Sinmara - Hvísl Stjarnanna
Release date: 8/3/2019
Label: Ván Records
By: J. C. Lerche
Let's talk about Metal in Iceland.
Iceland was for the longest time a country with a small and little known metal scene. While Sweden, Norway and Finland each dabbled in extreme death and black metal with innumerable bands between them, Iceland was mainly known for Sólstafir, a few underground acts and that was just about it.
This is no longer the case, and I'm happy to report that Iceland has taken a lead in producing atmospheric and dissonant black metal over the last few years. This is in no small part thanks to the great bands to emerge from this scene; Svartidauði, Misþyrming and today's review topic, Sinmara, which released their sophomore album "Hvísl Stjarnanna" ("Whispering stars" for those uninitiated in Icelandic) back in March. Following their great debut "Aphotic Womb" from 2014 and equally great EP "Within the Waves of Infinity" from 2017, my expectations for the Icelanders was quite high.
"Apparitions" opens the album, and the listener is greeted with faint ambient noises until these are relieved by the thundering guitars and ritualistic drumming intro, slowly building up the atmosphere and mood of the album, until the metaphorical whirlwind is unleashed.
Already Sinmara gains a huge checkmark on nailing a good sound for the guitars, which was a problem that, in my opinion, plagued "Aphotic Womb" and held it back from its true potential, but gladly this aspect of their music has been improved on "Hvísl Stjarnanna".
The songs continue into a cacophony of blazing drums and bleak melodies. There is an overall haunting vibe to all of the harmonies and single-string melodies. Moments like the guitar harmonies near the end of "Mephitic Haze" easily stick to the listeners mind, just to name one such moment. The records is full of such moments with way to many to list here.
The vocals are raspy, harsh and unforgiving, but always a bit faint in the mixture, which I believe is intentional, and a good fit for the overall soundscape, leaving the whereabouts and circumstances for the listeners imagination. The drums, much like "Aphotic Womb", is still very dominant in the mix. The blasts and bass drums are very competently handled, keeping up with the often frenzied guitar play, and yet also slides perfectly into the slower segments. One thing I could wish for is a bit more bass-guitar in the mix (I fondly remember the quite bass-heavy sound of "Aphotic Womb"), but from what I can hear, the instrument is in capable hands.
Sinmara
The songs blend really well, each building up in their own way to a climax, the changes seem natural, even sudden changes in timing and changing of tracks. Before you are left asking for more of the same, a new song has arrived to reveal an equally great mournful soundscape. Nowhere is this greater exemplified in "Crimson Stars", which on it's own is a most remarkable piece of black metal. A mournful slow intro where minor notes are left hanging, leading into a central piece with blasting drums followed by a short guitar solo, a prominent slower middle piece with a lot of suspense, intertwined with quick harmonies, which ascends to a majestic melodic conclusion of the song, which combines the former elements; blasting, suspense and minor chords, before gently fading out on some ambient, atmospheric noises. Still this spectacle have me spellbound, and I find myself captivated by each segment.
The title track "Hvísl Stjarnanna" is also the closing act on this album, and while it may not be the powerhouse of "Crimson Stars", or have the devastating intro of "The Arteries of Withered Earth", it has a fantastic mid-tempo atmospheric pace to it. A great way to ease the listener back into a smooth landing, almost like a storm dissipating before your eyes and ears.
Not only is this album a massive step in the right direction for Sinmara, but they have exceeded every expectation I had for this release. "Hvísl Stjarnanna" is serious "album-of-the-year"- material for any fan of dark and stormy metal. It truly is a whisper from the stars, and this mere mortal is grateful to have been struck by them. It is therefore only fair to grant them the highest praise available to me.
We give this album
Out of 6
Favorite tracks: Apparitions, The Arteries of Withered Earth, Crimson Stars
Tracklist:
1. Apparitions
2. Mephitic Haze
3. The Arteries of Withered Earth
4. Crimson Stars
5. Úr kaleik martraða
6. Hvísl stjarnanna
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sinmaraofficial/
Bandcamp: sinmara.bandcamp.com/
Kommentarer
Send en kommentar