Black Metal and Iceland always seems to be a good match. There seems to be enough black metal fanatics on this island up to no good. Thinking of bands such as Svartidauði and Misþyrming you rather get louring and nasty, chaotic and experimental bands from the land of ice and fire.
Hailing from Hveragerði, a small village in the south of Reykjavík, AUÐN follows a more filigree and significantly more atmospheric path. Songs from the band’s sophomore Farvegir Fyrndar are melodic, melancholic, emotional, and create an almost cinematic atmosphere. AUÐN don’t give a shit about Post-/Avantgarde-/Hipster-/War-and-whatever-hokum. Instead, biting cold guitar lines, harsh shouting and dynamic songwriting reign the scenery. So, watch out! Even if AUÐN focus on melody and atmosphere, Farvegir Fyrndar is a harsh and gruff matter. Blastbeats follow on dreamy melodies, with the nasty voice of… erm… singer Hjalti Sveinsson on top.
Admittedly, AUÐN don’t re-invent the wheel of atmospheric Black Metal, but sound fresh and very straight. The sound on Farvegir Fyrndar is rough and natural yet clear - a pleasant matter in nowadays fights between computer sounds and desperate underground rumbling.
AUÐN reminds a bit of British bands such as Wodensthrone and Fen, or Norwegian bands such as Satyricon to The Shadowthrone times.
Great record! Perfectly made for biting cold but sunny winter days.