Video Premiere: Anima Morte ‘Blood Of The Iconoclast’ – Cinematic Prog From New Album ‘Serpents In The Fields’

Calling all horror soundtrack fans who must take note of Sweden’s truly awesome Anima Morte, a collective that meticulously follow the cinematic instrumental prog rock path whose foundations were laid down by the likes of Goblin and John Carpenter. After three years in the making, and using an array of analogue and vintage equipment, the band are readying themselves to release their latest long-player, Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep, through Cadabra Records.

Blood Of The Iconoclast is the first single and we at The Shaman are beyond ecstatic to bring you the captivating video in which Anima Morte founder Fredrik Klingwall comments, ‘We’re very proud to share Blood Of The Iconoclast as the video premiere to introduce our new album Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep. Directed by our dear friend Martin Gustafsson who has documented our studio work for over a decade, it made total sense to let him capture this song visually with glimpses of its creation in Gröndahl Studio.’

Then adds, ‘Musically, it features what we feel are some of the hallmarks of our sound. Several strong musical motifs performed on what we find classic elements contrasting the guitar like Mellotron, Minimoog, piano, and strings blending equal parts atmosphere and groovy sections.’

Now click play below and surrender to the Blood Of The Iconoclast…

More On Anima Morte & ‘Serpents In The Fields’

Anima Morte started in 2004 when Fredrik Klingwall invited Stefan Granberg to join him in creating music that was inspired by the atmosphere of classic horror movies, drawing influences from early Italian films and the influence of Fabio Frizzi, Goblin, and others, as well as American composers/artists including John Carpenter and Wes Craven.

Having been raised on horror films, the members missed the great, immersive atmosphere these composers/films provided. They began creating songs that focused more on actual themes and melodies, and distinct instrumentation that was ahead of its time and has since become timeless, utilizing equipment from Mellotron, Minimoog, Hammond, Solina, Rhodes, and other classic instruments and amplification.

Following several demos through Myspace and the like in the early 2000s, Anima Morte released their debut 7” EP, Viva Morte!, on Last Entertainment. The duo expanded the line-up with the addition of guitarist Daniel Cannerfelt and drummer Teddy Möller and the band caught the attention of Razorback Records who had launched their ambient/cinematic sublabel Deadbeat Media and released Anima Morte’s debut LP, Face The Sea Of Darkness.

By the time they began work on the follow-up LP, Nightmare Becomes Reality, former Änglagård drummer Mattias Olsson was brought on board where he has since remained, including on the third album, Upon Darkened Stains.

Anima Morte has also amassed a lengthy list of additional releases, including a collaboration with Cripple Bastards, splits with the likes of Fabio Frizzi, Hooded Menace, and Antigama, in addition to having scored a plethora of H. P. Lovecraft stories and other titles for Cadabra Records, including Dagon, Cats Of Ulthar, Music Of Eric Zann, The Call Of Chtulhu, The Statement Of Randolph Carter, and The Unnamable.

Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep was produced by David Castillo and Anima Morte, engineered and mixed by David Castillo with engineering assistance from Iñaki Marconi at Studio Gröndahl in Stockholm between October 2018 and May 2021, with additional recordings handled at Roth-Händle and Uninvited Studios. The record was mastered by Thomas ‘Plec’ Johansson at The Panic Room and completed with striking cover artwork by Randy Ortiz, design by Eric Adrian Lee, and photography by Martin Gustafsson.

In addition to the full-time Anima Morte line-up, a wide cast of guest musicians also provide brass, woodwinds, strings, electric and orchestral percussion, and much more, resulting in the band’s most diverse, epic, and captivating material to date!

Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep Tracklisting:
01. Leaving Redemption Behind
02. Pathogenesis
03. Seeds Of Trepidation
04. A Perfect Void
05. Blood Of The Iconoclast
06. Colors Of Incrimination
07. Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep
08. The Underworld Beckons
09. Night Of The Final Act

Playing on Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep are:
Daniel Cannerfelt – Electric/Acoustic Guitars
Fredrik Klingwall – Mellotron, Synthesizer, Electric/Acoustic Pianos, Organs
Teddy Möller – Drums
Gustaf Hielm – Bass
Mattias Olsson – Electric/Orchestral Percussion, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone
Hanna Ekström – Violin, Viola
Anna Dager – Cello
Lars Åhlund – Saxophones, Clarinet
Erik Palmberg – Trumpet
Kristian Persson – Trombone
Roger Öjersson – Guitar solo on The Underworld Beckons
Thomas Ohlsson – Additional electric/orchestral percussion on Night Of The Final Act
Stefan Granberg – Co-composer of Night Of The Final Act

Serpents In The Fields Of Sleep will be released by Cadabra Records on vinyl in multiple colours/variants and packaged in a deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket as well as a limited CD, both of which will ship next week, with a digital download following on 28th October. To place your order, head over to the labels webstore.

Label: Cadabra Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram