Iotunn: Waves Over Copenhell

Danish progressive/melodic extreme metal band Iotunn released a live album Waves Over Copenhell in January of this year. It’s a highly impressive and enjoyable live release that captures a band in fine form, playing songs that are interesting, dark, emotive and powerful.

Iotunn have been around for about a decade, and in that time have released two full length albums. Whilst I’ve probably seen their logo on festival posters and may have briefly heard their studio work, I’m more familiar with the vocalist Jón Aldará’s work in acts like Barren Earth than I am of this band. However that’s all about to change, because this live release has really solidified Iotunn as a band that I need to dive into. It’s absolutely majestic stuff.

Interestingly, the press release for Waves over Copenhell includes quotes and endorsements from members of Borknagar, Enslaved and Arcturus. Without having read the promo content I would have said that this live album would be well received by fans of Borknagar, Enslaved, Katatonia & Dark Tranquility. Its melodic, progressive metal with purpose. The extreme metal elements are equally Black metal and Death Metal influenced. Jón Aldará’s vocals in particular are sublime (whether clean or extreme), and the guitar work laid down by Jens Nicolai Gräs & Jesper Gräs is impactful and memorable.

I typically find modern live albums to be after thoughts. Easy ways for bands to create content when they’ve been out on the road for a while, but this live album seems different. It’s an impactful and vital release from the band, despite only being 5 tracks in length. Impressively the album was mixed by drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen. Mastering was handled by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Epica, U.D.O.) at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark. Its sounds great, and captures the work brilliantly.

Every now and then I’ll get assigned an album to review which sends me down a rabbit hole, and Waves Over Copenhell is so good that I’m certain to spend a fair bit of my listening time over the coming weeks diving deep into Iotunn’s studio work. There are live videos on youtube from this show which I’d also recommend �" be sure to check this band and album out. Waves Over Copenhell is one of the best Live albums I’ve heard in a long time.

Track Listing
1. Iotunn - Waves Below (Live)
2. Iotunn - The Tower of Cosmic Nihility (Live)
3. Iotunn - Access All Worlds (Live)
4. Iotunn - Mistland (Live)
5. Iotunn - Voyage of the Garganey I (Live)

Added: March 9th 2026
Reviewer: Chris Reid
Score:
Related Link: Iotunn @ bandcamp
Hits: 92
Language: english

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