The highly anticipated new album, “The Formless Fires,” by the Swedish black metal band Kvaen was released on June 21. This much-awaited album will be released under the renowned Metal Blade Records label. As a testament to their growing popularity,
We are thrilled to announce that we have been granted the honor of featuring a limited number of vinyl editions of the album. However, due to the high demand, we will be adding more vinyls to meet the needs of fans and collectors alike.
Kvaen’s “The Formless Fires” promises to deliver a captivating blend of melodic black metal, showcasing the band’s unique sound and powerful songwriting. Stay tuned for an unforgettable musical journey when the album finally hits the shelves.
Track list 1. The Formless Fires 2. Traverse The Nether 3. Tornets Sång 4. The Ancient Gods 5. Basilisk 6. De Dödas Sång 7. The Perpetual Darkness 8. The Wings Of Death
“The Ancient Gods” is the latest single from Swedish melodic black/death metallers KVAEN. The spellbinding new hymn comes off the band’s impending new full-length, The Formless Fires, set for release on June 21st on Metal Blade Records.
KVAEN is led by creative mastermind Jacob Björnfot. A sumptuous but bitingly intense exploration of beauty and violence, KVAEN‘s The Formless Fires is a true masterwork radiating an inspirational sense of place. “Björnfot skillfully balances out anger and darkness with those deathly melancholic melodic loops that characterize the genre mix…,” writes Sweden Rock in an early review of the record. “KVAEN’s best record so far.”
Even more than 2020’s folky, speed metal-infused debut The Funeral Pyre or 2022’s compelling, expansive follow-up, The Great Below, the vast pine woods and icy lakes of Björnfot hometown of Kalixare powerfully evoked in the elemental gloom riffs, chilly melodies, and windswept solos running through these eight mighty songs. “Our surroundings — bizarre weather conditions, northern lights etc. — help shape the way we see and hear things. It affects us more than we think,” Björnfot ponders, contemplating the effect of his environment on KVAEN‘s exquisitely tuneful but richly atmospheric black metal. “I think it’s way better to be raised here than in Stockholm for example. I never liked big cities, except for weekend visits. I don’t like the big city attitude; here we are all calm and down to earth. I am in my thirties and most people have either left or returned. I am not planning on going anywhere soon. I still go to my cabin in the woods of Torne Valley and write a lot of music, especially during the Winter, which can feel very long and sometimes harsh.“
Assisting in this record’s immersive sweep are Björnfot’s fascinating lyrics. Like many Swedish songwriters, his use of English reveals a love and care for the language that few native speakers even bother to rival. If this album seems less intimate and more universal than the raw candor of its predecessor, it’s only because Björnfot’s knack for allegory has improved. Illuminating some of the lyrical themes, Björnfot asserts “I love mythology. ‘Basilisk’ is, for example, the king of serpents but is rarely mentioned by the mainstream. ‘The Perpetual Darkness’ is about being born different from those who are ‘normal.’ It is also about being a lone wolf and banished from society. That song has become a personal favorite of mine.” Additionally, ‘De Dödas Sång (Song Of The Dead)’ tackles the disturbing theme of Ättestupa, the ancient Norse suicide ritual whereby elderly villagers jump to their deaths from sheer precipices.
Comments Björnfot on latest single, “The Ancient Gods,” “This song was written right after The Great Below was released. I have always wanted to write a song with super-heavy/tight guitar riffing that’s just easy to listen to while letting the vocals do most of the work. I also unleashed a bit of my inner David Gilmour on the outro.”
Watch KVAEN‘s previously released video for “The Formless Fires” HERE.
All instrumentation on The Formless Fires was composed and performed by Björnfot with the exception of drums which were resoundingly hammered by ex-Amon Amarth basher Fredrik Andersson. The record features the guest solos of Sebastian Ramstedt (Necrophobic) on “Traverse The Nether” and Chaq Mol (Dark Funeral) on “The Wings Of Death.”
KVAEN Live: 6/21/2024 Helvete – Oberhausen, DE 6/22/2024 Boarstream Open Air 2024 – Buchenbach, DE 6/23/2024 Nachtleben – Frankfurt, DE 8/30-31/2024 Bulasal Metal Fest – Västeräs, SE 5/03/2025 Karmøygeddon Fest – Kopervik, NO
KVAEN: Jacob Björnfot – everything
KVAEN Live Lineup: Jacob Björnfot – vocals/guitars Kristian Gustavsson – guitars Rasmus Rova – guitars Per Lindström – bass Fredrik Andersson – drums
The highly anticipated new album, “The Formless Fires,” by the Swedish black metal band Kvaen is set to release on June 21. This much-awaited album will be released under the renowned Metal Blade Records label. As a testament to their growing popularity,
We are thrilled to announce that we have been granted the honor of featuring a limited number of vinyl editions of the album. However, due to the high demand, we will be adding more vinyls to meet the needs of fans and collectors alike.
Kvaen’s “The Formless Fires” promises to deliver a captivating blend of melodic black metal, showcasing the band’s unique sound and powerful songwriting. Stay tuned for an unforgettable musical journey when the album finally hits the shelves.
Track list 1. The Formless Fires 2. Traverse The Nether 3. Tornets Sång 4. The Ancient Gods 5. Basilisk 6. De Dödas Sång 7. The Perpetual Darkness 8. The Wings Of Death
KVAEN will release their third album, and first for Metal Blade Records, The Formless Fires, on June 21st.
