Iotunn – Kinship

Written by on 17-11-2024 at 20:00.

‘’I’ve known you, so long. And never saw cause for alarm.’’

Opener Kinship Elegiac immediately starts off with the beautiful, clear vocals of Jón Aldará (also known from Hamferð and Barren Earth). The accompanying music is calm yet intriguing. From the first notes on you’re taken on a narrative journey through Iotunn‘s music, which plays on a sense of melancholy with cinematic grandeur. The song organically builds toward heavier passages, passing through progressive rock, bombastic doom, melodic death metal, and fragments of atmospheric black metal. Singer Aldará acts as the storyteller tying together all the chapters, transitioning seamlessly from soothing vocals to rasping screams and deep growls. It’s as if the band has three different singers. Along with the intensity, the urgency in the music rises. When the extreme vocals make their first appearance, it feels like a monumental release. This emotional weight continues to build toward the end, culminating in a final scream that brings the first track to a close.

‘’You left me. You left me!’’

With such a powerful opener, we might almost forget to give the band a proper introduction. Iotunn is derived from the Old Norse word for the mythological giants (Jötnar, Jöten, Jøtnar, Jøten; take your pick). No idea if this was intentional, but it could very well refer to the grand character with which this Danish/Faroese collective delivers its musical narrative to mortal men. The foundation lies in progressive metal with a strong base in melodic death. From there, as mentioned in the first paragraph, several other genres are added. Everything is presented, however, within an atmospheric framework. The songs develop organically and evolve progressively almost akin to living entities. True to form, the band takes its time to paint expansive landscapes and explore every ounce of ruggedness within. This perhaps best describes Kinship: a sonic journey through various musical styles and emotional states.

I mentioned vocalist Aldará already. Although he leaves a significant mark on Iotunn’s sound, the Gräs brothers are bringing even more emotion into the music. They contribute with wonderfully melodic string sounds and ever-evolving guitar lines. Their approach lends an overall warm atmosphere, as heard in the captivating Mistland and the dreamy I Feel The Night. Yet, they can also transport you to icy landscapes, such as on the solid Twilight. The leading man is in top form on this track, with a fantastic chorus that stands as a shining example. All the elements mentioned above come together in the breathtaking Earth To Sky. Driving blast beats, eerie atmosphere, and icy tremolos set the tone. This is the heaviest track on the album, but it also contains the most addictive guitar lines on Kinship. This is the album’s highlight in every respect.

In addition to what has been already discussed, Iotunn demonstrates the desire to go beyond any musical limits. In Iridescent Way, for instance, we find a stripped-down, acoustic piece. Delivered solely through clear vocals and a supportive guitar, it forms a resting point on the album, proving once again that subtlety holds a certain beauty. The closing track, The Anguished Ethereal, offers one last taste. Perhaps the album’s most progressive track, it has a dark edge and features intertwined vocal lines, reminiscent of Borknagar’s work. It’s an intriguing piece that, unfortunately, drifts off into unnecessary strumming towards the end. Perhaps a powerful outro would have been a better choice here.

But that slight misstep certainly doesn’t spoil the fun. After the fantastic Access All Worlds, Iotunn delivers yet another brilliant album. This is a treat for fans of strong melodic guitar work who like it on the heavier side. Although the music in general falls under the progressive label, Kinship is never too difficult to digest. It is, however, a musical journey through atmospheric landscapes, deserving of the attention needed to fully immerse yourself.

Score:

88/100

Label:

Metal Blade Records, 2024

Tracklisting:

  1. Kinship Elegiac
  2. Mistland
  3. Twilight
  4. I Feel The Night
  5. The Coming End
  6. Iridescent Way
  7. Earth To Sky
  8. The Anguished Ethereal

Line-up:

  • Jón Aldará – Vocals
  • Jesper Gräs – Guitars
  • Jens Nicolai Gräs – Guitars
  • Eskil Rask – Bass
  • Bjørn Wind Andersen – Drums

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