SÓLSTAFIR are video streaming their fantastic KEXP radio in-studio session here:Live Video: Sólstafir
This outstandingperformance was exclusively recorded at and for the station on location in Seattleduring the eclectic Icelandic rockersrecent US tour in December 2014.
The radio station enthusiastically comments: "When SÓLSTAFIR plays for KEXP, the gods take notice. Two years ago, during KEXP's broadcast at Iceland Airwaves, hurricane-level gales swept across Reykjavik as the hard rocking band brewed up their own storm inside Kex Hostel. Last month, on their first tour of the West Coast, heavy winds followed them to the KEXP studio to perform songs from their latest LP of epic grandeur, Ótta. Call it what you will ' 'viking post-metal', 'alt-doom', 'death-prog' ' but SÓLSTAFIR channel power of mythic proportions in this live set."
On further news,SÓLSTAFIRhave announced the first sold out shows for the second leg of their European tour, which will kick off at the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, The Netherlands on the 15thof January 2015.
There are no further tickets available for the concertsat Paris' Nouveau Casino in France on the 27th of January and in Nantes a day later. Capacity isrunning low in other places as well and an early ticket purchase is strongly recommended.
All confirmed dates can be viewed below.
15 Jan 15 Groningen (NL) Vera (Eurosonic Festival)
22 Jan 15 Milton Keynes (UK) The Craufurd Arms
23 Jan 15 Bristol (UK) The Exchange
24 Jan 15 Manchester (UK) Deaf Institute
25 Jan 15 Sheffield (UK) Corporation
26 Jan 15 Brighton (UK) The Haunt
27 Jan 15 Paris (FR) Nouveau Casino (Sold out!)
28 Jan 15 Nantes (FR) Le Ferrailleur (Sold out!)
29 Jan 15 Toulouse (FR) Dynamo
30 Jan 15 Lyon (FR) CCO Villeurbanne
31 Jan 15 Aarau (CH) Kiff
01 Feb 15 Weinheim (DE) Cafe Central
02 Feb 15 Bochum (DE) Zeche
03 Feb 15 Hamburg (DE) Uebel & Gefährlich
04 Feb 15 København (DK) Pumpehuset
05 Feb 15 Göteborg (SE) Sticky Fingers
06 Feb 15 Oslo (NO) Rockefeller (+Black Debbath)
07 Feb 15 Stockholm (SE) Debaser Medis
09 Feb 15 Jyväskylä (FI) Lutakko
10 Feb 15 Tampere (FI) Klubi
11 Feb 15 Tallinn (EE) Tapper
12 Feb 15 Riga (LT) Melna Piektdiena
13 Feb 15 Vilnius (LV) New York
14 Feb 15 Minsk (RU) Republic
15 Feb 15 Moscow (RU) Volta
16 Feb 15 St. Petersburg (RU) Zal Ozhidaniya
17 Feb 15 Athens (GR) Kyttaro
18 Feb 15 Thessaloniki (GR) Eightball Club
19 Feb 15 Sofia (BG) RockIT
SÓLSTAFIR are touring in support of their highly anticipated follow-up to 2011's heavily praised double album 'Svartir Sandar'. Their fifth full-length 'Ótta' was released on August 29th this yearand is available from the Season of Mist shop.
The cover art by Icleandic star photographer RAX aka Ragnar Axelsson and tracklist for 'Ótta'can be viewed below:
1. Lágnætti
2. Ótta
3. Rismál
4. Dagmál
5. Miðdegi
6. Nón
7. Miðaftann
8. Náttmál
SÓLSTAFIR are different. Their unique blend of metal with beautiful melodies, psychedelic moments and a strong undercurrent of classic / hard rock comes as varied and at times appealingly bizarre as the landscapes of their native Iceland. Their fifth full-length "Ótta" is the logical continuation of the musical course this four-piece adopted on the highly acclaimed forerunner "Svartir Sandar" (2011). Expect the unexpected, such as seduction by subtle strings or a hypnotic banjo. None of this was apparent when SÓLSTAFIR released their album debut "Í Blóði og Anda", which translates as 'In Blood and Spirit' in 2002.
Instead of today's Icelandic gravel throated siren chants, frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason spit forth vitriolic crust-like vocals and the ripping guitars were clearly black metal inspired. Yet the band was as clearly identifiable back then as now and along their way with the next albums "Masterpiece of Bitterness" (2005) and "Köld" (2009) introducing new elements in a continuous evolution.
SÓLSTAFIR's music is as much the product of Arctic blizzards as of red hot volcanic magma, erupting geysers, lush green pastures, and salty waves. With "Ótta" the Icelanders touch something ancient and timeless, while defying easy categorisation. This album needs to be heard again and again, to peel back layers of details, each different and yet always revealing the same: great songs ' all of them.
The song titles of "Ótta" form a concept based on an old Icelandic system of time keeping similar to the monastic hours called "Eykt" ("eight"). The 24 hour day was divided into 8 parts of 3 hours each. The album starts at midnight, the beginning of "Lágnætti" ("low night"), continues through each Eyktir of the day and ends with "Náttmál" ("night time") from 21:00 to 0:00. This form of time keeping is more open than the relentless ticking of modern times, where each second is made to count, which turns humanity into cocks of the corporate clockwork. Now SÓLSTAFIR give you the antidote. Just lean back, close your eyes, take your time and lose yourself in this masterpiece called "Ótta"!
