Katla
From:
Iceland
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Katla News
Below is our complete Katla news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Katla Unleashes "Sálarsvefn" Music Video
Katla has unleashed a curse in the shape of a video clip for the song "Sálarsvefn," which is taken from the Icelanders' forthcoming second full-length "Allt þetta helvítis myrkur", which has been scheduled for release on November 13th. The video was premiered by Metal Hammer and can also be seen below.
With the clip "Sálarsvefn," Katla has managed the unlikely feat of turning their sinister album "Allt þetta helvítis myrkur" even darker. The clip shows a modern rendering of an ancient Norse curse named in Old Icelandic "níðstöng" (English: "nithing pole"), which is described in the 13th century saga of Egill Skallagrímsson. "Egills saga" describes how the celebtrated poet (skald) and ruthless Viking erects a pole with the severed head of a horse on top and curses king Erik Haraldsson called "Bloodaxe" as well as his queen. Players of the popular video game "The Witcher 3" might have encountered this ritual in a side quest entitled "The Nithing".
Katla comments on the single: "The title 'Sálarsvefn' translates as 'Sleep of the Soul' and my lyrics venture into the darkest corners of the mind of an anonymous human being", writes Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson. "This song is about pure hate and loathing. Whoever shows such a person any sign of sympathy or compassion will certainly be dragged into this creature's insane world of misery. 'Sálarsvefn' was originally the third segment of a long track in three parts. Its first part was 'Villuljós', which we have presented already. Yet as recording progressed, I ended up tying 5 songs together into one hell of a complicated mix, in which 'Sálarsvefn' is now the 4th stage of this journey into dark soundscapes."
Guðmundsson Óli Pálmason adds a few words about the making of this fantastic clip: "We have created this video with a tremendous effort in both cost and labour", claims the drummer – necessitating a trigger warning about dry Icelandic humour. "We had to buy four footlong sandwiches for our crew and I finished the rough editing on the same night that we filmed the clip." More...
Katla Releases New Music Video
Katla have released a video clip for the song "Farg," which is taken from the EP "Blótar gömlu goðin" ("An Offering to the Old Gods"). This special treat is only available as part of the premium editions of the Icelanders' forthcoming second full-length "Allt þetta helvítis myrkur."
"The Icelandic word 'Farg' refers to a heavy burden", writes Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson. "A very dear friend of mine carried such a heavy burden for all his life and eventually died far too young. His story would easily fill a book, if I could bring myself to write it. For the time being, all I want to say is that I wrote this song as a means of self-therapy and to send a message out to the cosmos. After many years, I have finally come to terms with his passing. The weight we carry should rightfully only belong to the living. May he rest in peace. 'Farg' is dedicated to Sverrir Örn Ólafsson (27 December 1979 – 28 August 2012) – never forgotten."
The album can be pre-ordered at this location More...
Katla Announces Sophomore Album
Katla are now revealing the first track 'Villuljós' ("false light") taken from their forthcoming sophomore album "Allt þetta Helvítis Myrkur", which will be released on November 13th. More information about this record can be found below.
Katla comment on the single: "When I wrote 'Villuljós', which means 'false light', I was in a depressive period of my life", tells multi-instrumentalist Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson. "Everything happend in such a dark haze that I cannot even remember the actual process of creating the demo. When we finally recorded the album, it was done with a more more positive energy. Actually caring about what I was doing helped a lot to get it right. Although the track has not lost its original sonic darkness, I feel very good about the final outcome. Guðmundur Óli has perfectly translated this musical feeling into lyrical darkness. This is the light that represents a false hope." More...
Katla Posts New Song Online
Katla is an Icelandic band featuring ex-Sólstafir drummer and visual artist Guðmundur Óli Pálmason and singer/multi-instrumentalist Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson. Named in tribute to one of Iceland's greatest active volcanos, Katla creates powerful, panoramic music where shimmering guitars, crushing melodies and atmospheric density meet dark, entrancing power.
The band's debut album, "Móðurástin," will be released on October 27th via Prophecy Productions. In advance of the record's release, today Katla debuts new song "Nátthagi." The album's full track listing is as follows:
1. Aska
2. Hyldýpi (streaming here)
3. Nátthagi
4. Hvila
5. Hreggur
6. Kul
7. Móðurástin
8. Dulsmál More...
Katla Reveals Album Deatils
Katla is an Icelandic band featuring ex-Sólstafir drummer and visual artist Guðmundur Óli Pálmason and singer/multi-instrumentalist Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson (Fortíð, Potentiam).
Named in tribute to one of Iceland's greatest active volcanos, Katla creates powerful, panoramic music where shimmering guitars, crushing melodies and atmospheric density meet dark, entrancing power. Katla's debut album, "Móðurástin," will be released on October 27th via Prophecy Productions (Alcest, Dool).
The lyrics tell tales of living in a country of contrasts; a land where fire and ice co-exist and dark winters are offset by the summer’s midnight sun. Iceland: a country where insular existence has spurred a rich and vibrant culture. "Móðurástin," Icelandic for (a) Mother's Love, might seem like a strange title for a metal album, but Katla dares to be different. What on Earth is stronger than a mother's love?
1. Aska
2. Hyldýpi (streaming here)
3. Nátthagi
4. Hvila
5. Hreggur
6. Kul
7. Móðurástin
8. Dulsmál More...
Katla Streaming New Song
Katla - the Icelandic band featuring Einar Eldur Thorberg (Curse, Fortid) and Gummi (ex-Solstafir) - just wrapped up recording a debut album.
In celebration, a new song has come online titled "Hyldýpi," which can be heard below and will be a welcome sound for those who didn't dig the direction of the latest Solstafir track.
Listen in below, and stay tuned for more news to arrive in the near future about the album's release. Photos from the studio sessions and more updates can be found at the Katla Facebook profile. More...
Katla Streaming "Dómadalur"
Katla - the Icelandic band featuring Einar Eldur Thorberg (Curse, Fortid) and Gummi (ex-Solstafir) - has a new track online titled "Dómadalur," which can be heard below and will be included on the forthcoming "Ferðalok" release.
The band comments: "It is a somber song, initially called our Danzig-song, as it is partially inspired by his spectacular 'Crawl Across Your Killing Floor.' 'Ferðalok' is almost upon us. All those sweet little vinyl platters, and T-shirts that defy the laws of sexuality. Now available digitally, and physically." More...
Ex-Solstafir Member Launches New Band Katla
Update: the YouTube stream appears to have been taken down, added a Bandcamp player. Hopefully this one stays up.
Icelandic band Katla - featuring former Solstafir member Guðmundur Óli Pálmason - has released a new song online titled "Kaldidalur," which can be heard below. The band also commetns:
"Katla is one of Iceland's biggest volcanos. The volcano has not erupted violently since 1918. Katla is also a musical co-operation between Einar Eldur Guðmundsson Thorberg and Guðmundur Óli Pálmason. It is time for Katla to erupt again!" More...