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Misþyrming - Algleymi review




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Band: Misþyrming
Album: Algleymi
Release date: May 2019


01. Orgia
02. Með Svipur Á Lofti
03. Ísland, Steingelda Krummaskuð
04. Hælið
05. Og Er Haustið Líður Undir Lok
06. Allt Sem Eitt Sinn Blómstraði
07. Alsæla
08. Algleymi

At this point, we have had enough Icelandic black metal sophomore albums to see some sort of pattern.

Misþyrming are undeniably one of the biggest Icelandic black metal bands and the latest to arrive at its sophomore point. Before them we've had Carpe Noctem, Svartidauði and Sinmara among others, most of whose sophomore albums we've reviewed here, here and here. But Misþyrming were already late to the party, having made waves with their debut, Söngvar Elds Og Óreiðu, only in 2015. Thus they didn't really get to the "bands taking a lot of time to come out with a follow-up" tradition, since Algleymi even had to be re-recorded somewhere in 2017.

So what's the pattern I was boasting about? Generally a lot of the Icelandic black metal debuts were heavy on the Deathspell Omega-worship type of dissonant black metal, something which would mostly be shed away on the follow-up, which is something that happens on Algleymi as well. While some of the other aforementioned bands went more melodic on the follow-up, Misþyrming really amped up the melodic side, so much so, that it kind of feels like it was made by a different band. Is that a bad thing? Yes and no. Yes because I loved Söngvar Elds Og Óreiðu. No because Algleymi has riffs for days.

If Algleymi has anything going for it, is that it's a complete riff-fest. I may have oversold the album's melodic aspect in the previous paragraph, so for all intents and purposes, this is still a very vitriolic black metal album with plenty of leftover dissonance ("Allt Sem Eitt Sinn Blómstraði" feels closest to the older sound). But there's an obvious traditional metal influence felt in a lot of the songs, one that feels sometimes at odds with the vocal performance and the overall mood of the album, as if trying to be dark and menacing, but triumphant and ecstatic as well. But even with the subdued emphasis on ambiance and the slight disjointed feel that the album has, which really isn't helped by the production, the album just knows how to hit you with a riff that makes you forget all your gripes.

And with Algleymi a big chapter of the Icelandic black metal scene comes to a close. They got the world's attention with their debuts, maintained it with their sophomores. We have yet to see how the next tide will hit. For now we know that Algleymi has hit hard enough to leave an impression, as well as to further cement Misþyrming among their peers, despite their delay.






Written on 09.06.2019 by Doesn't matter that much to me if you agree with me, as long as you checked the album out.


Comments

Comments: 9   Visited by: 197 users
09.06.2019 - 01:40
Rating: 7
Neachy

This chapter doesn't come to a close until we get a sophomore from Wormlust. The collaboration doesn't count.
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09.06.2019 - 07:36
The Entity

Im obsessed with this album, so far the best black metal album this year IMO
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https://enigmaticalofficial.bandcamp.com/
Industrial / Cosmic Black Metal
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09.06.2019 - 10:14
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
Written by Neachy on 09.06.2019 at 01:40

This chapter doesn't come to a close until we get a sophomore from Wormlust. The collaboration doesn't count.

Pretty sure it'll come later this year
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Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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09.06.2019 - 11:06
Rating: 10
Dinruth

I totally agree with the review .. great album, although I'm a bit dissapointed that it is missing the Söngvar vibe
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09.06.2019 - 15:36
Rating: 7
Neachy

Written by RaduP on 09.06.2019 at 10:14

Written by Neachy on 09.06.2019 at 01:40

This chapter doesn't come to a close until we get a sophomore from Wormlust. The collaboration doesn't count.

Pretty sure it'll come later this year

I hope so. However, he made a post on his facebook the other day sharing some info about the collaboration and said that would be his "last transmission of the year". That said, great review as usual.
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10.06.2019 - 18:55
Malignar

Very good album. I like the production. Definitely some good riffs. Only negative would be that some songs felt a bit too melodic, almost forced melodic. Overall, a good entry into their disco, though.
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11.06.2019 - 16:43
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Good album and review. I do indeed enjoy this more than their debut, but not really by that big a margin. Carpe Noctem still get my vote for the best of all these sophomore albums from the Icelandic BM bands.
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I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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12.06.2019 - 01:12
nikarg

Written by Auntie Sahar on 11.06.2019 at 16:43

Carpe Noctem still get my vote for the best of all these sophomore albums from the Icelandic BM bands.

For me it's Misþyrming and Svartidauði as far as sophomore albums are concerned but tbh I think Andavald's debut just blew everything else from Iceland out of water.
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13.06.2019 - 03:33
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by nikarg on 12.06.2019 at 01:12

tbh I think Andavald's debut just blew everything else from Iceland out of water.

Ya got me there, that one is really good indeed
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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