Iceland is the new big country of new black metal scenes, or that seems to be getting the most attention at the moment. Many new good acts just float up to the surface and hook me up like a fish. Thinking of bands like the excellent SVARTIDAUÐI and SINMARA that both have released absolutely incredible albums lately and now MISÞYRMING.
"Algleymi" is the second album from MISÞYRMING that sounds really good and could be a great candidate for the "Record Of The Week", well we will see how it develops, but looks really promising. The album was released on May 24, 2019.
SINMARA is a Black Metal band from Reykjavík and Mosfellsbær featuring members of SVARTIDAUÐI, WORMLUST, REBRITH OF NEFAST and SLIDHR. The band was formerly named CHAO, and under that name the three track cassette "Spiritus Sankti" was released in 2012 by Norwegian label Terratur Possessions. Musically SINMARA contrast chaotic agression with haunting melodies and dramatic build-ups, with a focus on musicianship and attention to detail. Sinmara is an experienced and respected live band, having played countless shows in Reykjavík and three times at Eistnaflug.
Their latest release "Hvísl Stjarnanna", released on CD, LP and digital through the veritable German imprint Ván Records on March 8, 2019.
A monument to the group’s namesake dark sorceress goddess, keeper of the baneful sword Lævateinn, ‘Hvísl Stjarnanna’ is bound together thematically by myths relating to sirens, ghosts and malevolent spirits beckoning from beyond. To heed the whisper of the stars is to be transfixed by a dreamlike connection and melancholic yearning for the realm beyond the stars, to be guided by the mediators between the world of the living and the nightside of the dead.
Musically the album sees the band further progress the style previously touched upon on their latest MLP "Within the Weaves of Infinity" which saw the band infuse their chaotic and forceful Black Metal with a melodic richness which harkens back to traditional forebearers of the Scandinavian style. On "Hvísl Stjarnanna" SINMARA reveals a mournful and nostalgic atmosphere and soundscapes steeped in more grandeur than they’ve crafted to date, but yet showcasing serpentine harmonies permeated by the same malefic venom as has come to be expected of the band.
SVARTIDAUÐI and SINMARA two of the best bands to have emerged from the erupting Icelandic black metal scene will hit Scandinavia for a series of dates based around their performance at "Mörkasta Småland Fest" taking place in Hultsfred, Sweden on the 4th and 5th of October.
Don’t miss your chance to catch these two great bands as they venture north throughout Scandinavia playing shows in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, see the dates below.
Today's tune "Mephitic Haze", taken form the album "Hvísl Stjarnanna", the clip is filmed live at Atlas Brew Works in Washington DC on Wednesday 10 April 2019.
The routing will be as follows:
Thursday 26th Sept. – Sweden, Stockholm - Slaktkyrkan
Friday 27th Sept. – Sweden, Malmö - Plan B - Malmö
Saturday 28th Sept. – Sweden, Arvika - Klub Motfals
Sunday 29th Sept. – Sweden, Gothenburg - Truckstop Alaska
Monday 30thSept. - Norway, Oslo - BLÅ
Tuesday 1st Oct. – Sweden, Östersund - Tinghuset
Wednesday 2nd Oct. – Norway, Trondheim - Good Omens
Thursday 3rd Oct. – Sweden, Umeå – DROSKAN
Friday 4th Oct. – Sweden, Sundswall - Club Deströyer
Saturday 5th Oct. – Sweden, Hultsfred - Hotel Hullingen * Mörkaste Småland
Sunday 6th Oct. – Denmark, Copenhagen – Spillestedet Stengade
SVARTIDAUÐI are not only among the most notable bands within the modern, dissonant and monolithic black metal movement, but they are also one of the leaders.
I am the flame that burns in every heart of man, and in the core of every star. I am Life, and the giver of Life, yet therefore is the knowledge of me the knowledge of death. -Liber Al vel Legis 2.6
On the 3rd of December 2018, did SVARTIDAUÐI unleash long-awaited sophomore full-length "Revelations Of The Red Sword" upon the ashes of civilization. Once again recorded and produced at Studio Emissary by Stephen Lockhart and featuring artwork by David Glomba, the combined result is equally stunning sonically as it is visually. The 6 track, 47 minute album marks SVARTIDAUÐIs second release on legendary German imprint Ván Records.
The Red Sword refers to the rays of a rising- and a setting sun, encompassing its contents in the fire and the fury of our world’s most creative and destructive force, the glowing God up above, the Sun - Celebrating its howling solar winds, all the while waiting with anticipation for the inevitable heat death of the universe.
SVARTIDAUÐI means Black Death in English.
SVARTIDAUÐI and SINMARA two of the best bands to have emerged from the erupting Icelandic black metal scene will hit Scandinavia for a series of dates based around their performance at "Mörkasta Småland Fest" taking place in Hultsfred, Sweden on the 4th and 5th of October.
Don’t miss your chance to catch these two great bands as they venture north throughout Scandinavia playing shows in Denmark, Sweden and Norway, see the dates below.
Today's tune "Burning Worlds Of Excrement" is taken from the album "Revelations Of The Red Sword", enjoy!
The routing will be as follows:
Thursday 26th Sept. – Sweden, Stockholm - Slaktkyrkan
Friday 27th Sept. – Sweden, Malmö - Plan B - malmö
Saturday 28th Sept. – Sweden, Arvika - Klub Motfals
Sunday 29th Sept. – Sweden, Gothenburg - Truckstop Alaska
Monday 30thSept. - Norway, Oslo - BLÅ
Tuesday 1st Oct. – Sweden, Östersund - Tinghuset
Wednesday 2nd Oct. – Norway, Trondheim - Good Omens
Thursday 3rd Oct. – Sweden, Umeå – DROSKAN
Friday 4th Oct. – Sweden, Sundswall - Club Deströyer
Saturday 5th Oct. – Sweden, Hultsfred - Hotel Hullingen * Mörkaste Småland
Sunday 6th Oct. – Denmark, Copenhagen – Spillestedet Stengade
