Sólstafir – Endless Twilight of Codependent Love

Sólstafir

‘Endless Twilight of Codependent Love’

Season of Mist Records

Post-Metal/Rock

FFO: Ulver, Agalloch, Alcest, Cult of Luna, Anathema

Whichever way you look at it Sólstafir are arguably Iceland’s premier heavy metal export. The band have consistently delivered top quality metal that has evolved from Norse black metal into an expansive post-metal sound that continues to appeal to fans worldwide. This year has Sólstafir returning with their seventh studio album ‘Endless Twilight of Codependent Love’.

                As an album, ‘Endless Twilight…’ is everything that any fan of Sólstafir will expect. There are no surprises here and this latest offering very much continues to explore that post-metal/rock vein from the bands previous album. Therefore, ‘Endless Twilight…’ delivers a top notch production that is bright and accessible, it welcomes new listeners whilst providing a comforting hug for those already well versed in the Sólstafir style. This sound allows for this slow burning album to smoulder away, with epic tracks such as the opening punch of ‘Akkeri’ and ‘Drýsill’ setting the scene for an album which ebbs and flows along like an Icelandic stream, culminating in the closing Úlfur. To really ‘get’ this album, it requires some serious listening; there is so much to take in here, we know what Sólstafir are capable of musically, hell, they’re all virtuoso musicians, but it is the way that the band arrange ‘Endless Twilight…’ which make it so good as the band tantalising play with soundscapes and powerful dynamics which provide the opportunity for limitless listening.

Ultimately, for Sólstafir, this is a relatively safe album, it doesn’t do anything that new or really exciting; but once again, ‘Endless Twilight…’ is demonstrating a band comfortable with where they are without becoming complacent. Therefore, do not be surprised if this album becomes earmarked as potentially one of the best post-metal releases of the year.

Adam McCann