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Issue 05
2021
www.gpv.is
Húsavík! The town that Eurovision made famous · Kristín Sesselja sings songs to cry to
· Sigurður Guðjónsson makes the little things grand · Eruptions, vaccines and more!
JOIN THE QUEST
Power Paladin is just here to have fun… and if a dragon
gets slayed in the meantime? Even better!
Issue 05
COVER ART:
Photographer: Props were supplied by
2021
www.gpv.is
Húsavík! The town that Eurovision made famous · Krístín Sesselja: Tunes to cry in the tub to
Sigurður Guðjónsson makes the little things grand · Eruptions, vaccines and more!
Art Bicnick the one-and-only Nexus,
your stop for anything
The photo is taken at the nerdy in Reykjavík.
Viking Hotel Fjörukráin Hopefully one day they
in Hafnarfjörður, who we will outfit our office.
JOIN THE QUEST
Power Paladin is just here to have fun… and if a dragon
cannot thank enough.
First
gets slayed in the meantime? Even better!
08: POWER PALADIN! 12-13: Fluorescent Art 26: Erlendur Magazine
06: Immigrants. Don't. 19: Minningar & The 27: Tiktok Star Elfgrime
Spread. COVID. Music Of Glaciers Teaches Us Style
08: The One Shoe-d God 23: Fighting Fire W/ Fire 28: ALL HAIL SEITAN!
EDITORIAL
So, How Do We Want To
Move Forward? When this is writ- again. To heal again. the ones they love, and people they will
ten, well over Right now, over 3 million people never know, by applying to restrictions
50,000 Icelanders have died from the virus. That’s half of connected to the virus.
have been fully the civilians that are believed to have This should give us hope. Because
vaccinated. Over died in World War I. It’s one million our behaviour, and the will to sacrifice
100,000 have more than are believed to have died in our comfort to keep others safe prob-
gotten at least the Vietnam war. These numbers will ably saved millions of lives all around
one shot. And if only go up for the next months and the world. In Iceland alone, our dark-
everything goes according to the most years. It’s a possibility that we will have est projection for the virus was that
optimistic plans of the government, to live with COVID-19 for the coming we could have lost over 200 lives if we
Iceland will have no domestic restric- years. wouldn’t have done anything to prevent
tions connected to the virus at the end It’s vital that everyone who is healthy the spreading. We lost 29 people, but
of June. In short; we are on our way to and sound get the vaccine to help reach possibly saved around 170 lives. This is
restore normality, and able to turn back herd immunity. It's also clear that of course a reckless play with numbers,
to our old routine. countries that fail to reach herd immu- but we can be confident that our actions
That said, nothing will be the same nity will be left behind when it comes to saved lives, nonetheless.
again. It’s foreseen that the virus will industry, and it will have political and So how do we want to move forward?
affect travel in the coming years. What economical consequences. This goes I think we already have our answer:
can be taken away from us in one day, without saying. united. And we need to realise that
like our freedom to travel, takes a long But we also have to stop and think together, we can change whatever we
time to gain back. This applies to every- with ourselves, how we want to step want, and there are bigger challenges
thing when it comes to freedom. into this post-virus era. In our opin- waiting for us.
If we compare the virus to a dicta- ion, at Reykjavík Grapevine, the biggest
tor, history has shown again and again feat in the battle against the virus is Valur Grettisson
that oppressed countries are not free how the world stood united, developed Editor-in-chief
the day the dictator dies. It takes years, a vaccine in record time, and billions of
even generations to gain normality people did what they could to protect
John Pearson is a Rey- Hannah Jane Cohen is Pollý is a hard-work- Alina Maurer is a Catharine Fulton is a Art Bicnick is an Andie Sophia Fontaine Owen Tyrie is a young Valur Grettisson is
kjavík resident who based out of Iceland ing journalist by day media studies intern writer and editor who international man has lived in Iceland journo straight out of an award-winning
combines writing with by way of New York. and an enthusiastic at the Grapevine. She has been involved of mystery. He since 1999 and has Cheshire, England. Af- journalist, author
professional back- She's known for her ball-catcher by studied all things with the Grapevine moves like a shadow been reporting since ter studying journal- and playwright. He
grounds in music, love of Willa Ford, night. A four-year-old Icelandic at HÍ and for many years, from through the subcul- 2003. They were the ism for three years has been writing for
broadcasting, scuba David Foster Wallace, dachshund mix with can finally distin- being our online tures and soirees first foreign-born in Leeds, he recently Icelandic media since
diving, engineering and other such an IQ of a five-year- guish Marvel’s Thor news editor to staff of Reykjavík, never member of the moved to Reykjavík 2005. He was also a
and underwater "intellectuals." Her old human, Pollý has from the real Þór. journalist. She is still, often ghosting Icelandic Parliament, in order to pursue his theatre critic and
photography. He loves visionary work is been the official After a year’s break now our beloved the scene in a puff an experience they dream of becom- one of the hosts of
puns, alliteration and known for expand- Chief Of Morale at in Germany she came copywriter. Outside of blue smoke—the recommend for ing Icelandic. He’s a the cultural program,
lists that have three ing the definitions of the Grapevine for back to Iceland due of dealing with our exhaust fumes of the anyone who wants film fanatic, gaming 'Djöflaeyjan' at RÚV.
things in them. emotion, introspec- eight months and is to missing the ocean writers turning in elusive, well-travelled to experience a enthusiast and most Valur is not to be
tion, and above all a regular contribu- and Icelandic ice work late, she also Bicnick Mini. workplace where of all, ginger. Oh, and confused with the
else, taste. Hannah is tor to the Grape- cream. She loves has two extremely colleagues work tire- he loves tea. dreadful football club
also the current Drag vine Newscast on pretzels, clay art and cute kids. lessly to undermine that bears the same
King of Iceland, HANS. YouTube. Woof. boiling in hot tubs. each other. name.
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First The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2021
4
...uh...wait...was I about to write a caption?
