Metal Guitarist REACTS To Sólstafir - Fjara (First Listen!) [World Tour Day 15: Iceland]

[Iceland] Guitarist and songwriter Matt Farkas watches the music video for Sólstafir's song Fjara for the first time. This is some of the most compelling cinematography I've seen in a music video...
Over the course of the next few months I'll be (virtually) visiting 40 countries from around the world to listen to 40 metal bands I've never heard before. Give me suggestions for bands from your country in the comments!
Music video: • Sólstafir - Fjara (Off...
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[@natethornnstuff1783]

They're old stuff is black metal. I love what they've evolved into. They're so great at building atmosphere in all their music. Its so beautifully written.

[@vermillion.clouds]

My dad is from Iceland, he translated and wrote it on a piece of paper this entire song for me before he passed away. Love you dad!!

[@Equilibrium2903]

Saw them live in Germany a few times. Absolutely great. Been following them since their post-black metal times with great songs like "Bitch in Black" :D Great video, always nice to see smaller bands.

[@shopniljahan]

Such a relaxing song!

[@GamingPiper]

they used to be a black metal band (early demos are very comparable to early burzum and darkthrone stuff) but they very quickly evolved their sound to what they themselves call "psychadelic metal" which is what you heard...

[@InsaneW_Ghrankenstein]

I didn't expect to see a reaction by anyone to Solstafir - sorry I"m a little late to this one. I"ve been listening to them for ages (since their album Kold) and I"ve heard them evolve from post-black to their own brand of post-metal. They've toured the states several times and I"ve been fortunate enough to see them live. Their shows are impeccable and their music videos are all visually spectacular, often brutal in how they face their bleak subjects. For heavier stuff, I'd check out "Blafjoll," from their more recent album _Berdreyminn_. For something older and closer to post-black, check out "Pale Rider," (from Kold) which is also in English. "Pale Rider" was the song that that helped me "get" Solstafir. They have a certain fascination with American old west imagery and country music but we get to hear it from their perspective. They have made me a fan of the e-bow. This is a very rewarding band to hear and follow - thank you for the reaction!

[@MattFarkas]

Happy to react to somewhat smaller bands! I actually used to have an e-bow until a friend broke it. Need to grab another one: I love the unique texture it can add to songs!

[@magnusolovsson3581]

Pretty darn awesome song! The vid was a bit confusing to me, might have to re-check it to clear some out lol Yet again, another positive surprise country-wise!

[@MattFarkas]

Definitely confusing, but still amazing!

[@jcesargaal]

Amo solstafir 😍😍😍

[@diavalmontenegro4759]

Excelente track de la banda. Saludos desde Chile!

[@MattFarkas]

Saludos!

[@markfrancis6886]

Beautiful song and stunning video. Iceland is otherworldly

[@MattFarkas]

It really is. Looking forward to going back there one day!

[@sarapfotzer2032]

The German Metal Hammer Magazine once said: Solstafir are able to express the atmosphere and beauty of the Iceland‘s nature with music. And I agree with that. So unique, so special, strong and so beautiful it hurts... Solstafir means sunbeam and when I remember right, this song was about one of the Icelandic nature ghosts. But I am not sure.

[@MattFarkas]

I definitely feel that too! 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Sara!

[@sarapfotzer2032]

@@MattFarkas you are welcome

[@motomoto3655]

Hi. This Song and specaly this Video was a Art to Visualyze the Way of Life from Birth to Death. I have seen this Video more then 30 Times and by every looking i get a new Detail and reflecting to my Life.

[@MattFarkas]

It's gorgeous. Thank you for the insight!

[@Skraeling1000]

Thanks! At first I thought it was about someone who was too attached to a friend or relative who had passed away, but the journey from life to death makes more sense!

[@antoniomaraspin]

This is metal too: it is called post-metal, a portmanteau of metal and post rock

[@steveclarke4542]

She's dragging a casket of nothing. The weight of the casket. Once she is shown it contains nothing, it goes away. Past pains and regrets. Ghosts that haunt, if one lets them.

[@sambadijs]

Solstafir are amazing. I've never known the lyrics, but the northern metal is just awesome. Hail Odin.

[@richardrozas88]

Al final se muere o qué?

[@thesudosudo]

I think metaphorically he does, "If I win it's still the death of me"

[@SomeUnsoberIdiot]

Icelander here. I couldn't make a word of what they were singing. But I can confirm we like despair. But our national motto is "þetta reddast" or "things will work out", so we're not fans of giving up.

[@MattFarkas]

Thanks for the comment, Risakisa! I don't have a good reply, other than to say I think your country is beautiful, amazing, and full of lovely people - based on my (admittedly very short) time there. I'm hoping I'll be able to come back and visit for a longer amount of time in the next few years!

[@prisregil]

Should have gone for Skálmöld,,, but not a bad choice tho