Sólstafir

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

Sólstafir
Sólstafir at Brutal Assault 2015
Background information
OriginIceland
GenresPost-metal, post-rock, black metal (early)
Years active1995–present
LabelsSeason of Mist
Websitesolstafir.net
Members
  • Aðalbjörn "Addi" Tryggvason
  • Sæþór Maríus "Pjúddi" Sæþórsson
  • Svavar "Svabbi" Austmann
  • Hallgrímur Jón "Grimsi" Hallgrímsson
Past members
  • Halldór Einarsson
  • Guðmundur Óli "Gummi" Pálmason

History

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] The band began playing live in Iceland in 2002.

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. This album was the band's first chart placement, reaching no. 7 in Iceland and no. 11 in Finland. The song "Fjara[9] " also entered the single charts and reached no. 1 in Iceland.. In 2013, "Fjara" remained in 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 replied immediately via the band's Twitter account, explaining that he'd been "stonewalled by ex-bandmates"[14] and forced out of the band by Aðalbjörn Tryggvason.[15] 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.[16] Upon its release "Berdreyminn" entered international charts, mostly top 50, across Europe.[17]

Members
Aðalbjörn Tryggvason on the Barge to Hell 2012

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

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

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

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

Singles
  • 2011: "Fjara"
  • 2012: "Æra"
  • 2013: "Þín orð"
  • 2014: "Ótta"

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

References
  1. Monger, James Christopher. "Solstafir: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  2. "Solstafir". Prog Archives. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  3. "Sólstafir: Discography". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  4. "Sólstafir – Original Rockers". Iceland Music.
  5. "Sólstafir - Masterpiece Of Bitterness review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  6. "Interview: Sólstafir" (14 March 2009). R.U.M.zine. 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. 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.
  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. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  14. "To clear up any misunderstanding". Sólstafir official blog. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  15. "Statement about my forced absence from Sólstafir". Sólstafir official blog. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  16. Solstafir's 'Berdreyminn' Exposes the Dark Side of Utopia
  17. "Sólstafir Etner The International Album Charts With 'Berdreyminn'". Dark Art Conspiracy. June 10, 2017.
  18. "Sólstafir announces new album Svartir Sandar details". Metal Underground. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
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