Iceland is home to many bands and musical acts and once boasted about having the “highest number of musicians” per capita. There are indeed so many great bands in Iceland, but none of them are as good as Solstafir. If you don’t believe me, after you listen to Endless Twilight of Codependent Love, you most definitely will.
If you are expecting a traditional song structure, you are going to be very surprised. Solstafir doesn’t really pay attention to the verse/chorus/verse structure that is often found in rock. Rather, as what many might call “post-rock,” these Icelanders don’t contain themselves to established norms. In fact, if you’re also looking for something “genre specific,” you might need to look elsewhere as well, but you probably shouldn’t abandon these guys so quickly because the reality of their experiences influences their sound just so profusely that you can’t help but stop and take notice. And definitely don’t mistake a lack of traditional structure for “noise,” as the musicianship on this record is impeccable.
The members of Solstafir have gone through a number of personal issues in their lives – alcoholism, sadness, depression, mental illness and the struggles of loved ones. These struggles are reflected in the music on Endless Twilight of Codependent Love. It is a record that evokes melancholy. The band is going to allow you to experience their pain and their sorrow through this recording, and for this reason, it’s not music that merely exists as noise or something in the background. You are forced to grapple with the realities of the artist and truly empathize. Even though the lyrics are (for the most part) in Icelandic, Addi’s vocal is so profound in the mix and constructed with such raw emotion, you can’t help but feel what he feels. “Her Fall From Grace” is a powerful track that examines these aforementioned realities.
Similarly, “Drysill” is an engaging, epic track that makes it nearly impossible not to emphathize with Addi and his mates.
In an age now where there are just too many death metal bands, nostalgia-inspired thrash bands and pseudo-black metal bands peppering the hard music landscape, Solstafir offers a welcome and much-needed alternative. True to their roots in the genres, this Icelandic foursome takes music to the next level, somewhere we really haven’t been before. And this holds true even in the context of their music. While Solstafir has been steadily producing music for many years now, they have released nothing like Endless Twilight of Codependent Love.
Without any doubt, one of the strongest releases of 2020, Solstafir gives us their strongest record to date. This isn’t a near-perfect record, it is a perfect record. Every single song, in order, without any filler whatsoever.
Endless Twilight of Codependent Love releases on November 6, 2020. It can be pre-ordered here. In fact, you might wish to consider the Deluxe Wooden box (limited to 500 pieces). It contains:
– Endless Twilight of Codependent Love on blue in crystal clear 12” double vinyl with gold splatters (33 rpm) in sturdy printed inner sleeves in deluxe triple gatefold with 24-page insert & poster.
– Black 10″ vinyl containing bonus tracks ‘Hrollkalda Þoka Einmanaleikans’ and ‘Hann fór Sjálfur’, cut at 45RPM for optimum fidelity.
– 925 silver pendant of the SOLSTAFIR snowflake made in cooperation with Stig Nielsen of Viking Kristall (retail value 80,00€).
– Sword-like letter opener.
– 200-page notebook with fake-leather cover.
All items are exclusive to this box.
The box and its content are European made.
Limited to 500 copies worldwide.
But there are a multitude of great packages available. Many of these WILL sell out, because this is, quite simply, one of the best records of 2020.