What Are Icelanders and give tourism an extra boost by
the time summer arrives. Thou-
Talking About?
sands of people have been getting
dosed, in drives so large that the
Laugardalshöll stadium has been
opened for the sole purpose of
Rumble in the jungle accommodating enough people
THE HOME
to get their shots. As this is being
Words: Andie Sophia Fontaine Photos: Psychonaut/Wikimedia Commons written, some 40,000 people are set
& Art Bicnick to get vaccines within the span of a
OF ICELANDIC
week, using a mixed bag of vaccines
NEWS Drugs! Do you like to do who were amongst the first to from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca
drugs? Well then you may break the story of Samherji brib- and Janssen. If all goes according to
be interested to know that Parlia- ing Namibian officials in exchange plan, pretty much everyone should
SEAFOOD
ment is debating whether or not for lucrative fishing quotas. The be vaccinated by late July. Wish us
to decriminalise cannabis for case has drawn international luck!
personal consumption. On the one attention, prompting the Namibia
AND LAMB
side are the classic arguments in Media Professionals Union to issue Lastly, the eruption site just got a
favour: addiction should be treated a statement of support for their lot more, um, lively. We’ve got lava
as a health issue rather than a crim- Icelandic cohorts. So no, we don’t fountains belching 300 metres into
inal one, the war on drugs is lost, murder reporters here; we just have the air. We’ve got chunks of lava
and so forth. Opposing this idea, corporate and political interests raining down hundreds of metres
APOTEK Kitchen+Bar is a casual-smart however, are the police (unsurpris- using other methods to silence and away from their point of departure.
ingly) but also the Icelandic Medi- censure them. It’s a veritable volcanic rager. Quite
restaurant located in one of Reykjavíks cal Association, who contend that photogenic, but plans are being
most historical buildings. decriminalisation would lead to In happier news, vaccinations have made to expand the danger area
more young people trying drugs— been kicking into high gear. A around the eruption site, so that
We specialize in fresh seafood contrary to actual research, which large part of this is due to Icelandic visitors can stay safe as the situa-
and local ingredients shows that places which have authorities both wanting to relax tion changes.
decriminalised drugs have seen no domestic restrictions completely
prepared with a modern twist. increase—and sometimes even a
decrease—in consumption. The
battle rages on!
Another hot topic in the discourse
APOTEK KITCHEN+BAR Austurstræti 16 101 Reykjavík apotek.is is press freedom in Iceland. This
may come as a surprise, consider-
ing you don’t hear about journal-
ists being jailed, kidnapped or
assassinated here. But Reporters
Without Borders, in their World
Press Freedom Index for 2021,
recently pointed out one case in
particular that Icelanders have
been very concerned about: fish-
ing giant Samherji’s campaign of
harassment against journalists
who reported on the company’s
wrongdoing. Samherji has specifi-
cally targeted journalists at RÚV,
RIP the photographer who took this shot
PUBLISHER LISTINGS DIRECTOR SALES DIRECTORS CONTACT US: magazine may be
Hilmar Steinn Hannah Jane Cohen —» Editorial reproduced in whole
Aðalsteinn or in part without the
Grétarsson listings@grapevine.is Jörundsson +354 540 3600
editor@grapevine.is written permission
Published by hilmar@grapevine.is adalsteinn@grapevine.is of the publishers. The
COPY EDITOR —» Advertising Reykjavík Grapevine
Fröken ehf. +354 540 3601 Helgi Þór Harðarson
publisher@grapevine.is Catharine Fulton 354 540 3605 is distributed
Hafnarstræti 15, helgi@grapevine.is ads@grapevine.is around Reykjavík,
101 Reykjavík Akureyri, Egilsstaðir,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF INTERNS FOUNDERS —» Distribution
www.grapevine.is Seyðisfjörður,
& Subscriptions Borgarnes, Keflavík,
grapevine@grapevine.is Valur Grettisson John Pearson Hilmar Steinn +354 540 3604
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grapevine.is distribution@ at key locations
Member of the Hörður Kristbjörnsson, grapevine.is along road #1, and
Icelandic Travel NEWS EDITOR Owen Tyrie all major tourist
owen@grapevine.is Jón Trausti —» Press releases
Industry Association Andie Sophia Fontaine Sigurðarson, attractions and
www.saf.is andiesophia@ Alina Maurer listings@grapevine.is tourist information
grapevine.is alina@grapevine.is Oddur Óskar centres in the
Kjartansson, —» General Inquiries country. You may not
Printed by Landsprent grapevine@grapevine.is like it, but at least
CULTURE EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Valur Gunnarsson
ehf. it's not sponsored
Hannah Jane Cohen Kevin Pages (no articles in the
hannah@grapevine.is Reykjavík Grapevine
Daniele Girolamo are pay-for articles.
The Reykjavík
Psychonaut Grapevine is The opinions
PHOTO EDITOR expressed are the
published 21 times
Art Bicnick a year by Fröken writers’ own, not the
art@grapevine.is ltd. Monthly from advertisers’).
December through
February, and
fortnightly from
March til October.
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First 6 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2021
autumn when domestic restrictions ASK AN
were relaxed.
Despite this, people have continued
to insist that letting people into the
Expert
country is bad for our health, perhaps Q: Why Is Pornography
deliberately ignoring the fact that Illegal In Iceland?
the coronavirus was first brought to
Iceland by Icelanders.
The virus doesn’t
discriminate
A recent outbreak at a play school
fanned the flames of xenophobia
again, as reporters revealed that a
foreign-born resident of Iceland had
broken quarantine to return to work.
With all the talk surrounding OnlyFans,
This led to a spike in harassment and
we wondered—isn’t making pornorg-
bullying of foreign residents in Iceland, raphy illegal in Iceland? To learn more,
prompting Chief of Civic Protection we sat down with Dr. Thomas Brorsen
Víðir Reynisson to caution people not Smidt, MA and PhD in gender studies
Viðir Reynisson, the Chief of Civic Protection to single out others as potential virus and project and research manager at
carriers based on their nationality the GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and
Xenophobia & The Pandemic
alone — curious, considering Víðir Training Programme.
himself told reporters just two weeks
ago that, of those who break quaran- "It is and it isn’t. According to article
tine, “actually almost all of them [are] 210 of the Icelandic penal code, who-
ever prints, imports, sells, or distrib-
Fear of the virus turns ugly for foreigners in Iceland
of foreign nationalities.”
