Sólstafir | |
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![]() Sólstafir at
Brutal Assault 2015 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Iceland |
Genres | |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels |
|
Members |
|
Past members |
|
Website |
solstafir |
Sólstafir is an Icelandic post-metal band formed in 1995 and currently signed to Century Media . Originally a black metal band, they transitioned to a post-metal-influenced style on their second album Masterpiece of Bitterness.
Sólstafir was formed in 1995 by guitarist/singer Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, bassist Halldór Einarsson, and drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason. [1] The band's name is the Icelandic word for sun beams ( crepuscular rays). [2] They soon recorded the demos Í Norðri and Til Valhallar. [3] Halldór then left the band, and Aðalbjörn and Guðmundur recorded a promo tape as a duo in 1997. [3]
During this period, Svavar Austmann joined as the new bassist and the band began recording their debut full-length album, Í Blóði og Anda. The album was not released until 2002 due to various recording delays and label disputes. [1] Shortly after that album was completed, second guitarist Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson joined the band and made his debut on the 2002 demo Black Death. [1]
After shopping around a three-track demo of new songs, Sólstafir signed with Spinefarm Records in 2005. [4] Their second album Masterpiece of Bitterness was released by Spinefarm later that year. The album received positive reviews, with Metal Storm stating "the perfect mix of non-Metal elements with metal ones makes it a necessary album for any Metalhead looking for something that breaks the mold of pre-established genres." [5]
Their third album Köld was recorded in Sweden and released in 2009. [6] Reviewers compared the band's sound to Enslaved and Neurosis, among others, while noting their unique post-black metal sound. [7] The album was also noted for its addition of atmospheric passages. [1] Sólstafir began to tour Europe regularly in 2010 and made their first of many open-air appearances at the Roskilde Festival that year. [8]
Sólstafir's fourth full-length album, Svartir Sandar, was released by Season of Mist in 2011. The song "Fjara" [9] remained in the 2013 list of Iceland's top 100 songs of 20 years. [10] This album signaled Sólstafir's retreat from black metal and move toward experimental atmospherics of the type practiced by fellow Icelanders Sigur Rós. [11]
Their fifth album Ótta was released by Season of Mist in 2014, and was noted for its additional experimental elements like strings and piano. [12] Three official music videos were released and the band performed Iceland's national television channel, RÚV's Stúdio Á. [13]
In January 2015, the band announced that longtime drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason had left the band for "personal reasons". Guðmundur was replaced by Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson. [1] After his departure from the band Guðmundur formed post metal band Katla.
Sólstafir released their sixth full-length album, Berdreyminn, in May 2017 on Season of Mist. [14] Upon its release Berdreyminn entered international charts, mostly top 50, across Europe. [15]
On November 6, 2020, Sólstafir released their seventh studio album, Endless Twilight of Codependent Love. [16]
Sólstafir | |
---|---|
![]() Sólstafir at
Brutal Assault 2015 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Iceland |
Genres | |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels |
|
Members |
|
Past members |
|
Website |
solstafir |
Sólstafir is an Icelandic post-metal band formed in 1995 and currently signed to Century Media . Originally a black metal band, they transitioned to a post-metal-influenced style on their second album Masterpiece of Bitterness.
Sólstafir was formed in 1995 by guitarist/singer Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, bassist Halldór Einarsson, and drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason. [1] The band's name is the Icelandic word for sun beams ( crepuscular rays). [2] They soon recorded the demos Í Norðri and Til Valhallar. [3] Halldór then left the band, and Aðalbjörn and Guðmundur recorded a promo tape as a duo in 1997. [3]
During this period, Svavar Austmann joined as the new bassist and the band began recording their debut full-length album, Í Blóði og Anda. The album was not released until 2002 due to various recording delays and label disputes. [1] Shortly after that album was completed, second guitarist Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson joined the band and made his debut on the 2002 demo Black Death. [1]
After shopping around a three-track demo of new songs, Sólstafir signed with Spinefarm Records in 2005. [4] Their second album Masterpiece of Bitterness was released by Spinefarm later that year. The album received positive reviews, with Metal Storm stating "the perfect mix of non-Metal elements with metal ones makes it a necessary album for any Metalhead looking for something that breaks the mold of pre-established genres." [5]
Their third album Köld was recorded in Sweden and released in 2009. [6] Reviewers compared the band's sound to Enslaved and Neurosis, among others, while noting their unique post-black metal sound. [7] The album was also noted for its addition of atmospheric passages. [1] Sólstafir began to tour Europe regularly in 2010 and made their first of many open-air appearances at the Roskilde Festival that year. [8]
Sólstafir's fourth full-length album, Svartir Sandar, was released by Season of Mist in 2011. The song "Fjara" [9] remained in the 2013 list of Iceland's top 100 songs of 20 years. [10] This album signaled Sólstafir's retreat from black metal and move toward experimental atmospherics of the type practiced by fellow Icelanders Sigur Rós. [11]
Their fifth album Ótta was released by Season of Mist in 2014, and was noted for its additional experimental elements like strings and piano. [12] Three official music videos were released and the band performed Iceland's national television channel, RÚV's Stúdio Á. [13]
In January 2015, the band announced that longtime drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason had left the band for "personal reasons". Guðmundur was replaced by Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson. [1] After his departure from the band Guðmundur formed post metal band Katla.
Sólstafir released their sixth full-length album, Berdreyminn, in May 2017 on Season of Mist. [14] Upon its release Berdreyminn entered international charts, mostly top 50, across Europe. [15]
On November 6, 2020, Sólstafir released their seventh studio album, Endless Twilight of Codependent Love. [16]