ALBUM REVIEW: Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir – Árstíðir lífsins
The Icelandic/German outfit ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS have stumbled upon something very special indeed with their sonic pallet. Blending with archaic, tribal neo-folk stylings of WARDUNA and HEILUNG with a viscerally aggressive brand of black metal, the trio have a unique quality to them. Last year, the Nords released a truly stunning display, Saga á tveim tungum I: Vápn ok viðr, and have wasted no time in following what was their magnum opus up with two releases so far in 2020. The first, coming in April, was a beautiful split release with fellow Icelandic black metallers CARPE NOTCEM entitled Aldrnari, while the second sees the trio unleash a sequel release to Saga á tveim tungum I: Vápn ok viðr: Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir. But does it match the incredibly high bar set by last year’s offering?
As the second part of a huge conceptual project, it’s impossible not to draw parallels between Vápn ok viðr and Eigi fjǫll né firðir. Where Vápn ok viðr hit hard right out the gate, delivering some of the best black metal work of ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS‘ career, Eigi fjǫll né firðir‘s opening duo of Ek býð þik velkominn and Bróðir, var þat þín hǫnd offer an ethereal, deeply sombre ease into the record. This is the only potential stumbling point of the record; taken in the context of listening to the two halves of Saga á tveim tungum back to back, this softer introduction works excellently. However, when listening to Eigi fjǫll né firðir as a stand alone album, that emotionally charged, atmospheric beginning ten minutes doesn’t pack much of a punch.
This introductory duo really sets the tone for Eigi fjǫll né firðir. The sombre opening bleeds into an eviscerating double whammy with Sem járnklær nætr dragask nærri and Gamalt ríki faðmar þá grænu ok svǫrtu hringi lífs ok aldrslita, both tracks offering up some of the most melancholic yet visceral black metal released so far this year, before mid-album interlude Um nætr reika skepnr brings a bit more atmosphere building into play. Making use of ritualistic chants and a fluid progression from atmospheric neo-folk to almost doomy, pounding black metal riffs, Heiftum skal mána kveðja nicely leads into the melodic black metal banger Er hin gullna stjarna skýjar slóðar rennr rauð. DISSECTION-esque riffs interplay beautifully with deep chants and barked vocals while an orchestral undertone runs throughout the entirety of the track – subtle, yet omnipresent. Er hin gullna stjarna skýjar slóðar rennr rauð also sees some of the most stunning guitar work of Eigi fjǫll né firðir, with stunning leads and melodies cutting through the brutality.
This leads in perfectly to the closing duo of the record. Clocking in at a massive 26 minutes, Um nóttu, mér dreymir þursa þjóðar sjǫt brennandi and Ek sá halr at Hóars veðri hǫsvan serk Hrísgrísnis bar bring the conceptual journey of Saga á tveim tungum to a magical close. Um nóttu, mér dreymir þursa þjóðar sjǫt brennandi is a deeply unsettling eight-and-a-half-minutes, the atmosphere creating a very real sense of dread and impending doom before leading into Ek sá halr at Hóars veðri hǫsvan serk Hrísgrísnis bar, the 17:40 closing track that may just be the best song ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS have ever put to tape. Melancholic, yet bombastic. Melodic, yet brutalising. Monolithic, yet atmospheric. Ek sá halr at Hóars veðri hǫsvan serk Hrísgrísnis bar is a truly enchanting offering that really defies words. ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS needed to have something very special to bring Saga á tveim tungum to a close, and they have surpassed all expectations here. An utterly apocalyptic, emotionally devastating example of black metal at its most imaginative.
ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS haven’t just recaptured the magic of Saga á tveim tungum I: Vápn ok viðr, they’ve surpassed it. Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir doesn’t carry the same opening bombardment as its predecessor but it works in the context of the record, and leads into the most incredible fusion of black metal and neo-folk to date. Eigi fjǫll né firðir works fantastically as a stand alone album, but its real strength comes when listened with Vápn ok viðr. Together, the two halves of Saga á tveim tungum make an emotionally draining and challenging listen, but the reward is one of the most immersive, spellbinding musical experiences of the 21st century. ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS once again prove themselves to be masters of their craft.
Rating: 10/10
Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir is out now via Ván Records.
Like ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS on Facebook.