ÁSMEGIN began in late 1998 as a
Norwegian Viking metal band and motivated by the will to merge
traditional romanticism with heavy metal. The initial line-up included
Auðrvinr Sigurdsson (guitars, vocals), Iving Mundilfarne (guitars,
flute), and Marius Olaussen (guitars, synth, vocals). Several months
later, ÁSMEGIN were joined by Nordalv (alias Skule Jarl) on drums and
Tomas Torgersbråten on bass.
After Iving left the band in
1999, the band recorded their first demo, Naar Rimkalkene Heves (As the
Chalices Are Raised). This demo was released through Marius' label
Valgalder Records and was positively received by critics and fans
alike. Referred to by some as “a new wave of metal”, the band had
successfully merged the traditional heavy metal sound, the Nordic black
metal influence, and Scandinavian folkloric melodies.
Unfortunately
ÁSMEGIN experienced a lull following the April 2000 recording of their
second demo, Af Helvegum (On the Path to Helheim). The demo, which
followed the lead of their previous effort—its sound still markedly
representing the Viking metal genre, yet leaning more heavily on the
folkloric aspects—was unfortunately never released, and future
prospects turned grim as the band slowly dismantled.
Yet the
two remaining members, Tomas and Marius, did not easily forget their
musical calling, and shortly thereafter, Marius found an eventual
replacement in Tommy Brandt (drums), who a year later, in the fall of
2001, would join him and Tomas in forming a new band. Tommy Brandt
brought a groovy rock influence that perfectly complimented the old
ÁSMEGIN material. The old songs were given new life and became more
easily accessible to a wider commercial audience.
With Tommy
perfectly mastering the rhythm section, the band entered TopRoom
Studios to hold auditions. ÁSMEGIN found their frontman in Bjørn Olav
Holter, a.k.a. Narrenschiff, who joined on a permanent basis. His
intense and energic voice worked the material perfectly. While the
Viking metal feel had all but disappeared, Bjørn breathed more
intensity to the songs.
Finally, after months of searching for
the right guitarrist, Raymond Håkenrud joined ÁSMEGIN in time to enter
TopRoom Studios on 18 February 2002. With Børge Finstad producing the
recording effort, ÁSMEGIN slowly completed Hin Vordende Sod & Sø
(The Prospective Broth & Soup), a title that makes reference to the
disparate metal styles that had come into play.
In
experimenting heavily with Scandinavian folk music, ÁSMEGIN has been
fortunate to feature the exceptional work of gifted musicians such as
Lars Fredrik Frøislie (White Willow, Wobler) on piano and samples, Lars
Nedland (Borknagar, Solefald) on vocals, Sareeta (Ram-Zet) on fiddle
and female chants, Anne Marie Hveding on additional female chants,
Oddrun Hegge on the Norwegian zither, Gunhild Førland on the flute, and
Anja Hegge Thorsen on the Jew's harp. They all have spiced the material
with their own personality, style, and flair, making Hin Vordende Sod
& Sø an even more original and creative album.
In the
spring of the year 2003, ÁSMEGIN signed a four-album deal with NAPALM
RECORDS to include Hin Vordende Sod & Sø. This debut is scheduled
for a 25 Aug 2003 release.In 2005 After two years Sareeta and Tommy has
left the. But we have decided not to spend our time looking for
replacements, and rather focus on the upcoming release
2006 - So,
after several hours with lyric and song writing, we're finally ready to
record the new material. It'll probably be a double album of
approximately two hours running time. Right before the recording, Lars
Fredrik Frøislie, who has been a session musician for us all this time,
decided to join the band on permanent basis.
2007 - Nowadays we're recording the album.
Members:
- Lars Fredrik Frøislie – Keys
- Erik Fossan Rasmussen – Ocal
- Tomas Torgersbråten – Bass
- Raymond Håkenrud – Guitar
- Marius Olaussen - Guitars, Synth, Vocals
Discography:
- Hin Vordende Sod & Sø - 2003
- Naar Rimkalkene Heves (demo) – 1999
From: www.napalmrecords.com/promo/asmegin & www.asmegin.com
