REVIEW: Vafurlogi - “Í vökulli áþján” 2024
Vafurlogi - “Í vökulli áþján” (2024) - NoEvDia / Oration Records || Review by Shiiver
After years in the oven, Iceland’s Vafulogi have finally unleashed their debut album “Í vökulli áþján” through the trusted record labels NoEvDia and Oration Records. Vafurlogi is the longtime singular vision of Svartidauði / Sinmara guitarist Þórir Garðarsson, though for this recording he has recruited a full band featuring members of Ophidian I, Nyrst, and Volacanova. As you may expect from an album written solely by the guitarist, each song revolves completely around the riffs, with all other instruments taking rightful supportive roles. Those already familiar with Þórir’s previous work may expect more of the same euphoric dissonance he is known for, but that's only half the story with this new record.
The album starts with some Ulver / Dissection-esque acoustic guitar melodies, which not only sets the mood for the album but also gives you a clue of the more traditional 90s black metal influences that this album holds. This album is the first recording to feature Þórir’s vocals, which are echoed and sonorous, much like those of Ares from Aeternus. One major difference that listeners will notice if they are familiar with Svartidauði and Sinmara, is that not only are the riffs generally less dissonant, but the son structures themself are much more basic. I don't find this to be a bad thing by any means though, as the melodies presented are also more digestible and akin to black metal from the 90s instead of the orthodox style of the 00s.
The first song to truly catch me off guard was the second song “Viðjar Holdsins”, which begins with what must be the most jovial sounding riff to ever spawn from Iceland (Power Paladin excluded). While at first this riff may seem strange, once its darker counterpoint comes in, the juxtaposition between the two colors is something quite special. It's also important to point out that this album isn't a full departure from Þórir’s well-known guitar style and signature melodies. I would personally say that about 50% of the riffs would be perfectly at home on a Svartidauði record and the other half are more in the 90s melodic black metal vein, with more than a few sonic mentions to old masters like Jon Nodtveidt. The recording of “Í vökulli áþján” was done at Studio Emissary with owner Stephen Lockhart, who has been the man behind almost every great black metal record from Iceland since 2010. While I generally love the production on this album, I will say that I wish the drums sounded a bit more earthy and full, as upon first listening, I thought they may have been programmed. This is by no means a deal breaker though, because as I previously stated, all sounds on this record work in support of the guitars. In that regard, I feel the production works great.
While I am personally a huge fan of the black metal coming from Iceland in the past 15 years, I can see how some folks who may be averse to the Deathspell Omega strain of dissonant melody could feel otherwise. I think that this record, along with Misþyrming “Með hamri”, could be a perfect gateway into that style. On this album, Vafulogi flex a muscle that few have the songwriting strength and musical creativity to flex. Add in the perfect musicianship and you are left with an album that gets better with every spin. From what I have read, there is already another Vafurlogi album in the works. These guys must not sleep. Head over to the NOEVDIA shop and pick up a CD or LP while they are still available.
Power: 18 / 20
Creativity: 18 / 20
Songwriting: 19 / 20
Execution: 20 / 20
Production: 15 / 20
Rating: 9 / 10
Read an interview with Vafurlogi here: https://www.noevdia.com/vafurlogi/
Buy Vafurlogi CD/LP/Shirt here": https://www.noevdia.com/artist/vafurlogi
