Review by Nekrist on January 4, 2026.

While browsing my YouTube feed to see what new releases would catch my eye, I stumbled upon a recently uploaded video from Debemur Morti Productions' official channel that immediately grabbed my attention. It was a new single from a band called Martröð, but was it the same band that impressed me so very much back in 2019 after listening to their EP, Transmutation Of Wounds? Or was it a different band, also called Martröð?

The first thing I did before listening to the single was head over to Metal Archives to see if that amazing band had finally released new material, and to my great delight, they had. Martröð had returned after so many years of waiting for a full-length album from that enigmatic Icelandic group with an impressive lineup, almost like a kind of modern, dissonant black metal "supergroup." Featuring such prominent and highly respected musicians as Wrest (of Leviathan fame), MkM (Aosoth), D.G (Misþyrming), and H.V. Lyngdal (Wormlust), among others.

It was an absolute pleasure to listen to those two songs from their debut EP, so after confirming it was the same band, I quickly went back to listen to the single titled 'Sköpunin' (Creation), and it blew me away. I listened to the song about seven times in a row and couldn't believe how much they had matured musically. After listening to the single, I went back to Metallum to see if there had been any changes in the lineup or if, on the contrary, it had remained the same after so many years, and I found that the only official members who were left from the original lineup are H.V. Lyngdal and A.P. (from Skáphe, another spectacular band). Seeing such a caliber of musicians, I couldn't wait to hear the full album, but was it worth the long wait? We'll find out below.

On December 12, 2025, Martröð released their debut album, Draumsýnir Eldsins (Visions Of Fire), through Debemur Morti Productions. I eagerly awaited the chance to finally hear the entire record, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. The incredibly high level of technical skill, compositional quality, atmosphere, and sheer talent displayed in Draumsýnir Eldsins will not leave anyone who appreciates good, cutting-edge extreme metal indifferent.

The guitars weave frenetic, dissonant, and chaotic riffs that generate a sense of fear and unease that many bands never manage to create throughout their careers. Lyngdal's vocals are undoubtedly at their best; his spectral screams fit perfectly into the atmosphere of this enormous work, providing cohesion and a misanthropic feeling rarely heard these days amidst so many generic bands that come and go without making a mark. The drums left me speechless with an intricate level of complexity and high technique that many would envy. In the most chaotic and dreadful moments, the blast beats attack mercilessly, only to calm down at times in certain parts of the album, offering a brief breath of fresh air after so much fury.

I couldn't analyze the lyrics since they aren't published anywhere online (yet), and besides, my command of Icelandic is practically nonexistent. However, I'm sure they perfectly capture what the album conveys without needing to understand a single word.

I can confidently say that Draumsýnir Eldsins is my favorite album of 2025, without a doubt. This isn't just because of the hype I had since 2019 after listening to Transmutation Of Wounds, but also because of the clear evolution and compositional maturity I've witnessed. This isn't surprising, though, given the artistic level of these musicians, who, in my opinion, are among the elite of the underground scene. For all those who understand that music evolves and doesn't get stuck in the same tired sounds of the past, I encourage you to listen to this record as many times as necessary to expand your musical horizons to new heights. It's an absolute 10 and a record that will stay with me forever.

Rating: 10 out of 10