ALBUM REVIEW: Kinship – Iotunn
Danish/Faroese progressive metal band IOTUNN has evolved significantly since their 2016 debut EP, The Wizard Falls. Over the years, they’ve refined their sound, and their latest release, Kinship, sees the five-piece pushing their creative boundaries even further. Following the success of their 2021 debut full-length, Access All Worlds, and last year’s Mistland single, which hinted at a grand future, Kinship takes that promise and exceeds all expectations.
From the moment Kinship begins, it’s clear that vocalist Jon Aldara delivers a career-defining performance. His seamless transition from clean, chant-like vocals to piercing black metal screams is masterful. While IOTUNN have always been rooted in progressive metal with black metal influences, Kinship highlights Aldara’s melodic clarity more than ever before. The opening track, Kinship Elegiac, is a standout, with Aldara moving from almost spoken-word verses to soaring, anthemic chants, culminating in his signature powerful growls and screams. His range is astonishing and sets the tone for the album.
Musically, IOTUNN are at the top of their game, continually pushing the limits of their songwriting. Tracks like Mistland, which perfectly bridges the epic Kinship Elegiac and the emotionally expansive Twilight, showcase the band’s complex composition skills. Brothers Jesper and Jens Nicolai Gräs deliver stunning guitar work that effortlessly shifts between complex, dizzying riffs and soaring solos. Drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen and bassist Eskil Rask form a tight rhythm section that grounds these sprawling compositions, adding both heaviness and finesse.
A major highlight is the track I Feel The Night, a mid-tempo ballad that contrasts with the album’s earlier intensity. Emotional, heart-wrenching, yet uplifting, it gives the listener a moment to catch their breath while delivering a hopeful atmosphere. The first half of Kinship is emotionally intense, but it’s that emotional depth that makes the record so engaging. The songwriting never becomes repetitive or overwhelming, instead keeping listeners on their toes, hitting all the right emotional beats without losing its momentum.
The back half of the album keeps the dynamic variety going. The Coming End and Iridescent Way maintain the album’s pacing, with the latter being a beautiful acoustic piece that puts Aldara’s vocals front and centre. This quiet moment serves as a calm before the storm of Earth to Sky, which raises the intensity with its melodic black metal fury. The closing track, The Anguished Ethereal, is another epic that distils the very essence of IOTUNN’s sound—progressive, heavy, and atmospheric.
Despite its length of over an hour, Kinship never feels like it drags. While the second half may require more focus after the emotional rollercoaster of the first, it doesn’t lack in quality. In fact, it shows how far IOTUNN have come in terms of both musicianship and creativity. The album is a cohesive journey, yet full of surprises, featuring moments that will likely become fan favourites for years to come.
There’s very little to criticise about Kinship. The production is top-notch, balancing the intricate, progressive elements with heavy, galloping sections in a way that feels organic. The renewed energy and vigour with which IOTUNN approach this album make it an exhilarating listen from start to finish. Kinship is a monumental achievement that cements IOTUNN’s place as one of the most exciting bands in progressive metal today.
Rating: 9/10
Kinship is set for release on October 25th via Metal Blade Records.
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