Meet Your Myrkur

Danish one-woman black metal band Myrkur’s moniker is the Icelandic word for “darkness.” But based on her ethereal song “Nattens Barn” (below, courtesy of Pitchfork), I’d assert that she should have dubbed herself whatever the Icelandic word for “awesome” is. Of course, one of the key benefits of being talented is that ultimately she could go by the Icelandic word for “Fartknocker” and ultimately it wouldn’t matter.

ANYWAY, Myrkur has now signed with Relapse, who will released her self-titled debut EP on September 16. In the press release announcing the signing, Ms. Myrkur herself explains her sobriquet:

“Nature is a big part of the reason black metal even exists. And all types of pure music that comes from a pure place. The word ‘Myrkur’ means ‘darkness’ in Icelandic. The place where there are no boundaries, where no one can hurt me. And when I have sung the screams, it physically hurts but it feels like something is leaving my body. I can’t remember it afterwards.”

Wow. I feel the same way after I puke following a heavy night of drinking.

Check out “Nattens Barn” below. You can keep up Myrkur via Facebook and Bandcamp, and pre-order her debut EP here.