Had Green Carnation never returned from hiatus, the Norwegian prog bards would always be remembered for completing one of metal’s most ambitious individual epics. However, there was one tale - or three, to be exact - that eluded them for more than three decades, until last year. Now, after reaching crushing new highs on Part I of their forthcoming album trilogy, the band are descending into the deepest, darkest and most personal depths of their storied career with A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis.
A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis comes out tomorrow, Friday, April 3 on Season of Mist, but you can hear all six heart-wrenching songs today by listening to the full album stream, which premieres on the Season of Mist YouTube channel at Noon Eastern Time.
During the premiere, the band will chat with fans about the latest installment in their forthcoming album trilogy, as well as what the future might bring on Part III.
A Dark Poem, Part II: Sanguis Full Album Stream Premiere Below.
“Sanguis invites listeners into our darkest inner rooms with some of the most raw and vulnerable songs that we’ve ever written”, Nordhus says.
“The lyrics are so personal that I had to go many rounds with myself over whether or not to tone them down”, says Sordal. “In the end, I chose to keep them as honest as possible”.
Pre-order
https://orcd.co/greencarnationsanguis
Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/7pUfKrzW4Q5vn0WAfPHCkS?si=uDZLcOH5Rh2-j8BcS956-g
“Part II deal with personal loss and sadness”, shares Nordhus, though as he’s quick to explain, Sanguis isn’t all gloom and doom. “Those feelings can be almost comforting, like stories you hear about the calm that people experience before they die”. Indeed, if A Dark Poem contains a silver lining, it’s in the creative partnership that’s helped Green Carnation endure for more than three decades. “It would be different if I had only known Stein Roger for two months”, Nordhus continues in explaining how he gives voice to the words of his dear friend. “It’s easy for me to understand and relate to all of his struggles, all of his pleasures and joys, because I’ve been a part of them as well”.
Part II introduces more peaks and valleys into the overarching narrative of A Dark Poem, but nowhere does the album’s bleeding-heart core shine through more achingly than its closing ballad. Graced by Ingrid Ose’s soothing flute, “Lunar Tale” positively sparkles, even as it casts a rather grim beacon into the future. “The end justifies the means, you’ll see”, Nordhus sings with eerily quiet confidence. As the piano seeps beneath the moonlight, Sanguisleaves fans hanging in suspense over where this trilogy will end.
Recording lineup
Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals
Stein Roger Sordal - Bass, Rhythm Guitars, Lead Guitars, Keyboards, Lead Vocals on "Loneliness Untold, Loneliness Unfold"
Bjørn Harstad - Lead Guitars, Effects
Endre Kirkesola - Keyboards, Synthesizers, Organs, Effects, Backing Vocals on "Lunar Tale"
Jonathan Alejandro Perez - Drums
Guest musicians
Ingrid Ose - Flute on "Lunar Tale"
Live lineup
Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals
Stein Roger Sordal - Bass
Tchort - Guitars
Bjørn Harstad - Guitars
Trond Breen - Guitars
Endre Kirkesola - Keyboards
Recording, Mixing & Mastering Studio
dUb Studio
Production Credits
Producers - Endre Kirkesola, Stein Roger Sordal, Kjetil Nordhus
Sound Engineers - Endre Kirkesola, Bjørn Harstad
Mixing engineer — Endre Kirkesola
Mixing assistant — Bjørn Harstad
Mastering Engineer — Lawrence Mackrory
Cover artist
Niklas Sundin
Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/greencarnationsanguis
Available Formats
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Yellow and Red Marbled)
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Orange and Coke Bottle Green)
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Gold Splatters)
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Silver, White and Black Marbled)
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Transparent Green and Purple Marbled)
Follow Green Carnation:
Bandcamp: https://greencarnationsom.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenCarnationNorway
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/green2carnation/
Twitter (X): https://x.com/Green2Carnation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vfEaTADayEniT7xbG-XCA
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ZaJhNBAhJ3HjPsWiB9sDc
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/green-carnation/72866964
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/8192
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/23079
