History
Following his departure from The Moth Gatherer, Alex Stjernfeldt founded Novarupta as a musical outlet focused on slow, heavy, and emotionally intense works. The project began informally during a visit to Stockholm (to attend an Ulver gig), evolving into a broader collaboration with Claudio Marino (Tid), who helped shape the concept of using different guest vocalists for each track. [4] [5] The project name is derived from the Novarupta (meaning "newly errupted") volcano in Alaska, which erupted in 1912, leaving a prominent geological scar on the landscape, and it reflects the rebirth of Stjernfeldt's creative endeavours. [6]
Disillusioned Fire (2019)
Novarupta's debut album, Disillusioned Fire, represents the element of fire. The record emerged from a difficult period in Stjernfeldt's life, and its intense and chaotic sound reflects those struggles. [4] Initially, Stjernfeldt approached the album without a fixed idea of its sound, aiming instead to create an open and collaborative process. [5] As the project evolved, he recognized that both the lyrics and the overall tone reflected the violence and intensity of flames. This realization led to the decision to center the album thematically on fire. [4] [7] Guest vocalists on the album included members from bands such as Dark Tranquillity and Entombed. The album was released through Suicide Records, who picked up the project after hearing an early mix of the first song created for the album, "Urang Medan". [4] Initially the agreement between them was for a single album, but it later expanded to cover the entire four-album journey. [8]
Marine Snow (2020)
The second album, Marine Snow, continued the elemental theme, this time focusing on water. As Stjernfeldt began composing the early tracks, he was drawn to the imagery of the deep ocean, and the music’s slow, immersive quality evoked a descent into the abyssal sea. The album transitions from the fire of the debut into a "sea of blackened sludge, progressive metal, and monochromatic psychedelia," delivering a cohesive and atmospheric listening experience. [4] [9] Marine Snow received acclaim for its fluid and coherent sound, which Stjernfeldt described as feeling like a journey from the shoreline to the ocean's depths. It was nominated [10] and won [2]
Carrion Movements (2021)
The third entry in the series, Carrion Movements, represents air. Departuring from the established sound of the previous albums, Stjernfeldt took a more experimental approach, hinting early on that it may not even include traditional vocals, [4] Indeed, the album featured no vocal contributors, relying instead on ambient textures and instrumental dynamics. The album's title was inspired by recurring sounds during the songwriting process, which resembled movements, while its airy, reverb-heavy textures contributed to its association with the element of air. [8] [11] Although the album's unconventional direction differed from earlier releases and might have lacked strong commercial appeal, it was supported by Suicide Records and released. [8]
Suicide Records' Compilation album (2024)
In 2024 Novarupta contributed a new song to the Suicide Records' compilation album In the Loving Memory of You / Time Will Heal, alongside 15 other bands (Skitsystem, Knivad, Demonic Death Judge, M:40, Downfall Of Gaia, Grand Cadaver, Fredag den 13:e, Besvärjelsen, The Moth Gatherer, Fabian Brusk Jahn, Rainbird, Ulmus, Division of Laura Lee, GUHTS, and Firebreather). All proceeds from the album went to the Swedish suicide-prevention non-profit organisation, Suicide Zero. [12] The album was released on 10 September 2024, [12] on the World Suicide Prevention Day.
Astral Sands (2025)
Astral Sands, released on February 14, 2025, via Suicide Records, [13] is the fourth and final installment in Novarupta's elemental tetralogy, representing the element of earth. The album features nine tracks, each with a different guest vocalist, continuing the project's collaborative approach. Musically, it blends elements of post-metal, gothic rock, and progressive metal, characterized by atmospheric arrangements and a melancholic tone. [14] Critics noted the album's emotional depth and cohesive sound, highlighting tracks like "Seven Collides" and "Endless Joy" for their dynamic compositions, and praised the record for finishing on a high, both musically and emotionally. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] The release was seen as a culmination of Novarupta's conceptual journey through the classical elements. [20]
Novarupta legacy
Stjernfeldt has stated that the completion of the fourth album will mark the conclusion of Novarupta's discography. While no further albums are planned, he noted that "the band will not be anymore but it will exist," suggesting that the project may continue in some other form. [8]
Standalone tracks
Novarupta has released three standalone tracks on April 1st in consecutive years: "The Colour Void" (2019) [21] , "Wear You Down" (2020) [22] , and "Satanic Volcanic" (2021) [23] . Originally created as a lighthearted experiment, "The Colour Void" began as a spontaneous recording session, which Stjernfeldt later decided to release as an April Fool’s Day joke. The tradition continued in subsequent years, with each track serving as a form of experimental release outside the main discography. While the songs are not humorous in content, Stjernfeldt has described them as a "meta-joke"—an extension of the Novarupta universe that does not affect the core conceptual narrative. [8]
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