With all this in mind, it must be utes pornographic material, or has
emphasised that foreign residents it publicly on display, will get fined
living in Iceland do, for the most part or jailed up to 6 months. Still, porn is
Words: The coronavirus pandemic has, from steam in June 2020, when the Icelandic abide quarantine guidelines, and that available in Icelandic bookstores, sex
Andie Sophia the very beginning, often been a vehi- government announced it was going tourists and people born in Iceland shops, and of course via the almighty
Fontaine cle for xenophobia. While the most to slightly relax border restrictions to have also been known to break quar- internet. Very few convictions involving
obvious example is anti-Asian hate, allow people to visit Iceland under very antine. Ultimately, the coronavirus pornography with consenting adults
have been made since the law was first
Photo: there has been another less discussed strict conditions. does not care about nationality, nor
formulated in 1869 (with amendments
Vísir / Vilhelm side to this in Iceland, where foreign- Almost immediately, the backlash is nationality any indication as to
made in 1940 and 1996). Convictions
ers in general are being blamed broadly began. Some people loudly proclaimed whether or not someone has or has not
include that of a satiric magazine for
for the pandemic and for individual that this was going to fan the flames broken quarantine.
some suggestive silhouettes, and a TV
outbreaks in particular. of the pandemic and lead to a spike
channel for broadcasting some lewd
in cases. In retrospect, the data did Danish films back in the 1990s.
"Close the borders!" not support this; domestic cases of The discussion really flared up
the coronavirus stayed relatively low in 2010-2014 when the government
This arguably began to pick up real all summer, only to spike again in the sponsored a series of meetings to dis-
cuss the 'pornification' of Icelandic
LOST IN GOOGLE TRANSLATION society, culminating in a conference
featuring anti-porn feminist Gail Dines.
Maximum Crime, Minimum Punishment
A work group was assembled to exam-
ine how Icelandic police could combat
pornography. As it turns out, this is very
difficult if the police do not have 1) a
Hey! Are you a no task to, you know, control and before and stole a variety working definition of pornography and
good, lousy, stink- steal literally every- we hatched our of things, such as a 2) control of the internet.
ing criminal? Do thing. It might take grand plan to begin few 66º North hats. Recently, the debate has flared up
you want to nab as a bit of planning, stealing everything I assumed the pun- again after people realised that a lot of
much swag as you maybe a few alibis in existence, we ishment for that Icelandic young people were produc-
can with as few and definitely some decided to do what would be death, ing and selling homemade sexually
consequences as balls of steel, but most journalists however it seems explicit content via OnlyFans. But in a
possible? Well, as surely it’s worth it if don’t bother to do that the police are recent interview in Stundin, the Icelan-
a journalist, I have you only have to sit and read the entire a bit more lenient dic police said they have not received
news for you! The in prison for a few story. than me. There a single report referencing Article 210
punishment for months. A man in Styk- were a lot of items on distribution via OnlyFans and that
stealing everything This headline kishólmur has been stolen, but I do this is also not among their priorities.
in Iceland is… three from Fréttablaðið imprisoned for think Frettablaðið So no one cares, even the police.
months! certainly caught three months for might have been a Why then is pornography still il-
Yes, you read our eye; espe- stealing every- bit misleading with legal? My best guess is signal value.
that right. Steal, cially Pollý, who thing… from the their headline as Sure, it might be appropriate to repeal
plunder, rob as frantically started houses he broke not “everything” a dead letter law that no one follows
much as you want stealing everyone’s into. Even then, he has been stolen. anyway, but because there is still a
and you’ll only have shoes from their didn’t technically Anything for a click, big divide on the issue of pornogra-
to serve three feet, food from steal everything amirite? OT phy, whoever attempts to repeal the
months in the can. our plates and from the houses. law will still be perceived as de facto
Not bad right? I toys from nearby The story goes that endorsing pornography, and so no can
understand that children. After he burgled five be bothered to do it." °
it might be a hard getting her under different places
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First 7 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2021
GODS OF ICELAND
away, making it one helluva fashion
statement. And, you must admit, an
even better curb stomping tool. GRAPEVINE
PLAYLIST
Now as the god of vengeance, Víðarr
(with his boot) had quite the task wait-
ing for him at the prophesised end
of the world—Ragnarök. One which
he would likely spend his entire life
preparing for. His fate? Avenge Óðinn electronica moves
from Cigarettes
by killing the great wolf Fenrir and After Sex langour to
survive to tell the tale… Grimes-esque sass,
...to no one, as it was the end of the taking in a diverse
range of references
world. —including Florence
Welch—on the way.
Vengeance... his sole PORT - Prussian Blue
“Runner Up” stands
out; a heartfelt
purpose Did you know that appeal to a lover
doctors actually to show their true
Once Ragnarök, the unavoidable, use Prussian colours, produced
Blue pigment to in a dreamy,
unstoppable end of all beings, was treat heavy metal reverberant sonic
upon our mighty smiters, Óðinn poisoning? While widescreen format.
Port is far from heavy Lush and lovely. JP
was torn a new one and devoured by
metal, their new
the massive mighty wolf, Fenrir. As album is definitely
you’d expect, it was now the turn of a welcome funky
the god of vengeance to exact his, uh, reprieve from the
heaviness of the
vengeance on the beast. world right now.
