Saturday 23 March 2013

Sigur Rós - Brennisteinn


Sigur Rós are best known for their serene textures, achingly beautiful melodies and euphoric crescendos.  Brennisteinn (trans. Sulfur), the first track from the Icelandic band's upcoming album 'Kveikur', is therefore not what you might expect.  And that's no bad thing.

It does bear all the hallmarks of Sigur Rós:  evocative atmospherics, bowed guitars and Jónsi Birgisson's lofty falsetto.  Brennisteinn, however, begins with a musical explosion rather than a soft hush.  Industrial percussion bursts forth, electric guitars are tempered with violent distortion and bass synths yawn with volcanic intensity as if the very earth is imploding.  Birgisson's vocals, meanwhile, have a more urgent quality that drives the track onwards.

Together with the disturbing video filled with smoke, explosions and bodies ripped apart into sulphuric dust, Brennisteinn confirms an aggressive new direction for the band.

4/5

Listen: Brennisteinn will feature on upcoming album 'Kveikur' released on June 17th.