Icelandic Tech Death Metal outfit Ophidian I are proud to announce their “Rock Album of the Year” nomination at the Icelandic Music Awards (Íslensku Tónlistarverðlaunin)!
The band’s latest release “Desolate” has been selected among other releases from artists like The Vintage Caravan and Monotown. A full list of nominations can be found here.
Ophidian I comment on the nomination: “This nomination is a huge deal for us. A milestone for the band, ourselves and extreme metal in general. While we certainly poured enough into this album to feel a nomination would be warranted, it didn’t really feel like something that’d actually come to fruition – making this almost surreal but in the absolute best way. We are very honoured, thankful and proud to be harvesting all the hard work that we and our amazing team have brought to this release. But most of all, thank you so much to all of you whom have been spinning the album and spreading the word since it came out. TAKK FYRIR!”…
“Desolate” was released on July 16, 2021 and can be listened to in full here.
With a clear goal of reaching the apex of technical metal in terms of proficiency, arrangements and sound, Ophidian I has produced the destructive full-length album “Desolate”.
Emerging from Iceland; the barren island in the north, home to apocalyptic weather, eruptions, and storms. The breeding intensity, blazing speed, and ferocity of Ophidian I reflects the chaos it hails from as well as the inherent beauty and complex harmony. Consisting of familiar faces within the Icelandic scene as members of bands such as Helfró, Beneath, Une Misère and Atrum; Ophidian I set forth with the intent of testing the boundaries of the extreme, while retaining focus on composition and arrangements.
After getting together and realizing the goal was within reach, the band spent days upon days in the rehearsal space expanding and calibrating their physical and mental abilities in order to actualize the envisioned form of Ophidian I. Bound and determined to create an absolute no-compromise piece of work, Ophidian I headed to the studio after having honed in on the direction and arrangements of the 10 songs that were to become “Desolate”. Remaining extremely meticulous throughout the process, the methodically performed tracks were handed over to Christian Donaldson (The Grid) for mixing and mastering. To finalize the vision, Eliran Kantor took to creating artwork fitting the forementioned direction and soundscape. With the completion of “Desolate” the raison d’être of Ophidian I had been established and partially fulfilled. Bringing the ferocity to the masses is now a central objective.
Incessantly at work, Ophidian I is a monumental brute-force to be reckoned with. Amidst the dominant roster at Season of Mist, Ophidian I will be unyielding in their claim to be amongst the titans of the industry. With various influences ranging from all styles, the unique melt of technical death metal – with immersive melody and hooks at every corner – “Desolate” will appeal to all those who seek peak militant musicianship on all fronts.
Line-up:
Ragnar Sverrisson – Drums
Daníel Máni Konráðsson – Guitar
Simon Thorolfsson – Guitar
Þórður Hermannsson – Bass
John Olgeirsson – Vocals
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/OphidianI
www.instagram.com/ophidiani