He's gone and put his foot in it now, innit? It is written that Víðarr avenged The track “Prussian
Blue”—from which
Óðinn by placing his celebrated big
Víðarr, The One Shoe Wonder
the album is named—
boot on the lower jaw of Fenrir, grab- is kind of like a very
bing his upper jaw with one hand and happy Joy Division Lord Pusswhip -
went to a goth club in Reykjavík ‘93
then pulling the wolf’s mouth apart, ‘Reykjavik ‘93’ will
POV: You’ve just killed Óðinn and the god of vengeance is
Beirut and then had
ripping and tearing until it was done. to accompany the likely be my favourite
Quite the feet of strength. belly dancers there electro-album of the
coming for you After finally slaying the foul beast, after having taken a
plethora of downers.
year. It’s brilliant—a
fascinating fusion of
Víðarr became one of the sole survivors “Hats” is another old-school hardcore
from the ‘90s and
You know what they say of Ragnarök, damned to live the rest of standout, especially
if you want to get modern tones that
Words: Imagine being the son of Óðinn. Imag- their lives in a purgatory called Iðavöllr
Owen Tyrie ine being imbued with blood that
about a guy with a big foot that lies where Ásgarðr was before it
your roommate high took me by surprise.
And therein lies
makes you nigh on invincible, allow- right? was nuked during the end of the world.
and then fuck with
them and make them the magic of Lord
think they are being Pusswhip. He takes
ing you to defeat one of the most Víðarr is the god of vengeance and, boy, Metal as f***. tracked by aliens in a what you already
deadly creatures in Norse mythology. will he have good reason to be vengeful. As you’d imagine, there’s not much late-90s vampire film. know, fucks around
Superpowers: Imagine being one of the only gods to To start with, he’s the son of big daddy recorded about what happens after Dig up your leather with it, and adds
One super trench coat. HJC some unexpected
powerful survive the literal end of all existence Óðinn and one of his many side chicks, that event. The survivors of Ragnarök extra magic that you
Timberland and being forced to live eternally on Gríðr the jötunn. Given his lineage, chill out for an eternity contemplating would have never
imagined. VG
boot. Survives the plains where Ásgarður once stood. Víðarr is exceptionally strong—in whether surviving the event was really
the literal end Imagine being all of this and more, but fact, almost as strong as his more worth it, whilst all the other gods wine
of the world. only being remembered for the fact famous brother Þór. However, Víðarr’s and dine in Valhalla. That’s what you
Weaknesses: that you wore one large leather boot. most notable feeture, as previously get for surviving the end of the world I
Only has one Historians can be real pricks some- mentioned, is indeed his one very large guess; he shoe’d have known better.
shoe. times. Timberland shoe, which is made of all
Hipsumhaps - Þjást
the leather waste that mortals throw There’s nothing I like
more than crying at
my desk while writing RAKEL, JóiPé &
JUST SAYINGS our monthly playlist, CeaseTone - Ég var
you know? The song, að spá
“Þegar skrattinn hittir
which translates “Ég var að spá” (“I Was
to “Suffering”, talks Thinking”) is a low-key
about the insecurity pop superhit with an
of love. Musically, interesting mashup
ömmu sína”
it has the wash of featuring hip-hop
harmonies and pain superstar JóiPé,
that brings up that indie folk-rock artist
famous Imogen Heap CeaseTone and jazzy
track and probably pop singer Rakel, who
We know you love your grandmother Milton cut of ‘Paradise Lost’, right?) But the-one-who-got- just stepped up as a
away or some other solo artist but a few
and think she’s the world. And perhaps we must conclude that she was probably sentimental person months ago. The song
she is. But you haven’t met the devil's a badass or just pure evil. Either way, in your life. If you’re is a slick modern hip-
grandmother yet. this is something that Icelanders often reading this... HJC hop disco (that’s a
thing, right?) number
The saying “þegar skrattinn hittir use when telling a crazy story about that delivers as a
ömmu sína” or “when the devil met his someone they know. And if someone solid radio hit, which
grandmother” describes that relatable uses it to describe you? Wow. Call us. VG could easily save a
shitty day in the rain.
situation when a tough mother$#er And to be honest,
meets their equal or an even more that’s all we want. VG
formidable character. In other words:
shit’s gonna hit the fan.
It’s quite an old saying and to be Blankiflúr -
Hypnopompic
honest, we have no idea where it origi- Over the course of
nated or who the devil’s grandmother its nine tracks, this
even is! (If only we had gotten the album of sparse
So when am I going to meet this nice Beelzebub? atmospheric
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8 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2021
Your Friendly
Neighbourhood
Power Paladin
Power Paladin is just here to have fun… are you
ready to join the quest?
Words: Hannah Jane Cohen Photos: Art Bicnick Props: Provided by Nexus
9 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2021
been about that. It’s small man’s music. tesy of Ingi. So if this is Iceland’s first
It’s outsider music. So you always want introduction to power metal—well, it’s
to go against the grain and then music basically a greatest hits of the genre.
goes in waves. What’s the current wave
"With great power and how can you be the opposite of
that?”
He pauses to mull it over; is the niche-
POWER PALA-
DIN ON THE
comes great metal." ness of power metal due to more than
just run-of-the-mill nonconformity?
“Power metal is so specific as well,”
he answers. “It’s not just heavy metal
RADIO
The band released the single with little
pound-your-fists-in-the-air music, fanfare, barely expecting it would even
Character class: Paladin (c. 8th opportunity, garnering an immediate which is easy listening as far as metal get radio-play in Iceland. But then,
century AD) and enthusiastic yes from each. goes, it’s also so rooted in nerd-ism and it quickly went to the top of the X-ið
shit like that,” he laughs. Hence their hit charts, where it remained for more
POWER
A sect of knights in Emperor Char- song about a formidable Spider-Man than a month. It seems Kraven had hit
lemagne’s court. Crusaders, who nobly villain. “Power metal is not that user- a target, (though hopefully not the one
METAL:
and valiantly protected the empire from friendly. It might [musically] sound on Spider-Man), and to call the band
heathens and other non-Christian folk. user-friendly but at least before nerd shocked by the reception would be an
LEVEL I
Warriors of God and chivalric healers culture became [more mainstream], understatement.
who rode through the empire fighting like 10 years ago, power metal was not
for good and healing people through seen as cool at all.” “The last thing I thought would happen
prayer and bandages. Best compared For those unacquainted with metal is that we would get to number one,”
to the Knights of the Round Table. genres, power metal is known for This causes another round of laughter Bjarni Egill relays fiercely. “I thought,
its clean vocals, bombastic arrange- from the group, who, without a doubt, maybe if we were super lucky, we would
Character class: Paladin (c. ments, rapid guitar work and fantasti- definitely seem baffled by their now- maybe scrape the bottom of the list.
