Auðn
8
Track Re-Released Album
Black
Plague Records
Reissued
15th December 2015
Written for Demented Magazine
Auðn – Iceland
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/audnofficial
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Auðn
Biography:
“Founded
in 2010, Auðn focuses on the
atmospheric and melodic elements of black metal!”
~~~~~~
Klerkaveldi – (Theocrasy) Not as
I had expected although the track does give off an air of blackness and
foreboding as you would expect. Nestling into its dark genre the Icelandic crew
offer a cold and aloof view of catchiness that bristles with jagged expression.
Undir Blodmana – (Under the Bloodmoon) The severity of this heavy laden track knows no bounds and
proves these Icelandic monsters know how to get a reaction. It homes in on
possessing a melodic eagerness that captivates wholeheartedly, while still
being menacing and harsh.
Sifreri – (Permafrost) This
track swaggers with ripe riffs and solid beats that possess a cold front – well
Iceland does tend to colour the imagination with a certain bleak attitude,
however it also holds intrigue by the bucket load too and it is swathed in
black ambiance adding to its rich textures.
Feigd – (Harbingers of Death) is a
stark look through the eyes of a black metal band. The cold tendrils of ice
never melt through-out this turbulent but antagonistic track. It edges and
broods on constant levels of demonic absurdity while snarling with virulence!
Landvaettur – (Spirit of the
Land) offering a heavier gait that protrudes from its ugly veins.
This track savagely attacks and smoulders while beating itself over the head
with a pitch fork! Stealing attention and running head on to embrace its own
animosity.
Pjaning heillar Pjodar – (Pjaning
charms Pjodar) this track is rather uplifting with a stark
reality of strings that weave a superb web of deceit. I say deceit because its
tendrils of choking blackness soon emits a force to be reckoned with. Savagely
bruising the brain with seething voice.
Auðn – (Desolation) the
title track broods with certain flair if that is the correct word its heavy
slither of creativity is astounding. It shows the villain in its true glory. It
isn’t all black and it definitely isn’t white, but remains in a grey void. It
is still black metal but without all the embellishment of a symphony behind it.
However, its magnitude of black metal intrigue is purposefully guided on an
addictive groove.
Sifreri Live - this
track allows the listener to hear the band live, no holds barred. The vocals
sound pretty impressive with their usual black intensity and gnarliness and
backed by a swaggering rhythm that holds plenty to get the teeth into.
Summary:
Well
what can I say that probably hasn’t already been said about Auðn? They are cold, aloof and
definitely black but allow themselves to sample the grey areas in between,
which makes them rather interesting.
They
have the Icelandic mother tongue behind them and sung in Icelandic too, but it
matters little as there is always Google Translate that will cast a light be it
dark or light over the proceedings and allow the listener to fully engage in
what the band are singing about and not all of it is thoroughly bleak but the
music can also say a lot about a band not just the lyrics.
Auðn know
how to be infectious and potent and then they open a door into another
dimension giving them a head start on other black metal bands. They draw you
into their web of intrigue and use it to their advantage.
Their
music can start edge and disordered but it will almost grab attention as the
track unfolds, it is alluring and persistently brings new and lingering
thoughts to the forefront!
I
can now see why this album is soon to be re-released – if you didn’t catch it
first time round then now is the time to sample a bit of atmospheric black!
9.5/10
Track List:
Klerkaveldi
Undir
Blodmana
Sifreri
Feigd
Landvaettur
Pjaning
heillar Pjodar
Audn
Sifreri
Live
Members:
Hjálmar
Gylfason – Bass
Sigurður
Kjartan Pálsson – Drums
Andri
Björn Birgisson – Guitar
Aðalsteinn
Magnússon – Guitar
Hjalti
Sveinsson - Vocals
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