Review: Fyrnask – Íosir
Fyrnask’s “Íosir” is an attempt to infuse Icelandic black metal into a ritualistic black metal mindset. The German trio, operating as the singular vision of Fyrnd, has long been a name among those who prefer their black metal with a side of ritualistic dread, and “Íosir” will strengthens their reputation. From the outset, “Íosir” feels like a descent. The songs are often sprawling and labyrinthine, but don’t linger too much on a single riff, like many Icleandic bands do. Instead, there’s a variety of ideas woven into the songs. Fyrnask understand that true atmosphere is not just about sonic texture but about movement, about the push and pull between tension and release. Songs like “Krýndur af tóminu” and “Í Munnlausri Dýrð” demonstrate a solid pacing, allowing moments of eerie stillness to contrast with the relentless, cavernous riffing. The riffs themselves balance brutality with melody, often recalling the fury of Marduk or the grandeur of Behemoth, but always filtered through Fyrnask’s unique lens of ritualistic doom. The ambient passages, too, are not mere interludes but integral components, weaving a tapestry of dread that feels as vast as it does claustrophobic.
The production is a deliberate choice: a wall of sound so dense it’s almost tactile. The guitars blur into a tremolo haze, the drums feel like distant thunder, and the vocals are less about conveying words and more about conveying dread. It’s a mix that prioritizes immersion over clarity, and while it occasionally risks flattening the dynamics into a single, oppressive slab, it’s hard to argue with the results. This is black metal as an environment, not a collection of songs.
Yet, for all its strengths, “Íosir” is not without its flaws. The album’s length and density can be a double-edged sword. The first half is a juggernaut of blackened fury, but as the record progresses, the atmospheric passages begin to dominate, and the momentum is waning. It’s a minor gripe, but one that keeps the album from true perfection. That said, the moments where Fyrnask hit their stride are some of the most rewarding in modern black metal, making the album worth a listen for fans of Icelandic black metal as well as those preferring the old scandivian school.
