Black Metal Act VÍGLJÓS Unleashes Brand New Single “Claviceps”

Black Metal Act VÍGLJÓS Unleashes Brand New Single “Claviceps”; New Album Drops September 19 via Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions!

Swiss black metal act VÍGLJÓS have returned with a ferocious new single, “Claviceps”, offering the first taste of their highly anticipated sophomore album, “Tome II – ignis sacer”. The full-length record is set for release on September 19 via Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions.

VÍGLJÓS sheds light on the track, commenting: “The story of humanity and Claviceps is one of creativity and pain. It reaches back to medieval times and possibly beyond. Various kinds of early psychedelic artists deliberately poisoned themselves with the Claviceps fungus to expand their minds and alter their reality.

On this new record we want to honour the impact that Claviceps, and later LSD had and still has on art, music, society, our self-image and medicine, as well as the terror and depravity it brought upon us.“

Emerging from Basel in 2022, VÍGLJÓS (Old Norse for “the light which is just bright enough to be able to kill a man”) has since solidified its ranks into a potent four-piece, featuring members from both Germany and Switzerland. With their lineup now wielding guitar, drums, mellotron, and vocals, the band recently laid down their second album at Marc Obrist’s (Zeal & Ardor) Hutch Sounds in Oberwil, BL. Obrist’s meticulous work on recording, mixing, and mastering promises a production that will undoubtedly capture the band’s intense vision, complemented by striking artwork from Adrian Smith and layout by Luca Piazzalonga. 

While VÍGLJÓS openly acknowledges the profound influence of Norwegian Second Wave Black Metal titans like Darkthroneand Immortal, their sound is far from a mere homage. They skillfully weave the raw, frigid essence of ’90s Black Metal with unexpected layers of synth, intricate tremolo picking, and even light infusions of rock’n’roll riffs and beats. These elements are all underpinned by hauntingly atmospheric mellotron tracks, adding a unique depth to their dark canvas. For those who’ve experienced VÍGLJÓS live, the word is out: expect an “auditive, visual and olfactory experience” that lingers long after the final note.

Thematically, “Tome II – ignis sacer” delves deep into the phenomenon of ergotism – the voluntary or involuntary poisoning by ingesting the claviceps fungus that grows on wheat. This ancient affliction, which fueled historical phases of civil unrest, witch crazes, and societal meltdowns when climate favored its growth on essential food sources, is a central inspiration.

“Tome II – ignis sacer” will be coming out on September 19 via Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions in CD/LP and DIGITAL formats and is now available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION