Danish progressive doomers and multi heavy-metalists ALKYMIST enter the void between heaven and hell with the release of their new album ‘Sanctuary’ out May 1st 2020 on Indisciplinarian. Just one and a half year after their much acclaimed, self titled debut album, ALKYMIST sets out once more on a trip that takes you far beyond this world and into their strange and crushingly heavy realm of brutal, yet beautiful and grandiose soundscapes.
The first single from the forthcoming album is ‘Draugr’ came out digitally Friday March 13th, listen to the track HERE!
On ‘Sanctuary’, ALKYMIST offers the listener an immersive, spiritual and transcendent journey. The record revolves around metaphysical questioning, soul searching, mental and cerebral escape and ultimately the quest to achieve redemption of spirit and flesh – and thus also on ‘Draugr’. A ‘Draugr’ is a figure in norse mythology, a restless dead, who haunts the living in search for redemption. ALKYMIST states on the song’s thematics:
“On ‘Draugr’, ALKYMIST takes the listener into a setting where time stands still and conscience is lost. The soul cries out to get it back, but remorse has taken its place. Draugr is an old norse wraith who guards its treasure, or torment those who wronged them in life. Its lonely spirit will never rest and has a great yearning for deliverance.”
‘Sanctuary’ is released May 1st 2020 on vinyl, tape and digital formats. The vinyl edition comes in 400 black and 100 crystal clear copies and the tape edition is limited to 100 copies. Both physical versions of the album are now available for pre-ordering HERE and from tomorrow, the single ‘Draugr’ are available digitallyHERE.
‘Sanctuary’ Tracklisting:
1. Oethon
2. The Dead
3. S.O.Y.
4. Draugr
5. Gust Of War
6. Desolated Sky
7. Astral Haze
8. Warkeeper
Just over a month after the former members of the now-defunct DRAUGR announced that they had formed SELVANS, a musical project born to recreate, through music, lyrics and aesthetics, the mysticism and the folklore of the different ethnic groups that have dwelt in Italy throughout the ages, they are now able to announce that the band has inked a deal with Avantgarde Music for the release of SELVANS’ debut EP. Titled “Clangores Plenilunio”, set to hit the streets in February 2015.
The lineup on “Clangores Plenilunio” includes Selvans Haruspex (Ursus Arctos of DRAUGR) on vocals, keyboards and traditional instruments , Sethlans Fulguriator (Mors of DRAUGR) on guitar, and DRAUGR co-founders Stolas on bass and the late Jonny Morelli on drums. Morelli was able to record all the drums and most of the vocals before he was tragically killed in a motor bike accident in June of last year, and the EP, which marks Morelli’s last ever appearance, is being released in his honour, just as the band embarks on the new path that he was so excited about and so very much looking forward to travelling together with them.
Commenting on the title and the decision to sign with Avantgarde, Selvans Haruspex had this to say: “The Italian translation of the Latin expression “Clangores Plenilunio”, hides a meaning linked to the memory of Jonny which is very important to all of us, to what was, and what will be. As fans of many of the label’s releases, we can say that we wore out quite a few of them through repeated listenings, and therefore the fact that Avantgarde’s Roberto Mammarella was interested in working with SELVANS was a great honour for us. The spirit of Avantgarde is a perfect match for both our music and the concepts we are expressing through it, and knowing that Jonny would have been proud of such a collaboration is by far the greatest satisfaction for us”.
A year ago almost to the day, Pagan Black Metallers DRAUGR called it a day after an illustrious ten-year career that saw the band, whose music paid tribute to their Pagan ancestors, firmly at the top of the genre in Italy, and with a solid and ever-growing following world-wide. It is fitting, therefore, that some of DRAUGR’s original members have chosen this time to announce the launch of their new band – SELVANS. But it is a bitter-sweet moment because, in a lineup that includes Selvans Haruspex (Ursus Arctos of DRAUGR) on vocals, keyboards and traditional instruments , Sethlans Fulguriator (Mors of DRAUGR) on guitars, and DRAUGR co-founder Stolas on bass, one very important member is missing – drummer and DRAUGR co-founder Jonny Morelli, who was tragically killed in a motor bike accident in June of last year.
With a new website and Facebook page launched yesterday, SELVANS have today debuted a digital single edit of a track that is originally over 9 minutes in length and which will appear in its entirety on the EP that the band hopes to release in 2015. This EP marks the last ever appearance of Morelli, who recorded all of the drum tracks and most of the vocals before his death, and in whose honour the EP is being released. The track, “Lupercale”, is available direct from the band at this location and can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page here, or on YouTube below:
Selvans Haruspex made the following statement yesterday where he talked about the new band and the impact of Morelli’s death: “Exactly one year ago today, together with the band, I announced that DRAUGR had split after ten years of activity. Barely a few months after that, on the same day of the month, we tragically lost Jonny, who has always been not just a good friend, but also a real example to us all.
During the months before that cursed day Jonny, Sethlans F., Stolas and myself had been working together to bring about something that had been on my mind for two years: SELVANS, a musical project born to recreate the mysticism and the folklore of the different ethnic groups that have dwelt in Italy throughout the ages – a concept to be expressed through music, lyrics and aesthetics. And Jonny was to have been the drummer, lead singer and lyricist.
At the time of Jonny’s death in June, we were about to enter the studio and record our first EP. Jonny had already written and pre-recorded the drum parts and 90% of the vocals. Never in a million years did we imagine that that we would have to face such a painful situation.
