Dual-violin folk metal band ISENMOR has unveiled a lyric video for “Furor Teutonics,” the furious new single from the band’s October 9 debut full-length, Shieldbrother.
“‘Furor Teutonicus’ is one of the most intense tracks on ‘Shieldbrother,’” says guitarist/vocalist Tim Regan. “It has become a mainstay of our live set because of the energy and ferocity it delivers. The song is topped off by Nick’s lightning-fast violin run at the end, which sounds amazing and is hypnotizing to watch.”
ISENMOR sings tales of harrowing battlescapes and historic foes in their gewyrdelic folk metal style: a blend of metal, orchestral, and folk music, combining intricate violin leads and rich vocal harmonies with a strong guitar-driven folk metal base inspired by the stalwarts of the genre including Týr, Ensiferum, and Eluveitie. “Gewyrdelic” is an Old English word that roughly translates to “historical.” The meaning of the term, as well as its etymology, describe ISENMOR’s lyrical and thematic focus on the history and legends of the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic peoples.
In line with this historical approach, “Furor Teutonics” explores Roman characterization of Germanic warriors from the Late Republic and Empire. The track’s title is attributed to a phrase first used by the Roman historian Lucan to describe these warriors in his book Pharsalia.
“While it is fun to explore this characterization as we did in ‘Furor Teutonicus,’ it is important to remember that it is just that, a characterization,” says violinist/vocalist Nicholas Schneider. “The image painted by late Roman authors is not a wholly accurate one, often used for moralizing purposes. Those who have used this image to promote theories of racial characteristics or superiority based on descent from Germanic tribes do so in an attempt to justify their already held views, which are not grounded in reality.”
Shieldbrother delivers tales of glory with the triumphant title track, sorrowful tales of woe such as the mournful “Battle Scarred” and the dirge-like “Mount Badon,” a 17-minute epic entitled “Sigurd’s Song,” the obligatory folk metal drinking song (with an ISENMOR twist), “Drink to Glory,” and more tales steeped in the myth and history of the dark ages. The album was self-recorded and mixed, then mastered by the legendary Dan Swanö of Unisound.
Together since 2014, the band has shared the stage with numerous international metal acts, has been featured as a repeat performer at the Maryland Folk Metal Festival and Pocono Folk, Pagan and Viking Metal Fest. With these performances and through the strength of the Land of the Setting Sun EP and the “Saxon Shore” single, the Maryland-based band has built a massive worldwide fanbase, as evidenced by the Shieldbrother Kickstarter campaign which more than tripled its goal in a few short weeks.
ISENMOR is:
Peter Lesko – Lead Guitar
Jon Lyon – Keys, Vocals
Tim Regan – Guitar, Vocals
Nicholas Schneider – Violin, Vocals
David Spencer – Drums
Mark Williams – Violin
Mike Wilson – Bass, Vocals
ISENMOR online:
