SÓLSTAFIR are now releasing a new video for the track “Dagmál”, which has been taken from the band’s latest full-length ‘Ótta’. The enigmatic Icelandic rockers are also releasing news about their re-signing to Season of Mist and the recording of their forthcoming new album, which can be read below.
“Dagmál” is exclusively streaming with the official media partners listed below.
SÓLSTAFIR comment on the video: “The album cycle of ‘Ótta’ is coming to a close with a third and final video for the song, ‘Dagmál’. The live footage for this clip was shot over the course of 18 months of heavy touring. The video features our newest band member, Hallgrímur ‘Grimsi’ Hallgrímsson, who started filling in behind the kit in April 2015.
On further news, Season of Mist are proud to announce the re-signing of SÓLSTAFIR. The band states: “With our previous contract coming to an end, we have had plenty of great offers on the table for which we are grateful. Yet, why should we end a good thing? The entire team works brilliantly together and everyone involved decided that continuing is the logical step moving forward.”
Today also marks the start of the third week of SÓLSTAFIR recording their new album. Vocalist and guitarist Adalbjörn “Addi” Tryggvason comments on behalf of the band: “We are back here at Sundlaugin for the third time to record our seventh album. We feel right at home and after being locked up in songwriting mode for two months, it is a one of a kind feeling hearing the demos gaining life. We have fourteen songs recorded, including one cover version, but at the moment it’ is too early to tell what will end up on the album. The new album will definitely sound like SÓLSTAFIR and as always, there will be surprises too.”
The forthcoming full-length will be produced by Birgir Birgirsson (SIGUR RÓS, ALCEST) who also was responsible for ‘Ótta’. Working alongside Birgir, Jaime Gomez Arellano (GHOST, PARADISE LOST, ULVER) has come to Iceland, bringing his unique style and experience into the production as a new element.
Jaime Gomez Arellano adds: “I feel humbled to have the opportunity of working with SÓLSTAFIR. As a fan of the band for many years, I have been trying to work with them before and now it is finally happening. So far it has been a great, creative and positive experience. Working alongside Birgir in his beautiful Studio Sundlaugin has been very productive and fun. I am very excited about the new material.”
The new album is yet to be titled and will be mixed at Jaime’s Orgone Studios in the UK.
SÓLSTAFIR are different. Their unique blend of metal with beautiful melodies, psychedelic moments and a strong undercurrent of classic / hard rock comes as varied and at times appealingly bizarre as the landscapes of their native Iceland. None of this was apparent when SÓLSTAFIR released their album debut ‘Í Blóði og Anda’, which translates as “In Blood and Spirit” in 2002. Instead of today’s Icelandic gravel throated siren chants, frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason spit forth vitriolic crust-like vocals and the ripping guitars were clearly black metal inspired. Yet the band was as clearly identifiable back then as now and along their way with the next albums ‘Masterpiece of Bitterness’ (2005) and ‘Köld’ (2009) introducing new elements in a continuous evolution. SÓLSTAFIR‘s music is as much the product of Arctic blizzards as of red hot volcanic magma, erupting geysers, lush green pastures, and salty waves. With their latest full-length ‘Ótta’ (2014), the Icelanders went further along a path that they had started to explore with their previous output ‘Svartir Sandar’ (2011). Both records touch something ancient and timeless, while defying easy categorisation and were received with highest acclaim by critics and fans alike.
I began my writing career in the year of 2012 due to my love for the metal community, and have since moved onto a second role as the Tech-Wiz of PoM - taking good care of our website. My favourite music genres are Progressive Metal in all its different shapes and Melodic Death Metal.
Leave a Reply