Les Fleurs Du Mal WebZine: Sólstafir release video for “Miðaftann” and announce special European shows in May

Season Of Mist presents:

Sólstafir release video for “Miðaftann”

and announce special European shows in May

SÓLSTAFIR have released a spectacular video for the song "Miðaftann", a number from their latest full-length 'Ótta' (2014).

The clip was directed by Harri Haataja and Vesa Ranta and shot with renowned actor Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson, at the famous black sand beach which inspired the band's album title 'Svartir Sandar' close to Iceland's southernmost village Vík í Mýrdal.

"Miðaftann" is already streaming on YouTube worldwide via our US media partner NPR:

www.npr.org/event/music/459690740/icelands-solstafir-seeks-salvation-in-sublimely-shot-mi-aftann

Frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason comments on the video: "The track is about wandering in darkness. Playing chess with Death, getting burned by salt, drowning in the ultimate wave of sin and returning back home by using moonlight as navigation."

Directors Harri Haataja and Vesa Ranta further elaborate: "They told us a real-life story about a sailor, who lost his crew at sea and was stranded to shore as the only survivor-. He proceeded to find his way to town and en route he found a barrel filled with water. Yet the water was frozen, so he had to punch through the ice with his bare hands to fight dehydration. Eventually, after a long journey, he reached the town and survived."

On further news, SÓLSTAFIR are announcing a set of special shows in Europe. The Icelanders will perform their latest album 'Ótta' in full accompanied by piano and strings. The second part of the evening will be filled with fan favourites from the band's long history.

All confirmed dates can be viewed below.

14 May 16 London (UK) Islington Assembly Hall

15 May 16 Paris (FR) Divan du Monde

16 May 16 Haarlem (NL) Patronaat

17 May 16 Hamburg (DE) Gruenspan

18 May 16 Leipzig (DE) Taubchental

19 May 16 Aarau (CH) KiFF

20 May 16 Wörgl (AT) Komma

21 May 16 Wien (AT) Arena

22 May 16 Praha (CZ) Palac Akropolis

SÓLSTAFIR are touring in support of their highly acclaimed fifth full-length 'Ótta', which is still available in various formats from the Season of Mist shop and streaming in full here: http://tinyurl.com/gvdqg5q

The amazing cover art by Icleandic star photographer RAX aka Ragnar Axelsson and tracklist for 'Ótta' can be viewed below:

1. Lágnætti

2. Ótta

3. Rismál

4. Dagmál

5. Miðdegi

6. Nón

7. Miðaftann

8. Náttmál

SÓLSTAFIR are different. Their unique blend of metal with beautiful melodies, psychedelic moments and a strong undercurrent of classic / hard rock comes as varied and at times appealingly bizarre as the landscapes of their native Iceland. Their fifth full-length "Ótta" is the logical continuation of the musical course this four-piece adopted on the highly acclaimed forerunner "Svartir Sandar" (2011). Expect the unexpected, such as seduction by subtle strings or a hypnotic banjo. None of this was apparent when SÓLSTAFIR released their album debut "Í Blóði og Anda", which translates as 'In Blood and Spirit' in 2002. Instead of today's Icelandic gravel throated siren chants, frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason spit forth vitriolic crust-like vocals and the ripping guitars were clearly black metal inspired. Yet the band was as clearly identifiable back then as now and along their way with the next albums "Masterpiece of Bitterness" (2005) and "Köld" (2009) introducing new elements in a continuous evolution. SÓLSTAFIR's music is as much the product of Arctic blizzards as of red hot volcanic magma, erupting geysers, lush green pastures, and salty waves. With "Ótta" the Icelanders touch something ancient and timeless, while defying easy categorisation. This album needs to be heard again and again, to peel back layers of details, each different and yet always revealing the same: great songs – all of them. The song titles of "Ótta" form a concept based on an old Icelandic system of time keeping similar to the monastic hours called "Eykt" ("eight"). The 24 hour day was divided into 8 parts of 3 hours each. The album starts at midnight, the beginning of "Lágnætti" ("low night"), continues through each Eyktir of the day and ends with "Náttmál" ("night time") from 21:00 to 0:00. This form of time keeping is more open than the relentless ticking of modern times, where each second is made to count, which turns humanity into cocks of the corporate clockwork. Now SÓLSTAFIR give you the antidote. Just lean back, close your eyes, take your time and lose yourself in this masterpiece called "Ótta"!