Tungsten are back with their fourth record, The Grand Inferno, out tomorrow via Reigning Phoenix Music (RMP). The Swedish symphonic metallers keep things melodic and soaring on this record, and they also broke down what each track means to them. Check out their explanations and stream the full record below.
Anger
“Anger” is the opening track of the album, setting the tone with its heavy sound and groovy industrial metal elements. The song also features an insanely catchy and melodic chorus, adding a surprising contrast to its intensity. It includes a powerful guitar solo by Nick, making it a strong start to the album. Lyrically, the song delves into the feeling of anger taking over completely. It captures the intense urge to scream out in rage and escape the hellish landscape of wrath and fury that consumes the mind.
Blood of the Kings
This song leans more towards a power metal style while still blending in our signature Tungsten sound. The intro riff was born spontaneously when Karl and Anders jammed together during a rehearsal, with Anders playing a drum part and Karl joining in. Interestingly, the chorus came to Karl in a dream, which he quickly recorded on his cellphone as soon as he woke up. The lyrics reflect their heritage and pay tribute to their Viking ancestry. Anders was researching genealogy and discovered that they have Viking blood in their veins, so we created this song as an homage to our ancient ancestors.
Lullaby
This song embodies the traditional Tungsten sound, featuring heavy industrial metal riffs and catchy, folk-influenced melodies. The addition of female vocals singing the chorus adds an eerie element, enhancing the song’s creepy atmosphere, which fits perfectly with its horror-themed narrative. The lyrics tell a made-up horror story about a mother who sacrifices her own child to a group of unknown beings to remain forever young. The twist in the story is that the child rises from the grave to take revenge on the mother, all while hauntingly singing the lullaby she once sang to it.
The Grand Inferno
The title track, “The Grand Inferno,” is a dynamic song that bursts into an epic and dramatic chorus. Choosing this song as the title track was a unanimous decision. While it’s slightly different from our usual compositions, it still has the unmistakable Tungsten sound. The lyrics and music are perfectly intertwined, creating a cohesive and powerful experience.
Falling Apart
“Falling Apart” is likely our heaviest song, both musically and lyrically. It captures the feeling of being at your lowest point, where no light can reach you, and you have no desire to be saved because you believe nothing will help. The song essentially reflects the brink of a mental breakdown. Musically, the song has a heavy, progressive sound that blends our signature folk and industrial elements. It features what is probably our most intense main riff yet along with a very catchy chorus that you’ll find yourself singing along to.
Walborg
“Walborg” is a midtempo song that stays true to the sound we established on our debut album, We Will Rise. The lyrics are inspired by a Swedish holiday called Valborg, which has been celebrated since the Middle Ages. The tradition involves lighting a large bonfire to burn away the winter and welcome the arrival of spring. A similar holiday is celebrated in other countries, such as England, Germany, and Finland, where it’s known as Walpurgis Night.
Vantablack
“Vantablack” is actually one of our oldest songs, written even before we released our first album, We Will Rise. It’s a heavy industrial metal track that embodies the core sound we established with our debut album. The lyrics explore the endless dream of a peaceful world without wars, reflecting on the dark times we face and the struggle to remain optimistic.
Me, Myself, My Enemy
“Me, Myself, My Enemy” is another song that captures the traditional Tungsten style. It stands out as one of the more melancholic tracks on the album, characterized by its dark and gloomy atmosphere. The song features heavy riffs with plenty of industrial metal elements, along with melodic passages and haunting choruses. The lyrics explore the pervasive negativity in the world today, highlighting how it’s becoming all-too-common to see people without a smile. As the lyrics say, “negativity, the new normality.
Chaos
“Chaos” is another song with a strong industrial feel. It’s a really heavy track featuring haunting vocals that depict the chaos of the world as portrayed by the media. The chorus, however, brings a sense of positivity and hope, creating a powerful contrast. This lower-tempo banger features a chanting chorus that’s sure to resonate with listeners.
Sound of a Violin
“Sound of a Violin” is likely the most folk-influenced track on the album. It’s a dark and heavy song with a straightforward approach featuring a blend of catchy folk melodies and industrial elements alongside traditional folk instruments. The chorus is one of the most memorable on the album with its infectious melody. The lyrics tell the story of a Scandinavian folklore creature known as “Näcken,” which translates to “the naked one.” This being haunts the rivers and lakes of Scandinavia, luring its victims by playing a violin before drowning them in the dark, cold waters.
Angel Eyes
“Angel Eyes” is a song where we take a small step outside our musical comfort zone. While we always strive to push our musical boundaries, we still keep one foot firmly in the Nordic folk metal style that we established with our debut album. “Angel Eyes” blends elements of synthwave hints with heavy guitars, a stomping drumbeat, and melodic vocals. It tells a unique love story between a human and a vampire woman. Despite these influences, the song still retains the distinctive Tungsten sound, with a catchy chorus that will stick with our listeners.
The post Track by Track: Tungsten – “The Grand Inferno” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.