Danish/Faroese progressive metal voyagers IOTUNN capture their laser lit Copenhell 2023 performance on new live album Waves Over Copenhell, out now via Metal Blade Records, as they prepare to storm Europe with In Vain and Nephylim in 2026.
There are bands who sound powerful on record, and then there are bands who truly come alive once the sun drops and the lights come up. On Waves Over Copenhell, IOTUNN firmly establish themselves as the latter. Recorded at Copenhell 2023, this new live document captures the band exactly where they belong: commanding a massive festival stage, framed by towering sound, sweeping atmospheres, and lasers cutting sharp lines through the Copenhagen night sky.
This is IOTUNN in their natural environment. Majestic, unhurried, and emotionally charged, the performance turns a prime time festival slot into something closer to a cosmic rite. Every note feels intentional, every movement part of a broader journey, as the band translate their vast studio sound into a physical, immersive live experience.
At the heart of Waves Over Copenhell sits “Access All Worlds”, the colossal centrepiece that gave its name to the band’s acclaimed 2021 debut full length. What began as a studio title track has since evolved into a defining live statement, expanding and breathing in ways only possible on stage. Guitarist Jesper Gräs has spoken about how the song claimed its place as the album’s namesake the moment that soaring chorus melody emerged, describing it as a slow moving journey through the unknown. Here, in front of a sea of bodies and light, that journey fully reveals its scale.
Sonically, the album strikes a powerful balance between weight and clarity. Mixed by drummer Bjørn Wind Andersen and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark, Waves Over Copenhell leans into IOTUNN’s meticulous attention to atmosphere without sacrificing impact. Hansen himself has described the band as the best kept secret in the Danish metal scene, praising their no compromise songwriting and their ability to transport listeners far beyond the confines of the stage.
The setlist draws deeply from the band’s studio catalogue, with sprawling compositions such as “Waves Below”, “The Tower Of Cosmic Nihility”, “Access All Worlds”, “Mistland”, and “Voyage Of The Garganey I” reimagined beneath the open sky. It is material that demands space to unfold, and the festival setting only amplifies its sense of scale and drama.
That ambition has not gone unnoticed. Voices from across the progressive and extreme metal spectrum have championed IOTUNN’s vision. Øystein G. Brun of Borknagar has described their work as a breathtaking, life sized musical journey. Enslaved’s Ivar Bjørnson has highlighted their blend of progressive extremity and striking clean vocals, drawing parallels to his long standing admiration for Hamferð. Arcturus’ Knut M. Valle has praised the band’s professionalism and intensity, both in the studio and on stage. Waves Over Copenhell makes it easy to understand why.
The release arrives at a pivotal moment for the band. With Waves Over Copenhell now out digitally and on limited edition vinyl via Metal Blade Records, IOTUNN are setting the stage for a massive 2026. Their first European headlining run, the Kinship tour, will see them joined by In Vain and Nephylim across Greece, Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Denmark. Alongside the tour, the band are also locked in for key festival appearances throughout the year, including Copenhell, Helsinki Metalfest, Brutal Assault, Motocultor, Karmoygeddon, Be Prog! My Friend, and more.
As a live document, Waves Over Copenhell is more than a souvenir of a single night. It is a statement of intent. A snapshot of IOTUNN standing confidently in their power, and a clear signal that their next chapter will be bigger, bolder, and even more expansive. For fans of ambitious, cosmic minded metal, this is both a celebration of how far the band have come and a launch pad for what lies ahead.
Purchase The album, and merch at metalblade.com/iotunn.
Links
IOTUNN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iotunn
IOTUNN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iotunn
IOTUNN Bandcamp: https://iotunn.bandcamp.com
Metal Blade Records: https://www.metalblade.com
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