For almost 20 years, Portrait from Sweden have delivered their ‘heavy metal darkness’ to the world. The bands’ development since the debut demo in 2006 is remarkable. Ever since then, Portrait has managed to develop and stretch their sound into several territories, without losing touch with their original core. Their current day live shows are testimony enough of this, in which songs from the first album or even the 'Welcome to my Funeral' demo can be thrown into the set and blend in perfectly with songs from later releases, even though the songwriting and musicianship have developed greatly since the early days of the band.
According to the band themselves, their evolution is a result of the goal of finding their own identity as a band. Musical influences will always be part of that process, but the important thing is that the music is mainly channeled from within, rather than from any outside sources. In this way, the music becomes an extension of the songwriter and that process is according to Portrait something essential in order for contemporary music to become interesting.
Following up 2021’s acclaimed 'At One With None', the band returns with their sixth album 'The Host', the first album to feature guitarist Karl Gustafsson as part of the bands’ line-up.
Founder and guitarist Christian Lindell describes the new album as “an occult tale of sword and sorcery, accompanied by some of the most passionate heavy metal ever recorded. 'The Host' is our first concept album. The story takes place in 17th century era Sweden and revolves around an unnamed protagonist who, because of his experiences with the injustice and hypocrisy of this world, decides to seek truth and strength through its’ Adversary.”
Limited 2LP 180g black vinyl pressing
Tracklisting
Side A:
1. Hoc est Corpus Meum (Intro)
2. The Blood Covenant
3. The Sacrament
4. Oneiric Visions
5. One Last Kiss
Side B:
6. Treachery
7. Sound the Horn
8. Dweller of the Threshold
9. Die in My Heart
Side C:
10. Voice of the Outsider
11. From The Urn
12. The Men of Renown
13. Sword of Reason (The Steel of Revenge)
Side D:
14. The Passions of Sophia
