One of the most promising new names to emerge from the Icelandic Black Metal underground is unleashing their pulverizing debut opus, showcasing  intricate riffing, shifting dynamics, and a dense atmosphere.

One of the most promising new names to emerge from the Icelandic Black Metal underground, Kópavogur-based horde Forsmán (pronounced “fors-mown”) is ready to attack armed with their debut offering, entitled Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi Fjörur, which translates from Icelandic as “burnt ruins & flowing shores,” following up on their 2021 debut EP Dönsum í logans ljóma. Produced by D.G., mastered by Viktor Árni Veigarsson, and showcasing another hypnotizing artwork by the great Paolo Girardi, the debut full-length by V. on bass and vocals, O. on the guitar and vocals, H. also on the guitar, and M. on drums brings forward the band’s trademark intricate riffing, shifting dynamics, and a dense atmosphere, therefore give their own Black Metal sound a demanding, fully formed character.

Drottinn fyrirgefur allt, or “the lord forgives all,” showcases dissonant and grim sounds from the very beginning, with O. and H. attacking us all with their scorching axes, flowing like an arrow in pitch black darkness before we face Svartir svanir, or “black swans,” with the pure Black Metal blast beats by M. giving the song an even heavier vibe, boosted by the visceral screams by V. and O. Andvana, or “death,” one of the first singles released, offers us all mere mortals an avalanche of blackened sounds led by the enfolding yet harsh guitars by O. and H., a no shenanigans, in-your-face explosion of Icelandic Melodic Black Metal spearheaded by the always thunderous beats and fills by M., and the band then delivers four minutes of chaos and fire entitled Valdníðsla, or “power abuse,” where the demonic roars by V. and O. will drag us down to their infernal lair for all eternity.

Kynjamyndir, or “gender images,” is a more introspective, devilish Blackened Death Metal aria by the quartet where their guitars exhale sulfur and hatred, reminding me of some of the more recent songs by the mighty Behemoth, whereas Lof mér líf þitt að taka, or “promise me your life to take,” follows a similar pattern as its predecessor, also sounding ruthless and vile from start to finish, with O. and H. once again consuming our souls with their obscure riffage. Hræ hins almáttuga, or “the corpse of the almighty,” is also blasphemous and sulfurous, showcasing hints of Progressive and even Dissonant Black Metal added to their core sonority; while lastly, get ready for a descent into the underworld to the sound of Barmafylltar fjöldagrafir, or “busty mass graves,” with their demonic vocal lines being effectively complemented by the thunderous drums by M. until all fades into oblivion.

Standing in the line of modern Icelandic Black Metal associated with Svartidauði, Sinmara, and Misþyrming, combining a dense atmosphere with focused, forward-driving songwriting, Forsmán already appear less like followers than a new voice within it with the release of the breathtaking Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi Fjörur, paving a very exciting path ahead of those young black metallers. If you want to join them in their quest for extreme music, you can find the boys on Facebook, stream their caustic creations on Spotify, and put your bloodsoaked hands on Brenndar Rústir & Fuðrandi Fjörur via BandCamp, via Metal Blade Records, or by clicking HERE. Iceland is a haunting masterpiece of contrast, a beautiful, primordial purgatory where the earth is violently born and slowly frozen to death, and there’s nothing better than the scathing Black Metal forged by Forsmán in their debut album to turn that violent nature into beautifully scorching sounds.

Best moments of the album: Andvana, Valdníðsla and Barmafylltar fjöldagrafir.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Metal Blade Records / Vesperian GmbH

Track listing
1. Drottinn fyrirgefur allt 5:20
2. Svartir svanir 6:53
3. Andvana 6:03
4. Valdníðsla 4:23
5. Kynjamyndir 3:31
6. Lof mér líf þitt að taka 3:53
7. Hræ hins almáttuga 6:44
8. Barmafylltar fjöldagrafir 7:34

Band members
V. – bass, vocals
O. – guitar, vocals
H. – guitar
M. – drums