Based on Iceland, ÁRSTÍÐIR LÍFSINS is actually conformed by a pair of German musicians, that are presenting their sixth album. Formed back in 2008, they have been quite productive and as a matter of fact listening to this very long album, they already have mastered their ways of epic Black Metal with a big deal of pagan influences. Although their lyrics are done in the ancient Norse-Icelandic language, they are based on old Scandinavian poetry. Musically speaking I hear a lot of the “Hammerheart” school of epic Black Metal, with a strong influence of Eastern European Black Metal, let’s say near to that of MASTER’S HAMMER, but also with some epic Death Metal sounds here and there, and more classic Black Metal in the IMMORTAL or MARDUK style, but with a strong sense of the melody and to capture an atmospheric essence. Very long compositions, that the band is able to mix with some slower, more moody interludes and some spoken word passages, to then burst into a fast paced yet controlled Black Metal attack. The production values are also very high, with a very heavy guitar sound and the use of a variety of Black Metal vocal styles which makes this more interesting. I can sense that probably for some of the songs. The whole album itself is maybe too long, but again that is something of the rebellious nature of Metal music. Some of the more instrumental parts of the album almost sound like a suspense movie soundtrack, they have that beauty that you know it’s hindered by darkness descending without notice. I found out that this release is some sort of conceptual one dealing with historical events that happened a few centuries ago that ended in the creation of new spiritual beliefs on some men in the north, leading to the end. The title of the album can be loosely translated to “the end of things” or “death”. An intriguing way of seeing things for the band, while their name can be translated as “The seasons of life” but still aptly named as the last season of life is without doubt death. There are so many great things here that fans of extreme Metal cannot go wrong checking this band. A fantastic release and also their back catalogue is worthy of checking out. www.facebook.com/arstidirlifsins, www.facebook.com/vanrecords