In August, barely two months after that tragic event, we gathered enough courage to listen to Jonny’s work again and to talk about what to do with SELVANS. Like the rest of us, Jonny had always been enthusiastic about the project, and he was doing some great work before being so suddenly and unfairly taken from us. To put aside his work and give up would have been an insult to his dedication, so we decided to enter the studio and finish the EP in his memory, which we did with the aid of a few experts, who knew and appreciated Jonny, friends and family.
We decided that I would be the one to write and record the missing vocals. Even if I had never played this role before, the task fell to me because I have always been strongly involved in lyrical decisions and it was essential for SELVANS.
Today the time has come to let everyone who knew and appreciated Jonny listen to his final artistic contribution. Each element of this work has a special meaning to it, starting with the title, which will be revealed very soon together with other details. The EP will be out in 2015 and its songs will never be recorded again because this is going to be “Jonny’s EP” – a milestone to mark his passing and to remember him by, and with it, set off on this new path in his honour”.
An Italian version of the statement can be seen HERE.
The following statement has been issued by DRAUGR‘s management, Patricia Thomas, following the death of drummer JONNY MORELLI:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I have to make the kind of announcement that every band manager hopes they will never have to make.
Jonny Morelli, drummer and founder member of Italian Pagan Metallers DRAUGR, lost his life at age 30 following a road accident in his home town of Pescara last night.
Jonny was not just a very talented musician who, in addition to his work with DRAUGR, which ended after ten years with the dissolution of the band in 2013, had, over the years, worked as a drummer both in the studio and on stage for many Italian bands, both metal and non-metal. He was also a tattoo artist and writer.
Over the past year Jonny, along with three other former members of DRAUGR, was working on a new musical project, due to launch in 2014, that would see him take care of vocals and lyrics, as well as the drums. An official statement regarding the project will follow soon.
My personal condolences go to Jonny’s family, friends, and the musicians who have played with him over the years. And of course to all the fans who have followed his work as a musician, tattoo artist and writer.
In the same year that Pagan Black Metallers DRAUGR are celebrating their tenth anniversary, the Italian band, whose music has been a tribute to their Pagan ancestors and the history of the Abruzzo region of Italy, have decided to call it a day. In a statement issued both in Italian and English, the band explains its decision to disband – a decision which they are keen to emphasize, is entirely amicable:
“As friends, brothers and the ‘ legio linteata’ we announce our decision today to bring to an end the experience that is Draugr. Having arrived at the threshold of 2014, we decided to bring to a close this chapter in our lives that has been so important to us, in order that we may follow different artistic paths. We thank all those who have taken part in the project over the years, and especially the fans for their support. Our last show will take place on December 22 in Pescara and we will shortly be revealing more details about it”.
“Come amici, fratelli e ‘legio linteata’ annunciamo oggi la nostra decisione di chiudere l’esperienza con Draugr. Arrivati alle soglie del 2014, scegliamo di mettere fine a questo capitolo tanto significativo per noi, per seguire diversi percorsi artistici. Ringraziamo tutti coloro che negli anni hanno preso parte al progetto e, soprattutto, i fan per il loro supporto. Il nostro ultimo show, che avrà luogo il 22 dicembre a Pescara e di cui presto sveleremo ulteriori dettagli”.
DRAUGR’s debut album “Nocturnal Pagan Supremacy” was released on Christhunt Productions in 2006. Keyboards were added to the band in 2007, creating the much more epic feel which DRAUGR describes as “Italic Hordish Metal”. The sophomore album, “De Ferro Italico”, appeared on To React Records in 2011. Today’s line up includes Nemesis on Vocals, Triumphator and Mors on Guitars, Ursus Arctos on Keyboards, Stolas on Bass and Jonny on Drums.
DRAUGR’s final performance will take place at the Tipogragfia in Pescara, Italy, on the 22nd December.
More information about DRAUGR can be found on the band’s website at http://www.draugr.it
Two tracks from DRAUGR can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at
Patricia Thomas Management has issued that the Pagan Black Metallers DRAUGR, who this year are celebrating their Tenth Anniversary, have debuted their latest video on the internet via Blank TV. The video, which features the track “Legio Linteata” from the band’s second full-length album “De Ferro Italico” was directed by Gianmarco Colalongo and filmed amongst the ruins of the ancient Italic town of Alba Fucens at the foot of Monte Velino in the Abruzzo region of Italy, where the band is based. The video can be seen below:
Since their formation in 2002, DRAUGR’s music has been rooted in an interest in the rich local history, where the last few brave Pagan warriors could be found fighting to uphold the archaic traditions of the Italic Cults against the ever encroaching teachings of Christianity, which, supported by Rome and Emperor Theodosius’ decree, instigated the persecution of all Pagan cults in 392 AD. According to DRAUGR’s keyboard player Ursus Arctos: “Legio Linteata” is a celebration of our ancestors who gave up their lives to try and defend their beliefs and traditions. It was a struggle they knew would end in an inevitable defeat, which makes their fight all the more poignant and their courage all the more amazing. It is pride in their courage and their sacrifice that lives on in our hearts and in our music”.
DRAUGR’s debut album “Nocturnal Pagan Supremacy” was released on Christhunt Productions in 2006. Keyboards were added to the band in 2007, creating the much more epic feel which DRAUGR describes as “Italic Hordish Metal”. The sophomore album “De Ferro Italico”, which was Recorded and mixed by Davide Rosati at the ACME Recording Studio in Italy, and mastered by Mika Jussila at the Finnvox Studios in Finland, appeared on To React Records in 2011. Today’s line up includes Nemesis on Vocals, Triumphator and Mors on Guitars, Ursus Arctos on Keyboards, Stolas on Bass and Jonny on Drums. A new album is currently in the making. More information about DRAUGR can be found on the band’s website at http://www.draugr.it
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Ads
Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 