Istårn
We were recently contacted by Norwegian Black Metal band Istårn to see what we thought of their new EP Downfall Of The Gods. Currently consisting of three members (Kadaver - Vocals, Helltroll - Guitars, Canistrum - Drums), Istårn was founded in 2010 by Kadaver and former bassist Likstein, so I thought it was about time to check out what the music was like!
Opening with Fordømmelse, the tone is immediately set dark but with an edge of funkiness, there’s something seriously heavy going on here but you can move to it, the guitar line just makes you want to get up and get out there. The raspy vocals raise the track further over the bassy background and develop this into a track which is not only mind-blowingly heavy but also a track which is easy to access, one which will appeal to fans of black metal and normal metal all at the same time. Sticking to this well crafted recipe throughout, there’s a brief respite midway through when an acoustic line forms out of the distorted background, once again adding a further dimension to this track which moves it away from a simplistic tag and elevates it to a new level. Resuming the distorted journey once again, soon enough the track finishes on a high where it began, as an introduction to a band this is a damned fine track!
Fountain of Frozen Blood follows on, a track which opens softly and melodic, something which seems a bit of a contrast after the end of the previous track. Contrasting once again with the vocals, soon the growling vocals pave the way into the track beginning fully, pounding drums, hammering guitars, this is one to play live! Kicking into an offbeat section of pure aggression in musical form, this track follows on where the last left off and seems to pick up all the pieces which you found along the way, set them on fire then make you eat them, this is serious stuff. Retaining its sense of melody throughout, these guys seem to be able to craft tracks which are both heavy and melodic at the same time, it’s quite something to behold! I particularly liked the mid section where everything is faded out to the bass, this simple approach adds a further element as if to almost showcase what the band are up to. Istårn follows on and continues this theme of adding in surprises, opening sludgy but no where near as heavy as the last track left on, the track almost pulls you and encourages you to listen harder. Building and building, eventually you’re thrown into a pit of hammering guitar lines, pounding drums and gravelly vocals, the whole mix forming something which you can’t help but listen to and turn up ever louder. Once again the band have kept a real sense of melody within the music, not allowing the heaviness to overpower the rest of the band and allowing everything to form naturally, it’s pretty damned cool!
Finishing with Downfall Of The Gods, everything is closed off on a high note and you’re left wondering what the album is going to sound like if this is just the EP. On paper, if you were to see the details of this band then this track is how you would imagine they sound, only it’s more powerful than you expect. The rolling drums power up the layered guitar lines whilst the vocals are spat out at you, the bass continuing to keep everything deep and powerful throughout. The mix you end up with here is a track which is once again incredibly heavy, but also melodic throughout, something which very few bands ever manage to achieve. Once again adding in an acoustic line to make sure you’re there and paying attention, this is one hell of a way to close an EP and has left me looking forward to the album!
I’m never sure about bands who describe themselves as Black Metal as all too often what you end up with is just over the top, but these guys seem to have nailed the genre whilst still managing to make it their own. The music is heavy, powerful and distorted but at the same time, melodic at all times. The songs are well crafted and will make you want to hear more, I just hope we don’t have to wait too long for the album!
To find out more about Istårn, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Fordømmelse, the tone is immediately set dark but with an edge of funkiness, there’s something seriously heavy going on here but you can move to it, the guitar line just makes you want to get up and get out there. The raspy vocals raise the track further over the bassy background and develop this into a track which is not only mind-blowingly heavy but also a track which is easy to access, one which will appeal to fans of black metal and normal metal all at the same time. Sticking to this well crafted recipe throughout, there’s a brief respite midway through when an acoustic line forms out of the distorted background, once again adding a further dimension to this track which moves it away from a simplistic tag and elevates it to a new level. Resuming the distorted journey once again, soon enough the track finishes on a high where it began, as an introduction to a band this is a damned fine track!
Fountain of Frozen Blood follows on, a track which opens softly and melodic, something which seems a bit of a contrast after the end of the previous track. Contrasting once again with the vocals, soon the growling vocals pave the way into the track beginning fully, pounding drums, hammering guitars, this is one to play live! Kicking into an offbeat section of pure aggression in musical form, this track follows on where the last left off and seems to pick up all the pieces which you found along the way, set them on fire then make you eat them, this is serious stuff. Retaining its sense of melody throughout, these guys seem to be able to craft tracks which are both heavy and melodic at the same time, it’s quite something to behold! I particularly liked the mid section where everything is faded out to the bass, this simple approach adds a further element as if to almost showcase what the band are up to. Istårn follows on and continues this theme of adding in surprises, opening sludgy but no where near as heavy as the last track left on, the track almost pulls you and encourages you to listen harder. Building and building, eventually you’re thrown into a pit of hammering guitar lines, pounding drums and gravelly vocals, the whole mix forming something which you can’t help but listen to and turn up ever louder. Once again the band have kept a real sense of melody within the music, not allowing the heaviness to overpower the rest of the band and allowing everything to form naturally, it’s pretty damned cool!
Finishing with Downfall Of The Gods, everything is closed off on a high note and you’re left wondering what the album is going to sound like if this is just the EP. On paper, if you were to see the details of this band then this track is how you would imagine they sound, only it’s more powerful than you expect. The rolling drums power up the layered guitar lines whilst the vocals are spat out at you, the bass continuing to keep everything deep and powerful throughout. The mix you end up with here is a track which is once again incredibly heavy, but also melodic throughout, something which very few bands ever manage to achieve. Once again adding in an acoustic line to make sure you’re there and paying attention, this is one hell of a way to close an EP and has left me looking forward to the album!
I’m never sure about bands who describe themselves as Black Metal as all too often what you end up with is just over the top, but these guys seem to have nailed the genre whilst still managing to make it their own. The music is heavy, powerful and distorted but at the same time, melodic at all times. The songs are well crafted and will make you want to hear more, I just hope we don’t have to wait too long for the album!
To find out more about Istårn, check out their Facebook page HERE.