Myrkur

This article is about the musical project. For the song by Sigur Rós, see Myrkur (song). For the self-titled EP by Myrkur, see Myrkur (EP).

Myrkur
Myrkur in 2018
Myrkur in 2018
Background information
OriginCopenhagen, Denmark
GenresFolk rock, black metal, blackgaze, gothic metal[1]
Years active2014–present
LabelsRelapse
MembersAmalie Bruun
Websitemyrkurmusic.com

Myrkur is a solo black metal project by Danish singer Amalie Bruun.[2] Initially, the real-life identity of the person behind the project was kept unknown. Her identity has since been made public.[3][4] Myrkur has released four full-length studio albums to significant critical acclaim, as well as a live album and two EP.[5] Her most recent album, Spine, was released on 20 October 2023 through Relapse Records.

The name of the project comes from an Icelandic (and Faroese) word meaning "darkness."[6] The musical influences of Myrkur range from traditional Scandinavian folk to the black metal genre.[6] New releases from Myrkur have tended towards embracing folk music traditions, with Bruun's 2020 album Folkesange being overwhelming folk-inspired and lacking the black metal sound that characterized the artist's earlier releases.[6] Folkesange contains narrative "story-songs" performed on instruments appropriate to the ancient pagan folk music that Bruun included within the album, alongside modern original compositions as well.[6]

History

Bruun formed the project and signed to Relapse Records in 2014. On September 16 that same year, Myrkur debuted with a self-titled EP on which Bruun provided the vocals, played all guitars and bass and produced the album.[2] Drums were performed by her friend Rex Myrnur. In June 2015, Myrkur announced the release of her debut full-length album, entitled M, which was released on 21 August 2015 via Relapse Records to critical acclaim.[7][8] The album was produced by Kristoffer Rygg of Ulver, and featured Teloch of Mayhem and Nidingr on guitars, with Øyvind Myrvoll of Nidingr and Dodheimsgard on drums. In August 2016, she released a live album titled Mausoleum, which was recorded at the Emanuel Vigeland Mausoleum in Oslo, Norway. The album featured acoustic and choral reinterpretations of her previously released material with the assistance of the Norwegian Girls Choir and Håvard Jørgensen, former guitarist in Ulver. Her second full-length album, Mareridt, was released on 15 September 2017.[9] In 2018, the album won the non-fan voted "Album of the Year" award at Metal Hammer's Golden Gods Awards.[10] Her latest album Folkesange was released on 20 March 2020.[11]

Members

Bruun in 2019
Current
  • Amalie Bruun – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, piano, organ, violin, nyckelharpa, percussion (2014–present)
Session/live musicians
  • Jeppe Skouv – bass (2016–present)
  • Andreas Lynge – guitars (2016–present)
  • Martin Haumann – drums (2017–present)
  • Om Rex Orale – bass (2018–present)
  • Ojete Mordaza II – drums (2018–present)
  • Rider G Omega –guitars (2018–present)
  • Maja Shining - bass/backing vocals/synth (2023-present)

Discography

Studio albums

Soundtracks

  • Ragnarok (2023)

Live albums

EPs

Singles

  • "Skaði" (Demo) (2014)
  • "Nattens Barn" (2014)
  • "Onde Børn" (2015)
  • "Den Lille Piges Død" (2015)
  • "Jeg er guden, I er tjenerne" (2016)
  • "Två Konungabarn" (2017)
  • "Måneblôt" (2017)
  • "Ulvinde" (2017)
  • "Shadows of Silence" (2017)
  • "De tre piker" (2017)
  • "Juniper" (2018)
  • "Bonden og Kragen" (2018)
  • "Ella" (2020)
  • "Leaves of Yggdrasil" (2020)
  • "Gudernes Vilje" (2020)
  • "Dronning Ellisiv" (2020)
  • "Rivers Blessed" (Demo) (2021)
  • "Like Humans" (2023)
  • "Mothlike" (2023)
  • "Valkyriernes Sang" (2023)

References

  1. ^ Toland, Michael (14 August 2015). "Myrkur - M (Relapse)". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b Wyatt Marshall (16 September 2014). "Shedding Light on the Darkness of Myrkur". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  3. ^ Ax Rosenberg (16 July 2014). "Meet Your Myrkur". Metal Sucks. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  4. ^ "THE MYRKUR MYSTERY". No Clean Singing. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Myrkur". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "Myrkur Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  7. ^ Relapse Records (12 June 2015). "Myrkur announces new Album "M"". Relapse Records. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Reviews and Tracks for M by Myrkur - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  9. ^ Records, Relapse. "Out now on CD/LP/Deluxe 2XLP/Digital". Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  10. ^ Zukowski, Zenae (12 June 2018). "Winners revealed for 2018's Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards including Judas Priest, Lacuna Coil and more". Metal Insider. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Myrkur Announces New Album Folksange Coming March 20 On Relapse Records, Reveals Lead Single "Ella"". 14 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.