Nattura - Magic Key. 1972 Iceland

Nattura were Iceland's representative of Europe's progressive rock slant on the psychedelic movement, especially those with female vocals. There's a strong focus on melody without compromising instrumental integrity. The compositions are well thought out, and it definitely belongs to the early 70s progressive rock scene. For some folks that means Magic Key is "commercial", though I would vigorously argue against that. Given that there are some male vocals, and Nattura are Scandinavian, perhaps Ruphus'  debut New Born Day is the band's closest cousin. From a composition standpoint, I hear quite a bit of Sandrose, but the female vocals are more pleasant. In this way, Goliath or Affinity come to mind. One of the oddest aspects of Magic Key is the heavy use of synthesizer, such an early date for the instrument to be a feature - and especially from a remote country such as Iceland. In this way, Nattura reminds me of those Idahoan outlaws known as Salem Mass. So yes, Magic Key is for deep divers, and if you recognize the above associative name game, then you'll want to get on your flippers. Essential in my world.

Ownership: LP: 1972 private. Single sleeve. I was first offered this album at a Dallas record show (sometime in the early 90s) from a Houston based dealer that I used to buy from frequently. I had no idea what it was, and I was in no financial position to drop ~$100 on a spec buy. Even if I knew what it was, I couldn't afford that. Later in the decade (while now living in Denver), I traded for it from a fellow collector in Austin. I have to think he bought it from the same dealer. There couldn't have been too many copies of this private Icelandic album roaming around Texas right? And since that time, I've taken it back and forth from Texas to Colorado. It's not going anywhere (from my collection that is). This was a charter entry for my CDRWL. That problem was solved last year by Japan's Belle Antique. Not sure I'll be getting it (presuming no extras), but if I didn't own the album already, I would certainly spring for it.

Trúbrot ‎- Undir Áhrifum. 1970 Iceland

Many years ago I had heard a couple of the Trubrot albums as well as the Odmenn release. None really impressed me that much. A recent bulk buy included this title, Trubrot's second, which I had yet to hear prior. It's much better than I expected. Starts off a bit slow, but by track 4 'Relax', the album improves considerably. 'Sunbath' might be my favorite of the album. All of Side 2 is excellent. The music is at the crossroads of the early progressive/psych sound, and the shorter songs are more psychedelic pop in nature. There is a bit of a Beatles' effect on Side 1 - that is there is no consistency - but Trubrot pull it off reasonably well. A surprise addition to my collection.

Ownership: CD: 2009 Shadoks. Excellent reissue with full liner notes, photos, and lyrics. No bonus tracks though.

Hinn Islenski Thursaflokkur - Pursabit. 1979 Iceland

Hinn íslenski þursaflokkur, anglicized to Hinn Islenski Thursaflokkur, and often times referred to simply as Thursaflokkur, were one of Iceland's most interesting progressive rock bands. On Pursabit (Þursabit), the music could be characterized as an Icelandic Gryphon, reaching back to an historical period of music, and bringing it forward to the 1970s. One will also hear the zany sounds of Samla Mammas Manna, the melodic tones of Focus, as well as some typical European jazz fusion. This one takes a bit to get going, as it dabbles more in folkloric realms at the beginning. The meat of the album starts on track 5 'Æri-Tobbi' and concludes on track 9 'Sjö Sinnum', before closing as it began. This album is a borderline 3.5/4.0 (Gnosis 10/11), but I'm boosting it primarily due to the unique content it displays. There really wasn't any other band like Hinn Islenski Thursaflokkur.

Personal collection
CD: 1992 Steinar

I was expecting this CD to be quite rare nowadays, but it turns out to have been reissued two more times on CD. I first thought the Discogs entry for the Steinar CD to be a mistake, since it was from 1998, but the scans clearly show it to be a later press (I need to add the original CD now!). In 2009 another Icelandic pressing showed up.

Eldberg - Par er Heimur Hugans. 2015 Iceland

Eldberg returns 4 years later from their debut with yet another stunning retro prog album, with excellent compositions and thick analog sounds, especially in the keyboard department. And.... they continue to bring forth epic tales sung in beautiful Icelandic. For those who insist on understanding the words, then Eldberg is not likely to be for you, unless you're fortunate enough to have spent a vast amount of time in Iceland itself. Personally, as someone who enjoys hearing music sung in the native tongue, I appreciate the vocals as yet another musical instrument, and the singing provided is well done here. In many ways, Eldberg is the second generation of the obscure Norwegian band Octopus ("Thaerie Wiighen"). Fine with me. It's not like the world is filled with albums such as this. After multiple listens, I'd say Eldberg has improved upon their already excellent debut. While they grade out about the same, the band is inching closer to world class status. I already look forward to a 3rd album from them!

Ownership: CD: 2015 Mylodon

5/2/15 (new entry)

Icecross - s/t. 1973 Iceland

I've owned this album in one form or another for 25 years, and it remains one of my all time favorite pure hard rock albums. For 1973, as others have said, this is frighteningly ahead of its time, predating the entire 80s metal movement by a full 7 years. While Side 1 plays it a bit safe with the tepid opening 'Wandering Around' and the excellent, but albeit softer, ballad 'A Sad Man's Story', Side 2 is a blitzkrieg of heavy riffs, powerful vocals, blistering leads, and absolutely insane drumming. When talking Scandinavian hard rock, about the only other album with these type of nimble fingered acid leads is Elonkorjuu, though within a slightly different musical context. This is essential listening for fans of creative hard rock who enjoy hearing the history of the style.

CD: 2013 Rockadrome
LP: 1973 private

I first stumbled onto an original of this album in 1988 for cheap, not knowing quite what it was, but I just knew it had to be worth something. It was, in fact, probably the first major rarity I tried to trade away (it was a little outside my interest area back then). Even at that time, it was going for $300, which was an enormous sum in those days. In the process of working a deal, I received a lot of bad advice. And as it turns out, that's because these guys were greedy bastards and wanted the album for themselves! I had one great offer in particular from a gentleman in Spain that I turned down because of this. I still regret it and I didn't get near what I wanted from the album in the end. Well, you have to learn this game somehow. I put that copy on cassette, and many years later picked up a boot CD which can now be kicked out the door... because.... We now finally have legit reissues of this classic, on both LP and CD. I went for the CD, and it comes with fantastic liner notes, photos, and a great sound. There were no bonus tracks to offer. Rockadrome continues to be the leader of quality reissues in the hard rock realm.

Eldberg. 2011 Iceland

Iceland had a small, but productive early 1970s underground rock scene, propelled by a few interesting bands such as Svanfridur, Odmenn, Trubrot, Manar, and Nattura (apologies to diacritic purists). Eldberg is a modern band dedicated to returning the glory of that genre. I seriously doubt, if blindfolded, anyone could place this band as from 2011. Defiantly singing in their native Icelandic, coupled along with an arsenal of old analog keyboards - predominantly Hammond organ - Eldberg successfully restores this once great scene to the modern era. Musically closer to other Scandinavian acts such as Alrune Rod (Denmark), November (Sweden), and Host (Norway), the progressive rock nature of Eldberg is held back somewhat by an overly lyrical stance (perhaps recalling the poppier Trubrot or Odmenn), that can be a bit of a drag in parts - especially towards the end of the disc. No need to fret though, as this keeps them only from Gnosis 12 (RYM 4.5+) territory, rather than something truly mediocre. If they let loose instrumentally, we're talking the next big thing in retro progressive rock circles.

Ownership: CD: 2011 Mylodon (Chile)

1/23/13 (new entry)