Jotungrav – The Offering

The Finnish progressive folk/black metal band Jotungrav are set to release their debut album ‘Elegi’ on August 20th 2026 via Inverse Records. The only single ‘Återfödd’ is unleashed now and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/jotungrav-aterfodd

The band comments:

” “Återfödd” (Swedish for “reborn”) sees Jotungrav embrace its folk metal roots more than on any other song from the band’s forthcoming album. It is largely inspired by Finnish folk music and waltzes, with time signatures that are less common in metal. As a fast and energetic song it features both uplifting melodies and majestic passages, some of which can be surprisingly danceable. The song is a rather noticeable departure from Jotungrav’s usual style, as on “Återfödd” all black metal inspiration has been stripped down and replaced by elements found in progressive melodic death metal. During its eight minute runtime the listener can hear hints of Wilderun, early Ensiferum and Finsterforst, as well as 2000’s and 2010’s folk metal in general. For the band this has struck a balance between respecting the origins of Jotungrav and progressing as a band. The song focuses on one theme alone: the indomitable human spirit. It is a reminder that the cruelty of the universe cannot break one that is filled with purpose and remains unyielding. The cover art for the single reflects the flipside of this, where the death of someone beloved isn’t just a one–sided rebirth, but a turning point for both parties. Here change happens through tragedy; one lives on in memories, while the other is changed for life.”

BIOGRAPHY:

Jotungrav is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Matias Stenman, which incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal within a progressive metal framework. The project got its initial start in 2015, but most of the material composed back then ended up being discarded. It was in the summer of 2022 when the single Drängen was finished when Jotungrav finally materialized, with the help of fellow Sargassus members Matias Rokio, who provided percussive arrangements to the song, as well as Teemu Leskinen, who took on the mixing and mastering duties. Initially Jotungrav was a slowly progressing musical effort, but with time the project managed to accumulate enough material for a second single, Ulven, while working on more material for future releases. Both musically and thematically Jotungrav draws inspiration from early 2000s–2010s viking/pagan metal scene and mythology. The lyrics have a philosophical and symbolic focus on humanity. The songs evolve into vast soundscapes while maintaining a raw and genuine feel to them, paying homage to the early days of folk metal. As Jotungravi has developed, the band has moved closer to progressive, melodic folk metal, with the black metal influences familiar to the band playing a smaller role in the music. On the latest album “Elegi,” the songs stretch into even longer and more dynamic epics that take the listener through wartorn landscapes of the ancient world.

Line-up:

Vocals, guitars, bass, melodica, banjo, harmonica, orchestrations, composition: Matias Stenman

Drums, drum arrangements: Matias Rokio

Mixing and mastering, guitar solo on the track “Segern”: Teemu Leskinen

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/jotungrav

https://www.instagram.com/jotungravofficial

https://jotungrav.bandcamp.com

Finnish Jotungrav is taking its next step of its musical journey with the new single Ulven, a nine-minute progressive epic of Nordic mythology. Ulven has been released on September 10th 2024 via Inverse Records and it’s giving a taste of the musical aspirations of the band.

The song showcases the ferocity of early 2010’s folk/black metal with a symphonic edge, as well as a love for long and versatile compositions. As a product molded by the modern day metal era, Jotungrav likes to incorporate various progressive elements in their music, which can be heard in the constantly evolving dynamics of Ulven. The song functions as a warm up for the band, which is composing new material and preparing for the recording of its next release. The song will be accompanied by a lyric video, which will give a glimpse into the animalistic horrors that dwell within man.

WATCH ULVEN lyric video: https://youtu.be/m1q2Fo6Nzns

The band comments:
“Ulven is an atmospherically versatile song; in it you can hear everything from the tremolo guitar riffs characteristic of black metal to atmospheric passages accompanied by acoustic instruments. The atmosphere of the song is sometimes serene, sometimes furious. The song’s lyrics are from a darker, albeit philosophical, end. They reflect on people’s pent-up xenophobia and hostile tribalism. Ulven (wolf in Finnish, referring to the Fenris wolf) serves as a metaphor for the human tendency to see enemies everywhere, as well as for cowards who without empathy sacrifice their own ties to others in the name of self-interest. This is how the song connects the problems that torment people from ancient times as well as a modern point of view. Even though the ancient Scandinavian mythology only functions as a thematic mirror for human characteristics, Ulven’s lyrics contain both direct and indirect references to Odin, the reigning god of Asgård, who spent his life until the last day in fear of the prophecy of the Jotun wolf that would kill him. However, fear of death cannot be likened to hate in Odin’s case: the god of knowledge would meet his death spear in hand on the back of his horse, whether he wanted it or not. However, not all ordinary people are blessed with such might and stoic fortitude. The worst people succumb to obsessive paranoia in the face of chaos, arming themselves with the power of anger.”

LISTEN to ULVEN single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/jotungrav-ulven

BIOGRAPHY:
Jotungrav is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Matias Stenman, which incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal within a progressive metal framework. The project got its initial start in 2015, but most of the material composed back then ended up being discarded. It was in the summer of 2022 when the single Drängen was finished when Jotungrav finally materialized, with the help of fellow Sargassus members Matias Rokio, who provided percussive arrangements to the song, as well as Teemu Leskinen, who took on the mixing and mastering duties. Initially Jotungrav was a slowly progressing musical effort, but with time the project managed to accumulate enough material for a second single, Ulven, while working on more material for future releases. Both musically and thematically Jotungrav draws inspiration from early 2000s–2010s viking/pagan metal scene and mythology. The lyrics have a philosophical and symbolic focus on humanity. The songs evolve into vast soundscapes while maintaining a raw and genuine feel to them, paying homage to the early days of folk metal.

For fans of Moonsorrow, Ereb Altor, Wilderun and Turisas.