Enjoy this true epic blending folklore, sagas, magick, and folk tradition into a cohesive narrative, courtesy of this up-and-coming Sorcerous Icelandic Folk Metal horde.
A true epic blending Icelandic folklore, sagas, magick, and Folk Metal tradition into a cohesive narrative, Guðlaugar Saga is the debut offering by Reykjavík, Iceland-based horde Hrafnablót, whose name translates translates from Old Norse and Icelandic as “raven sacrifice” or “raven blood offering,” and who likes to label their music as “Sorcerous Icelandic Folk Metal.” Mixed by Helgi Durhuus, mastered by Lasse Lammert, and displaying an epic artwork by Julie Lochridge, the debut opus by Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir on vocals, Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson and Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir on the guitars, Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson on bass, Ólafur Daði Jónsson on keyboards, and Andri Pétur Dalmar on drums follows the story of Guðlaug, a modern woman hurled into the settlement age with nothing but her clothes and a taser, as she navigates battles, celebrations, kidnapping, fate, and the choice between returning home and reshaping history, while musically the album contrasts darkness and light, ugliness and beauty, past and present, weaving together Icelandic folk music, Nordic Folk Metal, NWOBHM, gothic influences, and Extreme Metal to create a sound that is sorcerous, folky, dramatic, melodic, and contrasting.
After the epic, atmospheric intro Spádómurinn (and sorry, Icelandic seems to be the most difficult language to translate in the world, which is why I’m not adding any tentative translations to the titles of the tracks), we face Dísablót, with the bass by Þórgnýr making the earth tremble while Ólafur brings peace to our hearts with his striking keys. And the band then blackens their core Folk Metal in Heljarhlíð, resulting in a gripping aria where Hugrún delivers sheer electricity through her vocals. Then following the acoustic interlude Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur, it’s time for Fögnuður, with the guitars by Steingrímur and Mara exhaling epicness in the name of classic Folk Metal.
The band then invites us to dance around the firepit to the sound of the frantic Nornarheimt, where Andri dictates the pace with his fast and furious beats and fills, also perfect for some vigorous headbanging, followed by Svartigaldur, alternating between the whimsical vocals by Hugrún and the deep guttural by Ólafur, while Steingrímur and Mara keep shredding their axes in the name of heavy music. Heimþrá feels like a Folk Metal version of the music played by Nightwish or Xandria, feeling very melodic and enfolding, with Ólafur’s keys stealing the spotlight; whereas after a serene piano intro a beautiful wall of sounds is formed in the background in Örlagavegur, offering Hugrún exactly what she needs to hypnotize us with her passionate vocals, resulting in a multi-layered Folk Metal feast presenting darker moments, delicate sounds, and crying guitar solos, therefore putting a climatic conclusion to the album.
“We want to give listeners a sonic journey inspired by Icelandic nature and folklore, harsh, fragile, intimate, and always beautiful,” commented the band about their newborn baby, and if you want to join those Icelandic warriors in their metallic journey recommended for fans of Ensiferum, Nightwish, Wintersun, Skálmöld, and Eluveitie, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their sorcerous music on any platform like Spotify, and of course, purchase the excellent Guðlaugar Saga from BandCamp. Will Guðlaugar decide to return home, or become a brave warrior and change history? Simply sit down, relax, and enjoy her adventure in time to the sound of the striking debut by such a promising new name from beautiful Iceland.
Best moments of the album: Heljarhlíð, Nornarheimt and Örlagavegur.
Worst moments of the album: Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur.
Released in 2026 Independent
Track listing
1. Spádómurinn 1:49
2. Dísablót 5:44
3. Heljarhlíð 6:22
4. Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur 1:22
5. Fögnuður 5:41
6. Nornarheimt 5:21
7. Svartigaldur 5:17
8. Heimþrá 4:59
9. Örlagavegur 11:23
Band members
Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir – vocals
Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson – guitar
Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir – guitar
Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson – bass
Ólafur Daði Jónsson – keyboards
Andri Pétur Dalmar – drums
