Release date: 05 June, 2020
Label: Self Released
Release type: Full-length
Best track: Sjálfseyðing
At first glance Illkynja’s debut is a solid example of Icelandic Black Metal. However, after a few listen throughs, you notice it slowly creeping up on you and stealthily going for the jugular. There’s nothing really ordinary in Sæti Sálarinnar.
A cold, dark atmosphere permeates the recording, bringing to mind the hostile winters of northern tundra landscapes. The howling vocals seem to suggest an antagonistic presence lurking somewhere just out of sight. The whole record is eerily psychedelic, tending towards the bad trip side of the spectrum. When the pace picks up, the obscure presence suddenly becomes manifest, instilling a paralyzing terror.
As if both summoning and documenting the manifestation of ancient, untold evil, Sæti Sálarinnar will have you sleeping with the light on for a while.