
Glittertind
was founded in 2001 by Torbjørn
Sandvik (b. 1985). Inspired by old
Norwegian history and culture he made a sound
blending folk, metal and punk which Tommy
Udo (Metal Hammer)
proclaims is:
“..A bizarre combination of folksy mellowness,
hardcore punk riffing, Nordic power/thrash metal
and winsome sea-shanty melodies straight out
of Captain Pugwash..”
The
name Glittertind, or "Glittering
tine" in English, gives associations
of vast and majestetic landscapes. The name
is taken from a wellknown mountain situated
in the heart of Norway – Jotunheimen.
Many famous Norwegian artists and writers have
got uncountable strong impressions from these
enormous mountains and these same giants have
a strong influence on the lyrical and musical
concepts of Glittertind.
After several years trading underground demos
Glittertind got signed on Karmageddon
Media. This colloboration resulted
in two releases. The debut-album “Evige
Asatro” or in English, "Eternal
Faith in Norse religion", was
released August 2004. Several
magazines cheered this album and Nick
Ruskell (Kerrang!)
summerized it with the following words:
“..One
listen to one-man Norwegian project Glittertind
will instantly make you want to eat meat off
the bone, casually get into a drunken fight
and possibly grow a huge beard as well, thanks
to their raucous Pogues-turned-up-to-11 sound.
Madder than a donkey on a trampoline and twice
as ludicrous, this is also an incredible amount
of fun!..”
The second release got out April 2005
as an MCD celebrating Norway's 100 years of
independence. It was dedicated to Norwegian
freedomfighters throughout the ages and it made
a statement for common spirit against the extreme
egoism and self-centeredness we see nowadays.
The title "Til Dovre Faller",
"Until Dovre falls",
was taken from the moment of the constitutional
signing in 1814 where the patriots gathered
there stated, that they would struggle for independence
until the mountains of Dovre fell. Avi
Pitchon (Terrorizer)
wrote the following about this release:
"..Glittertind understands
that folk is first and foremost life affirming
as opposed to hateful, morbid, anti-social,
suicidal and racist. It is also simple and realistic
- just like punk. How refreshing it is to witness
a patriot who is strong and healthy-spirited
enough to oppose the EU entity, yet wish for
a 'united and peaceful Europe'. How ideologically
consistent the inclusion of songs against Nazi
occupation side by side with songs resisting
older foreign conquests of Norway.."
In 2008 Glittertind signed
a long term agreement with Napalm Records
and Geirmund Simonsen (b. 1983)
joined the ranks of this project.
With "Landkjenning",
in English "Landfall",
Glittertind commemorates the history and poetry
of the Norwegian homeland. Traditional melodies
and Nordic sounds determine the overall picture
of an album that nevertheless finds repeated
diversity in its placement of drums and fast
riffs. The folkloric sounds delivered by authentic
instruments of old skillfully merge with modern
elements to create catchy, detail-oriented works.
The clean and powerful vocals, sung in Norwegian,
give "Landkjenning"
a unique touch. The very profound lyrical
concept revolves around Norway's Christianization
and transports the listener 1000 years back
into the past, to a time where one had to decide
between the new religion and the traditional
old ways. Kris Verwimp's (Arkona,
Crimfall, Moonsorrow) artistic know-how has
impressively captured this lyrical theme graphically.
Glittertind's latest album is an authentic and
primal piece of music that will undoubtedly
capture the hearts of Folk Metal fans worldwide!