Review: Undirheimar - Utisetur I

Artist: Undirheimar

Album: Utisetur I

Label: Cyclic Law/Zazen Sounds

Release date: May 2026

One of the uncomfortable truths about the ritual dark ambient genre is that the level of innovation in it has dropped sharply since its inception. Whereas it was once the absolute bleeding edge of dark ambient (at least to those attuned enough to understand it), over the past two decades it has become somewhat stale and predictable, bar a few select exceptions. One of the reasons, perhaps, is that there is too much of a preconceived idea of what the subgenre is supposed to be, and musicians composing for the frame rather than defining it. Perhaps Undirheimar had similar musings when he decided to go back to the core tenets of the genre while composing his latest full-length album, namely the ability to enchant and transport the listener beyond the here and now. In doing this, he has decided to make the most stripped down, most essential instance of Undirheimar's aesthetic, with all instrumentation utterly cast aside and discarded. Thus was spawned Utisetur I, Undirheimar's sixth LP and the most bare-bones expression of his sound so far.

The album departs from a relatively simple premise - relying on Undirheimar's powerful guttural vocals to drive the music rather than any superfluous tools of sonic expression. That is a bold premise indeed, as it's not easy to fill the space of a 40-minute-plus album with a single tool at your disposal, however powerful it may be (and overtone singing, when executed well, certainly is). What sets Undirheimar's effort apart from similar ones is how good he is at commanding the tool in question, and bending and layering it according to his will to create an engaging, fluid experience from start to finish. It's not an album for everyday listening and it does require a certain headspace and attention to be fully appreciated, but once all the elements are aligned, it's incredibly, almost surprisingly gripping considering its point of departure. The tracks flow flawlessly (but not imperceptibly) one into another, as the careful layering and masterful execution of the vocals join forces to keep the listener engaged throughout the duration of the album. While the compositional approach is certain to draw comparisons to Phurpa, the two acts are only similar at face value, and whereas the former relies on live polyphony to achieve its desired effect, Undirheimar seems to prefer capturing the raw experience live and then doing the actual composing and layering in the studio. I personally find the latter approach the more powerful one, as it helps build and achieve a certain flow state that I'm not sure would be possible in a bare live setting (although I'd be happy to experience it live and be proven wrong). There's simply a certain nuance and light touch to Utisetur I that makes it more than just a journey from A to B, which is especially noticeable on the fifth track and its careful use of volume to underscore and manipulate the dynamics.

In sum, and with the usual caveats that this is not an album suitable either for all times or for all people, it's difficult not to be impressed by Undirheimar's latest. Utisetur I seems to have been born through sheer focus and force of will, while simultaneously sounding natural and almost effortless in its execution. It's a tremendous conduit for taking away the focus of your mind's eye from the banality of everyday existence, and will reward the patient listener with a rich, if unconventional sonic journey. As this is supposed to be only the first instalment of a trilogy, I'm extremely interested in where this journey will go in the future; in the meantime, there's plenty to enjoy and unpack here.

Rating: 9/10