Since 2008, the art of Árstíðir lífsins breathes Old Norse history on all levels.
"Saga á tveim tungum" is a two-sided story constructed around the later period of the Norwegian king and saint, Óláfr Haraldsson (995-1030). It roughly spans the period of his later power attempts in the years 995-1030. The albums depict the lives of two siblings and their individual experiences during the turbulent times in early eleventh-century Norway. Generally, "Saga á tveim tungum" is without a doubt the most ambitious and complex story told by Árstíðir lífsins to date. Much more based on Skaldic, and, partly, on Eddic poetry than any of the previous albums. Numerous hints towards historical battles and other happenings vividly described in select Kings? sagas and other Old Norse sources are presented, and put in relation to the otherwise fictive main characters of the story.
Entirely sung in Old Icelandic and twinned with its brother album "Saga á tveim tungum I: Vápn ok viðr" previously released in 2019, Árstíðir lífsins proves on "Eigi fjoll né firðir" once again its ability to produce audial quality: From ambient archaic folklore soundscapes, supported by dark chants and classical instruments, to both modern and classic Black Metal elements, the musical abilities project genuine craftmanship.
Similar to "Vápn ok viðr", "Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjoll né firðir" was composed and recorded in Germany and Sweden in early 2018 and mixed and mastered in February of 2019 by the experienced hands of renowned producer Markus Stock at Klangschmiede Studio E, Mellrichstadt, Germany. As always, the intriguing layout was executed by the highly talented Christopher Duis of 1gemachtes.de.
