Nattramn is the project created by Andreas Axelsson, who previously composed his dark Nordic folk tunes under the names Fornsken and Ursprung. After releasing 4 other albums, the musician comes back with Sonatorrek (“the irreparable loss of sons”), a new release based on the eponymous 13th century skaldic poem, Egil’s Saga. Divided into 25 stanzas, the Icelandic saga is focused on the life of skald and Viking Egill Skallagrímsson (ca. 910–990).
“The work laments the death of two of the poet’s sons, Gunnar, who died of a fever, and Böðvarr, who drowned during a storm. According to the saga, after Egill placed Böðvarr in the family burial mound, he locked himself in his bed-chamber, determined to starve himself to death. Egill’s daughter, Thorgerdur, diverted him from this plan in part by convincing him to compose a memorial poem for Böðvarr, to be carved on a rune-staff.”
The cover image of the digitally released album was designed by Christoffer (Tales From Utgard). The artist shared some details about his creation process:
“A lot of work has gone into this, from the sketching to final touches, such as the set of colors and translating of the runes.
For example, the set of colors are based upon real colors that was used during the Viking age and put forth by scientific means.”
Both Andreas and Christoffer decided to redirect all the earning of the album to victims of the war in Ukraine.
See also:
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Fornsken releases ‘Runor Skall Du Finna’
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Fornsken unveils single: ‘Uruz’
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Ursprung reveals album: ‘Rúnar Munt þú Finna’
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