Helfró emerged from desolation. When his previous band Ophidian went into hiatus in 2015, drummer Ragnar Sverrisson started chiseling away at his own cruel vision of black metal, late into the brutal Icelandic night.

From that intense period of loneliness, Helfró carved their own way into the extreme metal landscape. Their self-titled debut was released right into the fires of the pandemic, but it’s chilling melodies and raw aggression slithered onto several year-end lists.

Now, the hooded duo are returning with their follow-up. ‘Tálgröf’ rips off plenty of Helfró’s signature, furious tremolo riffs. “Fláráð Fræði” shakes with the fury of a hailstorm. But while their new album delves deeper into addiction and intrusive thought patterns, it also expands beyond the rigid world of black metal. ‘Traðkandi Blómin í eigin Hjartagarði’ reveling in the glorious death metal shredding that Rangar grew up going to see with his uncle.

Helfró are still as cold and unforgiving as the winters in their home country. But ‘Tálgröf’ is prime to light a fire beneath Icelandic metal. Order it on yellow, black and red-marbled 12” vinyl.

RIYL: Krisiun, Zyklon, Dead Congregation, Immolation, Belphegor

Trackliste:

Jarteikn
Fláráð Fræði
Fangelsaður Í Tilvist Að Eilífu
Þögnin Ytra, Kyrrðin Innra
Guðlegt Réttlæti
Sindur
Ildi Óhreins Anda
Traðkandi Blómin Í Eigin Hjartagarði
Minning Um Morðingja