The hooded duo are returning with their follow-up. “Tálgröf” rips off plenty of HELFRO’s signature, furious tremolo riffs. But while their new album delves deeper into addiction and intrusive thought patterns, it also expands beyond the rigid world of black metal. They are still as cold and unforgiving as the winters in their home country, but the new album is prime to light a fire beneath Icelandic metal.”

“Jarteikn” is first. What strikes me out of the gate are two things: first, the overly treble tinged production, and second, the band’s grasp of higher concepts in terms of the way they compose the ever-shifting meter. “Fláráð Fræði” moves with both traditional Black Metal elements and more modern ones. For example, the vocals are varied, and the riff establishes a discernable sound. Instead of the wall we often hear. The drums are insanely fast as are often heard in the genre however. “Fangelsaður í Tilvist að Eilífu” has some light symphonic elements within the deep, cavernous madness and chaos. The combination works well, and they also use the “Devil’s Fifth” riff that Toni Iommi made famous on SABBATH’s debut.

“Guðlegt Réttlæti” has some low brass in the beginning, ands segues into a deeper and more aggressive sound. Some harrowing elements mix in as well, and Ragnar shows his musical prowess here with many instruments. “Sindur” has a combination of symphonic elements with traditional Black Metal. The result is a rousing sound that keeps the listener fully engaged in the music. “Traðkandi Blómin í Eigin Hjartagarði” has a contentious sound that sinks deeply into the earth…all the way to the black gates of Hell in fact. Ragnar also mixes in some different elements into the music which again shows his grasp of songwriting.

“Minning um Morðingja” closes the album, and the drums roll at lightning speed. It’s a very frightening closing song, in the realm of DIMMU BORGIR. With each breath and vocalization, Ragnar turns from an opposing figure to the Dark Lord himself. Overall, this was a very well put together slab of Black Metal that is steeped in the traditions of the genre, but also rings with a modern flair. I have mentioned the musicianship a few times, and it is strong. The production could be better, but this is an album for purists as well as those who like to experiment a little.