Author: Bob Cluness - The Reykjavik Grapevine

Author: Bob Cluness

Faktorý – Friday

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Photo by Hvalreki Well what a difference a year makes. Grand Rokk, a place where hope and good music went…

NASA – Thursday

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Photo by Páll Hilmarsson I have seen the pitiless black heart of Icelandic rock music and now my life is…

The Band That Came In From The Köld…

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Ever since their debut EP ‘Til Vahallar’ was released in 1996, Sólstafir have been mainstays of the Icelandic metal community….

Amsterdam – Wednesday

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Photo by Hörður Sveinsson As I sit down to accept the gauntlet of tonight’s bands, I pause to consider the…

Haffi Haff: Freak

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Haffi Haff the man is probably a decent chap. However, Haffi Haff the stage character, with his overbearing, hypersexual “you…

Markús and the Diversion Sessions: Now I know

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Markús Bjarnason used to be a member of a most rockingly brilliant band called Skátur. However Skátur had to end…

Rúnar Magnússon: Options

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You’ve got to hand it to the guys at Hjlóðklettar records. The pack for Rúnar Magnusson’s latest release comes on…

Sorry Breiðholt, but I´d Rather be a 101 Douchbag Whore

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Right now I’m happy. I know it won’t last but right now I feel a good sense of calm surrounding…

Rökkuró: Í annan heim

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Mrs. Burton Technically, Rökkurró makes no mistakes with tuning, rhythm and production; however, “Í annan heim” fails on a larger…

GRRRRR!

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“Ok Bob now please don’t get angry with what I’m about to tell you…” One of the more fascinating things…

Various Artists: Dress Up

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‘Dress Up’ is a two-hour compilation from new boutique label Hljóðaklettar meant to commemorate the day of Iceland’s independence from…

Nóra: Er einhver að hlusta

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You start a band with your mates. Your band has umpteen members with instruments such as violin, harp and washboard….

Svarthöfði: Svarthöfði EP

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Didn’t know much about Svarthöfði (Icelandic for Darth Vader) but I took a punt on these guys through Gogoyoko. I…

Singing In The Rain

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It was presented as an extravaganza of “eclectic music, inspired by Iceland.” Then it was (very quietly) announced that some…

Daði: Self Portrait

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To my knowledge, the only notable thing to have come from Dalvík recently is Friðrik Ómar, a poisoned pop dwarf…

Civilisation?

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I just returned from a little jaunt to London. It was my birthday and my brother, in his infinite generosity,…

Me, the Slumbering Napoleon: The Bloody Core Of It

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A while ago I reviewed MTSN´s debut EP and gave it a cautious thumbs up for its scuzzy rock sound….

The Flaming Banshees: Satan is a Farmer

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A lot of the acoustic based releases making the rounds this year seem to be following the same tired 60s…

Processions

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It would be nigh on impossible to describe the complexities of Daníel Bjarnason’s debut album in 150 words, but suffice…

Who Knew: Bits And Pieces Of A Major Spectacle

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Ever since Jakobínarína disappeared, Iceland has been crying out for a rousing INDIE ROCK band to rally behind. OK it…

Rock Da Vote! (or maybe not…)

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I always make sure, against my better judgement, to take every opportunity to assimilate myself with Icelandic customs and culture….

Jón Tryggvi: Silkmjúk er syndin

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At school, most people would go mental over Indie or the latest dance music. However, there was always someone who…

BB & Blake

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BB & Blake comprises former GusGus-er Magnús Jónsson along with Vera Sölvadóttir. The band has been going for a while…

Smashing The System, One Release At A Time

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I would guess that when most people think of the word “collective” they usually think of Stalinist Russia, dirty smelly…

The Coma Cluster: Observation

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The Coma Cluster is a project consisting of Hallvarður Ásgeirsson (Stórsveit Nix Noltes), composer Siffvilnius, and musicians from Denmark and…