Stygian Fair - 'Aradia' (official music video)

Ένα από τα πλέον αγαπημένα μου νέα μουσικά σχήματα, οι Stygian Fair, επιστρέφουν δισκογραφικά μετά από μία διετία με το τέταρτο full length album. "Aradia" ο τίτλος [παραπέμπει άμεσα στο ομότιτλο βιβλίο (ή το Ευαγγέλιο των Μαγισσών) του Αμερικανού λαογράφου Charles Godfrey Leland που πρωτοδημοσιεύτηκε το 1899], πρόκειται για τον πρώτο τους δίσκο με τον τραγουδιστή / κιθαρίστα Andreas Stoltz (Hollow, Binary Creed) και έχει προγραμματισθεί να κυκλοφορήσει στα τελειώματα του καλοκαιριού.

«A classic, epic metal album with a touch of doom» μας λέει η μπάντα για το νέο της πόνημα. Οι Stygian Fair μας έρχονται από την Σουηδία. Δημιουργήθηκαν προ δεκαετίας και χαρακτηρίζουν την μουσική τους απλά και λιτά ως "Epic Heavy Metal from Umeå". Έχουν κυκλοφορήσει ένα ep ("Into the Coven" 2017), τρεις "ολοκληρωμένους" δίσκους ("Panta Rei" 2018, "Nadir" 2019 και "Equilibrium" 2021) συν ένα live album ("Radio Sessions 19/10/24" 2020) και δύο singles ("Weight of the world", "Hand of Glory")...

Δελτίο τύπου: «Sweden's Stygian Fair will be releasing its new album entitled "Aradia" this coming August via Rockshots Records. It is the band's fourth full-length and follows "Equilibrium" (2021), "Nadir" (2020), and the debut "Panta Rei" (2018).

Formed originally in Umeå, Sweden, Stygian Fair's new album "Aradia" features new vocalist/guitarist Andreas Stoltz (Hollow, Binary Creed) along with Emil Holmqvist (Guitar), Anders Hedman (Bass), and P-O Jonsson (Drums).

The music is heavy, pondering, and a unique blend of new and old, heavy epic metal. "Aradia" is a monument of honest metal. The band has no ambition of jumping aboard any current music fads but does whatever they like and feel works when they play together.

There are softer songs and heavier songs, but all of them will convey something to fans, especially those who enjoy Rush, Memento Mori, or Tad Morose. The band's first single and title track is now available to hear and is being unveiled with an accompanying music video.

Stygian Fair comments: “Aradia is based upon a 20-year-old riff and it’s great that it finally evolved into a full song. Now it’s really a band effort with all members participating with their individual expression. We think Aradia conveys the urgency and mood of a clandestine coven, worshipping the many deities of Mother Nature. With all that’s going on with the climate a greater respect for Her is definitely called for.”»

Bio: «Stygian Fair is a band from a small town called Umeå in the north of Sweden. The band has existed for about nine years now and it all started when both P-O Jonsson and Emil Holmqvist decided to leave a band called " Crave" to lay the foundations for Stygian Fair.

Erik Andersson joined on bass and Andreas Stoltz on lead vocals and guitar. This first incarnation of the band never made a big mark recording or gig-wise... due to life's crooked path.

In the autumn of 2016 Erik left the band, and a few weeks later so did Andreas as well. Soon thereafter the band gathered new momentum by welcoming Anders Hedman as the new powerhouse bass player.

After a couple of auditions, Pontus Åkerlund became the new singer and with this setting, the band recorded and launched an EP named "Into the Coven". The band began playing live frequently at different local venues.

At the end of August 2018, the band entered the studio again, and in October of the same year came the debut "Panta Rei". In January 2020 came the sophomore album "Nadir" and in April 2021 "Equilibrium".

In September 2021 Pontus Åkerlund decided to leave the band. A few week's search for a new vocalist lead to the return of Andreas Stoltz as lead vocalist and guitar player, after his years in Binary Creed and Hollow.

In late 2022 Stygian Fair entered the studio once again, to record ten new powerful songs and with Stygian Fair’s trademark strong melodies. It is titled Aradia after the witch daughter of Diana, the goddess of the hunt and the moon.»

Band: Stygian Fair
Country of origin: Sweden
Location: Umeå
Formed in: 2013
Genre: Epic Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Years active: 2013-present

Video: "Aradia"
Album: "Aradia"
Type: Full length
Release date: August 25th, 2023
Label: Rockshots Records

Track listing:
01. Ancient Lies 4:02
02. Masters of the Sea 4:06
03. Aradia 4:57
04. Tapping of the Vein 3:43
05. Let It Go 4:02
06. Panoptikon 3:44
07. Unto Oblivion 3:40
08. Grief Collector 5:04
09. Tainted Dream 3:22
10. Devil in the Details 4:16

Band members:
Andreas Stoltz - Vocals, Guitar
Emil Holmqvist - Guitar
Anders Hedman - Bass
P-O Jonsson - Drums