The fifth installment of our retrospective series highlights a perfect aural accompaniment for the winter season. Released in May 2023, ÓREIĐA's "The Eternal" is a profound collection of transcendental and richly atmospheric Icelandic Black Metal. For previous entries in our series, explore the works of ANARKHON, BACCHUS, AARA, and PESTIFER.

"The music here that ÓREIĐA creates not only is imaginative, but it can also be the soundtrack to your own exploration as you strive to gain a better hold of your place in the galaxy." (Meat Mead Metal)

ÓREIĐA's second album, "The Eternal," soundtracks a journey through a winter landscape, serving as a metaphor for the human condition with its myriad highs and lows - a neo-romantic voyage into the depths of melancholy and darkness. The album comprises five transcendent, trance-evoking Black Metal compositions that blend elevating harmonies, unconventional melodic elements, and segments reminiscent of being amidst a blinding snowstorm.

Discover "The Eternal" here and on our YouTube channel:

In an interview with German magazine Legacy, Thor discussed the source of his artistic inspiration:

"I come from a small town in north-eastern Iceland fairly isolated from everything. I would say the winters there and the isolation definitely have an influence on my music but more than anything I'd say the weather there had a big influence. It was very snow heavy and we had a lot of storms during the winter which left with me a sensation I am constantly trying to recreate with my music. I feel associated to an Icelandic metal, and general underground music, scene for sure. I play, and attend, shows fairly regularly and have for a long time. I am not a very social person so I wouldn´t say I socialise with a lot of the people involved outside of that but there are plenty of good people doing great things here in Iceland that I am always happy to be involved with."

Composer Thor shares his plans for the forthcoming year:

"I will continue, and hopefully finish, work on a new album in the next coming months so hopefully there will be some new music out in 2024. There will also be more shows, hopefully some outside of Iceland this time."

Here are Thor's top 10 albums of 2023:

01. GODFLESH "Purge"
One of the best bands of all time released an album on par with their best work 40 years into their career? Unbelievable!

02. DHG "Black Medium Current"
An exquisite album. Experimental Black Metal perfection. Otherworldly melodies and incredible vocal performances.

03. BLUT AUS NORD "Disharmonium – Nahab"
I have been a fan for 20 years. BLUT AUS NORD has yet to disappoint me. Nightmarish in all the best ways.

04. ALTARI "Kröflueldar"
A fantastic mixture of Black Metal and Gothic Rock from Iceland. A must listen.

05. DRÝSILDJÖFULL "Púkastuð/Verri en vondur"
Maniacal dungeon music. Is it Punk? Is it Black Metal? Either way, it's the best.

06. DADĐYFLIN "Þorparaljóð"
Best Hardcore Punk band around. Every release so far has been perfect and this one is no exception.

07. PHYSIQUE "Again"
D-beat executed perfectly. Fast, noisy, and aggressive as hell.

08. MILITARIE GUN "Life Under The Gun"
Post-Hardcore hit machine. The songwriting on here is top notch and the energy is just right. Good rock and roll music.

09. ÆGIR "Bridges II"
An album that's 10 hours long. You won't listen all the way through but no matter where you drop the metaphorical needle you'll hear something beautiful and interesting.

10. TAUBRĄ "Therizo"
DMP put out so many good albums this year but this was a highlight amongst highlights for me. It has the hyper precision of AARA (whom I love) but with a somewhat darker sense of melody.

"The Eternal" is available via our EU, US and Bandcamp shops.