Nobody seems to want to talk about it, myself included, but the heavy underground has a persistent thread of mental health problems such that when I see someone involved, whether that’s a musician, fan, or somebody else adjacent to the music has died, especially died young, it’s almost assumed they’ve taken their own life. I don’t think that’s the case in other communities, but it is a sad reality in doom and heavy rock and roll. I’m not really sure what can be done about it beyond broader political reform in healthcare and social services — at least in the States, though as illustrated below this is by no means only a US-wide concern — and no matter who ends up being the next American president, I’m not holding out much hope for it. We got Obamacare once and the insurance industry is still trying to take it apart. They may yet.

I will not mince words and say I’ve never thought of taking my own life. There are times where killing myself seems like the most kind, most generous and most giving thing I can do for my family and those around me. The best way I can serve them is to remove my own inherently toxic presence. I recognize this view as skewed — suicide devastates, irrevocably — but I’ve been there, too, and when you’re in it it’s that much harder to see clearly. If you have ever felt that way or know someone who has, then you might understand where Sweden’s Suicide Records is coming from in putting together the new compilation, In the Loving Memory of You, as a benefit for the organization Suicide Zero.

And if you’ve ever been there or you’re there now — in it — I won’t patronize you by putting a hotline number here. If you’re looking for a thing to hang onto, hang onto the music. That’s what I do. And if you do want to talk about it — guessing you don’t, since nobody does — I’m here for that too.

Comp is out Sept. 10. Here’s info from the PR wire:

Suicide Records Releases Unique Compilation Album in Benefit of Suicide Zero

Suicide Records, the groundbreaking record label from Gothenburg, announces the release of their unique compilation album, In the Loving Memory of You, on September 10th, 2024. This album, featuring 16 bands with brand new songs, aims to support Suicide Zero, a Swedish non-profit organization dedicated to preventing suicide since 2013. All proceeds from the album will go directly to Suicide Zero.

Every six hours, someone commits suicide in Sweden, totaling four lives lost daily, not including drug overdoses or “accidents”. Roger Andersson, founder of Suicide Records, knows this pain personally. “After three incredibly tragic deaths among my close ones, there is no other path to take. I simply MUST do this,” he says. The album reflects emotions like anger, grief, and despair, hoping to aid in raising substantial funds for Suicide Zero’s essential work.

In the Loving Memory of You showcases a powerful lineup: Grand Cadaver, Skitsystem, Knivad, Demonic Death Judge (Finland), M:40, Downfall Of Gaia (Germany), The Moth Gatherer, Besvärjelsen, Novarupta and Firebreather among others. Most notably, punk icons Skitsystem will release their first new song in 18 years on this compilation.

Mikael Stanne (Grand Cadaver, The Halo Effect, Dark Tranquillity) remarked, “When we were approached to contribute, it was a no-brainer. Music is therapy for many, and we hope to help raise as much money as possible for Suicide Zero.”

Renowned Johan Reivén at Audiolord Mastering in Gothenburg mastered the album, ensuring a uniform and massive soundscape, while the album cover was designed by Error! Design from Barcelona and is intended to respectfully reflect the profound emotions related to the theme.

In the Loving Memory of You will be available as a double vinyl, sold exclusively through Bengans.se and Suicide Records’ Bandcamp: https://suiciderecordsswe.bandcamp.com

Founded in 2006 by Roger Andersson, Suicide Records has released over a hundred records, sticking to the philosophy of only releasing music worth paying for. Roger’s personal journey from addiction to becoming a key figure in Gothenburg’s music scene is a testament to his resilience and passion for music.

In December 2022, and again in April 2023, Roger faced tragic losses due to suicide within his family. These events, followed by the overdose death of a close friend, spurred Roger into action. He decided to use his connections in the music industry to create something positive out of his sorrow, leading to the creation of In the Loving Memory of You.

