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Sólstafir

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Sólstafir
Sólstafir at Brutal Assault 2015
Sólstafir at Brutal Assault 2015
Background information
OriginIceland
Genres
Years active1995–present
Labels
Members
  • Aðalbjörn "Addi" Tryggvason
  • Sæþór Maríus "Pjúddi" Sæþórsson
  • Svavar "Svabbi" Austmann
  • Hallgrímur Jón "Grimsi" Hallgrímsson
Past members
  • Halldór Einarsson
  • Guðmundur Óli "Gummi" Pálmason
Websitesolstafir.net Edit this at Wikidata

Sólstafir is an Icelandic post-metal band formed in 1995 and currently signed to Century Media . Originally a black metal band, they transitioned to a post-metal-influenced style on their second album Masterpiece of Bitterness.

History

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Sólstafir was formed in 1995 by guitarist/singer Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, bassist Halldór Einarsson, and drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason.[1] The band's name is the Icelandic word for sun beams (crepuscular rays).[2] They soon recorded the demos Í Norðri and Til Valhallar.[3] Halldór then left the band, and Aðalbjörn and Guðmundur recorded a promo tape as a duo in 1997.[3]

During this period, Svavar Austmann joined as the new bassist and the band began recording their debut full-length album, Í Blóði og Anda. The album was not released until 2002 due to various recording delays and label disputes.[1] Shortly after that album was completed, second guitarist Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson joined the band and made his debut on the 2002 demo Black Death.[1]

After shopping around a three-track demo of new songs, Sólstafir signed with Spinefarm Records in 2005.[4] Their second album Masterpiece of Bitterness was released by Spinefarm later that year. The album received positive reviews, with Metal Storm stating "the perfect mix of non-Metal elements with metal ones makes it a necessary album for any Metalhead looking for something that breaks the mold of pre-established genres."[5]

Their third album Köld was recorded in Sweden and released in 2009.[6] Reviewers compared the band's sound to Enslaved and Neurosis, among others, while noting their unique post-black metal sound.[7] The album was also noted for its addition of atmospheric passages.[1] Sólstafir began to tour Europe regularly in 2010 and made their first of many open-air appearances at the Roskilde Festival that year.[8]

Sólstafir's fourth full-length album, Svartir Sandar, was released by Season of Mist in 2011. The song "Fjara"[9] remained in the 2013 list of Iceland's top 100 songs of 20 years.[10] This album signaled Sólstafir's retreat from black metal and move toward experimental atmospherics of the type practiced by fellow Icelanders Sigur Rós.[11]

Their fifth album Ótta was released by Season of Mist in 2014, and was noted for its additional experimental elements like strings and piano.[12] Three official music videos were released and the band performed Iceland's national television channel, RÚV's Stúdio Á.[13]

In January 2015, the band announced that longtime drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason had left the band for "personal reasons". Guðmundur was replaced by Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson.[1] After his departure from the band Guðmundur formed post metal band Katla.

Sólstafir released their sixth full-length album, Berdreyminn, in May 2017 on Season of Mist.[14] Upon its release Berdreyminn entered international charts, mostly top 50, across Europe.[15]

On November 6, 2020, Sólstafir released their seventh studio album, Endless Twilight of Codependent Love.[16]

Members

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Aðalbjörn Tryggvason on the Barge to Hell 2012

Current

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  • Aðalbjörn "Addi" Tryggvason – guitar, vocals (1995–present)
  • Svavar "Svabbi" Austmann – bass (1999–present)
  • Sæþór Maríus "Pjúddi" Sæþórsson – guitar (2002–present)
  • Hallgrímur Jón "Grimsi" Hallgrímsson – drums (2015–present)

Former

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  • Halldór Einarsson – bass (1995–1997)
  • Guðmundur Óli Pálmason – drums (1995–2015)

Live members

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  • Ari "Sneakers" Steinarsson – drums (2015, 2023–2024)

Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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  • Til Valhallar (EP), 1996
  • Black Death (EP), 2002
  • Ótta (Radio Edit) + Til Valhallar (EP), 2014
  • Ótta Sampler EP / Bonus: Live at Hellfest 2014 (EP), 2014
  • Tilberi (EP), 2016
  • Silfur-Refur (EP), 2017

Demos

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  • Í Norðri (demo), 1995
  • Promo Tape September 1997 (demo), 1997
  • Black Death (demo), 2001
  • Promo 2004 (demo), 2004

Singles

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  • 2011: "Fjara"
  • 2012: "Æra"
  • 2013: "Þín orð"
  • 2014: "Ótta"
  • 2024: "Hin Helga Kvöl"
  • 2024: "Hún andar"

Splits/compilations

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  • "Fire & Ice - An Icelandic Metal Compilation" (Compilation), 1997
  • "Fjara/Runaway Train" (Split with Legend), 2014

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Monger, James Christopher. "Solstafir: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Solstafir". Prog Archives. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Sólstafir: Discography". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Sólstafir – Original Rockers". Iceland Music. Archived from the original on 2019-04-28. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  5. ^ "Sólstafir - Masterpiece Of Bitterness review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Interview: Sólstafir" (14 March 2009). R.U.M.zine. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  7. ^ "Sólstafir - Köld". Metal Reviews. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  8. ^ Chirulescu, Andrea (14 May 2012). "SOLSTAFIR - We are Fucking Bastards". Eternal Terror. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Video: Icelandic Highland Coffin Popular on YouTube". Iceland Review. July 26, 2012.
  10. ^ "100 vinsælustu lög X977 í 20 ár". Vísir – x97.7. Archived from the original on 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  11. ^ Kantor, Konrad (31 January 2012). "Sólstafir – Svartir Sandar Review". Last Rites. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  12. ^ Selzer, Jonathan (7 July 2014). "Solstafir: The Path Less Travelled". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  13. ^ "SцЁlstafir - Dagmц║l | Rц V". Ruv.is. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  14. ^ Solstafir's 'Berdreyminn' Exposes the Dark Side of Utopia
  15. ^ "Sólstafir Etner The International Album Charts With 'Berdreyminn'". Dark Art Conspiracy. June 10, 2017.
  16. ^ "SÓLSTAFIR Reveals New Album Details; Livestreams New Single - BraveWords". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  17. ^ "Sólstafir announces new album Svartir Sandar details". Metal Underground. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  18. ^ "SÓLSTAFIR Reveals New Album Details; Livestreams New Single - BraveWords". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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