Full Length Review: Iotunn "Waves over Copenhell" (Metal Blade) by Dave Wolff

Band: Iotunn

Location: Copenhagen

Country: Denmark

Genre: Progressive metal

Full Length: Waves over Copenhell

Format: Digital, 180g black vinyl (limited to 333 copies) red black merged vinyl (limited to 333 copies)

Label: Metal Blade

Release date: January 9, 2026

Since 2016, Iotunn has only released one EP, one split, and two full lengths, and they're garnering accolades from Ivar Bjornson of Enslaved, Knut M. Valle of Arcturus, Øystein G. Brun of Borknagar, and Jacob Hansen who produced the work of Volbeat, Evergrey, and Asinhell. As they're respected for their achievements as experienced musicians and producers with an ear for what creates an impression, if they're extremely pleased with Iotunn's efforts thus far, there must be something to them.

With their debut EP "The Wizard Falls," they demonstrated an uncanny determination to redefine progressive metal, much like Fates Warning did during underground metal's formative years. They experimented with imaginative songwriting and time shifts, melodic vocals, and embellishments that showcased talent, occasionally adding a rawer sound to complement the music and voices. Even when honed and polished, their approach to progressive metal has evolved in ways that continue to surprise you.

The five-track live album "Waves over Copenhell" was recorded at the 2023 Copenhell Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, where they shared the stage with Iron Maiden, Metallica, Sick Of It All, Meshuggah, Testament, Halestorm, Slipknot, and many other well-known bands. It chronicles Iotunn's foray into the mainstream spotlight. Bringing the most magnificent and breathtaking music they could include on their set list, they took full advantage of the chance to present themselves to a huge number of metal enthusiasts.

Exploring human nature through mythology, Iotunn identify themselves by remaining connected to the nature and heritage of their native Norway, expressing what they found through epic compositions reaching from the earth's foundation to the highest reaches of the sky. Their blend of prog rock, power metal, and acoustic passages, their fusion of complex musicianship, rawness, and blast beats, frequently leaning toward black metal, appear almost alien in scope, particularly onstage at the Copenhell Festival.

With a massive, all consuming sound courtesy of drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen (mixing) and Jacob Hansen (mastering) who has worked with bands like U.D.O. and Epica, "Waves over Copenhell" shows Iotunn has evolved and developed long, hypnotic passages, dissonance and melody, marked contrasts between clean and brutal vocals and atmospheric keyboards, as well as operatic delivery of all this and their ability to deliver it in front of an audience. I’m sure they turned more than a few heads at that show.

Iotunn's "Waves over Copenhell" exhibits their evolving sound, incorporating hypnotic passages, dissonance and melody, contrasts between clean and brutal vocals, atmospheric keyboards, and operatic delivery in front of an audience, courtesy of drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen (mixing) and Jacob Hansen (mastering) who has worked with bands like U.D.O. and Epica. I'm sure they turned a lot of heads at that show. It just took one listen to convince me how far they've pushed themselves since their debut EP.

A spectacular light show reminiscent of seventies rock bands, with a keyboard intro giving that Blade Runner/Terminator vibe as a prelude to their memorable performance at that festival, which boasted such a wall of sound as a vehicle for their inventive musicianship, I imagine it was difficult not to be drawn into what Iotunn delivered that night. You feel transported to their performance and their explorations into the most open regions of their minds simply by listening to this album from your own home.

This year, Iotunn will be performing at Copenhell as well as numerous events, including Helsinki Metalfest, Brutal Assault, Motocultor Festival, and Be Prog! My Friend. Starting this March, they'll be touring Europe alongside In Vain and Nephylim, so if you happen to be in Europe and have the opportunity to see them live, I recommend it. The spectacle they put on, as well as the way they showcase their amazing work and inventiveness, is an experience that you may remember for a long time. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:

Jón Aldará: Vocals

Jens Nicolai Gräs: Guitar

Jesper Gräs: Guitar

Eskil Rask: Bass

Bjørn Wind Andersen: drums

Track list:

1. Waves Below

2. The Tower Of Cosmic Nihility

3. Access All Worlds

4. Mistland

5. Voyage Of The Garganey I