Planet Literature

On the Song Glædur (The Embers) by the Icelandic Band Mammút

The embers

My salty sparks,
a burning scourge to your brow,
your vicious blood,
sting into your face.

Let your breath flow back into me,
Lord, give me the power to avenge,
let my breath ignite the air,
let me burn the place
where we have lived.

Let your breath flow back into me,
Lord, give me the power to avenge.
Joyfully I, the traitor,
will set up camp in the city
and keep on burning
year after year at your back.

Mammút: Glædur; from: Komdu til mín svarta systir (Come to me, dark sister; 2013)

Forces of Nature in Iceland: the Ocean and the Volcanoes

There are more than 100 volcanoes on Iceland. They are connected by about 30 underground volcanic systems, whose energy is discharged again and again in sometimes violent eruptions.
Those who live on Iceland therefore have a completely different image of the power of nature than people on the continent. The feeling for the forces of nature is intensified by the ocean, whose power is also felt much more strongly on an island than on the mainland.

Lava and Spray: Two Aspects of Overflowing Natural Force

In the song Glædur (The Embers), the Icelandic band Mammút combines both aspects of the force of nature in a single image: The embers are linked with the spray, the all-consuming power of the fire is associated with the no less destructive power of the sea.
An interesting thing about the text is that it is written from the perspective of nature. Ostensibly pushed out of civilisation, it gathers its forces outside the gates of the latter for a storm attack reminiscent of volcanic eruptions or tsunamis. In this way, nature takes root again in the midst of civilisation, seemingly sealed off against it, and decomposes the latter from within in order to renew itself.

When Nature Gets out of Balance

The song thus puts its finger in the wound of our growth society, which still pretends that nature is a resource that can be exploited at will. It draws attention to the tipping points beyond which the destroyed balance of nature inevitably leads to developments that are as irreversible as they are fatal to human civilisation.

About Mammút

The band Mammút was initially formed in 2003 as a trio under the name ROK, with all three band members being female. At the same time as the name was changed to Mammút a year later, the band expanded by adding two male members.
In 2004, the band won the Músíktilraunir (English title Icelandic Music Experiments, IME), a major competition for up-and-coming Icelandic bands. Subsequently, they won several prizes at the Icelandic Music Awards.
Musically, the band moves between electro-pop as well as alternative and psychedelic rock. In addition to some wild and danceable songs, the group has also recorded a few more contemplative songs.

Tip: A detailed, richly illustrated information page on volcanoes in Iceland (by Nanna Gunnarsdóttir) is available at guidetoiceland.is.

Bild /Image: David Mark: Island (Pixabay)