In the depths of the abyss
“Det förtegna förflutna” (‘The secretive and quiet past’) – the debut album of Swedish black metal duo Blodtår – is due for release on April 21, 2023. Today we present the third and final single: “I avgrundens djup” (‘In the depths of the abyss’).
Listen to “I avgrundens djup” here:
https://orcd.co/i-avgrundens-djup-single
Blodtår commented:
“I avgrundens djup” truly embodies the signature Blodtår sound; I consider it one of the standout tracks from “Det förtegna förflutna”. Moreover, writing a homage to the Hårga Legend – which is one of Sweden’s darkest folk tales – was a tremendous honour.
The full name of the track is ‘They dance upon the mountain… in the depths of the abyss’ and it tells the tragic story of the Hårga Dance. My interpretation of the legend is based on the most captivating sources, which paint a picture of a fateful night in Hårga, Hälsingland. At a local barn dance, a mysterious fiddler appears and introduces an unheard-of music style. The youth in attendance can’t resist the music’s call, and they join in the dance, unable to stop themselves. The fiddler – with his burning eyes, cloven hooves, and magical music – leads them out of the barn and up the Hårga Mountain, where they eventually dance to their deaths.
Today, at the foot of the mountain, on nights of the full moon, one can still hear the fiddler’s music. To this day, Hälsingehambon, an annual dance competition, draws inspiration from the Hårga Legend.
Blodtår – “Det förtegna förflutna”
Back in 2021, Blodtår caused quite a stir with their self-titled EP. The Swedish folk-black metal duo showcased an uncanny ability to tap into a musical current that is rarely captured these days – all the while infusing the formula with fresh and innovative ideas. Ever since, label and fans alike have been anxiously anticipating to see where they go next. The answer has now arrived, in the form of Blodtår’s debut album, “Det förtegna förflutna” (‘The secretive and quiet past’), and it does not fall short of expectations.
The pulsating core of “Det förtegna förflutna” is Carl’s masterful use of intricate riffing heavily inspired by Swedish folk melodies – played lightning-fast but without sounding upbeat. Blodtår forges the lo-fi black metal malice of Embassy-era Gorgoroth with the folkish grandeur of Windir and Dissection’s icy, melancholic melodies.
“Det förtegna förflutna” is set for release on CD, LP, and digital format by Nordvis on April 21, 2023. It was recorded and mixed by Sverker Widgren at Wing Studios. Cover artwork by Carl Stjärnlöv.
When Carl, the band’s founder and driving force, started Blodtår in 2019, he’d been looking for music with a highly distinct feeling. After a prolonged search with very little to show for it, he decided to take matters into his own hands. H. Alarcón C. was brought into the fold for the recording of what ultimately became the project’s debut EP.
In the spring of 2021, Nordvis received a demo from a young Swedish black metal duo. The cover letter stated that the material had been written with Nordvis in mind – and that they were the only label to receive it. While such tactics are not unheard of among bands fishing for a record deal, any doubts about the validity of this claim were dispelled upon first listen. Clearly, Blodtår were a Nordvis act even before their collaboration was formalised.
The underlying intention behind Blodtår is to weave together an immersive soundscape fit to accompany the feelings and impressions one experiences when admiring artwork by the likes of John Bauer and Theodor Kittelsen. By virtue of sheer conviction, Blodtår breathes new life into the long-forgotten woodland magic imbued in the timeless art of these old masters.
Carl commented:
The album title expresses my wish to shine some light on a cultural heritage we in Scandinavia still have but appear to be neglecting more and more. “Det förtegna förflutna” consists of songs that are somewhat linked together by themes such as northern folklore, forests, mountains, and mythological beings. Each composition tells a different story, akin to old Scandinavian fairy tales (which were often illustrated by artists like John Bauer).
Tracklist:
1 – En krona av is (’A crown of ice’)
2 – Ur mörker (’Of darkness’)
3 – Skymning (‘Dusk’)
4 – Den fördärvande sorgbundenheten (‘The devastating grief’)
5 – De dansar på berget… (‘They dance on the mountain…’)
6 – I avgrundens djup (‘In the depths of the abyss’)
7 – Gånglåt (‘Walking tune’)
8 – Uttala dess namn (‘Speak its name’)
9 – En brynja av barr (‘A hauberk of pine needles’)
Release date: April 21, 2023
Formats: CD, LP, Digital
Pre-sale link to publish alongside any news:
https://nordvis.com/blodtar-a-43
https://orcd.co/det-fortegna-forflutna-album
Scheduled single titles and release dates:
Single 1 – “Den fördärvade sorgbundheten“, February 24
Single 2 – “En krona av is”, March 17
Single 2 – “I avgrundens djup”, April 14
Blodtår:
Web: https://nordvis.com/blodtar-a-43
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlodtarOfficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blodtarband/
Bandcamp: https://blodtar.bandcamp.com/