Sólstafir kick off European tour and introduce drummer

SÓLSTAFIR are kicking off their European autumn tour at the Voxhall in Aarhus, Denmark tonight.

The enigmatic Icelanders will be joined by Japanese post-rockers MONO and German-Swiss musical brothers in spirit THE OCEAN.

SÓLSTAFIR are furthermore announcing Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson as the new man on the drum stool for this road-trip:

“Please welcome our current touring drummer, Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson!”,

states Aðalbjörn Tryggvason.

“He already played some shows with us, and we are looking very much forward to have him aboard on this journey. His previous bands include TENDERFOOT, BEE SPIDERS, and JEFF WHO.”

All confirmed dates can be viewed below.

For guest list and interview requests, please contact Season of Mist.
SÓLSTAFIR with MONO and THE OCEAN
12 Oct 15 Aarhus (DK) Voxhall
13 Oct 15 Oslo (NO) Vulkan Arena
14 Oct 15 Stockholm (SE) Debaser Medis
16 Oct 15 Turku (FI) Vimma
17 Oct 15 Helsinki (FI) Cirkus
18 Oct 15 St. Petersburg (RU) Zhal Ozhidaniya
19 Oct 15 Moscow (RU) Volta
21 Oct 15 Vilnius (LI) New York
22 Oct 15 Warszawa (PL) Proxima
23 Oct 15 Berlin (DE) Heimathafen
24 Oct 15 Leeuwarden (NL) Into the Void Fest
26 Oct 15 Köln (DE) Live Music Hall
27 Oct 15 Wiesbaden (DE) Schlachthof
28 Oct 15 München (DE) Backstage
29 Oct 15 Bologna (IT) Locomotiv
30 Oct 15 Mezzago (IT) Bloom
31 Oct 15 Lyon (FR) CCO Villeurbanne
01 Nov 15 Barcelona (ES) Apolo
02 Nov 15 Toulouse (FR) Metronum
03 Nov 15 Lausanne (CH) Les Docks
04 Nov 15 Zürich (CH) Harterei
05 Nov 15 Paris (FR) Trabendo
06 Nov 15 London (UK) Electric Ballroom
07 Nov 15 Leeds (UK) Damnation Fest

Photo credit: Mikio Ariga
SÓLSTAFIR are touring in support of their highly acclaimed fifth full-length ‘Ótta’, which is still available in various formts from the Season of Mist shop.

The amazing cover art by Icleandic star photographer RAX aka Ragnar Axelsson and tracklist for ‘Ótta’ can be viewed below:
Photo credit: Ragnar Axelsson
1. Lágnætti
2. Ótta
3. Rismál
4. Dagmál
5. Miðdegi
6. Nón
7. Miðaftann
8. Náttmál
SÓLSTAFIR are different. Their unique blend of metal with beautiful melodies, psychedelic moments and a strong undercurrent of classic / hard rock comes as varied and at times appealingly bizarre as the landscapes of their native Iceland. Their fifth full-length “Ótta” is the logical continuation of the musical course this four-piece adopted on the highly acclaimed forerunner “Svartir Sandar” (2011). Expect the unexpected, such as seduction by subtle strings or a hypnotic banjo. None of this was apparent when SÓLSTAFIR released their album debut “Í Blóði og Anda”, which translates as ‘In Blood and Spirit’ in 2002. Instead of today’s Icelandic gravel throated siren chants, frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason spit forth vitriolic crust-like vocals and the ripping guitars were clearly black metal inspired. Yet the band was as clearly identifiable back then as now and along their way with the next albums “Masterpiece of Bitterness” (2005) and “Köld” (2009) introducing new elements in a continuous evolution. SÓLSTAFIR’s music is as much the product of Arctic blizzards as of red hot volcanic magma, erupting geysers, lush green pastures, and salty waves. With “Ótta” the Icelanders touch something ancient and timeless, while defying easy categorisation. This album needs to be heard again and again, to peel back layers of details, each different and yet always revealing the same: great songs – all of them. The song titles of “Ótta” form a concept based on an old Icelandic system of time keeping similar to the monastic hours called “Eykt” (“eight”). The 24 hour day was divided into 8 parts of 3 hours each. The album starts at midnight, the beginning of “Lágnætti” (“low night”), continues through each Eyktir of the day and ends with “Náttmál” (“night time”) from 21:00 to 0:00. This form of time keeping is more open than the relentless ticking of modern times, where each second is made to count, which turns humanity into cocks of the corporate clockwork. Now SÓLSTAFIR give you the antidote. Just lean back, close your eyes, take your time and lose yourself in this masterpiece called “Ótta”!

Live line-up
Aðalbjörn Tryggvason: guitar, vocals
Svavar Austmann: bass
Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson: guitar
Hallgrímur Jón Hallgrímsson: drums

www.solstafir.net
www.facebook.com/solstafirice