20th-21st century AD) cal themes. But a description like that cool label. And then we’d say, ‘All right! Time to
doesn’t really cut it. The main defin- move on!’ But then week one, we’re top.
THE KRAVEN-
A staple species in digital and tabletop ing feature of power metal is the feel- Wow, we did not see that coming.”
role-playing games such as Dungeons & ing it evokes in listeners. Power metal
LORE
Dragons and World of Warcraft. Clerical is cheesy, unabashedly so. It’s uplift- “And four weeks later, we were still
warriors who usually have a proclivity ing and fun, music you’re supposed one,” Bjarni Þór interjects, and you can’t
for white magic or healing spells. The to pump your fist and smile to. At all help but feel in your gut how genuinely
poster children for lawful good, (but times, power metal strives to be as epic Power Paladin was, from the beginning, humble and grateful all of them are
relatively violent in their quest for it). as possible in as visceral a way as it a passion project for the group. Playing for the reception. “We’d never expect
can—and then it adds a key change at a rather obscure genre in the already people would love a song that is based
Character class: Power Paladin (c. the end, just for good measure. Lyrics obscure Icelandic metal community, on a villain in Spider-Man.”
2021 AD Iceland) speak of quests to join your brothers- the band never even thought that
in-arms to find—who knows?—a people they weren’t friends with would Atli smiles brightly, though you can tell
A power metal band. Local cult favou- dwarven broadsword to defeat an evil come to their shows—much less that there’s still a part of him that remains
rites. Best known for their unexpected wizard who lives far over the misty they’d be topping Icelandic charts and in disbelief. “It’s the goofiness of the
Spider-Man themed debut hit “Kraven mountains. Then there’s a two-minute sharing live television billing with whole song. It’s power metal. We sing
the Hunter”—which spent more than guitar solo, a children’s choir and, after- acts like BRÍET and Bubbi Morthens, it in English. We just never thought
a month on top of the X-ið Dominos wards, the whole fellowship gets drunk which they just did on the Hlustendav- people in Iceland would like it,” he grins.
Chart—as well as their live gigs that on a keg of elven mead. It’s the music erðlaunin 2021. And now they’re booked
often involve sword fighting, costumes, of people who’d probably enjoy playing for Iceland Airwaves in November, too. “Well there’s never been music made
and glam rock-style choreography. games with a Paladin character. like this in Iceland,” Bjarni Egill points
Debut album forthcoming and highly “That was the first time that it really out. And it’s true—Power Paladin is,
anticipated. “Epicness,” drummer Einar Karl ‘Kalli’ dawned on us—wow people actually without exaggeration, the only one.
Júlíusson says simply, when asked what like us,” Bjarni Þór laughs, when asked They’re in unexplored territory here,
Now, it’s here that one could spin some attracted him to the genre. about the TV gig. “We had no clue.” having just released the first Icelandic
sort of grandiose Charlemagne-level power metal single and being on the
metaphor to say that it’s clear that the “It’s the Eurovision of metal,” keyboard- Despite being active locally for years, cusp of dropping the first Icelandic
Paladin is the perfect character for our ist Bjarni Egill Ögmundsson chimes in. the band only entered mainstream power metal album. That said, Bjarni’s
Power Paladin to be named after. To do Guitarist Bjarni Þór Jóhannsson smirks. Icelandic culture in 2020 after drop- quick to note that this isn’t because the
this, one could perhaps claim that the “You know that’s actually a sub-genre ping their aforementioned first single band is completely revolutionary—
sextet are warriors fighting against the of power metal,” he corrects his band- “Kraven the Hunter” in early December. it’s more circumstantial luck. “What
otherwise dreary and sombre Icelandic mate. The two are no doubt the jokers of we’re doing, it’s been done abroad a lot,
music scene with a staunch moral code the group—constantly one-upping the “I’m a huge Spider-Man fan so I wanted but not here,” he continues. “So this
of wackiness and fantasy. One could other in ridiculousness, like a power to do something weird with that, but might be something completely new to
say their healing powers are rooted in metal Bert and Ernie. “It’s the biggest still keep it fantasy,” Atli says, prefac- people.”
escapism. One could even say they are of music,” Bjarni Egill continues. “You ing his explanation of the Kraven-lore.
spreading the gospel of a niche genre can basically get away with everything. “So it’s a story about Spider-Man trav- “It’s just the wackiness of it all,” Atli
in a country in which it’s never been Add ten choirs and everyone’s like, you elling through dimensions to go into a responds. “Us being named Power Pala-
accepted. know, we can definitely make room for medieval world where there’s another din. The song being about a villain from
one more!’” Spider-Man who has been transformed Spider-man. And now it’s on the radio.”
Or one could just say the band is here into a Spider-Monster.” It’s at this point
NICHE MUSIC WELCOME
to have fun and, man, isn’t it cool to be that Kraven the Hunter, the world’s
named after a knight? greatest big game hunter and Spider-
TO WORLD
Man’s sworn enemy, arrives. “He’s hunt-
ONWARD,
But despite power metal being one ing the Spider-Monster down, but when
626
of the most popular metal genres in the original Spider-Man shows up,
GREAT
Europe, it’s the above qualities that Kraven mistakes him for the monster
have always made the genre somewhat and starts hunting him.” Cue the epic
KNIGHTS
on the outs in Iceland, where metal battle, betrayal, and bridge. Internationally, the song reached
tastes have usually swayed towards another target audience—to even goof-
harsher and uglier types. In fact, there’s Musically, the track is about as power ier and wackier results.
