Sólstafir

Sólstafir is a Reykjavík-based Icelandic group formed in 1995. The name means “crepuscular rays” in Icelandic. The band’s early line-up centres on Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, Halldór Einarsson and Guðmundur Óli Pálmason, who form the group at the start of 1995.

Early releases

Later in 1995, Sólstafir record their first demo, Í Norðri, and then a second demo, Til Valhallar. That second recording is not initially issued as a full demo, though four of its six songs appear as an EP on View Beyond Records, with a reissue in 2002 that includes all six tracks. Halldór Einarsson leaves before the band records its debut album, and in 1997 and 1998 Sólstafir release two promotional recordings as a two-piece. For the debut full-length, the group brings in Svavar Austmann as Einarsson’s replacement.

Albums and label history

The band begins recording Í Blóði og Anda in 1999, but the album does not appear until 2002 after repeated delays. During this period, Sólstafir also start performing live in Iceland and add Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson as a second guitarist. In 2002 they release the Black Death EP, drawn from a new three-song demo made as a four-piece. The follow-up album, Masterpiece of Bitterness, arrives in 2005 through Spinefarm’s Spikefarm label after the band circulate limited promo recordings to labels and play their first show outside Iceland in Denmark.

In December 2007, Sólstafir travel to Göteborg, Sweden to record Köld, which is released in 2009. The band then issues Svartir Sandar on Season of Mist in 2011. That album reaches the charts in Iceland and Finland, with the track “Fjara” entering the singles chart in Iceland and reaching number one there.

Style and reception

Sólstafir are described as post-black metal, and their music is also associated with atmospheric sludge metal, black metal, metal, post-metal, post-rock and progressive metal. Critics frequently find the band difficult to place in a single genre. Their work receives strong reviews, and Svartir Sandar is named album of the year by several publications, including Finland’s Inferno, Germany’s Metal.de and Iceland’s Morgunblaðið, while also being named the best heavy album of the year by Soundi. The band also earns a reputation for live performances.

Touring and festivals

Sólstafir play major European festivals including Roskilde Festival, Wacken Open Air, Summer-Breeze Open Air, Party San Open Air and Hole in the Sky Festival. They also complete full European tours in 2009 and 2010, along with shorter runs.

Line-up change

In early 2015, Guðmundur Óli Pálmason does not join the band for the second part of a European tour, and later states that he has been forced out of the group after disputes with former bandmates.

Members

The band’s members include Svavar Austmann, Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson, Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson, Halldór Einarsson, Aðalbjörn Tryggvason and Guðmundur Óli Pálmason.