Album Review: Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöl (Century Media Records)

Having recently signed to Century Media Records, the legendary Icelanders Sólstafir will now release their brand-new album, ‘Hin helga kvöl’ on November 8th, 2024.

As uniquely challenging as ever and blurring the genre lines to such an extent that it’s near impossible to put them in one category or another, Sólstafir return with a record that feels ‘them’. Not meaning it’s a rethread of past glories, but rather how the album embodies the wide array of ideas that exist in this band and how it conjures up vibrant imagery of their homeland.

Thick with atmosphere, and showcasing everything from rock to black metal, Hin Helga Kvöl is Sólstafir at the heights of their dramatic powers. As mesmerising as it is inspiring, and while there are many moments that could be called difficult, it doesn’t change the impact of the record as whole.

Impact that comes immediately with the rocking tone of Hún andar, an opening track that finds Sólstafir leaning into their more melodic side, but also crafting an undeniable anthem too. The foot tapping tempo of the instrumentals is great, but the earnest delivery of the vocals is particularly special sounding.

There’s an elegance to this album and even when it doesn’t quite spark, there’s often something of note. Case in point, the title track which has Sólstafir powering up the metal and listing into black metal depths. It really is hilarious to go from the previous track to this, and what follows with the standard and unremarkable post-rock track that is Blakkrakki. For all their experimenting in the world of rock, when it comes to unflinching bleak speed and heaviness, they never fail to deliver.

The lack of spark with Blakkrakki is happily rectified with the following Sálumessa too as Sólstafir expand on their experimental ways with a deep and meaningful showcase of melody and ambience. Taking a methodical approach that takes a sense of gloom and transforms it into something almost comforting. A warm blanket in a snowstorm. At least until it reaches an apex like no other and although the increase in power is brief, it hits hard. Not just the best song on this album, but one of the best songs you will hear all year.

It’s impossible for any band, even one as talented as Sólstafir to follow that, and while Vor ás is nicely atmospheric, it’s not quite as enthralling. Yet, it and the following Freygátan, which is so melodramatic it’s downright adorable, continue to show a dynamism that makes this album an enduring one.

Having truly captured the imagination already though, Sólstafir continue to create animated anthems with the likes of Grýla and its blackened undercurrent, and Nú mun ljósið deyja with its intense heaviness, albeit still coming from an experimental mentality. Meaning exhaustion is certainly beginning to set in as the album reaches its end.

Happily, they also know how to create different levels of buoyancy and with Kuml, they end this album in not just vibrant fashion, but cinematic fashion. Creating a sense of wonder and dread with uncomfortable layers of atmosphere and a haunting showcase of a saxophone. Yes, here, at the end, Sólstafir continue to push their creativity to even greater levels, and with that, the listener’s patience.

Few bands could get away with it, but Sólstafir are not like many others and, once again, they give us something unforgettable with Hin Helga Kvöl.

Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöl Track Listing:

1. Hún andar
2. Hin helga kvöl
3. Blakkrakki
4. Sálumessa
5. Vor ás
6. Freygátan
7. Grýla
8. Nú mun ljósið deyja
9. Kuml

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