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Novarupta (band)

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For the volcano, see Novarupta.
Novarupta
Alex Stjernfeldt during Novarupta's performance at "15 Years of Mayhem" in 2021
Background information
OriginGothenburg, Sweden
GenresBlackened sludge metal, post-metal
Years active2019 (2019)–present
LabelsSuicide Records
Members
  • Alex Stjernfeldt
  • Arjen Kunnen

Novarupta is a Swedish progressive post-metal collective founded by the multi-instrumentalist and producer Alex Stjernfeldt (Grand Cadaver, CHILD, Young Acid, SKRCKVLDET, ex-The Moth Gatherer, ex-Let them Hang) and the artist Arjen Kunnen in 2018.[1] The band is known for its conceptual albums, each themed around one of the four classical elements — fire, water, air, and earth — and for its collaborative approach, featuring a rotating cast of guest vocalists from across the metal scene. The band’s second album Marine Snow won at the 2021 Manifestgalan, Sweden’s independent music awards.[2][3]

History

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Following his departure from The Moth Gatherer, Alex Stjernfeldt founded Novarupta as a musical outlet focused on slow, heavy, and emotionally intense works. The project began informally during a visit to Stockholm (to attend an Ulver gig), evolving into a broader collaboration with Claudio Marino (Tid), who helped shape the concept of using different guest vocalists for each track.[4][5] The project name is derived from the Novarupta (meaning "newly errupted") volcano in Alaska, which erupted in 1912, leaving a prominent geological scar on the landscape, and it reflects the rebirth of Stjernfeldt's creative endeavours.[6]

Disillusioned Fire (2019)

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Novarupta's debut album, Disillusioned Fire, represents the element of fire. The record emerged from a difficult period in Stjernfeldt's life, and its intense and chaotic sound reflects those struggles.[4] Initially, Stjernfeldt approached the album without a fixed idea of its sound, aiming instead to create an open and collaborative process.[5] As the project evolved, he recognized that both the lyrics and the overall tone reflected the violence and intensity of flames. This realization led to the decision to center the album thematically on fire.[4][7] Guest vocalists on the album included members from bands such as Dark Tranquillity and Entombed. The album was released through Suicide Records, who picked up the project after hearing an early mix of the first song created for the album, "Urang Medan".[4] Initially the agreement between them was for a single album, but it later expanded to cover the entire four-album journey.[8]

Marine Snow (2020)

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The second album, Marine Snow, continued the elemental theme, this time focusing on water. As Stjernfeldt began composing the early tracks, he was drawn to the imagery of the deep ocean, and the music’s slow, immersive quality evoked a descent into the abyssal sea. The album transitions from the fire of the debut into a "sea of blackened sludge, progressive metal, and monochromatic psychedelia," delivering a cohesive and atmospheric listening experience.[4][9] Marine Snow received acclaim for its fluid and coherent sound, which Stjernfeldt described as feeling like a journey from the shoreline to the ocean's depths. It was nominated[10] and won[2]

Carrion Movements (2021)

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The third entry in the series, Carrion Movements, represents air. Departuring from the established sound of the previous albums, Stjernfeldt took a more experimental approach, hinting early on that it may not even include traditional vocals,[4] Indeed, the album featured no vocal contributors, relying instead on ambient textures and instrumental dynamics. The album's title was inspired by recurring sounds during the songwriting process, which resembled movements, while its airy, reverb-heavy textures contributed to its association with the element of air.[8][11] Although the album's unconventional direction differed from earlier releases and might have lacked strong commercial appeal, it was supported by Suicide Records and released.[8]

Suicide Records' Compilation album (2024)

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In 2024 Novarupta contributed a new song to the Suicide Records' compilation album In the Loving Memory of You / Time Will Heal, alongside 15 other bands (Skitsystem, Knivad, Demonic Death Judge, M:40, Downfall Of Gaia, Grand Cadaver, Fredag den 13:e, Besvärjelsen, The Moth Gatherer, Fabian Brusk Jahn, Rainbird, Ulmus, Division of Laura Lee, GUHTS, and Firebreather). All proceeds from the album went to the Swedish suicide-prevention non-profit organisation, Suicide Zero.[12] The album was released on 10 September 2024,[12] on the World Suicide Prevention Day.

Astral Sands (2025)

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Astral Sands, released on February 14, 2025, via Suicide Records,[13] is the fourth and final installment in Novarupta's elemental tetralogy, representing the element of earth. The album features nine tracks, each with a different guest vocalist, continuing the project's collaborative approach. Musically, it blends elements of post-metal, gothic rock, and progressive metal, characterized by atmospheric arrangements and a melancholic tone.[14] Critics noted the album's emotional depth and cohesive sound, highlighting tracks like "Seven Collides" and "Endless Joy" for their dynamic compositions, and praised the record for finishing on a high, both musically and emotionally.[14][15][16][17][18][19] The release was seen as a culmination of Novarupta's conceptual journey through the classical elements.[20]

Novarupta legacy

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Stjernfeldt has stated that the completion of the fourth album will mark the conclusion of Novarupta's discography. While no further albums are planned, he noted that "the band will not be anymore but it will exist," suggesting that the project may continue in some other form.[8]

Standalone tracks

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Novarupta has released three standalone tracks on April 1st in consecutive years: "The Colour Void" (2019)[21], "Wear You Down" (2020)[22], and "Satanic Volcanic" (2021)[23]. Originally created as a lighthearted experiment, "The Colour Void" began as a spontaneous recording session, which Stjernfeldt later decided to release as an April Fool’s Day joke. The tradition continued in subsequent years, with each track serving as a form of experimental release outside the main discography. While the songs are not humorous in content, Stjernfeldt has described them as a "meta-joke"—an extension of the Novarupta universe that does not affect the core conceptual narrative.[8]

Musical Style and Themes

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Novarupta blends elements of post-metal, sludge, and atmospheric metal. Each album is structured around a classical element and includes collaborations with various guest vocalists, each contributing lyrics and vocal performances that match the thematic content of the music. Stjernfeldt composes and performs the instrumental portions, often producing the albums himself.[4][5][7][8][24]

Live Performances

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Although originally conceived as a studio project, Novarupta has performed live on select occasions. The first performance took place on 8 November 2019[25] and involved a 12-person lineup, including four instrumentalists and eight guest vocalists who rotated performances, reflecting the collaborative nature of the studio album.[4][7] The second performance was part of Suicide Records' "15 Years of Mayhem" festival, that took place on 15 October 2021.[26] The third, and final, performance for Novarupta will take place on 8 November 2025.[27]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Disillusioned Fire (2019)[28]
  • Marine Snow (2020)[29]
  • Carrion Movements (2022)[30]
  • Astral Sands (2025)[31]

EPs

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  • Iron Ghosts (2023)[32]

Singles

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  • Pyroclastic Flows (2019)[33][34]
  • Ourang Medan (2019)[35]
  • Mare Tranquillitatis (2019)[36]
  • Broken Blue Cascades (2020)[37]
  • Every Shade of Water (2020)[38]
  • The Color Void (2020)[39]
  • Wear You Down (2021)[22][40]
  • Satanic Volcanic (2022)[23][41]
  • Feel My Love (Novarupta Reimagining) (2023)[42]

Compilation albums

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  • In the Loving Memory of You (2024)[43]

Awards

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Winner, Manifestgalan 2021 (for Marine Snow)

Members

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Novarupta has featured a wide range of membes / guest musicians, including members of Dark Tranquillity, Entombed, Domkraft, The Moth Gatherer, TID, and Satan takes a Holiday.

Studio members

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Disillusion Fire

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  • Alex Stjernfeldt (Guitars, Bass, Drums)[28]
  • Tomas Liljedahl (Vocalist - Stones)[44]
  • Jörgen Sandström (Vocalist - Pyroclastic Flows)[44]
  • Claudio Marino (Vocalist - Tumskruvar)[44]
  • Joen Segerstedt (Vocalist - Tumskruvar)[44]
  • Ossian Reynolds (Vocalist - Tumskruvar)[44]
  • Mikael Stanne (Vocalist - Mare Tranquillitatis)[44]
  • Jonas Holmberg (Vocalist - Only the Dirt Will Know Our Graves)[44]
  • Martin Wegeland (Vocalist - Ourang Medan)[44]

Marine Snow

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  • Alex Stjernfeldt (Guitars, Bass, Drums)
  • Josh Graham (Vocalist - Broken Blue Cascades)[45]
  • Lea Amling Alazam (Vocalist - Every Shade of Water)[45]
  • Robert Lamu (Vocalist - Every Shade of Water)[45]
  • Martin Persner (Vocalist - Trieste)[45]
  • Mike Paparo (Vocalist - No Constellation)[45]
  • Arvid Hällagård (Vocalist - 11°22.4n142°35.5e)[45]

Carrion Movements

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  • Alex Stjernfeldt (Guitars, Bass)
  • Svante Karlsson (Drums)[46]
  • Jussi Hämäläinen (Violin)[46]
  • Peo Bengtsson (Soundscapes)[46]

