ÞAR ER HEIMUR HUGANS

What do you do when planning a trip to say a place thats a bit off the beaten track like iceland? look up where the nearest record shops are and what prog bands might be kicking around, then try and communicate with shop staff for some recommendations. The recommendation was eldberg. with two albums on vinyl, i plumped for the one with no info/reviews, a bit of an 'at risk' purchase you might say? Well... a risk that paid off!

The gatefold vinyl cover art is beautiful inside and out. Very otherworldly. Five stars for that!

The sound is big, and uses a great mix of old keyboards, hammond, rhodes etc, with guitar and even a touch of theramin, with a clean and modern production, but not too clean, a few timing glitches which in my opinion gives the music a very human and natural feel as opposed to over produced, technically perfect stuff that bands tend to work at with the modern tech available.

The vocals are crisp and clear and of course in icelandic, and the melodies perfectly suit the language. Ive no idea what its about, but the album title translates as - there is a world of the mind - so picture a dream like state.

The songs are original, simple, brooding, and some are quite dark and alien; on the whole much like Iceland itself. Slow stuff, fast stuff, loud and soft passages. Its all here.

For a country with a small population, this is a great band thats evolved and is well worth your time and your ears!

Comparisons with other bands? I dont tend to like to do that, but maybe if you like the first couple of albums by 'diagonal' you would like this. I wouldnt dare compare the two though.

Five stars from me. One of the best new prog bands ive heard. Looking forward to checking out the first album soon. I hope to see this band live in the future, please come to scotland!