SKUGGSJA

Posted on September 30, 2015

Season of Mist are proud to announce the signing of SKUGGSJÁ. The Norwegian band consisting of members from ENSLAVED and WARDRUNA represents another gem in the label’s treasure chest. These acclaimed musical masterminds will release their debut album early 2016.

SKUGGSJÁ comment:

“When we were asked to write a joined convert piece by the Eidsivablot festival for the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution, we both immediately saw the outline of something massive and important.

“Our performance confirmed that this project should live on, develop and thrive. During 2015 we have performed the piece once more at the Roadburn festival, and have also discreetly slipped in and out of studios around Norway to record what is to become our debut album.

“We are extremely proud of what we will present on this album; and are delighted to be working with the professionals at Season of Mist. It has been quite a journey already for the two of us, but this where it really begins. We have created something that is bigger than its individual parts. Now we are excited to see what the world makes out of our creation!”

All things good,
Ivar & Einar

SKUGGSJÁ was conceived as a commissioned musical work written by Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik. The arrangement was performed by ENSLAVED and WARDRUNA as a concert piece in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution at the Eidsivablot festival in Eidsvoll, Norway on September 13th, 2014.

The growing desire to present SKUGGSJÁ to a broader audience has ultimately led Bjørnson and Selvik to record their work in its entirety. The album will be released early 2016. Details regarding this debut release will follow soon.

SKUGGSJÁ translates into ‘mirror’ or ‘reflection’ in the Norse language. By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, SKUGGSJÁ tells the history of Norway and reflects relevant aspects from the past into the present day. In light of they reflect on themselves as a people and nation. In a magnificent tapestry of metal instrumentation, a wide variety of Norway’s and Scandinavia’s oldest instruments as well as poetry in Norse and Norwegian, SKUGGSJÁ is a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically.

Line-up
Ivar Bjørnson: vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
Einar Selvik: vocals, taglharpa, Kravik-lyre, goat-horn, birch-bark lure, bone-flute, percussion, electronics

Contributing musicians
Grutle Kjellson (ENSLAVED): vocals
Lindy-Fay Hella (WARDRUNA): vocals
Eilif Gundersen (WARDRUNA live): birch bark lure
Olav L. Mjelva (WARDRUNA live): Harding fiddle
Cato Bekkevold (ENSLAVED): drums

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