February 16th – For fans of Amon Amarth, Dark Tranquillity, Unleashed VANIR is one of Denmark’s most prominent melodic death metal bands and has, since the band’s inception, released six full-length albums. And now, they’re ready to unleash their seventh beast, titled “Epitome”.
The theme of this new opus is the Danish middle-ages, with two songs branching into the Renaissance (“Wood Iron And Will” and the early middle-age “Blood Eagle”). The core of the album’s theme is the throne and the battles fought to keep it or to cement its power.
The first single of the album, “Twisting The Knife”, was written about The Stockholm Bloodbath, which was a trial that led to a series of executions in Stockholm between 7 and 9 November 1520. The siege of Arkona in 1169, led by the Danish and Pommeranian forces under Valdemar I is the beginning point for “Fall of Arkona”. Finally, a song about strength, valour and courage (“One Man Army”) completes the singles trilogy of the record.
The “Epitome” album cover is a depiction of the Danish queen Sorte Grethe (Black Greta). In her own time, Margaret had a reputation as a competent and enlightened regent. Regent Margaret was faced with the unresolved conflict between the crown and the archbishop. The song “Sorte Grethe”, on the album, is about a bloody battle where 12.000 men were killed to protect her sons’ right to the crown.
Vanir has been around for more than 10 years and has evolved a lot since the band’s beginning. With the last three records, and now with “Epitome”, Vanir shows its hard edge and catchy melodic death metal.
From the Sagas of old to the halls of kings and the bloody battlefields, Vanir’s music has been put together, without compromise, with a fascination with Scandinavian common origins, and the blood spilled throughout history.
“Epitome” will be released on CD, LP (black vinyl, limited to 300) and digital formats via Mighty Music on February 16th, 2024.
Twisting The Knife 5:10
One Man Army 4:07
Wood Iron And Will 6:01
Sanguis Et Aurum 5:22
Sorte Grethe 4:59
Call To Arms 4:20
Fall Of Arkona 4:57
Blood Eagle 4:56
Kings Will Fall 5:03
Lineup:
Martin Rubini – vocals
Kirk Backarach – guitar
Michael Lundquist – guitar
Mikael Christensen – bass
Jon Elmquist Schmidt – drums
Stefan Dujardin? – keyboards