For the past three decades, Garmarna have won equal praise from metal heads and folk lovers. On their seventh and most recent album, the Swedes continued to weave traditional medieval tales with rock, pop, dance and other modern-day inventions, alongside executive producer Christopher Juul from Season of Mist labelmates Heilung. In 2021, Förbundet was nominated for Folk Album of the Year by the Grammis. Now, four years later, its opening song is taking home a different award.

Today, Garmarna are proud to announce that "Ramunder" was selected by The John Lennon Songwriting Contest as the Session I Grand Prize Winner in the World category. The prize package for this award includes a Taylor acoustic-electric guitar and more than $4,000 in recording equipment.

"It's a great honor to receive this award", says Garmarna, who were selected as a finalist by the same contest in 2021 for their song "Dagen Flyr". "John Lennon and The Beatles pushed the envelope on what you can do in just about every field of the music business. Throughout our 35 year career, we've always aimed to do the same by mixing traditional Swedish ballads with contemporary influences. We always try to stay curious and bend the rules, with feet firmly planted in the ballad tradition".

Watch the video for "Ramunder" below:

Förbundet is out now on Season of Mist

Order

https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/garmarna-forbundet

Stream

https://linktr.ee/garmarna_official

While they've always pulled from the darker chapters of Swedish folklore, "Ramunder" claims the crown as Garmarna's most chilling tale. Reimagined by razor-sharp acoustics, distorted grooves and a stomping drum beat, the opening of Förbundet sets a rather bloody scene with the tale of a warrior that destroys his enemies purely for the sake of his own enjoyment.

However, "Ramunder" isn't all doom and gloom. Anders Norudde saws his moraharpa with devilish delight. The Swedish multi-instrumentalist, composer, carpenter and violin-maker is a member of Hedningarna, the fellow groundbreaking Swedish folk band who were an early inspiration for Garmarna.

Next year, Garmarna will face the Session II Grand Prize Winner in a public vote to determine the overall winner for the World category.

When asked about how fans have responded to their different influences and diverse output over the years, Stefan cannot definitively say because their followers are seemingly fluid in their tastes as well. “Sometimes we’ve thought the audience will hate the new stuff, all jungle beats or house or pop or whatever,” he says. “The audience is a mix of metal heads, folk enthusiasts, hipsters, and just casual music lovers of all ages. Along the way, they have seemed to like what we do! We know that a lot of people wished the return album 6 would have been a bit more traditional, but then a lot of people also praised it for being 'so much GARMARNA' in the sense that it took an unexpected turn somewhere new.”

Their loyal acolytes should be pleased with 'Förbundet', and they will likely draw in new converts as well. You're next.

Lineup
Emma Härdelin: Vocals, violin
Stefan Brisland-Ferner: Violin, Viola, Hurdy gurdy, Keyboards, Nordic bowed lyre, Kantele, Moraharpa, Mouth harp, Electronics, Electric guitar, Mandolin, Backing vocals
Gotte Ringqvist: Acoustic guitar, Hardanger fiddle, backing vocals
Rickard Westman: Electric guitar, Electric bass
Jens Höglin: Drums, Percussion, Electronics

Guest musicians
Maria Franz: Vocals on ”Två Systrar”
Anders Norudde: Moraharpa on ”Ramunder”
Ulf Gruvberg: Vocals on ”Lussi Lilla”

Producer
Stefan Brisland-Ferner

Executive producer
Christopher Juul

Mixing
Christopher Juul

Mastering
Christopher Juul

Recording studios
DNA Studios in Stockholm with Stefan Brisland-Ferner
Studio NEVO Sundsvall with Stefan Brisland-Ferner and Henrik Heinrich
Studio Cobra Stockholm with Christian Gabel

Cover art
Axel Torvenius

Bio
Bryan Reesman

Order
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/garmarna-forbundet

Stream
https://linktr.ee/garmarna_official

Available formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Silver
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Gold
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Red

Follow Garmarna
https://linktr.ee/garmarna_official
https://garmarnasom.bandcamp.com/album/f-rbundet
https://www.facebook.com/Garmarnaoffical
https://www.instagram.com/garmarna_official/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ED7dE68y0YZGpyXcuiRsI?si=x80dzp_RQd-uQdbF5AN5cg