Naglfar

The ancient legends of the North prophesize, that the dark enemies of the world will attack the gods at the fiery end of days on the ship NAGLFAR.
In Umeå in the far north of Sweden where the bitter cold nights of winter arrive much earlier and linger longer than even in cool Stockholm the two friends Kristoffer W. Olivius (bass) and Jens Rydén (vocals) start to lay down the keel of the band Uninterred in 1992.
Their first crew consists of the two guitarists Morgan Hansson and Fredrik Degerström as well as Nocturnal Rites' drummer Ulf Andersson for a short period of time. When this dragonship of black metal meanwhile rechristened to NAGLFAR launches its first demo "Stellae Trajectio" it is propelled by a drum-computer and Andreas Nilsson replaces Fredrik as string-oarsman.
With their new stroke Mattias Holmgren on board and a first recorddeal in their hands NAGLFAR immediately enter the leading factory of hard Swedish sounds at this time: Peter Tägtgren's Abyss Studio. Their debut "Vittra" slides into the metal-waters with a big splash in the year 1995. NAGLFAR successfully combine the raging speed of Swedish black metal and brutal force with nearly dreamlike, melancholic moments as well as intricate guitar-work to the point to which Jens added his characteristically raw voice. Multilayered songs like "The Eclipse Of Infernal Storms" or "Emerging From Her Weepings" develop quickly into classics and "Vittra" receives plenty of enthusiastic criticism dubbing the album a pitch black milestone. Many regard NAGLFAR even as the only direct contender to the throne held by the genre-giant Dissection.
While this Ship of Hell quickly gathers speed running under full sails right from the start it suddenly hits an unexpected lull when Mr. Holmgren vacates his drum-chair. It takes NAGLFAR some time before they finally enlist Mattias Grahn as a permanent Master of Beats to their ranks, which causes a delay of three years before they go on to release the successor "Diabolical". In the wake of NAGLFAR's glorious debut expectations run naturally high, but instead of simply repeating their winning formula the band opts for a small yet decisive change of course: "Diabolical" emphasises edgy death metal parts and reduces in darkness. All those who were looking forward to a "Vittra 2" are left with slight disappointment, but smashing songs like "Blades" or "Horncrowned Majesty" still count as live favourites among the fans and "Diabolical" remains an album far above average to this day. Despite all their qualities NAGFLAR gather no momentum after the realease of "Diabolical". A tour as co-headliner for Deicide, several appearances at festivals and some contributions to samplers do not much to advance the band, but prove the Swedes' extraordinary class.
In 2000 guitarist disembarks, but Kristoffer soon manages to convince his Bewitched-colleague Marcus "Vargher" Norman to join the black crew. This turns out to be a wise decision as Marcus catches out like a fresh wind in the sails.
A deal with New Haven Records offers the needed base for a first sign of live after NAGLFAR's long break: The EP "Ex Inferis" (2002), which contains a brandnew killer-song "Of Gorgons Spawned Through Witchcraft " and a cover-version of the Massacre classic "Dawn Of Eternity". NAGLFAR are back and finally they raise a much blacker flag again. "Ex Inferis" is a perfect preview for the coming masterpiece "Sheol", unleashed in spring 2003. NAGLFAR manage to live up to the hopes they raised. Thrashing orgies of destruction with a nice portion of black hardness and quite the right pinch of catchy riffing thrill even their early fans, which still cling to darker sounds. "Sheol" puts an exclamation mark behind the Swedes' career again, who are busy confirming their new found status by topping the bills of several festivals - even headlining Party-San for a celebrated show. Just as NAGLFAR happily sail under a sunny sky, the dark clouds of storm gather again.
Founding member Jens Rydén has to move to Stockholm for educational reasons and thus honourably resigns from his band. The demise of their charismatic singer leaves a huge gap of course, but this time NAGLFAR act without hesitation. Bass-player Kristoffer W. Olivius takes over the vacant position for fierce croaking, his outstanding qualification for the job already proven on the microphone for Swedish black metal extremists Setherial. With a new helmsman at the ruder, NAGLFAR return to studio in early 2005 to record their fourth album "Pariah".
"Pariah" turns out to be a massive surprise, because their first album on Century Media Records manages far more than even "Sheol" to recapture the spirit of their big hit "Vittra". Remorselessly driven by Mattias Grahn's merciless drum-barrage "Pariah" delivers a thundering steel-inferno of razorblade-riffs. Arching melodies create sound-scapes of icy frost and those wizards of the strings Andreas Nilsson and Marcus V. Norman unite their dark abilities to shape harsh harmonies that are telling of evil epics. To the dark voice of the guitars Mr. Olivius adds his own raucous chords, spewing forth hateful lyrics into the world. NAGFLAR are back to the realm of black metal beyond any doubt to reclaim the Swedish crown. Without renouncing their technical abilities grown in eleven years, NAGLFAR concentrate on their strengths: Out of rough and deeply black musical force grow exalted melodies filled with cold beauty. The mentioning of a breeze of Dimmu Borgir's monumental richness or a trace of Emperor's cool elegance sometimes shining through the unmistaken sound of NAGLFAR should be understood as an honorary comparison.
The Swedes always remain true to themselves, simply refining their own characteristic style and at times reaching the same conclusions as their Norwegian colleagues. "Pariah" manages the rare feat of building a bridge between the hard core of the black fraction and their love of extreme sounds and a much broader audience, which is appealed by catchy melodies and a crispy clear production. NAGLFAR have just introduced "Pariah" live on tour with Finntroll and will do this as well on the already confirmed Wacken Open Air: A guaranteed success!