There have been many great extreme metal bands from Sweden, but only one from Kalix. This remote beauty spot near the Finnish border, on the northernmost shores of the Baltic, is home to Jacob Björnfot, creative mastermind behind Kvaen (named after the folk who populated the area in the Viking era). Kvaen’s third album 'The Formless Fires' - their first for those world-renowned headhunters at Metal Blade Records – is a sumptuous but bitingly intense exploration of beauty and violence, a melodic black metal masterwork radiating an inspirational sense of place. Even more than 2020’s folky, speed metal-infused debut 'The Funeral Pyre' or 2022’s compelling, expansive follow-up 'The Great Below', the vast pine woods and icy lakes are powerfully evoked in the elemental gloom riffs, chilly melodies and windswept solos running through these eight mighty, meaty songs.
“Because of our surroundings, bizarre weather conditions, northern lights etc help shape the way we see and hear things. It affects us more than we think,” Jacob ponders, contemplating the effect of his Lapland hometown on Kvaen’s exquisitely tuneful but richly atmospheric black metal. “I think it's way better to be raised here than in Stockholm for example. I never liked big cities, except for weekend visits. I don't like the big city attitude; here we are all calm and down to earth. I am in my thirties and most people have either left or returned. I am not planning on going anywhere soon. I still go to my cabin in the woods of Torne Valley and write a lot of music, especially during the winter, which can feel very long and sometimes harsh.”
As usual, Jacob has written and performed everything on 'The Formless Fires' (except drums, resoundingly hammered by ex-Amon Amarth skin-punisher Frederik Andersson). However, there is now a stable live line-up ready to take Jacob’s singular vision across the world: “Kristian and Rasmus are really amazing at learning new songs and are easy-going guys,” enthuses Jacob, appraising the bandmates that he’s trusted to help nurture his musical baby. “Per has a name in the Swedish underground and his image fits the band like a glove. Fredrik has tons of knowledge from his past with bands like Amon Amarth and is a killer drummer, so it's easy to say that we're on Damnation’s Highway! Our goal is to be a busy band touring wise. We have some festivals across Europe, and two tours coming up by the end of 2024, and it looks like next year will be very busy as well. Into Certain Death!”
Limited blue black and white splatter vinyl pressing.
*Please note - image is a mock up only, actual colours may vary on finished product*
Tracklisting
Side A:
1. The Formless Fires
2. Traverse the Nether
3. Tornets Sång
4. The Ancient Gods
Side B:
5. Basilisk
6. De Dödas Sång
7. The Perpetual Darkness
8. The Wings of Death
