We're no strangers to the glory of the Icelandic black scene, which has always aimed for production of music with ever-present ferocity, and continental significance. Most of the bands active during the previous decade dominated my playlists of favorites, some of which I still consider recordings or such magnitude that elevates the whole genre.
One could argue that one of the perpetrators of the movement was Svartidauði with their earliest demos in the mid 00s, then continued by numerous impressive bands, such as Sinmara and their 2014 debut, Aphotic Womb, as well as the more well-rounded continuation, Hvísl stjarnanna (2019).
Both bands have been totally silent for the last few years, but one of the masterminds behind them, Þórir Garðarsson, has moved on to new avenues of exploration with a project named Vafurlogi. In 2024, I naturally checked the debut, Í vökulli áþján, but I almost missed the musicians involved in it, and the realization struck me while listening to the music instead. Having missed the heavyweight black metal sound from Iceland, it was a revalation to listen to that record, and I was now way more aware of the situation once Norma Evangelium Diaboli surprise-announced the follow-up, Gneisti af eldi Guðs.
Alongside Garðarsson stands the drummer of Beneath (and later Ophidian I), Ragnar Sverrisson, the guitarist of Nyrst, and Samúel Ásgeirsson (Volcarona) on additional guitars / vocals, forming a massive line-up well-versed in the sacred melodies of the Northern fire. Familiar patterns emerge everywhere in the album, the characteristic touch of both Svartidauði, and more clearly Sinmara, is everywhere, yet Vafurlogi acts with its own malice.
Gneisti af eldi Guðs includes seven tracks and a total of almost 49 minutes of dynamic, compositionally intelligent black metal, which has spread its wings further than its predecessors. Melody and aggression are employed in equal measure, while overwhelming the tracks with either is avoided. The crystalline production enhances the album's depth and effectiveness, as the music is truly conveyed in a substantial, terrifying manner.
There's no lack of interesting shifts all throughout, and potent melodic passages are often rightfully put on the pedestal, essentially outlining how a striking Icelandic black metal album feels like. Gneisti af eldi Guðs opens with a sustained assault across "Af heilagri heift", "Þegar rykið sest", and the self-titled track, which all had me celebrating that the most dominant black metal sound in recent years is back. The guitar work continues on grinding out chromatic descents in "Að handan" and "Vitjun", where Vafurlogi reveal more of their textural range and nicely incorporate epic dual shouting / low-shrieking vocals at a couple of moments.
Longer pieces are featured towards the end of the album, first carrying a slight change in tempo during the malevolent clean guitar melodies of "Úr himinsölum", and secondly on the record's clear highlight, the 10-minute finisher "Earthy Vestiges". The only English-versed track on the album, it showcases the band at its widest form, takes its time to quiet down in mostly mid-paced rhythm. Especially notable is the piano section at the end of the piece, nocturnal and melancholic remidnign me of the haunting aura of another track, "Audhumla" by Den Saakaldte, even though way more cleanly pronounced here.
Ecclesiastical transgression with climactic intensity, a wealthy melodic ecosystem and a vivid call to spiritual rebellion, as Vafurlogi appear fully locked in with Gneisti af eldi Guðs. I've kept the Icelandic scene under close inspection during the '10s, and have missed a little bit of more activity after that, yet sparse remarkable releases every now and then make me think, the beast is there, but in hibernation. Maybe not anymore. A big win here.
Release: June 26th, 2026 | NoEvDia / Oration
Website: Facebook
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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