði, Naðra, and Almyrkvi have helped build the foundation of the Icelandic extreme metal scene to come into existence. Aside from the said bands I mentioned, now here we have Helfró as a part of the rising forces of the Icelandic extreme metal scene as well, being the formidable force in the world of Blackened Death Metal that they are.
Iceland is not the first location you think of when considering the legacy of traditional or melodic metal, and would probably not be amongst the first (hundred) places you would go if you were searching for the next great Heavy Metal band. Indeed, brooding, expansive post-Rock; emotive, atmospheric Black Metal; twisted traditional folk are all styles that you’d more instantly connect with the volcanic, expansive, open landscapes of the western-most point of Scandinavia. So, I think it is fair to say that you would have got fairly long odds on the first release for the metal industry-shaking new label giants Atomic Fire being the debut album of a brand new Power Metal band from Iceland.
Icelandic Metal collective Dynfari will release their new opus, Myrkurs er þörf, on September 18th via Code 666! Their fifth album furthers the narrative of their haunting mix of atmospheric Black Metal and post-Rock music. To match the kvlt inspired sonics, the iconic looking album artwork was crafted by Metaztasis (Watain, Behemoth). Their last album got high marks from our site, and this new release figures to be one of the top releases this fall. Pre-orders are live on Bandcamp now and you can stream their new single, “Langar nætur”, here at Ghost Cult!
As we reported previously, Icelandic Hardcore Metal butchers Une Misère have signed to Nuclear Blast, and are releasing their new album later in 2019. The band has shared an update from the Sundlaugin Studio, tracking guitars. Check it out below. The band has made a splash internationally in recent years, nominated for two 2 awards at the Icelandic Music Awards, performing memorable shows across Europe, including Eistnaflug, Roadburn 2018 ( three sets!) and Bloodshed Fest. They are already booked for the Summer Breeze and Metal Days Festivals in 2019.Continue reading
The past few years the hottest ticket in Black Metal has been anything out of Iceland. Starting with Svarti Daudi, followed by Sinmara and Misthyrming, these guys from the sparsely populated island in the near The Arctic Ocean are shaking the world wherever they go. The people involved in these bands have a pretty special take on black metal: having been isolated as long as they are they’re not as concerned with who they want to sound like or who they know, but find their own way through expressing the misery of every day life.Continue reading