“With great power comes great metal,” no hyperbole in saying that Power Pala- metal as it gets. A roaring, soaring sing-
singer Atli Guðlaugsson says formally din is the only power metal band in along chorus drives the anthem, revolv- “There was a comment on Reddit by
when asked to distil down the magic of Iceland. They are, quite literally, on a ing around the lyrics, “Hunted by the some guy who was obviously a huge
Power Paladin. The seriousness in his raid of their own. enemy tonight!” with Atli’s voice flying Spider-Man fan,” Bjarni Þór laughs. “It
statement—a Spider-man reference for higher than helium. There’s even a good just said... ‘They got the canon wrong,’”
anyone who didn’t get that—immedi- “The black metal, death metal and ole’ duelling guitar solo that collapses he says in a mock-pseudointellectual
ately causes the rest of the band to burst extreme metal scenes have always in a dramatic acoustic interlude, cour- voice with the exact deadpan intonation
into hearty laughter, which Atli returns, dominated here. So nobody expected
his former visage dropped in favour of there to be a power metal band,” Atli
a warm smile. “No, that’s what we’re
printing on the back of the ‘Kraven the
Hunter’ shirts though,” he grins.
explains. Moreover, they never expected
there to be such a beloved one. Ingi
Þórisson, guitarist, nods. “We’re a
genre that nobody listens to. We play
"Heavy metal is small
The band was formed in 2017 on Atli’s
volition, when he essentially reached
out to anyone he thought might possi-
niche music,” Ingi laughs.
“Power metal has always been rooted
man’s music. It’s outsider
music."
bly be interested in being in a power in European metal festivals—it’s made
metal band. There’s not a big power for big stages and arenas, so in a small
metal community in Iceland, so it ended scene like Iceland, music lends itself
up being a rather small group—most of to opposition. Maybe with the weather
them already close friends. That said, too, that led towards harsh music,” Atli
for all current members it was a rare continues. “But heavy metal has always
10 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2021
you’d expect of a guy who corrects metal fans that make fun tradi- tion, Power Paladin is the absolute
power metal bands on Reddit. It’s
hilarious, and at this, the band
loses it, despite probably having
heard that punchline hundreds of
tional power metal songs—the fact
that it’s caught on with both the
metal community and the main-
stream rock crowd was surprising.
antagonist to everything that’s
happened over the past year and
a half. In contrast to our world,
which in the late-pandemic haze
"It’s the goofi-
times before.
But apparently, getting “well
actually”-ied by some know-it-
A shocking turn in a quest they
would have happily continued on
alone.
now seems so dark and unteth-
ered, Power Paladin is uplifting and
hopeful. Their multiverse, full of
ships, stars and a Spider-Monster,
ness of the whole
all on the internet was a forma-
tive experience for the group—or
maybe just a validating one—
and they seem even more jazzed
Atli attributes people’s connection
to Power Paladin to the contrast
they offer. “The mood shifts when
we’re playing with other bands that
is simple—there’s an evil emperor
queen and a chosen one to defeat
them. Their music is playtime, a
sharp escape from the gritty and
song. It’s power
by this achievement than any
chart position. And don’t worry;
they’ve got an explanation for said
commenter’s confusion.
maybe play a lot of minor chords,”
he explains. “We’re giddy and
upbeat. Maybe it’s refreshing.”
sad vibes that have so dominated
not only mainstream art, but the
news, too. It’s no wonder that a
disheartened public has found such
metal. We sing
“‘Kraven the Hunter’ is based on
the multiverse, which is a huge
thing in the comics. See, in comic
For Kalli, Power Paladin gives
people a much needed opportunity
to relax, creating a space where they
can revel in their nerdiness unself-
a beacon in their wholesome music.
In fact, Power Paladin’s recent
show at Gaukurinn was one of the
it in English. We
books, different dimensions have
numbers assigned to them,” Atli
explains. “Ours is 626, which
doesn’t exist in the comic books.”
consciously. “It probably takes
them back to that time where they
can enjoy the simpler stuff. Enjoy
nostalgia, without all the worries
first to happen after gathering
restrictions were lifted and it was
here that this contrast was seen
in high definition. It was just fun,
just never thought
“So it’s technically canon,” Bjarni
concludes. Silly commenter.
about being super [hardcore or
cool] or whatever,” he reveals.
But it’s Bjarni Egill that manages
with a diverse crowd of fans who
showed up early to guarantee one
of the coveted 50 spots. And when
the intro started—an orchestral
people in Iceland
A LICENSE
FOR FUN
to put it in the fewest words: “You
have a license to smile,” he says
of their work and power metal in
general. And that’s the truth—you’d
version of the Spiderman theme
song, mind you—people were
unabashedly happy, pumping their
fists and indulging in some epic
would like it."
be hard-pressed to find anyone not escapism together as Atli waved
But when asked why they think having a blast at a Power Paladin a sword around (safely) and the
their song got such a reaction in show. band engaged in some machine-
Iceland, the boys pipe down. They gun guitar choreography. Not only
don’t really have an answer. For Because if heavy metal is, as Atli could audience members finally
them, they’re just a group of power said previously, driven by opposi- sit with their friends and watch
live music again, but they got to do Ingi was like, ‘Hell no, it’s not. Let
that while singing about entering me show you why it’s a bad idea. So
a magical forbidden forest. It was Ingi wrote it and was like ‘Oh my
like restarting and finding yourself god! This is amazing!’”
suddenly at level 70.
Because perhaps coming out of this Paladin seem to love this story.
pandemic, a license to smile is just “Yes, we have a harpsichord writ-
what we need. Perhaps people just ten out of pure spite,” Ingi admits.
want to have fun. “A hatred-harpsichord solo,” Bjarni
Egill declares.
Perhaps Power Paladin will soon be
YOUR
the standard.
THE FRIENDLY
HATRED NEIGH-
HARPSI- BOURHOOD
CHORD PALADIN
They will continue the fun, they But ignoring any hatred-filled
promise, vowing that everything keys, the boys of Power Paladin
the band started on Kraven will be are already happy, just grate-
continued on their upcoming debut ful for all the opportunities and
album, which should be out any day support they’ve been given. As they
now. constantly reiterate—they never
expected any of this.
