Oslo’s revered Indie Recordings has yet again wowed us, this time with a lethal new single by Halcyon Days titled “N.I.T.C.,” or “Nail in the Coffin.” This brutal yet beautiful composition is sure to mesmerize audiences with its remarkable intensity, wild yet perfectly focused energy, and wicked aggression. Formed in 2012, Halcyon Days is the game-changing melodic hardcore act that you need to know. Their refreshingly heavy music strikes us, hard as a crowbar blow, from Norway with a glorious vengeance and has paved the way for similar outfits.
Halcyon Days’ lineup consists of Robbe Madsen on vocals, André Sørensen on guitar, Steffen Johansen on bass, and Eirik Løvås Bjerke on drums. Each member gives a phenomenal performance on “N.I.T.C.,” which highlights the group’s flawless chemistry, veteran confidence, and irreproachable artistry. The masterful vocals will truly grip you in a headlock not only from start to finish but from replay to replay, as this song will certainly refuse to let you go.
On the topic of “N.I.T.C.,” which was produced by Martin Selen (Fixation, Gåte, Djerv), Halcyon Days states:
“‘Nail in the Coffin’ is a song about letting go of the toxic and fake people in your life that are bringing you down, not really being your friends, bringing negativity or only wanting something from you, and that in the end is no good for you or your mental health.
Instead focus on taking care of the people that really care about you, bring good to your life and you are happy to have in your life and cherish those relationships instead.”
This “unrelenting” display of strength and authenticity proves all too relatable and relevant, the ideal track to keep in mind when navigating through the hordes of posers, saboteurs, and other types of human obstacles. “N.I.T.C.” likewise serves as a great reminder of what separates Indie Recordings in general, with their legendary clients like Seigmen, from the legions of what are, in my humble opinion, mediocre labels, half-heartedly promoting clone bands. Indie, by the way, recently unveiled Seigmen’s latest ode to resilience, “Dyret (23 Bud),” forcing us to reflect upon their wise decision to release these two very different though inwardly related gems within days of each other.
“N.I.T.C.” represents the first glimpse into Halcyon Days’ upcoming album, which will be their fourth. The ensemble also has two stellar EPs under their belt. We impatiently anticipate the brand-new dose of sonic excellence that awaits us and the possible guest appearances that it might bring. Speaking of which, Halcyon Days’ most recent record, 2021’s Keep Myself from Sinking, features an all-star cast of guests: Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Meshuggah, Soilwork, Behemoth), Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah), and Henrik Udd (Powerwolf, Septicflesh, Susperia, At the Gates).
Halcyon Days will be rocking Bavaria at Summer Breeze Open Air on Friday, August 16, so try to witness their individualistic brand of “True Norwegian Metalcore” live in Germany if you can.
