Artist: Finngálkn
Country: Iceland
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Digital Demo
Year: 2025
Just a few years before Icelandic Black Metal exploded into the international scene with Misþyrming, Sinmara and Svartidauði as most prominent exponents, the Icelandic Black Metal scene was largely unknown – if we keep Sólstafir aside. Still, some things were already developing into what would later blow out brains out. Amongst that was a band called Finngálkn, a rather short lived entity that had Bjarni Einarsson (later of Sinmara, Slidhr and live musician for Misþyrming and Rebirth Of Nefast) and Sturla Viðar (Svartidauði) in its ranks. The band released a 2006-released 4-track demo and their ‘Horns Against Heaven’ debut album in 2007, but with both of these recordings not really being particularly impressing and the immense success of some of the other bands the musicians were involved in, Finngálkn faded into obscurity.
But, apparently now the dust has settled and the hype has calmed down a bit, there was time available again for a band that some might already have forgotten about: Finngálkn. The story behind the return of the band is a little unclear, as some sources claim that the band returned only very recently in 2025, the band themselves announced the release of ‘Hroki & Fyrirlitning’ as their 2023-demo that they were able to present only now. But, regardless of the why, when and how… It is clear that several years of rest and experience in other bands has done nothing but good to Finngálkn.
Icelandic Black Metal, as a widely celebrated phenomenon, is generally typified by its sheer sophistication. We fell en masse for the trademark recipe of a good dose of contrarian riffs, intricate drum work and an overall haunting and oppressive atmosphere. In a way, Finngálkn has much of that embedded in its musical core as well, but other than its peers of the aforementioned Misþyrming, Sinmara and Svartidauði, these guys have a bit more of a classic Black Metal approach. Still very much rooted in the unorthodox sort of riffs and with Bjarni Einarsson behind the drum kit, you can once again fully revel in his antics, Finngálkn is significantly less technical and seemingly deliberately opts for a less suffocating production and atmosphere.
The almost Heavy Metal-based riffs and song structures allows the music to be more easily compared to the Rock-‘n’-Roll aesthetics of the early Darkthrone albums. That is also basically the only resemblance the band still shares with their previously released ‘Horns Against Heaven’-debut album. Yet, with the clear presence of a stronger sense of memorable song writing and even the use of some background keyboards, ‘Hroki & Fyrirlitning’ feels much more mature than both earlier recordings combined. Especially the last tracks, ‘Skepnan Lifir’ has some outstanding keyboards moments that harkens back to the heydays of Melodic Black Metal at the end of the 90’s and the early 00’s., yet without sounding remotely like one of them – Finngálkn just utilizes the keyboards as an extra dimension and depth to the already stunning compositions.
I personally admire the band for pursuing something that sounds significantly different from what the hype-bands are/were doing at their respectable peaks. It must have been a much easier way to gain some fame and recognition to go for the easy road. Instead Finngálkn chose its own direction and that is what makes ‘Hroki & Fyrirlitning’ a truly outstanding and memorable demo that combines the best of so many worlds.
