Three years after their widely acclaimed debut, “Access All Worlds”, which put them on the progressive melodic death metal map, Denmark’s Iotunn is back with their new studio album, “Kinship”! Led by powerhouse vocalist Jón Aldará, with guitarists Jesper Gräs and Jens Nicolai Gräs, bassist Eskil Rask, and drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen, the band delivers a prog melodic death metal epic that’s as ambitious as it gets.
The album blends melodic death metal, prog metal, melodic black metal, and blackened folk to create a passionate and emotional soundscape. The songwriting is razor-sharp, packing intricate riffs and huge melodies that hit hard. The songwriting, primarily by Jón and the Gräs brothers, is razor-sharp, packing intricate riffs, soaring melodies, and powerful rhythms. Jón’s vocals are a standout, shifting from operatic cleans to fierce growls that hit hard. The guitars play complex melodies and heavy riffs. The rhythm section plays with great intensity. The production is dynamic, punchy, and heavy. Jacob Hansen mixed and mastered the album at Hansen Studios Denmark (Arch Enemy, Katatonia, The Black Dahlia Murder, Volbeat, Týr).
“Kinship” is a concept album that unfolds the story of a prehistoric tribesman navigating the dualities of existence — unity and disunity, light and dark, creation and destruction.
This certainly ain’t an easy-listening album. The longest song, which opens the album, is around 14 minutes, and the shortest is about five and a half minutes. So, we’re talking about an album that’s more than an hour long. Having said that, you need to play each song a few times to get into it, read the lyrics, and feel its raw and intricate nature.
You better pick your own favorites. Do keep in mind that “Iridescent Way” will send chills down your spine. I didn’t see that coming!
“Kinship” puts Iotunn among 2024’s prog metal elite. If you love Amorphis, Opeth, Primordial, Insomnium, or Borknagar, this is your jam. It’s epic, melodic, heavy, atmospheric, and totally gripping! This is a definite step up from their debut. “Kinship” will surely be among the best albums of 2024!
