Across two acclaimed and polarizing albums, 2015’s M and 2017’s Mareridt, Myrkur — the project of prodigious multi-instrumentalist Amalie Bruun — has pushed the boundaries of what is and isn’t extreme metal, winning over famous fans including Smashing Pumkins’ Billy Corgan in the process. Her latest full-length offering will challenge those boundaries even more. Due out March 20th via Relapse Records, Myrkur’s forthcoming LP Folkesange sees Bruun shedding the black-metal influences apparent on her previous albums and fully embracing her love of folk music, which has played out already in special all-folk live sets, including one at the Netherland’s Roadburn festival last year.
Along with the announcement of the LP, Myrkur has also unveiled the album’s lead single and opener, “Ella.” The song, Bruun explained, is “the result of years of studying, playing and listening to traditional Nordic folk music.”
“This is my version of a new folk song, with roots planted in history and in the past,” she continued. “It is my ode to mankind and our connection with nature — a rite of passage as a woman and a rebirth-ritual in the sea.”
“Three years ago I decided to share a video where I performed an old Scandinavian folk song on the nyckelharpa. After this I realized that I had a strong need to create an album within this universe and that other people also wished to hear this. So I started working on picking out what old songs to reinterpret as well as write my own version of this. ‘Ella’ is this.”
Listen — and watch the single’s captivating music video — below. Scroll further to see the cover art and full track listing for Folkesange, as well as Myrkur’s upcoming live dates. You can pre-order the album here.
Folkesange track listing:
1 – Ella
2 – Fager som en Ros
3 – Leaves of Yggdrasil
4 – Ramund
5 – Tor i Helheim
6 – Svea
7 – Harpens Kraft
8 – Gammelkäring
9 – House Carpenter
10 – Reiar
11 – Gudernes Vilje Vinter
Myrkur live dates:
07/09 – 07/11: Gefle, SE – Gefle Metal Festival
08/05 – 08/08: Jaroměř, CZ – Brutal Assault Festival
