Originally formed back in 2013 as Skuggsjá, Nyrst joined the rapidly growing Icelandic black metal scene right around the time that it was starting to gain international exposure. It would take three years before the band would release a demo and another four before their debut full length Orsök saw the light of day, but this longer incubation period seemed to work in the band’s favor. Favoring lengthier songs and that familiar mix of methodical build-ups and huge, powerful climaxes that have become a hallmark of Icelandic bands, Nyrst showed potential but their debut had some lulls that kept it from true greatness. Three years later they’ve refined their approach with Völd, which tweaks the balance of abrasive and melodic riffs alongside some welcome twists and turns. It does take a few songs to really get going, but those that have found themselves drawn to this type of black metal over the past decade will find Nyrst leaves an impact.
The title track kicks things off in familiar fashion, letting pounding drums and cymbal crashes dominate the sound as the guitar and bass dance over top of them with a darker, desolate tone. It’s an effective opener, though one that reminds me maybe just a little too much of Svartidauði with the way the guitar layers build up and channel power through melody. There’s hardly anything bad about the title track or the following song “Sundra skal sálu”and there are some moments that will pull you in with their atmosphere, but they do feel a bit typical for Icelandic black metal in their construction. But things get kicked up a notch with “Hrímvíti”, which despite its shorter length relative to the rest of the album packs one of the best climaxes 2023 black metal had to offer. The song starts off big with blasting drums and a powerful lead that has some real weight behind it, and it continues in this fashion with some occasional dips into mid-tempo riffs for the first few minutes. At the two-and-a-half-minute mark a haunting melody kicks in that is so chilling and powerful that it immediately puts you under its spell, and this leads into a solo that also stands out. The remaining tracks don’t quite reach these heights, but from “Hrímvíti” forward it really becomes clear what Nyrst has to offer on this album and how they’ve progressed from their debut. “Drottnari nafnlausra guða” and “Af fjarri ströndum” opt to end things with slower burning riffs and an emphasis on atmosphere, and even as the former stretches out to almost eleven minutes the band is able to keep things interesting with plenty of twists and turns. Völd is one of those albums where repeat listens reveal additional layers to the pummeling instrumentation and more subdued moments, and as a result it may take some time to fully sink in. But the more time I’ve given it, the more the overall impact has increased, showcasing Nyrst has plenty of substance to offer listeners.
While the riffs have some stunning peaks at certain points, it’s the vocal work Snæbjörn that really helps to give Nyrst an advantage. His core sound is a very raspy and distorted scream/growl, but he also has a haunting singing pitch that seems to weave in and out of the recording with a ghastly presence. Early on you get a taste of this with powerful chants and singing, but the aforementioned “Hrímvíti” is just as strong on the vocal front. Right before the big climax Snæbjörn offers some chanting, but as the guitar melody kicks in he switches to singing that’s dark yet beautiful in tone. There are other instances of this throughout the remainder of Völd, and the variety to the vocal work goes a long way in helping individual songs stand out.
Nyrst hasn’t deviated significantly from the types of darker, dense melodies and powerful, violent climaxes their debut offered, but they’ve built upon the strongest aspects and come back even stronger. It does take a few songs to fully get going for me and that’s what keeps it just below the upper echelon of Icelandic black metal, but with each album the band edges ever closer to that level. I have found myself drawn back to it more the more I listen though, and there is plenty to like for those that enjoy the denser, twisting and turning style of black metal. Völd is available from Dark Essence Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg
