Halifax Collect: SÓLSTAFIR

Three years after their last album, Svartir Sandar, Icelandic post-metal band Sólstafir have released a new album entitled Ótta (streaming below). The album draws its name from an old Icelandic word for the time roughly between three 'till six AM, includes eight songs who are all named after a certain time of day according to this old Icelandic time keeping system.

Even though you can always recognize Sólstafir's music and many things can be said about it, "stagnation" is a word never applicable to the band. Continuing in a logical forward motion from Svartir Sandar, and Köld before that, Sólstafir continue to explore their sound, broaden it, experiment and import new elements. As before, the organ is never far away, and this time around banjo and strings can be heard as well, for example on the album's title track.

The album explores different atmospheres and leaves something for everyone. We have the hard and fast riffing, we have the beautiful and haunting melodies, the psychedelia feedbacking and everything else that makes a good Sólstafir album. The band members are in terrific harmony with each other and everything runs smoothly. As I think the band treats their native language well, it is of course a pleasure hearing Aðalbjörn Tryggavson singing in Icelandic.

Sólstafir still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve and prove that with their latest offering, Ótta. The album is beautifully written and surely not one to be missed. Sólstafir are not known for taking trampled path when it comes to writing and Ótta is no different. It's atmospheric, diverse and a great representation of the band's talents and what they are capable of. Do not miss it! [Season Of Mist]
- Kristján Fenrir

Ótta trackslist:
1. Lágnætti
2. Ótta
3. Rismál
4. Dagmál
5. Miðdegi
6. Nón
7. Miðaftann
8. Náttmál
You can stream Ótta, the album, in its entirety here.

Picture by Stebba Ósk (blog)

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

SÓLSTAFIR - Ótta

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