Fornhem (“Ancient Home)” have released the glacial title track of their forthcoming new album “Stämman från Berget” (“The Voice from the Mountain”), which is scheduled to hit the stores on November 5, 2021. The Swedish black metal trio has previously revealed cover art, tracklist, and further details of their harsh second full-length, which can all be viewed below.
The track ‘Stämman från Berget’ is available for immediate publication via the following link: https://youtu.be/lVGykP64FhE
Fornhem comment: “While reading the first chapters of Friedrich Nietzsche’s ‘Also sprach Zarathustra’, I found myself fascinated with the romantic setting of a hermit living on a mountain for ten years”, philosophises drummer, vocalist, and lyricist Vafthrudner. “With only a serpent and an eagle – which are symbolically quite interesting animals by the way – as friends, the hermit strives to find illumination. Once he reaches enlightenment, the hermit descends from the mountain to the next village to pronounce a simple yet profoundly provocative truth: ‘Gott ist tot’ – God is dead. As this album starts with a song about the desperation of losing one’s God or indeed, the loneliness of existence, this track closes a circle. We have reached the same conclusion as Zarathustra: God is dead. Therefore Emptiness rules again and it is up to ourselves, not to find, but to give meaning to our lives.”
Tracklist: 1. Den Längsta Dagen 2. Uþarba Spa 3. Förlist 4. Stämman från Berget 5. Untergang
Fornhem are living proof that the dark underground in Norrköping at the centre of Sweden’s historic province of Östergötland, which has spawned such ground-breaking acts as MARDUK and OFERMOD, is still fertile.
The Swedes’ sophomore full-length “Stämman från Berget” (“The Voice from the Mountain”) is clearly more than a continuation from Fornhem‘s acclaimed 2017 debut album “Ett Fjärran Kall” (“A Call from Afar”). While the trio remains firmly rooted in Nordic black metal with its mesmerising, repetitive phrasing, pounding ritualistic percussion, and fierce vocals, they have expanded the range of their eclectic influences even further.
At the core of the band’s audible musical development apart from added years of experience is the addition of guitarist Thuleman to the original founding duo of Fornhem. Thuleman is a veteran musician, who comes with a solid background in blues rock and just for the fun of it also composes Nordic ambient. The organic fusion of classic rock and metal with black metal has created a quite unique take on the genre’s sound.
Fornhem were founded in 2013 by vocalist and drummer Vafthrudner and guitarist Solbane, who came with a background in both classical music as well as black metal. Both artists are also united by a love for books as Solbane is a librarian and Vafthrudner studies history of religion in Uppsala. His interest in philosophy and art have shaped aesthetics of Fornhem – and manifest on “Stämman från Berget” in lyrics that take inspiration from Sweden’s radical lyricist Gunnar Ekelöf.
With “Stämman från Berget” Fornhem skillfully add a new facet to Nordic black metal that will appeal to both traditionalists looking for a dark emotional ride as well as those searching for a fresh approach and lyrical intelligence.
Fornhem line-up: Vafthrudner – drums, vocals / Solbane – guitar, bass / Thuleman – guitar, bass
Pre-sale at http://lnk.spkr.media/fornhem-stamman-fran-berget
Available format: “Stämman från Berget” is available on Digipak CD.