1. Grand Cadaver – Long Lost Light
2. Fredag den 13:e – Änglamakerskan
3. The Moth Gatherer – Black Lung
4. Knivad – Isen förlamar
5. M:40 – Tyngdlös
6. Skitsystem – Evig vinter
7. Downfall of Gaia – Concrete Cemeteries.
8. Demonic Death Judge – Poisoner
9. Division of Laura Lee – Vanishing Act
10. Firebreather – Last Train
11. Fabian Brusk Jahn – Perciption of the past
12. Besvärjelsen – Velvet Sky
13. Novarupta – Mosaic
14. Ulmus – Silenci
15. Guhts – Burn My Body
16. Rainbird – Going Down

https://www.suiciderecords.se
https://suiciderecordsswe.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/suiciderds
https://www.instagram.com/suicide_records

Guhts, “Burn My Body” official video

This week, Swedish one-man outfit Novarupta issue the second in a purported cycle of four full-lengths, Marine Snow, through esteemed noisebringers Suicide Records. The project, which began in 2018 following Alex Stjernfeldt‘s departure from The Moth Gatherer and that year released the debut, Disillusioned Fire, wants nothing for ambition. Embracing a richly atmospheric approach to post-metal, the five-song second outing boasts guest appearances from a cast of six vocalists not only from Stjernfeldt‘s home in Sweden — Robert Lamu of Skraeckoedlan, Arvid Hällagård of Greenleaf, Lea Amling of Besvärjelsen and Martin Persner of Magna Carta Cartel — but a couple of Americans as well in Inter Arma‘s Mike Paparo and A Storm of Light‘s Josh Graham, who begins the record with “Broken Blue Cascades” in a lyrical meditation on climate change and the destructive relationship between humans and the planet indulgent enough to let us evolve on it.

The method of bringing in outsiders is a carryover from Disillusioned Fire, and as Marine Snow plays out, with Amling and Lamu working through a melodic wash of an arrangement on “Every Shade of Water,” the theme unites the material effectively in concert with the instrumental backing entirely from Stjernfeldt. Songwriting is patient and allows the proceedings to flow accordingly as well, furthering the watery nature that’s been a part of post-metal at least since Isis issued Oceanic, if not before, but the breadth across Marine Snow is Stjernfeldt‘s own, and continues into the more active lumbering of “Trieste,” which brings Persner forward atop a weighted punch of bass and lumbering chug that borders on atmospheric goth rock in a surprising highlight that lives up to the standard of the song before (a high standard indeed) and thanks to layering even manages to keep some sonic congruence as well. Sonar pings as it moves toward the midsection let the listener know perhaps that they’re on their way down through “Trieste,” and the back half plays between returning verses and more forceful chug and march, galloping triplets and echoing effects capping.

With “No Constellation,” Paparo brings the album’s most singularly extreme vocals over a melancholic progression, reminiscent of modern death-doom but distinct from it and accompanied by distortion to match the echoing growls. The two — that additional layer of guitar and the gutturalism — give the track a sense of depth that, in addition to being on-theme, is a standout from everything else that surrounds on Marine Snow, a darker and denser place; as Stjernfeldt portrays it below, like the bottom of the ocean. If “Broken Blue Cascades” and “Every Shade of Water” were breaking the surface and “Trieste” was perhaps a goodbye love-letter to breathable air, then certainly “No Constellation” is as far down as the plunge goes. It comes backed by the closer, “11°22.4?N 142°35.5?E,” which are coordinates that correspond to the spot in the Pacific Ocean that is the lowest point on the earth, and a fitting enough place for Stjernfeldt to find some sense of rest. Of course, there’s still plenty of heft to convey across the 10-plus minutes of the finale, but though the rush of waves at the finish becomes more intense, the feeling throughout Hällagård‘s relatively subdued contribution is still that having gone so far down, Novarupta remain in that place.

