From their record label’s website, “Kinship” is a massive album arising from the primeval sea. A mythological music journey of eight songs, which span across immense spheres musically and lyrically exploring the deep roots of human nature, its connection and disconnection with everything and everyone, and how our choices have always defined ourselves and the lives lived. Eight songs, which show IOTUNN expand their musical worlds to new territory without ever losing grip of the trueness of their core sound. It’s a hard and extensive creation.” The album has eight songs.

“Kinship Elegiac” is first. There is a long lead-in of clean, sad tones. You can feel the tension building slowly, until it explodes with emotion and then darker, more firm tones follow in the harsh vocals. The strong emotions return with a vengeance however, sounding like a sea of heavy waves that tosses the listener in many directions. “Mistland” is also packed with emotions, within firm but melodic structures as well as harsh vocals at times. I don’t remember their music being so emotional, but I am overwhelmed so far with the high levels on this new album. The lead guitar work is fantastic as well. “Twilight” has powerful, ominous tones from the harsh vocals and backing music. It is as thick as concrete, but maintains a melody line that is easy to get lost in, especially considering those wonderful vocal harmonies.

“I Feel the Night” has a strong, demonstrative statement that is as robust as it is compelling. If their music doesn’t hit you square in that sweet spot in your stomach, you may want to check and see if you still have a pulse. “The Coming End” is the crown jewel on the album in my opinion. The vocals are drawn out like an ancient torture, filling the listener with so much soul and spirit that it nearly overcomes them. Through it all, the band maintains a sense of strength in the song that is as hard as titanium. “Iridescent Way” begins with clean acoustical tones and a moment to reflect. It is so lovely that you forget the world around you and just soak it up like a warm blanket on a frigid day. I needed this song to make me remember how well a simple melody line can pierce the most hardened of hearts.

“Earth to Sky” goes fill bore with a twisted amount of punishing tones but it still retains a melodic edge, and that chorus is compelling. You can also hear some Classica tones within this song, as well as thick bass note which fill the air with blue and purple tones. The lengthy “The Anguished Ethereal” closes the album. It begins with a soft melody that turns harder and darker, and you feel like the world around you is coming to an end. At the same time, however, it energizes you. The song has a seemingly endless reach, riding far and wide into the wilderness. But through it all, the melodies plow forward like a freight train at top speed with nothing in its path. It is quite glorious.

This album strikes an intricate balance between aggression and melody, offering an experience that feels both forceful and refined. The band pours an immense amount of melody into their hardened structures, creating a dynamic soundscape that’s as brutal as it is beautiful. What’s remarkable about this album is its ability to remain cohesive despite its sprawling ambition. They push the boundaries of the genre with complex time signatures, layered compositions, and melodies that rise like ethereal waves above the crushing weight of the music. For fans of extreme metal looking for something that transcends the typical formula, this is an album not to be missed.