KINSHIP

Discovering a new band is a little like being handed a key to an unmarked door. You open it, not knowing what lies beyond?anticipating either greatness or disappointment. Iotunn's Kinship is one of those rare moments where what you find is something so expansive and mesmerising, it feels like stepping into a whole new world. Having no prior experience with their debut Access All Worlds, I was unprepared for the sheer 'cosmic' weight this album would deliver. Spoiler alert: Kinship is an absolute beast. Iotunn operates in that rarefied space where melodic death metal, progressive grandeur, and heartfelt storytelling converge. Much like the bands they draw inspiration from, Kinship isn't content to simply pummel or shred?it wants to take you on a journey. And what a journey it is. The album's opening cuts hit you with layers of guitar harmonies and thunderous riffs that pull you into a vast, star-lit expanse. If the ambition of Kinship feels massive, that's because it is. This is music written with a huge aperture, designed to contemplate humanity's place in an incomprehensibly vast universe. The writing is a key selling point here, with every element meticulously crafted to serve the album's grand narrative. The guitars are particularly striking, oscillating between colossal, chugging riffs and sweeping, melodic crescendos that carry a sense of boundless wonder. The leads and solos are emotionally charged, reminding me at times of The Mantle-era Agalloch in their ability to inject melancholy into even the most metallic of moments. But make no mistake?this is melodic death metal through and through, with just enough aggression to keep it grounded in its heavier roots. One of Kinship's greatest strengths is its vocals, which alternate between fiery growls and soaring cleans. The clean vocals deserve special mention for their commanding presence, occasionally evoking the theatrical grandeur of Bruce Dickinson. This is a bold move in a genre that often relegates clean singing to a supporting role, and it pays off spectacularly. The vocal lines are not just a counterpoint to the aggression but an integral part of the storytelling. Paired with the deeply poetic lyrics, they create a tapestry that feels simultaneously intimate and otherworldly. At just under an hour, Kinship avoids the bloat that often plagues progressive-leaning metal albums. The pacing is sharp, with no song overstaying its welcome. The production deserves praise as well, achieving a balance between clarity and rawness that ensures no detail is lost, even during the album's most chaotic moments. If there's any criticism to be made, it's that Kinship wears its influences on its sleeve. You'll hear shades of Opeth, Insomnium, and Dark Tranquility throughout, though Iotunn does enough to make these comparisons feel like homage rather than mimicry. For a newcomer like me, Kinship is a revelation?an album that manages to be epic without pretension, heavy without sacrificing melody, and deeply personal while gazing into the infinite void. If you're in the market for a journey that will leave you both awestruck and introspective, don't sleep on this one. Iotunn has delivered a modern melodic death metal classic.