And so, the listener does as well. As the series of albums is based around the ancient elements — fire, water, air and earth — there are two left for Stjernfeldt and presumably his next round of accompaniment to cover. I don’t know if earth or air is next, but the procession throughout Marine Snow not only showcases a refinement of approach since Disillusioned Fire, but an increase in breadth as well. Should that continue apace, whether he’s capturing the essence of the ground or soaring high above it, Stjernfeldt will be in a fitting position to manifest his theme.

I’ll resist the temptation to tell you to ‘dive in’ to “No Constellation” below, and instead just point out the quote from Stjernfeldt and preorder link/PR wire info that follow.

Enjoy:

Novarupta, “No Constellation” official video premiere

Alex Stjernfeldt on “No Constellation”:

“I first stumbled upon Inter Arma back in 2013 when they released Sky Burial. I was in love! Since then Mike’s voice has been in the back of my mind. We met a couple of years ago when they toured with Deafheaven and we started talking about some collaboration. ‘No Constellation’ took some different turns during the writing sessions, but when it was finished, I realised it was one of the heavier songs I had done for Novarupta, so in came Mike Paparo, who created a really hostile and End of Days environment. Listening to the track feels like you’re at the bottom, surrounded by darkness and a crushing pressure, you will never see the stars again, so get used to the suffering.”

Novarupta’s Marine Snow is released worldwide on 13th November on Suicide Records and can be pre-ordered HERE: https://suiciderecordsswe.bandcamp.com/album/marine-snow

Formed in 2018 from the pyres of time spent in Swedish post-metal outfit The Moth Gatherer, Alex Stjernfeldt’s Novarupta has gone on to envelop almost every corner of Sweden’s underground rock and metal community.

Named after one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th Century, this November, Novarupta will again join forces with Suicide Records for the release of Marine Snow; the second instalment in a series of four albums that conceptually focuses on the elemental forces of Fire, Water, Air and Earth.

Heralding a journey of musical catharsis, Marine Snow effortlessly takes the torch from Novarupta’s acclaimed debut, Disillusioned Fire (2018). Emerging from a passage of fire onto the ocean floor below, Marine Snow immerses listeners in a sea of blackened sludge, progressive metal and monochromatic psychedelia.

TRACK LISTING
1. Broken Blue Cascades
2. Every Shade of Water
3. Trieste
4. No Constellation
5. 11°22.4?N 142°35.5?E

NOVARUPTA is:
Alex Stjernfeldt

Featured vocalists on Marine Snow:
Josh Graham (A Storm of Light/Red Sparowes)
Lea Amling (Besvärjelsen)
Robert Lamu (Skraeckoedlan)
Martin Persner (Magna Carta Cartel/Ghost)
Mike Paparo (Inter Arma)
Arvid Hällagård (Greenleaf)

Novarupta on Thee Facebooks

Novarupta on Instagram

Novarupta order page

Suicide Records on Thee Facebooks

Suicide Records on Instagram

Suicide Records on Bandcamp

Suicide Records website

You won’t have to go terribly far into Novarupta‘s 2018 debut, Disillusioned Fire, to hear the Swedish project of Alex Stjernfeldt (ex-The Moth Gatherer) pushing the outer reaches of post-metal extremity, but there’s more to that record than a single texture, and one expects the same applies to the upcoming sophomore LP, Marine Snow, which Suicide Records will issue this Fall. Like the preceding full-length, the new one will feature a range of guest vocalists, giving all the more sonic variety to what’s already a broad reach on Stjernfeldt‘s part. If you have a minute and haven’t heard it yet, it’s at the bottom of this post via Bandcamp.

No audio from the album as yet, but there’s some explanation below of the project and its multi-record intention, and you can see who’s taking part this time around. A significant assemblage.

From the PR wire:

NOVARUPTA announce release details of “Marine Snow”

So the story of Novarupta continues!

This time Alex pulls us down into the darkest depths known to mankind. On the 13th of November Suicide Records will release “Marine Snow.”

