Swedish melodic death/thrash metal artisans VITTRA will release their second full-length, Intense Indifference, on September 19th.
Originally called Vildvittra, based on the characters created by Astrid Lindgren as part of Ronja Rövardotter [Swedish for Ronia, The Robber’s Daughter, a children’s fantasy book first published in 1981], their name later evolved into VITTRA, inspired by the mythical creatures appearing in Swedish folk stories. And while Swedish folk is a recurring theme weaving in and out of their music, the band is firmly rooted in melodic death and thrash metal in the vein of At The Gates, Dissection, and Megadeth.
Intense Indifference follows VITTRA’s critically lauded debut, Blasphemy Blues, released in 2022, and centers on one’s own emotional journey — soul searching while simultaneously fighting an inner battle. The music once again combines heavy riffing with clear song structures, from classical melodic thrashing (“The Leap,” “Reign Supreme”) to more experimental shades (“Transylvanian Buffet”).
Elaborates guitarist Johan Murmester, “The album shows how we’ve developed as a band and songwriters, making me quite proud of the fact that we, in a relatively short time, were able to put together a new album more or less from scratch. Musically, it shows a slightly more diverse side of the band, one of the big benefits of being in VITTRA; we are not stuck in one expression!”
In advance of the record’s release, today the band unveils first single, “The Leap” and its accompanying video.
Notes vocalist David Döragrip, “If you find yourself facing a big decision in life or just trying to find courage to do that stage dive, it’s all the same, this one’s for those wanting to take that leap.”
Adds Murmester, “Musically, the song reflects my influences when learning to play guitar, Master Of Puppets-era Metallica meets Slayer and a touch of Annihilator: intense thrash but still with some groove and melodies to it.”
Watch VITTRA’s “The Leap” video, which premiered at Sweden Rock Magazine earlier today, HERE.
Intense Indifference was recorded and engineered by Simon Johansson (Soilwork, Wolf), produced by Johan Murmester, and mixed and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory (Lik, Bloodbath, Katatonia). The record includes several guest appearances including John Lönnmyr (Night Flight Orchestra) who adds piano to “Transylvanian Buffet,” Bastian Thusgaard (Soilwork) who contributes the shaker on “Burn(h)er” and vibra-slap on “Transylvanian Buffet,” and Linus Öhrn (Valkyrja) who contributes backing vocals on several tracks. Cover art for Intense Indifference was created by Hjules (Accept, Destruction, Jungle Rot) and is based on his own interpretations of the record’s lyrics.
Intense Indifference will be released on LP and digital formats. Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.
Intense Indifference Track Listing:
1. MOFO
2. Reign Supreme
3. Burn(h)er
4. Transylvanian Buffet
5. Soul Searcher
6. The Leap
7. Bound By Blood
8. Hate
9. End To It
10. Piece By Piece
VITTRA:
Alex Smith – drums
David Döragrip – vocals
Gustav Svensson – bass
Johan Murmester – guitars
Lars Elofsson – lead guitar
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