[All Photos: Nathalie Ericsson]

Autumnal folk/black metal masters GRIFT have just released the new track ‘Skimmertid’. The track is the first to be revealed from the Swedish band’s highly anticipated third album, Budet, set for international release on March 20th via Nordvis Produktion. Hear GRIFT’s ‘Skimmertid’ across all digital platforms HERE.

Some questions asked with a heavy heart are not always to be answered. Still, they need to be asked. Some prophecies of things to come are not pleasant to contemplate. Still, they will be revealed by the unyielding passage of time. Some memories are best left buried. Still, what’s left behind usually greets you ahead. This bittersweet duality of harsh reality battling sentimentality is one of the core aspects of being human, and nowhere is it better expressed than on GRIFT’s new album, Budet.

The passion and despair found herein claw at your soul and heartstrings, leaving you breathless yet rejuvenated by the sheer force of the emotional outburst carried out by the six diverse songs. With a foundation in both desolate folk and melancholic harsh metal, Budet employs traditional instruments such as the lonely chords of a reed organ and exquisite violins, the latter courtesy of Georg Börner (ColdWorld, Sangre de Muerdago). Erik Gärdefors’s vehement, bordering-on-desperate vocal outbursts convey the introspective and thoughtful lyrics in a most gripping manner, and the thick rural atmosphere is at the same time both nostalgic, anguish-filled, and redeeming.

The long melody lines stretch through the years and brush the leaves of trees long gone, but also ones still to bloom, breathing an aura of timelessness. There is a healing, forgiving, and hopeful spirit amidst the solitary gloom, as Budet peers into the unknown that is still to come. In Erik’s own words: “I would say that this is an album that is more about the future than my previous albums – about things around us that undoubtedly will happen sooner than later.”

“I always find it difficult to define what GRIFT is all about,” Erik continues. “I am more interested in asking questions than explaining things. Budet contains a variety of reflections and prophecies that are spread in different directions. The title itself is a multifaceted and loaded word, which means very different things in different contexts.”

If you’re in pursuit of reflection and contemplation, to explore your mind and soul, to live in times past and times to come, look no further. GRIFT will take you beyond.

In the meantime, hear ‘Skimmertid’ – the first track to be revealed from Budet – across all digital platforms HERE. Also see & hear the stark ‘n’ stirring video for ‘Skimmertid’ HERE at Nordvis’ official YouTube channel. Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting, as well as upcoming tour dates, are as follows:

Tracklisting for GRIFT’s Budet:

  1. Barn av ingenmansland
  2. Skimmertid
  3. Ödets bortbytingar
  4. Väckelsebygd
  5. Vita arkiv
  6. Oraklet i Kullabo

Upcoming GRIFT Tour Dates:
T.B.A. 10.04.2020 – København (DK) – Pumpehuset
11.04.2020 – Jena (DE) – Kassablanca
12.04.2020 – Münster (DE) – Culthe Festival
13.04.2020 – Manchester (UK) – Satans Hollow
14.04.2020 – London (UK) – New Cross Inn
15.04.2020 – Brussel (BE) – Magasin4
16.04.2020 – Hamburg (DE) – Kulturpalast
17.04.2020 – Aarhus (DK) – Royal Metal Fest
18.04.2020 – Lichtenfels (DE) – Ragnarök Festival
19.04.2020 – Salzburg (AT) – Rockhouse
20.04.2020 – Ljubljana (SI) – Orto Bar
21.04.2020 – Venezia (IT) – Revolver Club
22.04.2020 – Budapest (HU) – Dürer Kert
23.04.2020 – Wien (AT) – Viper Room
24.04.2020 – Karlsruhe (DE) – Dude Fest
25.04.2020 – Winterthur (CH) – Gaswerk
27.04.2020 – Nantes (FR) – Le Ferrailleur
28.04.2020 – Köln (DE) – Club Volta
29.04.2020 – München (DE) – Backstage
30.04.2020 – Berlin (DE) – Walpurgisnacht Fest
01.05.2020 – Rotterdam (NL) – Baroeg
02.05.2020 – Drachten (NL) – Iduna

GRIFT Online:
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