It all started with a fire! Disillusioned, but still a fire. Novarupta was created as something other than just a band, a collective concept spanning the elements that creates the essence of life. In 2018 the recording of ”Disillusioned Fire” began, and that was only the beginning. 2020 will see the release of the second chapter in this journey through fire, water, air and finally earth. Each part contains concepts connected to the element and each album is by itself a conceptul album with a life of its own, yet also a smaller part of a bigger picture, that will be completed when the 4 albums come together.

Marine Snow is a vertical journey from the false and stressful land down into the darkened embrace and pressure of the deepest parts of the ocean.

Tracklist:
1. Broken Blue Cascades
2. Every Shade of Water
3. Trieste
4. No Constellation
5. 11°22.4?N 142°35.5?E

These are the featured vocalists:
Josh Graham (A Storm of Light/ex. Red Sparowes)
Lea Amling (Besvärjelsen)
Robert Lamu (Skraeckoedlan)
Martin Persner (Magna Carta Cartel/ex. Ghost)
Mike Paparo (Inter Arma)
Arvid Hällagård (Greenleaf).

The main constant in NOVARUPTA is Alex Stjernfeldt. In his broken past he has played in bands like The Moth Gatherer and Mr. Death, which both have critical acclaim in the international press. He has also collaborated with Terra Tenebrosa on their album The Reverses. When he left The Moth Gatherer, Stjernfeldt stood disillusioned while facing an uncertain and bleak future. Fueled by depression and frustration and a need to explore a deeper and darker musical direction while also returning to the roots from which he came, the foundation of NOVARUPTA was born.

https://www.facebook.com/novaruptaband
https://www.instagram.com/novaruptaband/
https://orcd.co/disillusioned_fire
https://www.facebook.com/suiciderds/
https://www.instagram.com/suicide_records/
https://suiciderecordsswe.bandcamp.com/
http://www.suiciderecords.se/

Novarupta, Disillusioned Fire (2018)

Gonna be crowded up on that Chapel stage with a 12-piece band at Kulturkirken Jakob, but the addition of Novarupta to Oslo’s Høstsabbat Festival is awesome news all the way around. It’s the second lineup unveiling from the Norwegian festival, set for next October, which already brought out Mars Red Sky, Gösta Berlings Saga, Obliteration and Superlynx in its first go. You can read a bit about who and what Novarupta is, but it’s way more of a project than a band. The 2019 debut album, Disillusioned Fire, on Suicide Records, is ambitious enough to round up seven different vocalists to take part, and the live incarnation of the band would seem to match that outright. No wonder there’s only been one show to-date where they’ve done it.

I won’t claim to know what Novarupta‘s up to between now and then, but if there’s nothing else, I guess Høstsabbat 2020 will be the second gig. Pretty awesome.

Check it out:

Our next band announcement is much more than a band.

Novarupta is the highly ambitious project of Alex Stjernfeldt (Let Them Hang, ex-The Moth Gatherer), where his mission was, and still is, to cleanse his soul and mind with post metal soundscapes, crushing riffs and oppressive heft, while gathering an elite of Swedish vocalist, each one of them performing on their own song. How the hell is this even manageable?

The crown of the cake for Høstsabbat, is that we have this non-live band performing the whole thing, with all vocalists present. This happened once, at HUS 7 in Stockholm, and lucky for us, Alex is bringing the whole circus to Oslo next October.

Guest vocalists star from Tomas Liljedahl (Breach, The Old Wind), Martin Wegeland (Domkraft), Jonas A. Holmberg (This Gift is a Curse), Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquility), Jørgen Sandstrøm (ex-Entombed, ex-Grave) and the list goes on.

The album “Disillusioned Fire” have made some serious waves in the post-rock/metal community as one of the absolute highlights of 2019, and the future for Novarupta looks more than bright.

It’s with humble gratitude we are able to welcome this 12-piece (!!) to the Chapel stage at Høstsabbat 2020.

https://www.facebook.com/events/431138574088425/
https://www.facebook.com/hostsabbat/
http://hostsabbat.no/

Novarupta, Disillusioned Fire (2019)