Check Out the Music Video for Insomnium’s “Godforsaken,” Featuring Johanna Kurkela
Today’s a huge day for Insomnium and their fans, as their highly anticipated album Anno 1696 finally released today. To celebrate the occasion and promote the hell out of a damn fine record, the band released a music video earlier today for the song “Godforsaken.”
Guitarist Markus Vanhala said the Finnish melodic death metal outfit teamed up with singer Johanna Kurkela in order to add another layer to the overall track, which the band hopes will help transport listeners back to a time where witch trials ravaged Northern Europe.
“This shows the epic side of the album and is taking the listener through the sonic snowstorms and shamanistic plays. I truly love the shamanistic vocals of the beautiful soul Johanna Kurkela who did a perfect job on executing this vision to perfection. We salute you, Johanna! Probably my own favorite on the album, besides ‘The Rapids’.”
According to guitarist and scientist Dr. Ville Friman, “Godforsaken” was an early composition when writing the album, noting that this is the first time the band has recruited a female singer to add to a song.
“Also one of the oldest demos we had ready for this album before the pandemic hit. The original female voice sample was elevated to another level by Johanna’s vocals. First time we have used female vocals on any Insomnium song.”
Given the fact that the album is based on a story written by Niilo Sevänen, the bassist and vocalist said the song’s lyrics “are from the point of view of the main protagonist, Arvid, who tries to solve the mysterious deaths in the small village.”
Anno 1696 was released today via Century Media Records. You can stream or purchase the album wherever you get your music. Additionally, the band will be heading out on a North American co-headlining tour with Enslaved this April. Be sure to check out the dates below to see if they’ll be hitting a venue near you.
Insomnium + Enslaved co-headline tour 2023
w/ Black Anvil
Apr. 5, 2023 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Apr. 6, 2023 – Boston, MA @ Big Night Live
Apr. 7, 2023 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theater
Apr. 8, 2023 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
Apr. 9, 2023 – Lakewood, OH @ The Foundry (Insomnium w/ Black Anvil only)
Apr. 10, 2023 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
Apr. 11, 2023 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Apr. 12, 2023 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theate
Apr. 14, 2023 – Denver, CO @ The Gothic Theatre
Apr. 15, 2023 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
Apr. 17, 2023 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
Apr. 18, 2023 – Vancouver, BC @ The Rickshaw
Apr. 19, 2023 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
Apr. 21, 2023 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theater Taube Family Music Hall
Apr. 22, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
Apr. 23, 2023 – Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater
Apr. 24, 2023 – El Paso, TX @ The Rockhouse Bar & Grill (Insomnium w/ Black Anvil only)
Apr. 25, 2023 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live
Apr. 26, 2023 – Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge and Music Hall
Apr. 27, 2023 – Memphis, TN @ Growlers (Insomnium w/ Black Anvil only)
Apr. 28, 2023 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Apr. 29, 2023 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
Apr. 30, 2023 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
The band will also return to the European festival stages this summer:
May 6, 2023 – Kopervik, NO @ Karmøygeddon
Jun. 2-4, 2023 – Pilsen, CZ @ Metalfest Open Air
Jun. 8-10, 2023 – Zamora, ES @ Z! Live Rock Fest
Jun. 18, 2023 – Dessel, BE @ Graspop Metal Meeting
Jun. 29, 2023 – Seinäjoki, FI @ Provinssi
Jul 13-15, 2023 – Neukirchen-Vluyn, DE @ Dong Open Air
Jul 13-16 2023 – Anycsciai LT @ Devilstone
Jul. 25-29, 2023 – Tolmin, SL @ Tolminator Metal Fest
Jul. 29, 2023 – Oulu, FI @ QStock
Aug. 17-20, 2023 – Carhaix, FR @ Motocultor Festival
