The infamous Icelandic low is defined as a large and persistent atmospheric low-pressure centre that forms between Iceland and Greenland and is often the cause of strong winter winds over the North Atlantic. Katla artistically translate this meteorological depression into dark doom-infused metal and deep musical emotion. An urgent sense of darkness and inner turmoil drives "Allt þetta helvÃtis myrkur" ("All this damn darkness"), the second full-length of the Icelandic duo. The soul crushing heaviness fueling this record makes Katla's melancholic debut album "Mó?urástin" appear nearly light-hearted by comparison. Some of this album's core composition reach back in time for more than a decade and were born out of spontaneous rehearsal room-sessions that were only now given final shape. The result is a cinematic musical stream of consciousness, in which many of the songs intertwine and flow into each other. Katla are the conceptual and musical brainchild of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Einar Thorberg Gu?mundsson (FORTÃÃ, POTENTIAM) and former SÓLSTAFIR-drummer and visual artist Gu?mundur Óli Pálmason. The duo deliberately took their name from one of the most active and feared Icelandic volcanoes to manifest that the external part of their inspiration relates to the islands ever-changing landscapes and subpolar climate. "The outer landscapes are as important to us as the inner darkness", tells Einar. "Katla is as much a product of our environment as derived from our state of mind." Katla take their art very personally even beyond musical aspects. Cover art, photography, and the handwritten booklet - everything about "Allt þetta helvÃtis myrkur" has either been created by the duo or by their relatives and close friends. "We like to keep things in the family", Gu?mundur points out. "Everything is homemade yet up to our high standards." This DIY-approach also applies to production as Einar was responsible for all recordings, mix, master, and cello-samples. The result proves the Icelanders right: "Allt þetta helvÃtis myrkur" is an emotional tour de force - cinematic, dark, heavily emotional, and utterly mesmerizing. "Allt þetta helvÃtis myrkur" is available as Digipak CD, 2CD artbook (hardcover, 48 pages, 28x28cm, with lush art photography by Gu?mundur Óli Pálmason and four bonus tracks), gatefold 2LP (180g, black and ltd. White vinyl) and complete box set (with hotfoil-embossed lid, incl. 2CD artbook, gatefold 2LP on exclusive black-white marble vinyl, bonus 12", four art prints and a patch; 300 copies available).
Release date:
November 13, 2020
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.
Recommended equipment and accessories
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Vinyl Styl Record Cleaning Care Kit
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Cork Turntable Mat
-
KAIU Vinyl Record Frame
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
worlds greatest dad Better Luck Next Time (Gold)
Sideonedummy Records
October 11, 2024 -
Andrea Bocelli Duets (30Th Anniversary)
Verve Label Group
October 25, 2024 -
castle Evil Remains
Napalm Records
October 4, 2024 -
Spencer Zahn Quiet in a World Full of Noise
Merge Records
October 4, 2024 -
Snorri Hallgrímsson Longer shadows, softer stones
Verve Label Group
October 4, 2024 -
Bike Routes Rush of Energy
Blue Grape Music
October 25, 2024 -
Brains Satana Tarantula
Cleopatra
October 11, 2024 -
Underworld Strawberry Hotel
Virgin Music International
October 25, 2024 -
Slint Tweez (35th Anniversary) [2xLP]
Touch & Go Records
October 25, 2024 -
Jakub Józef Orlinski #Letsbarock [2xLP]
Erato
October 18, 2024 -
Yesness See You at the Solipsist Convention
Joyful Noise Records
November 22, 2024 -
Porridge Radio Clouds in the Sky They Will Always Be There for Me
Secretly Canadian
October 18, 2024 -
The O'My's Trust the Stars
Hiyaself Recordings
November 8, 2024 -
Immanuel Wilkins Blues Blood [2xLP]
Blue Note
October 11, 2024