From the unique Black Metal hotbed of Iceland comes HELFRÓ, promising a relentless and memorable experience on this, their debut album (and release). Set for release via Season Of Mist on April 24th.
Searing ambient guitars draw in a spectral display of gorgeously melancholy tinged tremolo chords. Without warning hammering drums, howling vocals snarls and destructive guitars blast into a ravaging tempest of sonic hellfire. This crushing extremity is a fine example of Icelandic brilliance when it comes to songwriting. While it may be slightly less dissonant than countrymen Sinmara or Andavald, there is still that experimental flare in the song structures and unique progressions which certainly have that unhinged, untamed approach.
Cascading forth a depraved darkness, the record continues in a frenzied ambience. Blending Black Metal of the highest order with almost technical Death Metal territories to conjure a more convulsive execution of the musical excellence akin to bands like Valkyrja. Glistening with a disturbing, twisted and magnificent flame, the total barbarity yet almost tranquil (in part) soundscapes certainly give a uniquely interesting contrast. If Belphegor and Misthyrming merged, this is how it would sound and that is a sentence I never expected to use. This is testament to the volatile and memorable nature of Helfró.
Rampant and obliterating, the heaviness of the record is here to stay with intertwined discordance and rupturing brutality used in perfect harmony. Ferocious and incredibly well played with a surprisingly intricate and high-end production value that allows the sonic concoctions of Helfró to decimate with their resonantly despairing aggression throughout. Clearly this band consists of incredibly experienced and talented musicians with the end result being a visceral and uncompromising listen that still has plenty of atmosphere amidst its jarring technicality and tribal, folksy sections (which certainly took me by surprise).
Helfró are not typical of Icelandic Black Metal like the bands mentioned earlier or say Svartidaudi to give perhaps the most recognisable name in the scene. Helfró do their own thing with dissonant, grooving Blackened Death Metal. Certainly something to give Icelandic Black Metal a touch of diversification while still keeping all of the key elements of this sound at heart. Definitely a release to sink into if you feel Blackened Death Metal needs more depth than the hordes of Behemoth clones. Helfró offer this and much, much more. -8/10
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