IN VAIN TO RELEASE THEIR FOURTH ALBUM - CURRENTS // PRE-ORDER NOW
More than 10 years after their grand debut, In Vain returns with their fourth album Currents, on January 26th 2018.
The pioneers of progressive extreme metal return with a consummate and complete offering. Without question, Currents is the definite pinnacle of In Vain’s career so far. Unique, innovative and catchy compositions with longevity that merge elements from many different genres, whilst still maintaining a carefully balanced dynamic. In Vain retains a principal focus on solid songwriting with cleverness and an original edge. Top notch musicianship in all ranks and a sublime guest performance on drums by Baard Kolstad (Official). Add to that a stellar, organic production tweaked to perfection by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Katatonia, Devin Townsend, Kreator, etc) at Fascination Street Studios.
The album title, Currents, reflects on the colossal shifts and changes of our time. The present world is characterized by continental flows of people, traditions and cultures. Migration of people across continents and borders. Cultures merging. Dramatic shifts in lifestyle from one generation to the next. These are all currents - movements that distort old patterns, create tensions as well as new opportunities. These enduring shifts are some of the topics that In Vain addresses on Currents through a series of epic and monumental songs.
Currents also echoes In Vain’s musical landscape. Since its inception, the band has developed its own trademark sound through extensive exploration and seamless combination of musical genres. Currents goes to new extremes when it comes to further developing this approach. The music and lyrics of the album unite to form its own creative Current; A rich synthesis underlining the very idea of cultural and musical merging, and the album concept and artistic vision has been captured brilliantly by cover designer Costin Chioreanu (Paradise Lost, Enslaved, At The Gates, etc) and his stunning artwork.
The backdrop for the album has been a rigorous artistic and spiritual expedition across the world. Songwriter Johnar Håland comments: “Since the release of Ænigma we have been unknotting threads, followed traces, found disparities and drawn new parallels. In search of both lyrical and spiritual inspiration for Currents we embarked on a journey that took us across several continents. We have put the utmost of our hearts, souls and minds into Currents and we are sincerely grateful to everyone involved in this massive musical undertaking.” Singer Sindre Nedland adds: “Through all the experimentation, In Vain has always had a solid foundation in aggression and melody, and Currents sees these two extremes united in a way that feels unforced, and pretty damn authoritative at the same time. It has been a long and hard process, but the result is everything we hoped it would be: Catchy, intense and unusual.”
In Vain:
Johnar Håland – Guitars, synth pads, bgv
Sindre Nedland – Lead vocals and clean vocals
Alexander Bøe – Bass
Kjetil DP – Solo guitar
Andreas Frigstad - Vocals
All songs composed by Johnar Håland
All lyrics written by Johnar Håland except En Forgangen Tid (Times of Yore Pt. II) by Sindre Nedland
Mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios
Drums recorded at Urban Sound Studios by Thomas Wang
Vocals and strings recorded at Strand Studio by Marius Strand
Guitars, saxophone, bass, organs and additional vocals recorded in private facilities
Band photos by Jørn Veberg
Cover design by Costin Chioreanu
A&R by Erlend Gjerde
Guest musicians:
Baard Kolstad (Leprous, Borknagar) - Drums
Kristian Wikstøl (From Strength to Strength) – Hardcore vocals
Matthew Kiichi Heafy (Trivium)– Vocals
Matthew Kiichi Heafy appears courtesy of Roadrunner Records
Simen Høgdal Pedersen – Vocals
Audun Barsten Johnsen - B3 Hammond and church organ
Magnhild Skomedal Torvanger – Violin and viola
Ingeborg Skomedal Torvanger – Cello
Line Falkenberg - Saxophone
Additional orchestration by MIDAS Productions - Music creation and production