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Vafurlogi is rooted both spiritually and literally in the early 2000s black metal movement, as the earliest songs were written nearly twenty years ago. Like the stalwarts of that era, Vafurlogi draws inspiration not only from the staunch traditionalism of the ‘90s but also from its rebellious spirit of discovery and creation.
Fronted by guitarist Þórir Garðarsson of Sinmara and Svartidauði, who now also takes on vocal and bass duties, Vafurlogi presents a new chapter for him as a songwriter. Throughout years of activity with his other bands, the essence of Vafurlogi slowly cultivated in parallel below the surface. Initially a vessel for accumulated works not suitable for Svartidauði or Sinmara, Vafurlogi developed into an avenue for him to freely explore different creative ideas and moods. While touching on the apocalyptic, nightmarish realms of Svartidauði and the haunting atmospherics of Sinmara, Vafurlogi places greater emphasis on triumphant and unabashedly melodic flourishes through a comparatively stripped-down compositional approach.

In Vafurlogi, Þórir has joined forces with drummer Ragnar Sverrisson, a seasoned veteran of the underground metal scene, having played in various bands both in Iceland and abroad, such as Helfró, Ophidian I, Abyssal, and Valkyrja. After the album recordings, the lineup was reinforced with Eysteinn Orri Sigurðsson of Nyrst and Úlfúð on guitars and Samúel Ásgeirsson of Volcanova on bass. “Í vökulli áþján” was produced at the esteemed Studio Emissary by Stephen Lockhart of Rebirth of Nefast between 2020 and 2024, presenting songs written mostly between 2018 and 2020.

Vafurlogi is Icelandic for ‘flickering flame’, but the name can also be literally translated as ‘wandering light’ – and therein lies the key to the project’s thematic essence. Vafurlogi explores man’s incessant and despairing search for meaning and the ever-elusive sacred light while condemned to roam spiritual wastelands.

Returning from time apart to a world forever changed, dread-fuelled duo A SWARM OF THE SUN bring with them their fourth studio album, ‘An Empire’; its brooding, yet beautiful, melancholic narrative arc allows the band to dig ever deeper into desolation whilst a newfound lyrical focus adds a tenderness that is both harrowing and heartwarming at once.

With the early bones of forthcoming ‘An Empire’ tabled by events beyond their control in 2019, Erik and Jakob came together years later and scrapped them in favour of creating something entirely new; something distinctly different to break the cycle, defy categorisation and reflect the uncomfortable uncertainties of the times we now live in. The result is astounding; continuing the thread of narrative composition seen on ‘The Woods’, ‘An Empire’ is a six-track tale told in four distinct movements that are nothing short of devastating, from plaintive piano ballads to raw, full-band fury.

Limited to 200 numbered copies.

Sepulchral Voice, 2 panel digipack, poster booklet

‘Burning in Celestial Poison‘ is not only a statement and lesson in audio-violence, it is a 44 minutes long manifest of radical DEATH Metal causing mental lacerations and chaos! A record supposed to shock, because of its ecstatic ruthlessness and massive fanatical malevolence, hovering deep below the compositions. It opens the doors to a world that is so unbelievable vast, that you risk to lose yourself in it, its depths defy exegesis. 4 curses are woven into 4 hymns of utter death-magic, which will lead you into the black abyss of the grand divine. The album was again produced by master Arthur Rizk, who cuts through all expectations with extraordinarily dense and destructive fidelity and production. ‘Burning in Celestial Poison’ sounds like created with the magick, formulas, codes and keys of a world beyond.

With just four compilation tracks and one 7" EP issued in the early 1980s, Hollow Ground did have a rather low profile at the time of the original New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. However, their first and only single »Flying High« (issued on the collectable Guardian Records label) became an instant collector's item. Today copies with the scarce picture sleeve fetch rather insane prices. Before the release of the single Hollow Ground had recorded the four songs 'Rock On', 'Fight With The Devil', 'Flying High' and 'The Holy One' for the Guardian compilation album entitled »Roksnax«. Hollow Ground carried on to record more material (such as 'Promised Land', 'Easy Action', 'Rock To Love' and 'Loser') but an album deal was not on the cards. As a result singer Glenn Coates left to join local rivals Fist. As a result, Hollow Ground split up in mid-1981. With 21 songs the Hollow Ground anthology album on High Roller Records contains virtually everything the band has ever recorded professionally. In comparism to some of the more conservative-sounding New Wave Of British Heavy Metal acts at the time (for example Fist), Hollow Ground did show a lot of promise. Guitarist Martin Metcalf knows why: “I think we had a wider range of influences as opposed to just heavy bands, we took things from all over the rock spectrum. We were like sponges soaking everything up, from the funk of Aerosmith, the hard-rock of Montrose to the proginess of Rush.” The song 'Fight With The Devil' was chosen by Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich for his »N.W.O.B.H.M. '79 Revisited« compilation released in 1990. Hollow Ground have recently played two re-union gigs: 2007 at Headbangers Open Air in Northern Germany and in late February 2014 at Newcastle's own Brofest.