Norwegian progressive metal veterans Green Carnation have unveiled a haunting new video for “Sanguis”, the title track of their latest release. As the second chapter of their ambitious A Dark Poem trilogy, the album sees the band diving into the most personal and vulnerable territory of their thirty-year career. The last time we featured this particular band, it was in our Classic Covers section.
The “Sanguis” video adds a visceral layer to an already emotionally heavy track. While the song initially focuses on impassioned melodies and a soaring chorus, the video brings a traumatic childhood memory to the forefront during its doomy, nine-minute coda. Bassist and lyricist Stein Roger Sordal admitted that the lyrics were so raw he nearly toned them down, eventually deciding to stay as honest as possible. Vocalist Kjetil Nordhus added that it took nearly 50 years for Sordal to truly understand the family dynamics that inspired these stories, a realisation that only came after having children of his own.
Founded in the early ’90s by Tchort (formerly of Emperor), Green Carnation earned legendary status with their hour-long epic Light of Day, Day of Darkness. After returning from a long hiatus in 2020 with Leaves of Yesteryear, the band finally embarked on this three-part song cycle inspired by Shakespeare’s Ophelia. A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis follows the massive success of last year’s The Shores of Melancholia, which landed on numerous year-end lists.
The new record features six tracks that balance the band’s signature “Gothic crush” with moments of stark, acoustic vulnerability. Sordal even takes a rare turn on lead vocals for the track “Loneliness Untold, Loneliness Unfold”, while the album closes with the delicate, flute-graced ballad “Lunar Tale”.
The full tracklist for Sanguis is:
- Sanguis
- Loneliness Untold, Loneliness Unfold
- Sweet to the Point of Bitter
- I Am Time
- Fire in Ice
- Lunar Tale
The album was recorded and mixed at dUb Studio, with mastering handled by Lawrence Mackrory. You can watch the full video for “Sanguis” on YouTube now (scroll down) and stream ./ order the album on all major platforms. With Part II out in the wild, fans are left in suspense as to how this tragic trilogy will finally conclude.
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Header image by Gunnar Liestøl
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