The idea to approach medieval Icelandic literature in a musically and lyrically sophisticated way gave birth to Árstíðir lífsins (“the seasons of life”) which was founded by Stefán in 2008.
Due to his earlier experiences, Black Metal was chosen as the musical form, although traditional Folk as well as Ambient were to be incorporated right from the beginning. Though Metal and Folk are the most dominant musical influences in the music of Árstíðir lífsins, several other forms also add their qualities to the final result. Music and lyrics are tightly interwoven and change continously, closely following the story told.
That is why harsh, uncompromising Black Metal parts fade into folkloristic choir passages, Ambient elements mix with sound samples of Nature and piano and effects add their characteristics, creating a 70 min entity taking the listener to a harsh part of Iceland's history full of intrigues and blows of fate. Great care was taken not to include any of nowadays Viking (Metal) clichés in Árstíðir lífsins' lyrics. Instead, the lyrical content was based on careful research and scientific literature. Hence, on 'Vápna lækjar eldr' life in the days of Iceland’s settlement is presented with all its social and ecological difficulties and not in the misty-eyed way of the Romantic and Victorian Age.