NYRST
Völd
Elemental black metal from the volcanic wastes of Iceland
DARK ESSENCE
Written and recorded in the shadows of an active volcano, Völd is a soaring and chaotic tribute to Iceland’s elemental heart. Inspired by the country’s roaring streams of lava, cutting through its rocky tundra and windswept fields, the album translates to ‘Force, power or might’ –and aptly so. Völd is a grim, blackened symphony that blends Nyrst’s previous outings with strains of doom and even death on Hrímvíti and Eilíft Eldhaf. While the album captivates with its raw energy and atmospheric layers, invoking some truly exhilarating moments, it somewhat falters in its quest for innovation. Rich in homage to both its homeland and its musical influences, Völd unfortunately lacks the adventurousness to truly carve new paths in black metal, leaving it in the sonic slipstream of its predecessors.