Iceland is so much more than exceptionally picturesque landscapes, fascinating ancient history, good food and flight cancellations. It is also fucking horrible weather and an inhospitable land filled with ash, fire, ice and grime, and the putrid stench of sulfur. Those harsher qualities come to mind when listening to the chaotic yet enchanting black metal conjured by Misþyrming. Með hamri is their third album—and arguably their best. It's packed with relentless, razor-sharp riffs, maddened vocals, jagged but captivating melodies, and chaotic leads. The pacing shifts throughout: some songs slow things down to emphasize a desperate, crushing atmosphere, while others hammer away at your face with merciless speed. Together, these contrasts create a layered, electrifying record that brims with black energy. Even after listening on and off for three years, I still catch new details, which makes it a rewarding album to keep in rotation. Highly recommended.