“It’s all carefully written down. You
just have to listen to the album to “Our dream has always been to just
understand,” Ingi urges—sarcasti- publish an album, something that
cally—when asked if there is any we love and get it printed, mostly
overarching lore in the album, as for ourselves. That’s all that ever
is so common with power metal mattered,” Atli says. “And really,
bands. “Yes, it will all connect,” that was the starting position. And
Bjarni Egill smirks. “I mean the then extras from that would be to
Lord of the Rings took three books! play some fun gigs in Iceland, some
So in the three albums...” Ingi adds, of the other festivals—that’d be
trailing off as a chorus of snickers super awesome.”
from the group swallow the conver-
sation. “And a heavy metal cruise,” Bjarni
Egill jumps in. “Yes, our first goal
They do though explain that while with the band was always to get
“Kraven the Hunter” is the great- famous enough so that we just get
est hits version of a power metal to play on the heavy metal cruises
single, the album will fulfill all the and nothing else,” Bjarni Þór piles
other tropes of the genre and more. on. Once again—the jokers.
There’s a keyboard intro that lasts
minutes, a choir section featuring “We’ll see what the future holds
more vocal tracks than they’d like and just be your friendly neigh-
to admit, and even a harpsichord bourhood Paladin,” Atli smiles,
solo, which was apparently a rather taking us back to the Spiderman
divisive decision. references. “As long as we are
having fun.”
As he recalls making “Ride The
Distant Storm,” Bjarni Egill can
hardly hold back the laughter. “Atli
was like, ‘A harpsichord solo would
be a really good idea here!’ and thenFind today's events
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Android stores
Libia says. “So this exhibition for us is
“When you start marking that time.” The rooms are, as
Libia explains, a place both to reflect
a book, you on the past and also determine the best
don’t introduce way to make a better future. “That’s why
we have this project space-in-progress,”
its leading she continues. “We are using this space
characters at to produce new work and for activism
meetings. We are all thinking together
the end. They how to continue the campaign.”
And in that way, the exhibition
are placed in treads through an undefinable space
the order of between history lesson, contemporary
art museum and activist hangout. But
importance.” this murkiness, as Libia illustrates, Is
necessary to the overall meaning of the
show.
“The movement of going into a mu-
seum allows you a space of reflexivity,
of reflection, but you also go out of the
museum and that becomes an action,
an intervention into society. So in this
show, many of the works and how the
whole installation is made up follow
this frame of thinking—the poros-
ity between society and life,” Libia ex-
plains. “So for example, when you are
in the entrance, those banners that are
put up are both paintings and banners.
They fulfil both of those different roles.
They go into the history of conceptual
"We need to not let it go. Be active and make these elections meaningful." painting, textile works, art and femi-
There’s The New Constitution
nism and they also go into activism.
CULTURE “And we are still using them like
that,” Libia continues proudly. “We can
NEWS
take one down and go into the street. So
then [the banner] is activated, [serving]
Libia Castro & Ólafur Ólafsson will never stop fighting for what they
another role and another function, and
then we put it back in the installation.”
were promised But what can we do?
Thinking beyond the scope of art and
For almost 10 years, the cry of ‘Hvar er course—such as the role of King being age from the financial crash. Lastly, protest, what can one tangibly do to
Words: nýja stjórnarskráin?’ (‘Where’s the new shifted to President. That said, struc- a special work area has been created fight for the new constitution?
Hannah Jane constitution?’) has been heard around turally it wasn’t too different. A proper downstairs for activists and artists to “Absolutely informing themselves,”
Cohen the country as Iceland’s “crowdsourced” long-term constitutional committee continue their work campaigning for Libia states. “Inform themselves about
constitution remains unratified by the was put together to write a new wholly- the ratification of the new constitution. the differences: What is this new one?
Photos: government, despite overwhelming Icelandic one, but after three years, it What is the old one? Also the context—
Art Bicnick support in a public referendum. But faded away and the rudimentary con-
How different is different? how have they been written? What is
what you might not know is that that stitution remains in use to this day. this idea that the people in this country
cry has been going on for many years “So it’s a 19th century constitution,” “A fundamental difference is the order had always wanted to write a new one?”
longer—decades longer in fact. Libia Castro, Ólafur’s artistic partner, of appearance,” Ólafur explains, when But as a representative democracy,
“So when Iceland decided to break emphasises. “And it was meant to be a asked about the specifics of the new Libia continues, it’s really in the politi-
away from Denmark in 1944, there was temporary solution,” Ólafur adds. The constitution. In the current constitu- cal parties’ court in the end. Unfortu-
a period in that early process when meaning is clear: Iceland was always tion, the first 25% defines the role of the nately, it’ll be them that choose whether
Iceland considered writing a whole meant to write a new constitution. president, which is largely symbolic. or not to ratify it.
new constitution,” artist Ólafur Ólafs- The two artists and activists, known From there, it goes to parliament, the “The sad version of this answer is
son explains. At the time, the former for their provocative works exploring government, institutions, the church that there is not enough one can do with
Kingdom of Iceland lived under the identity and nationhood, have been and, after all of that, come the people just voting,” Ólafur interjects. “The par-
monarchic Danish constitution. “But pushing Iceland’s understanding of and human rights. “When you start a ties aren’t clear enough on their po-
they found they didn’t have the time. It their own constitution for decades. book, you don’t introduce its leading sitions. It comes to the sad cliché of
was more complex than they thought. Now they are back with ‘Magic Meeting characters at the end. They are placed broken promises.”
