Live report: Sólstafir, Lyon, 30th of january 2015
Two weeks ago or so, Sólstafir went to play in Lyon. This cool band from Iceland got a notably growing notoriety in the five last years. With also five albums released since 2005, their carrier is going fast, due to a really complete « offer » : a really original sound, and a well-managed image in terms of looks, clips and concert.
Started in 1995, the project got really successful with their 4th album « Svartir Sandar », which was more orientated toward a more orchestral sound. The music has something powerful but at the same time, these guyz managed to put something really natural in it. The name of the band means something like Sundown Rays in icelandic, et reflect their contact with nature… They describe their own sound as “atmospheric rock”, and I think this qualification quite fit with the reality, but you can also feel some more heavy influences, as the band started out from black and death metal.
The set they delivered on Friday the 30th of January was really professional. The sound was perfect, the members really tried to breath life to a real atmosphere, and gave a lot on stage.
The leader, Addi, is really trying to catch up with the public (it's pushing me a little - not my cup of tea -, but yeah, people love that, and moreover, girls), shouting out to the public, jumping on the backing amplifiers, taking some poses for the photographs of the front (Yes, as you understood, I won't complain about that!), and even shake hands or kiss ladies in a row. What an energy ! It can be a bit surprising from someone who has gone through extreme metal, but it is less when you read an interview where he mentions how Mickael Jackson was an idol for him when he was a kid ! ;)
As their leader declared in the same interview, the true strength of Sólstafir is that they did not « join the pagan metal bandwagon ». Coming from extreme metal, singing into their nordic langages, and speaking of old traditions (did you read this news about the first official pagan temple in the word being built in Iceland?), the temptation must have been there… But we have to give them credit for not having made the choice to join a scene which is nowadays repetitive, artistically poor, overated somehow and which is beginning to turn out of fashion. Their music is far more original, and that's why it is working so well nowadays !
They are still on tour, and will be until April, where they will play at the famous Roadburn festival on the 10th of April. So, as usual, if they are playing near your place, don't hesitate to go and drop an ear !;)
Cheers to the cowboys from Iceland! ;)
