Iceland metal and rock "heads up" extravaganza #1

There´s so much going on I cannot keep up. Honestly. Bunch of new as well as seasoned artists upping new songs all over the interweb and I find myself pressed to report on at least some of them.
So, what I'm gonna do is, touch on some bands from the more rockier side and then move into to the realm of extreme metal. Consider this part one of, what looks to become a two or three part coverage.

Starting with Cliff Clavin. This band has come a long way since their dull desert meets jock rock beginnings. They were always convincingly good and with the Queens Of The Stone Age worship parts thrown in for a good measure which garnered them somewhat a loyal bar-gig following, granted the patrons were drunk and undemanding. But they have since then become something much more interesting. The music has become much more tuneful, melodic sombre but still peppy enough to reel tons of new fans in. If you are into Engine Down, Interpol, Cave In and something... well something good, you will like this. Sound-wise it marks a new beginning of sorts. Their new single, "Midnight Gateways" is stellar and the video aint shabby either. The future looks bright for these guys. Highly listenable.

Same video - better quality: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1114758468920
Follow Cliff Clavin www.myspace.com/cliffclav

The ever so Halifax Collect approved Morðingjarnir have just e-released a new song from their upcoming full length Flóttinn mikli (The Great Escape) and this time they have teamed up with Katrína Mogensen, the lead vocalist of the increasingly impressive Mammút. The result is a unique and brain-gluing slab of post punk meets power pop brilliance. Great drumming too. In my mind this e-single is better than the first one from the same record. Cannot wait to see if Flóttinn mikli will top their last full length Áfram Ísland! , which was acclaimed by critics but still remains criminally underrated by the public.
Check out my coverage of their first e-single from the unreleased LP here.




If the Tunewidget isn't working, listen to "Manvísa" on their myspace http://www.myspace.com/mordingjarnir


Nevolution is a band that seems to be re-inventing itself these days and the opinions vary as their new stuff is somewhat controversial in these parts. They seem to be venturing into a area of more radio-friendly metal. Despite the cries of sell-out I want to stress that there's still some harshness in some of the riffs featured on their new e-single, "All I See". Indeed, this stuff is more catchy and will no doubt garner them more fans. So good luck to them. This song, though, is uneventful and boring. Not my thing at all but have a listen and make up your own mind: http://www.myspace.com/nevolution


At Dodge City, has been mentioned before in Halifax Collect. The five piece just e-came out. Again, a song that is a lot different than its predecessor. "Days Of Green" isn't a million miles away from later day Poison The Well and Every Time I Day at their most calmed down and hook-minded. Featuring confident and dynamic vocals as well as pretty rough sounding bass. No doubt bunch of people will get into this. This song as well as the other two (more harder sounding) will be featured on their up coming EP, Our City Has Fallen. Listen to "Days of Green" www.myspace.com/atdodgecity


The quirky, humorous, clever and sloppy Buxnaskjonar cannot seem to do anything wrong these days. A new band with super young members, tugged in North Coast's main town Akureyri, its a thing to marvel from afar. Really. Armed with rawness, youthful playfulness, lyrics that put older bands to shame and a fair share of nods to Iceland's Innvortis, Dillinger Four, The Ergs and some Fat Wreck (without the skateboarding), it's hard to dislike this bunch. Check out their two new practice recordings on their shitty facebook. Hit "Hetja Alheimsins" and "HEILL SÉ SATAN" for their most recent hits.