See 1349 Reveal How Studying Edvard Munch Painting Resulted in Black-Metal Song | Revolver

See 1349 Reveal How Studying Edvard Munch Painting Resulted in Black-Metal Song

Norwegian band's "Dødskamp" born from museum's challenge to write song based on 'Death Struggle' painting

Master Norwegian painter Edvard Munch is best known in art history as the creator of The Scream, but his impressive body of work extends far outside the scope of that one recognizable piece and has landed him at the top of the list of the country's most famous artists. In conjunction with his namesake museum in Oslo, Innovation Norway, and Visit Norway, black-metal act 1349 was assigned one of Munch's darker works, Death Struggle, and challenged to create a song inspired by and encapsulating the infinite sorrow Munch expressed in the gestural, depressive painting.

Guitarist Archaon says of the assignment, "His [Munch] works are tremendously dark and eerie, reflecting a lot of anxiety, pain and loneliness, in the way I perceive them. So, it suited us perfectly. I chose the work 'Dødskamp' which directly translates 'Death Struggle' and speaks volumes for itself." The final track, a cold and galloping dynamic cacophony, was no light chore for the group. Archaon continues, "It was an emotionally heavy task, and also a completely new way to compose. As well as some  very long nights, bereaved of sleep ... This is the soundtrack to the dilemmas of mortality."

The video above (created by Visit Norway) looks into the creative process a bit, as well as explaining the meaning behind 1349's name, which "reflects the year when the plague the Black Death killed off more than 60 percent of the Norwegian population." Their icy disposition and output is a perfect match for the somber tones of Munch's imagery, and the interest in telling the small nation's historical struggles makes for an ideal vector through which to educate the world on the deeper cultural relevance of Norway on a global level. 

Hear the full track below, with physical copies now available for pre-order at this location. The 10-inch vinyl will include a live version of the song "Atomic Chapel" as well, and 1349 will release a full-length later this year on Season Of Mist.