KING OF ASGARD unleash second video single 'kvikr' taken from forthcoming album "svartrviðr"
Swedish blackened death veterans KING OF ASGARD have released a video clip featuring the famous and mysterious runestone from Rök for the track 'kvikr' as the second single taken from their forthcomingalbum "svartrviðr" ("black wood"), which is slated for release on May 28, 2021.
The video 'kvikr' ("quick", "alive") is now available via the following link: https://youtu.be/6KHkElNTfgc
Pre-sale link: http://lnk.spkr.media/king-of-asgard-svartrvidr
KING OF ASGARD band pictures and graphic materials are available at this link:
KING OF ASGARD single 'kvikr' taken from the album ''svartrviðr"
KING OF ASGARD comment: "We are now revealing 'kvikr', which is the second song taken from 'svartrviðr', our forthcoming new album", bass player Jonas Albrektsson begins to explain. "The Old Norse term 'kvikr' is obviously cognate to the English word 'quick' and also means 'alive' or 'lively' as well as 'fast moving'. Those familiar with King of Asgard will recognise the classic 90s casing into which we have put this song. It is a harsh and straightforward track, but also epic and with a cinematic atmosphere. Lyrically, we are scratching the surface of all myths that appear in runic inscriptions. We are actually living not far from the site of a world famous runic monument. The Rök runestone is completely covered in long and enigmatic texts. The meaning of these inscription remains heavily debated and the general consensus about their interpretation keeps changing. Every time that we pass it along our ways, the stone still guards its secrets, while it stabs into the earth and reaches up to the skies. For the visuals, we have once again recruited Jimmy Johansson and Lino Puro Productions. Enter the cycle of death and rebirth... enjoy!"
Tracklist
1. frôðr
2. rifna
3. hæimr
4. kvikr
5. ammobiærg
6. svartrviðr
7. harmdauðr
8. fæigR
KING OF ASGARD have prepared well for their fifth sonic assault. With "svartrviðr" ("black wood") the Swedes continue on the course and refine the style of songwriting that the blackened death veterans established with their latest EP "taudr".
In the band's own words: " We see 'svartrviðr' very much as a continuation of what we have started with 'taudr' in 2017", write the Swedes. "We combined all the elements that grew out of and with King of Asgard since the beginning, which means aiming for the perfect balance between the grim and the epic, darkness and twilight while keeping our sound crushing and stripped down to essentials."
KING OF ASGARD are a perfect example for the classic Swedish metal style that oscillates between harsh and evocative Nordic blackness and the captivating epic melodies of their homeland's death metal - being easily at home in both worlds. When the band came into being in 2008 in Mjölby, in the province of Östergötland, a part of it grew out of the ashes of that city's split-up cult act MITHOTYN, while another part had moved on to form the heavy metal outfit FALCONER.
With their first three albums "Fímbulvintr" (2010), "...to North" (2012), and "Karg" (2014), KING OF ASGARD firmly established themselves as a powerful presence within their scene. Due to their lyrical topics and visuals relating to the old legends of Östergötland as well as Norse myth and sagas, runic writing and art styles, the Swedes are sometimes categorised within the Viking or pagan metal spectrum. This label is probably also owed to the occasional use of traditional melodies. Yet, KING OF ASGARD clearly went their own way and with a marked penchant for story-telling at epic length, they forcefully claimed a muscial realm of their own.
The release of "taudr", which can either be seen as a short album or as a long EP, in 2017 brought a fresh gust of wind to KING OF ASGARD as new members had joined the band. This left singer and guitarist Karl Beckman as the sole remaining memento to MITHOTYN, while a crew of young locals arrived, armed with invigorating enthusiasm and the weapon of great talent, which those newcomers a little later also started to display in death-buzz VANHELGD.
This new line-up remained stable until the present and worked diligently and hard to create their next full-length that explores the new creative and musical opportunities to the full. Teaming up with Magnus "Devo" Andersson, who could easily claim the title of MARDUK's house producer, KING OF ASGARD made sure to maintain a black twist to their individual sound.
KING OF ASGARD invite you to explore the dark secrets of the Viking world and those glimpses at ancient rituals that lurk deep within Old Norse writings.
Release date: May 28, 2021
Line-up
Karl Beckman – vocals, guitars, choir Jonas Albrektsson – bass, vocals Ted Sjulmark – guitars, choir Mathias Westman – drums
Recorded, mixed & mastered at Endarker Studio by Magnus "Devo" Andersson
Produced by King of Asgard and Magnus "Devo" Andersson
Cover Artwork by Mattias Frisk
Style: Swedish Blackened Death
Link
Pre-sale link
Available formats
Digipak CD, and Gatefold black vinyl 2LP
Band pictures and graphic materials