There are many great extreme metal bands in Sweden, but only one from Kalix. This remote beauty spot near the Finnish border, on the northernmost shores of the Baltic, is home to Jacob Björnfot, creative mastermind behind melodic black/death metal project, KVAEN.
A sumptuous but bitingly intense exploration of beauty and violence, KVAEN‘s The Formless Fires is a melodic black metal masterwork radiating an inspirational sense of place. Even more than 2020’s folky, speed metal-infused debut The Funeral Pyre or 2022’s compelling, expansive follow-up, The Great Below, the vast pine woods and icy lakes are powerfully evoked in the elemental gloom riffs, chilly melodies, and windswept solos running through these eight mighty songs.
Assisting in this record’s immersive sweep are Björnfot’s fascinating lyrics. Like many Swedish songwriters, his use of English reveals a love and care for the language that few native speakers even bother to rival. If this album seems less intimate and more universal than the raw candor of its predecessor, it’s only because Björnfot’s knack for allegory has improved. Illuminating some of the lyrical themes, Björnfot asserts “I love mythology. ‘Basilisk’ is, for example, the king of serpents but is rarely mentioned by the mainstream. ‘The Perpetual Darkness’ is about being born different from those who are ‘normal.’ It is also about being a lone wolf and banished from society. That song has become a personal favorite of mine.” Additionally, ‘De Dödas Sång (Song Of The Dead)’ tackles the disturbing theme of Ättestupa, the ancient Norse suicide ritual whereby elderly villagers jump to their deaths from sheer precipices.
Comments Björnfot on the record’s eponymous opening track and first single, “‘The Formless Fires’ was actually written for another project of mine featuring members from Dissection, Lord Belial, Sacramentum, and Naglfar but I convinced myself to keep it for the next KVAEN album instead and I’m glad I did – this is one of my top favorites off the new album.“
Watch KVAEN‘s “The Formless Fires” video below.
All instrumentation on The Formless Fires was composed and performed by Björnfot with the exception of drums which were resoundingly hammered by ex-Amon Amarth basher Frederik Andersson. The record features the guest solos of Sebastian Ramstedt (Necrophobic) on “Traverse The Nether” and Chaq Mol (Dark Funeral) on “The Wings Of Death.”
The Formless Fires Track Listing: 01. The Formless Fires 02. Traverse the Nether 03. Tornets Sång 04. The Ancient Gods 05. Basilisk 06. De Dödas Sång 07. The Perpetual Darkness 08. The Wings of Death
KVAEN Live: 6/21/2024 Helvete – Oberhausen, DE 6/22/2024 Boarstream Open Air 2024 – Buchenbach, DE 6/23/2024 Nachtleben – Frankfurt, DE 8/30-31/2024 Bulasal Metal Fest – Västeräs, SE 5/03/2025 Karmøygeddon Fest – Kopervik, NO
KVAEN: Jacob Björnfot – everything
KVAEN Live Lineup: Jacob Björnfot – vocals/guitars Kristian Gustavsson – guitars Rasmus Rova – guitars Per Lindström – bass Fredrik Andersson – drums
KVAEN, an extreme metal band from Northern Sweden led by guitarist / vocalist Jacob Björnfot, is ready to unleash it’s third album, The Formless Fires, on June 21st via Metal Blade Records.
Check out below the video to see and hear what Jacob has to say about the pact he sealed with the Blade.
KVAEN‘s debut album, The Funeral Pyre, was released upon the world in early 2020. Heavily influenced by traditional speed metal, folk music, death metal, and relentless black metal, the album received stellar reviews and launched the project unto stages all over Europe.
In 2022, KVAEN released their second album, The Great Below, featuring Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore), Mike Wead (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond) and Vreth (Finntroll). The album once more received a blazing reception, taking the band to a new level and proving that KVAEN truly are a force to be reckoned with. Tours through Sweden (with Manegarm) and Denmark followed, as well as festival appearances all over Europe, including Summer Breeze, Gefle Metal, Tolminator, Dark Easter Metal Meeting, and Nordfest Metal Festival.
In the fall of 2023, KVAEN toured all over Europe for five weeks supporting Insomnium. “Playing in front of hundreds of people every night and getting amazing response is without a doubt one of the highlights in KVAEN’s history as a live act. Touring for five weeks can be rough, but having people like the guys from Insomnium, In Mourning, as well as the crew was nothing but excellent. I thought it would be harder but honestly it was easier than expected. I normally don’t hang out that much with people, I live in the middle of absolute nowhere and have nothing but forests and snow around me but I had the time of my life and I can’t wait to get back on the road again with the new album!” KVAEN had no problems getting the attention of the Insomnium crowd even though they were a lot heavier than them. “The great thing about KVAEN is that we can adjust our setlist to different audiences since we have so many different influences. The crowds response was nothing but amazing, we sold out ALL of our merch during that run!“
Right after the tour, Jacob started recording the third album, The Formless Fires, and without a doubt this is his best work to date. The album will be released midsummer night on June 21st. Stay tuned for more details and the first single and pre-order which will launch soon!
KVAEN line-up: Jacob Björnfot – everything
KVAEN live line-up: Jacob Björnfot – vocals/guitars Kristian Gustavsson – guitars Rasmus Rova – guitars Per Lindström – bass Fredrik Andersson – drums
Track list • 1. Cauldron Of Plagues • 2. Great Below • 3. In Silence • 4. Damnations Jaw • 5. Sulphur Fire • 6. Ensamvarg • 7. Your Mighty Has Fallen • 8. Fire Within Him Burns
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