NEWS: Jotungrav break loose from the Wolfpack!

Originally the solo project of singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist Matias Stenman, Finnish Progressive Black Folk Metal duo  Jotungrav write songs about nordic mythology through a lens of modern philosophy that stretch to around the 10 minute mark. Joined by drummer Matias Rokio, Stenman handles vocals, guitars, bass and orchestrations with “Ulven” (or “The Wolf“) appearing as their latest burnt offering via Inverse Records.

The band comments: “Ulven is an atmospherically versatile song; in it you can hear everything from the tremolo guitar riffs characteristic of black metal to atmospheric passages accompanied by acoustic instruments. The atmosphere of the song is sometimes serene, sometimes furious. The song’s lyrics are from a darker, albeit philosophical, end. They reflect on people’s pent-up xenophobia and hostile tribalism. Ulven (wolf in Finnish, referring to the Fenris wolf) serves as a metaphor for the human tendency to see enemies everywhere, as well as for cowards who without empathy sacrifice their own ties to others in the name of self-interest. This is how the song connects the problems that torment people from ancient times as well as a modern point of view. Even though the ancient Scandinavian mythology only functions as a thematic mirror for human characteristics, Ulven’s lyrics contain both direct and indirect references to Odin, the reigning god of Asgård, who spent his life until the last day in fear of the prophecy of the Jotun wolf that would kill him. However, fear of death cannot be likened to hate in Odin’s case: the god of knowledge would meet his death spear in hand on the back of his horse, whether he wanted it or not. However, not all ordinary people are blessed with such might and stoic fortitude. The worst people succumb to obsessive paranoia in the face of chaos, arming themselves with the power of anger.”