Sólstafir recently released their brand new music video for the track ‘Dionysus,’ taken from their latest album ‘Endless Twilight of Codependent Love’ which was released in 2020 via Season of Mist.
‘Dionysus’ was produced and filmed in Reykjavík (IS) between August and October 2021 and edited at the Don’t Panic Films studio in Boston, Massachusetts, North America. While the video was originally shot in 8K, the finished product was scanned in its entirety onto 35mm filmstock for release.
The video follows a group of travelers as they traverse the landscapes of Iceland and come across a mysterious figure, Dionysus, who appears to be the spirit of the music they are playing, and it is beautifully shot, showcasing Iceland’s stunning landscapes and the band’s bloody captivating performance. The track itself is a mix of metal, rock, and folk and is sure to become a fan favorite.
At its core, ‘Dionysus’ is an allegory for the inner violence and tragedy of substance abuse and the struggle with an endless twilight of codependent love.
Sólstafir’s music is characterized by heavy riffs, melodic vocals, and a unique blend of post-rock and doom metal. The band has released six full-length albums to date, starting with 2002’s ‘Í Blóði Og Anda’ and most recently with their 2020 album, ‘Endless Twilight of Codependent Love.’ This album was their most successful to date, reaching number 4 on the US Heatseekers chart and receiving critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Metal Hammer Magazine.
Speaking about their history, since their formation in 1995, the post-metal band Sólstafir from Iceland has been creating waves in the music scene. The band’s name translated to “Sun Staff,” a tribute to a staff from the Viking age that was used as a sundial. The band’s use of both clean and harsh vocals and its blending of heavy metal, rock, and folk influences define their sound.
The band was formed in the small fishing village of Reykjavik, Iceland, by guitarists Aðalbjörn Tryggvason and Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson, bassist Halldór Einarsson, and drummer Guðmundur Óli Pálmason. The band’s early sound was heavily influenced by black metal, with their debut album, ‘Í Blóði og Anda,’ released in 2002, showcasing a raw and primitive sound.
Sólstafir currently consists of founding members Aðalbjörn Tryggvason (vocals, guitar), Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson (bass), and Guðmundur Óli Pálmason (drums), along with guitarist Svavar Austmann.
The band began to shift away from their black metal roots with the release of their debut album, ‘Masterpiece of Bitterness,’ in 2005. This album saw the band incorporating more rock and folk influences into their sound, as well as introducing clean vocals for the first time.
The band’s third album, ‘Köld,’ released in 2009, further solidified this new direction, with the band incorporating even more folk influences and experimenting with longer, more atmospheric songs. ‘Köld’ marked a significant turning point for the band.
The album departed from the band’s previous sound, featuring a more polished production and a greater emphasis on melody. As a result, the album was well-received by critics and is considered by many to be the band’s breakthrough release.
The band’s fourth album, ‘Svartir Sandar,’ released in 2011, continued in this new direction, featuring even more melody and clean vocals. The album was a commercial success in Iceland and helped to establish the band as one of the country’s most popular bands.
Sólstafir’s fifth album, ‘Ótta,’ was released in 2014. The album was a departure from the band’s previous sound, featuring a more experimental and atmospheric approach. The album received critical acclaim and was a commercial success in Iceland.
The band’s sixth album, ‘Berdreyminn,’ was released in 2017. The album featured a more polished and accessible sound.
Sólstafir’s most recent album, ‘Endless Twilight of Codependent Love,’ features a more electronic and experimental sound than the band’s previous works. The band’s fans and critics received the album very positively. With regards to the ‘Dionysus’ music video, it has already received over 1,400 views and has been praised for its bloody visual beauty.
One of the highest highlights of their career was when Sólstafir won the award for Best Rock Album of 2020 at the Icelandic Music Awards with their album ‘Endless Twilight of Codependent Love.’ The Icelandic Music Awards (Íslensku Tónlistarverðlaunin) can be seen as the Icelandic version of the Grammy Awards.
Throughout their career, Sólstafir has been known for their dynamic and constantly evolving sound. The band has never been afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of what is considered “metal,” incorporating elements of rock, folk, and even electronic music into their sound. Their live performances are also known for being intense and emotional.
The band has shared stages with the likes of Metallica, Opeth, and Mastodon and has toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Canada. They have also made appearances at major festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Download Festival, and Graspop Metal Meeting.
In recent news, Sólstafir have recently announced a co-headline tour with Katatonia through the United Kingdom and Europe. This 31-date tour named the Twilight Burials Tour will begin tomorrow, January 20th, and last until February 24th.
Fans of both bands will be able to see them together, playing their unique blend of metal and rock music. The tour will include cities such as London, Paris, Stockholm, and more, and special guests SOM will be opening for both bands throughout the tour.
