Finnish Jotungrav is taking its next step of its musical journey with the new single Ulven, a nine-minute progressive epic of Nordic mythology. Ulven is released on September 10th 2024 via Inverse Records and it’s giving a taste of the musical aspirations of the band. 

The song showcases the ferocity of early 2010’s folk/black metal with a symphonic edge, as well as a love for long and versatile compositions. As a product molded by the modern day metal era, Jotungrav likes to incorporate various progressive elements in their music, which can be heard in the constantly evolving dynamics of Ulven. The song functions as a warm up for the band, which is composing new material and preparing for the recording of its next release. The song will be accompanied by a lyric video, which will give a glimpse into the animalistic horrors that dwell within man. 

LISTEN to ULVEN single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/jotungrav-ulven 

• Music by Matias Stenman & Matias Rokio
• Lyrics by Matias Stenman
• Single cover by Matias Stenman

The band comments:
“Ulven is an atmospherically versatile song; in it you can hear everything from the tremolo guitar riffs characteristic of black metal to atmospheric passages accompanied by acoustic instruments. The atmosphere of the song is sometimes serene, sometimes furious. The song’s lyrics are from a darker, albeit philosophical, end. They reflect on people’s pent-up xenophobia and hostile tribalism. Ulven (wolf in Finnish, referring to the Fenris wolf) serves as a metaphor for the human tendency to see enemies everywhere, as well as for cowards who without empathy sacrifice their own ties to others in the name of self-interest. This is how the song connects the problems that torment people from ancient times as well as a modern point of view. Even though the ancient Scandinavian mythology only functions as a thematic mirror for human characteristics, Ulven’s lyrics contain both direct and indirect references to Odin, the reigning god of Asgård, who spent his life until the last day in fear of the prophecy of the Jotun wolf that would kill him. However, fear of death cannot be likened to hate in Odin’s case: the god of knowledge would meet his death spear in hand on the back of his horse, whether he wanted it or not. However, not all ordinary people are blessed with such might and stoic fortitude. The worst people succumb to obsessive paranoia in the face of chaos, arming themselves with the power of anger.”

Jotungrav is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Matias Stenman, which incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal within a progressive metal framework. The project got its initial start in 2015, but most of the material composed back then ended up being discarded. It was in the summer of 2022 when the single Drängen was finished when Jotungrav finally materialized, with the help of fellow Sargassus members Matias Rokio, who provided percussive arrangements to the song, as well as Teemu Leskinen, who took on the mixing and mastering duties. Initially Jotungrav was a slowly progressing musical effort, but with time the project managed to accumulate enough material for a second single, Ulven, while working on more material for future releases. Both musically and thematically Jotungrav draws inspiration from early 2000s–2010s viking/pagan metal scene and mythology. The lyrics have a philosophical and symbolic focus on humanity. The songs evolve into vast soundscapes while maintaining a raw and genuine feel to them, paying homage to the early days of folk metal.

For fans of Moonsorrow, Ereb Altor, Wilderun and Turisas.

Line-up:
Matias Stenman – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Orchestrations
Matias Rokio – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/jotungrav
https://www.instagram.com/jotungravofficial
https://jotungrav.bandcamp.com