Skálmöld

So, answer this question: which head of state needs a dose of metal to get
him ready for Parliament every morning – and which band’s music does he
play to give him the necessary adrenaline surge?
It’s Iceland’s President Guðni Jóhannesson, of course, whose love of
his country’s biggest metal band Skálmöld led him to say in 2018: “I admire
them because they’re much more than just a metal band. For me, the most
admirable aspects of Skálmöld’s songs are their lyrical themes. Here in
Iceland, we want to maintain our literary and cultural heritage, and to do that
we need to make it accessible to new generations. Skálmöld are a link
between our old heritage and today’s culture!”
Can you imagine Donald Trump saying the same thing about Metallica,
or Angela Merkel laying similar praise at Rammstein’s feet? Of course not –
which says a lot about the appeal of this band of Vikings. You don’t need to
take the word of the President, though; the facts speak for themselves.
Skálmöld – which translates as ‘Age Of Swords’ – formed in the
summer of 2009 and comprise Björgvin Sigurðsson (vocals, guitar), Þráinn
Árni Baldvinsson (guitar), Baldur Ragnarsson (guitar), Snæbjörn Ragnarsson
(bass), Gunnar Ben (keyboards) and Jón Geir Jóhannsson (drums).[...]
Skálmöld are one of a
kind. Miss them at your peril!
Joel McIver, 2018