The birth of Galar
Galar, hailing from Norway, was formed in 2004 by Slagmark and Smaug. They released their first and only demo early the next year. Fornjot participated only as a session member at the time but joined the band on a permanent basis shortly after the completion of the demo.
Line up on the demo (2005):
Slagmark: Grim vocals, guitars, bass and programming
Fornjot: Clean vocals, bassoon and keyboard
Smaug: Lyrics
Skogskvad
The demo received good reviews and soon after its release Galar signed to the German label Heavy Horses Records for one album. Drummer Tordenskrall (Mithril, ex - Fiend) joined the band in time for the recordings of the debut which took place in Ludo Recordings in Bergen during summer 2006. “Skogskvad” which is a fine mixture of furious blast beats, slow parts, and both grim and clean vocals, received great reviews after its release on the 11th of October the same year through HHR’s web shop. On the album Galar explored new ground by adding the great sound of the bassoon to their music.
After a lot of promoting “Skogskvad” hit the stores in Germany on the 28th of February 2007 where it is distributed by Dr. Music Distribution. Later on it was also distributed out to stores in the UK and Norway by Plastic Head Distribution and Tuba Records AS respectively.
Line up on “Skogskvad” (2006):
Slagmark: Grim vocals, guitars and bass
Fornjot: Clean vocals, bassoon, grand piano and keyboard
Tordenskrall: Drums
Smaug: Lyrics
Not to long after the release of “Skogskvad” Tordenskrall left the band to focus on his studies back in his native Germany.
Til alle heimsens endar
Galar is now recording their new and much anticipated sophomore album with the working title “Til alle heimsens endar”. The recording takes place in Conclave media (Taake, Helheim etc) with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen. Phobos from Malsain plays session drums and the band have also used a string quintet(!!) to add another dimension to the music. “Til alle heimsens endar” is a concept album evolving around the local Viking kings from the band’s home county of Vestfold, Norway. The lyrics are all in Norwegian and written by Jorge Blutaar from Drautran.
Line up on “Til alle heimsens endar” (release: TBA):
Slagmark: Grim vocals, guitars and bass
Fornjot: Clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano
Jorge Blutaar: Lyrics
Session:
Phobos: Drums
Ricardo Odriozola: First and second violin
Hans Gunnar Hagen: Viola
Siri Hilmen: Cello
Morten Nome: Double bass
Cecilie Langlie: Female vocals