Seeing the near sneak attack of hype which has surround this record has been not only surprising but exhilarating to be apart of. Not only has Fallen empire, as a label, been reliable over these past years but Iceland has slowly crept up in terms of black metal export. Misþyrming would already be a welcome addition to others who like the same thing but the fact that Söngvar elds og óreiðu is getting the level of praise and attention it is, is nothing short of fantastic. What better way to celebrate 2015 with a record of eternal darkness?

If anything could be said about Misþyrming is the band’s ability to make black metal interesting. This is not to say that black metal is uninteresting or this band is the first to do it rather Söngvar elds og óreiðu is dynamic in its presentation without being bloated or overdone. From tempo changes, to abstracted guitar tones, to ghostly piano, to interesting interludes, to parts where throaty gasps populate the air, Misþyrming takes the spirit of underground black metal and experiments without sacrificing decency. Through all of the flair, like the ambient horror passages, the level of tension and terror never waivers. This is one of the best records of 2015 — now two months in.

Misþyrming provides a wonderful cornerstone and climax to the growing interest in Icelandic metal. With members from 〇, Carpe Noctem, and Naðra, Söngvar elds og óreiðu feels like a summary of a very short but loud chapter in Icelenad’s underground music scene. If Söngvar elds og óreiðu can do anything, it is ignite more of an interest in a far flung country with violent volcanos. I never thought one of the most hyped records of 2015 would be from here but I couldn’t imagine it any other way.