Istapp (band’s moniker translates to ‘icicle’) is a Swedish band founded more than 20 years ago. The band is comprising of; Gjallar (vocals), Fjalar (drums), Tizheruk (guitar), Aurgelmir (lead guitar) and Skari (bass). Their fifth full-lenth album, entitled Sól Tér Sortna (The Sun Turns Dark) is the epic landmark of twenty years of ‘battle against the sun and its foul worshippers’. In other words, their sound can best be described as cold, pagan, folk and melodic black metal. I would say that both their moniker, and the title of the latest offering, are fitting for their style of playing.

All ten tracks from Sól Tér Sortna are almost equally strong, where this experienced quintet create some spellbinding, fascinating and haunting melodies, endless atmosheric soundscapes and frezing & haunting vocals that are varied, being both high-pitched screams, deep/guttural and haunting chants, or more melodic and doomish ones.

The production of Sól Tér Sortna sounds professional, most of the time being crisp, refined and modern in the mix. The result is a consistent and cohesive record where all of the musical instruments have a very powerful sound to them. All of the ten hymns on Sól Tér Sortna work really well, being consistent but rarely great. In other words; I wish they had taken a few more risks at some places… Still I have a couple of album highlights which I will share with you. The first one is the opening “Under Jökelisen” (watch the official lyric video below), mostly due to its folky touch (including some folkish rhythms and melodies) blended with a decent amount of typical black metal ilth. Then “Storm Av Is”, song that brings some bright melodies and displays the great interplay of aggression and melody – definitely one of the best features on Sól Tér Sortna. Ultimately, I would like to recommend the amazing album closer; “Vinterkrig”. It features a pretty piano lead, powerful rhythm, amazing atmosphere and some cold winds whistle and howl in the background.

The lyrics are written in Swedish and clearly covers the subjects of winter, glaciation, anti-sun, Norse mythology, history, darkness and similar pagan folk and black metal themes. Cover artwork is created by ‘Ivan Bragin Design’, and I think it’s very representative of the sound that can be heard on this almost 45 minutes long epic record.

Lastly, Sól Tér Sortna is the soundtrack of freezing victory and life as we know will end! My calendar indicates the month of June, but with the sounds from Sól Tér Sortna the winter is never-ending! Recommended for worshippers of the freezing pagan black metal with additional doom and folk metal influences, and bands as Vinterland, Sólstafir, Dissection, Immortal, Windir and similar Nordic black metal acts.

For further information on this Swedish quintet, and their whole discography, visit band’s bandcamp.