𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝓔𝓼𝓽. 2001 • PR • Promotion • Artist Management • Marketing

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 proudly presents:

 

Nordic Melancholy

The MYRKGRAV album "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen" (translation: Thank you and farewell; times have changed) is difficult to give an unbiased description of. In essence, it is a follow-up to the 2006 debut album "Trollskau, Skrømt Og Kølabrenning", but needless to say a lot can happen in ten years.

Still, "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen" represents a natural progression from what the debut album showcased: proper FOLK METAL with roots in the blacker side of the extreme Metal genres. "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen" has been launched on all streaming services October 26th.

Online FDR download with full resolution cover art from Bandcamp as well as physical format CD and limited edition CD in collaboration with Pest Productions and METALMESSAGE • Global PR is also scheduled, but release dates are TBA.

The goal of MYRKGRAV has always been to create a natural fusion between Scandinavian Folk music and extreme Metal. 

Whilst perhaps being an overly ambitious goal, "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen" further strengthens the Folk music elements of MYRKGRAV, without negating its extreme Metal roots.

One of the most important elements towards achieving a proper Folk and Metal blend was to incorporate traditional instruments into the songwriting process and giving them key roles in the compositions – rather than just to use them as a gimmick, which many so-called Folk Metal bands unfortunately suffer from.

Professional Hardanger fiddle artist Olav Luksengård Mjelvawas hired to not only record Hardanger fiddle parts for "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen", but also to aid in the production and arrangement stage of incorporating the instrument. The Hardanger fiddle is Norway’s national instrument, and adds another layer of the beautifully haunting Nordic Melancholy to MYRKGRAV's latest compositions.

As the title of the album reveals, "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen" is also MYRKGRAV's farewell record and disbanding statement all in one. Times change and the man changes with them. With a decade separating the first and second full-length with only crumbs having been shared in-between, naturally aspects have changed both for fans and band alike during the excruciatingly long radio silence. 

Because of this, the new album encompasses everything that MYRKGRAV's has ever had to offer – or at least an attempt has been made, if we are making bold statements. As such, it was a natural choice to include re-arranged and re-recorded versions of a couple of old classic songs from the "Trollskau, Skrømt Og Kølabrenning" album, as homage to what most would probably call OG MYRKGRAV.

Like always, Lars Jensen presents to the world with MYRKGRAV, through the voice of music, local history and Folklore from Ringerike, Krokskogen, Nordmarka, Lommedalen and the other nearby areas surrounding where he grew up.

Back in 2006 Lars was but a 19 year-old folklore enthusiast – but is now at 29 a student of folklore and ethnology at Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland. Having access to a wide array of Folklore and folkloristic learnings has also strengthened MYRKGRAV's core value of exploring a culture unknown to most.

While not exactly time travel, MYRKGRAV aims to function as a looking glass into times past, its cultural oddities, values and stories. And while we are talking about stories, every single lyric for every song on the album will be illustrated with hand drawn illustrations in the style of famous Norwegian author, illustrator, painter and comic creater Kjell Aukrust.

MYRKGRAV is all about the full package. Not only is new music used to tell stories of times past, but the stories also deserve to come to life through visual representation. Hopefully these forgotten tales will come to life in the minds of the many, from all around the world, and take their place in history once more.

MEDIA FEEDBACK for MYRKGRAV "Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen":

9,5 / 10
"I’m sure there are tons more but if I had to put a list of bands that everyone should know about and probably don’t, Norway’s Myrkgrav would most likely be at the top of my list … I am crossing my fingers that 10 years from now maybe you will revisit some of these tracks? I will keep the torch lit in the meantime… great album."
(Folk-metal.nl)

85 / 100
"The songs are strong and at times just incredibly beautiful."
(Ragherrie)

8 / 10
"Guests, which are a few on this release, did a great job and so the final 'product' is at the highest level."
(Headbang)

8 / 10
"… great sounding album from MYRKGRAV … if you are a fan of Black, Folk and Viking Metal, you should check out this recording."
(A Different Shade Of Black Metal)

70 / 100
"As for the technique, we are at a high level, there are no burrs and all instruments are mixed to perfection … thanks to adequate production and a perfect mix … the arrangements are very attractive, with well-studied scores and everything is where it should be … at times the involvement is total … and touching emotional peaks worthy of the most inspired Borknagar ("Om å Bekhette Danse" and "Sjuguttmyra" are a clear example) …"
(Insane Voices Labirynth)

"… old fashioned Norwegian fiddle music crossed with the finest in ogre-roar Metal, and it is glorious … I mean, I love fiddle music and I love ogre-roar, so long as the doom is properly leavened, and in this case the Folk elements shine like bright ribbons on a dark tapestry … it is sweeping, majestic, overwhelming and boneshaking, the way ogre-roar Metal is supposed to be, at its finest when its power feels inexorable, like pull of the tide going out … it is also chair-shimmy music."
(Now This Sound Is Brave)

"There are only a few Folk/Viking Metal bands that can truly combine extreme, fast-paced brutality with just enough folk influences and melody to set it apart from generic Black Metal … ”Takk Og Farvel; Tida Er Blitt Ei Annen” not only accomplishes this feat, but also has a great variety … not a detail has been overlooked, from the traditional percussion to the beautiful Nordic lyrics, and the amazingly authentic sounding folk elements … exceptional, moving fiddle playing, well varied and tactful drumming, and just magnificent riffs … the vocals are intense, or profound depending on the mood.The album has many sides. Somber, malicious, cheerful, or bittersweet … be it Black Metal tinged with gorgeous melodies, or 100 % authentic sounding Folk movements, it’s all powerful, gripping music … from the second the intro ends, into the pummeling first riff which you won’t be able to stop yourself from headbanging to, all the way to the melancholy, bittersweet closer Eld … this album is attention grabbing, and reeks heavily of everything Viking, Pagan and Folk … it reeks heavily of everything done right."
(Absit Omen)

"Pure class - from beginning to the bitter end!"
(Snooze Control)

"And Lars 'Leiðólfr' Jensen … is effective wonderfully successful testified this album … but his love for Black Metal coming here well covered … so there a huge variation occurs between the songs … all this is occasionally supported by choirs which some tracks give something epic … fans of both Black Metal and Folk Metal, and by extension Viking Metal, should definitely seek out this gem … and quite possibly a huge sale of this album can ensure that this is not the last we hear of MYRKGRAV … this is really top of its genre, so it is a mystery to me why this is not picked up by any major label!"
(Musika.be)

"MYRKGRAV doesn’t present only music … it presents emotions, tradition and culture … everything about this one-man Folk Metal is unique and in perfect musical balance … Music for the ears and soul."
(Demon Reports)

MYRKGRAV • Online:
    

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