Andavald (Iceland): “Undir Skyggðarhaldi”

​Great debut album for Andavald from Iceland, a country with a population of just 364 thousand inhabitants and which continues to churn out excellent bands one after the other. Of the other fellow Icelandic bands, Andavald has the typical modern sound, but what makes them unique is their much more atmospheric approach. Undir Skyggðarhaldi is indeed a generally slow-paced album (there are fast tempos only at the beginning of the long eponymous track), full of melancholy, suffering, destruction, desolation, despair; it is not, however, the usual honeyed, melancholy, sentimental soup of many atmospheric and depressive bands. On the contrary, it is emotional and compelling, and you cannot help but be caught. Great work of the guitars that build a sound wall, sometimes using some dissonance, and at the same time weave a complex melodic structure. Decisive for the general atmosphere are also the harrowing and chthonic voices that increase the sense of estrangement and desolation. The bass is good too, especially in the aforementioned eponymous track. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to understand the lyrical themes if you don't know Icelandic; however, Undir Skyggðarhaldi is an immense album!
 
Notes:
Andavald means in old Icelandic being under the influence of malevolent spirits. Undir Skyggðarhaldi was released on June 6, 2019 through Mystiskaos.
 
Personnel:
Svein Alxander Sveinsson: Vocals (backing)
I.: Guitars, Drums
M.: Lead guitar
G.: Bass
Jón: Drums
A.F.: Vocals
 
Text by Herjann
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