Style: Black metal, dissonant black metal, melodic black metal, dark ambient
Primary Emotions: Rage, confusion, anger, searching
Thoughts: This album is a combination of the best that Iceland has to offer. Their robust black metal scene is one of the most unique on the planet and has produced several albums in the last ten years I would consider as staples of the genre. Sol An Varma is a collection of those artists that came together to release a massive album. A celebration of their island nation and the distinctive black metal tradition that has been founded there.
The album is everything that I could have wanted from a project like this. It's dissonant when it needs to be, brutal when needed, epic, and even melodic. No matter what the band decides to do they never lower the intensity, this is an engaging album for it's entire 70 minute length.
Throughout the different movements the band weaves in an impressive variety of sounds. The first side of the record showcases two dissonant tracks that are very much in line with bands like Null or early Mistyrming. On the second side the band delves into dark ambience only to be broken up by epic and sweeping melodies akin to the more grandiose moments of Arstidir Lifsins.
The band continues to weave in different aspects over the different songs, always knowing when to switch things up - no one thing ever overstays its welcome. Masterful songcraft.
Sol An Varma is a contender for album of the year. The combination of the Icelandic riffing with dissonance, melody, ambience and intensity that exclusive that tiny island is difficult to ignore. While its too early to declare that title yet, this is a highly impressive album.
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