Astral Sands

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  • Alex Stjernfeldt (Guitars, Bass, Drums)
  • Jonas Mattsson (Vocalist - Seven Collides)[31]
  • Kristofer Åström (Vocalist - The Bullet Shines Before Impact)[31]
  • Per Stålberg (Vocalist - Endless Joy)[31]
  • Mark Wilson-Pepper (Vocalist - The Clay Keeps)[31]
  • Arvid Hällagård (Vocalist - Terraforming Celestial Bodies)[31]
  • Patrik Wirén (Vocalist - Breathe Breathe)[31]
  • Fabian Brusk-Jahn (Vocalist - Cosmographia)[31]
  • Martin Wegeland (Vocalist - Now We Are Here (At The Inevitable))[31]

Live Instrumentalists

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First Live

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  • Alex Stjernfeldt (Guitar)
  • Victor Wegeborn (Guitar)
  • Christian Jansson (Bass)
  • Patrik Herrström (Drums)

Second Live

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  • Fred Burman (Guitar)
  • Andreas Baier (Guitar)
  • Alex Stjernfeldt (Guitar)
  • Christian Jansson (Bass)
  • Albin Sköld (Drums)
  • Patrik Herrström (Drums)

References

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  1. ^ "Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Vinnarna på Manifestgalan 2021". Manifestgalan (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Arrangörer". Manifestgalan (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h D. Front, Alexi (8 April 2021). "Heavy Hops Ep. 039: Elemental Forces (Alex Stjernfeldt/Novarupta) – Scorched Tundra". Scorched Tundra. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "an interview with Novarupta". Dreams of Conciousness. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  6. ^ Hinds, Thomas. "Through Sludge, Soil, and Seas: Novarupta's "Mare Tranquillitatis"". Invisible Oranges - The Metal Blog. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Challenging the Four Elements of Matter on Record: Novarupta interviewed". Messed!Up. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Davidson, Gary (29 April 2022). "Interview: Alex Stjernfeldt from Novarupta". Echoes And Dust. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  9. ^ Thorley, Andy (1 October 2020). "BAND OF THE DAY: NOVARUPTA". Maximum Volume Music. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Nominerade Manifestgalan 2021". Manifestgalan (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  11. ^ "VoS | Interview with Alex Stjernfeldt (Novarupta)". veilofsound.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  12. ^ a b Kennelty, Greg (4 September 2024). "M:40 Streams Raging New Single "Tyngdlös"". Metal Injection. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Astral Sands, by Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  14. ^ a b Russell, Katherine (13 February 2025). "REVIEW: Novarupta - Astral Sands". Out Of Rage. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Album Review: Novarupta - Astral Sands". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Novarupta - Astral Sands Review". Angry Metal Guy. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Novarupta - Astral Sands". Metal Epidemic. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Novaruptra – Astral Sands". Metal Temple Magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  19. ^ Tepedelen, Adem (22 January 2025). "Track Premiere: Novarupta – "The Bullet Shines Before Impact"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  20. ^ "Review: Novarupta - Astral Sands". The Progressive Subway. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  21. ^ "The Color Void, by Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Wear You Down, by Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Satanic Volcanic, by Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  24. ^ "NOVARUPTA /// Progressive Post-Metal Collective Return with Emotionally Charged Album, CARRION MOVEMENTS". Sheltered Life PR. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  25. ^ Zine, Blessed Altar (19 November 2019). "Inter Arma / Novarupta Live Report". Blessed Altar Zine. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Suicide Records celebrates 15 years in the scene – Messed!Up". Messed Up magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Novarupta (The final show)". AllEvents. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Novarupta – Disillusioned Fire – Suicide Records". Suicide Records. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Novarupta – Marine Snow – Suicide Records". Suicide Records. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Novarupta – Carrion Movements – Suicide Records". Suicide Records. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Novarupta – Astral Sands – Suicide Records". Suicide Records. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Iron Ghosts". Spotify. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  33. ^ "Pyroclastic Flows (feat Jörgen Sandström), by Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  34. ^ "Pyroclastic Flows". Spotify. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Ourang Medan". Spotify. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Mare Tranquillitatis". Spotify. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Broken Blue Cascades". Spotify. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Every Shade of Water". Spotify. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  39. ^ "The Color Void, by Novarupta". Suicide Records. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  40. ^ "Wear You Down". Spotify. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  41. ^ "Satanic Volcanic". Spotify. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Feel My Love (Novarupta Reimagining)". Spotify. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  43. ^ "In The Loving Memory of You/Time Will Heal – Suicide Records". Suicide Records. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h "Disillusioned Fire". Spotify. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  45. ^ a b c d e f "Marine Snow". Spotify. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  46. ^ a b c "Novarupta - Carrion Movements (Full Album)". YouTube. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
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Novarupta on Bandcamp

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