Info So they went to make the least changes — A Decade On’, their newest exhibition in the order of importance.” The new Libia nods. “So before the elections,
‘Magic Meeting — that were necessary to adapt the Dan- focusing on the battle surrounding the constitution flips that, starting with it’s very important that people inform
A Decade On’ will ish constitution into the new Icelandic proposed Icelandic constitution. the public. themselves and that they actually vote
run until May 30th one.” This hastily made document was “We felt so strongly then that [our for parties that put this at the centre,”
at Hafnarborg heavily based on the monarchic one
Searching for magic performance of the new constitution] she urges. “Even if they are maybe not
with some very notable changes, of had to be a collaborative work,” Libia totally in agreement with the whole po-
The exhibition—which uses the word continues. Thus, they featured partici- litical programme of the party. If they
decade due to it being 10 years since pants of all backgrounds and styles, want the new constitution, they need to
the original Constitutional Council—is both in composition as well as perfor- think of that when they vote.”
a continuation of their 2020 collective mance, as well as languages as diverse For Ólafur, even if the fight can of-
performance ‘In Search of Magic – A as Greenlandic and Filipino. ten seem relentless, it’s necessary to
Proposal for a New Constitution for The With their performance, they also keep going. Even the two artists have
Republic of Iceland’ which took place on set out to underline the topical differ- seen their art and activism challenged
October 3rd, 2020 at various places in ences of the proposed constitution, —in fact, on May 2nd, the city of Haf-
Reykjavík, including the Reykjavík Art which features new sections on the narfjörður unceremoniously removed
Museum Hafnarhús, Prime Minister’s rights of nature and natural resources. their pro-new constitution banners,
office and in front of Alþingi. There, In a particularly moving moment, Erla which hung outside the museum with
a diverse group of composers, artists, Bolladóttir, known for being wrongfully no warning. The town council claimed
activists and members of the public convicted in the 1974 Guðmundur and they didn’t have permission; something
joined together to create a multivocal Geirfinnur case, read Article 27, the new which has never been an issue in the
work that brought to life all 114 articles declaration of freedom. past.
of the proposed Icelandic constitution. But remember, as Ólafur reminds us,
The new exhibition at Hafnarborg
Standing on the precipice the people already spoke their mind and
features a plethora of objects relating to supported this new constitution, so the
the performance, including the sketch- But the exhibition also stands on the government should follow suit—and a
es of the original plans, banners from cusp of the upcoming elections in Sep- watered-down version isn’t the answer.
the protests, photographs, and much tember—elections that could deter- “We need to not let it go,” he con-
more. Most notable is a five-hour vid- mine the fate of the new constitution. cludes. “Be active and make these elec-
eo of the show, stitched together from “To get the new constitution imple- tions meaningful.”
video footage and cell phone record- mented, what is most important is the
Banners ready for both the museum and the barricades
ings interspersed with archival foot- parties that are going to be elected,”Culture The Reykjavík Grapevine 12
Issue 05— 2021
Get Grapevine Merch!
“These are
not invisible
places, rather
places that
we come
VOLCANO across in our
COLLECTION daily lives, but
we pay them
no mind. Still
they lurk in
the back.”
The artist & his halo, pictured in the museum (not heaven)
The Poetics Of
The work contains a two-chan-
nel video and sound piece that is
projected onto opposing walls.
Technology
Perfectly circular, each spiral-
ling video shows a hypnotic and
methodical sequence that almost
resembles sand or a kaleidoscope.
Sigurður Guðjónsson It’s eerily meditative and with soft
droning in the background, it’s a
and the unseen world piece you could easily stand in
front of for aeons, gazing into its
Words: Hannah Jane Cohen Photos: Art Bicnick & Provided by artist tantalising void.
In reality though, it’s footage
from inside a fluorescent lamp
Exhibit rumbling videos—the aforemen- taken by a macro lens.
tioned ‘Fluorescent’—which proj- “It‘s magical and mesmerising
‘Unseen Fields’ by Sigurður ect around him in the Berg gallery. to look into the glass tube where
Guðjónsson will show at Berg “I’ve always been curious about the luminescent material becomes
Contemporary until June 5th, 2021 the inner workings and parts of visible through the movement as
things,” he continues. “And since it flows and forms a kind of vor-
s
“The title of the exhibition is ‘Un- 2010, I’ve been experimenting with tex,” he explains. “I thought the
n e.i
seen Fields’, which is a direct ref- machines and tools in conjunction work fit extremely well with this
pe i
v .is
erence to places, spaces or things with more lateral elements.” space and it can be said that the
r a
g pevine
that I seek as a resource,” explains In the past, Sigurður explains, length of the space points to the
o p.
Sigurður Guðjónsson of his newest these machines and tools have in- bulb itself.” He’s referring to the
h
s p.gra .i s
exhibition at Berg Contemporary, cluded now-archaic innovations expansive rectangular area occu-
i n e
shop.grapevine.is
which includes two of his pieces such as slide projectors, cassette pied by the opposing videos. In
‘Fluorescent' and ‘Enigma.’ Known decks and those combo radio/tele- fact, for ’Unseen Fields’, it seems
for his immersion in machinery vision units, each of which were Berg Contemporary has truly be-
shop.grapevine.is
and otherworldly audio-visual considered the height of technol- come somewhat of its own kind of
works, the artist will soon rep- ogy at one point or another. All fluorescent lamp—sans the phos-
shop.grapevine.is*
resent Iceland at the 2022 Venice of these, Sigurður dismantled to phorus or mercury, of course.
Biennale. “These are not invisible their cores to capture the everyday The low humming sound that
places, rather places that we come minutia typically associated with accompanies the video, he reveals,
shop.grapev
across in our daily lives, but we pay the object. is merely the signal from the lamp,
them no mind,” he continues. “Still “One of my main starting points which he captured using a special
sho
they lurk in the back.“ is that I want to create a world that magnet recorder and fiddled with
the viewer is able to travel through, in audio programs.
Machine magic rather than creating a singular ob- “I have talked about this in-
ject or memorabilia,” he says. stallation as a visual-sound work,
Don't Hesitate! “I like to look at technology in a because the feeling in the work
Act Now!
poetic way,” Sigurður relays sim-
No mercury here is, in a certain way, that you can
ply, when asked about the ethos hear sound through the world of
* You only need to type the URL in once behind his work. He speaks qui- In ‘Fluorescent’, Sigurður dove images. I then tried to shape the
etly and with great reverence, as into, as you might guess, fluores- world of sound so that it fits in
if afraid of disturbing his own cent lights. with the works themselves and theYou can also read
