Green Carnation Ready to Fully Bloom With Prog Album Trilogy

On the subject of progressive steel that notably somber, eloquent and rustic, few bands do it higher than Norway’s Inexperienced Carnation. From 2000’s Journey to the Finish of the Night time and 2001’s pivotal Mild of Day, Day of Darkness to 2025’s A Darkish Poem, Pt. I: The Shores of Melancholia, they’ve been mixing fierce and fragile songwriting and instrumentation in essentially the most earnest and dynamic methods potential.

That continues to be true with the upcoming second a part of the saga, A Darkish Poem, Half II: Sanguis. In honor of it (and of Inexperienced Carnation’s legacy), we spoke with vocalist Kjetil Nordhus and lyricist/multi-instrumentalist Stein Roger Sordal about how the 2 Darkish Poem LPs examine; what followers can count on from the concluding chapter of the trilogy; and why melancholia is such an important a part of their music.

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How do the 2 Darkish Poem albums join thematically and/or musically?

Kjetil Nordhus: After we composed the music and lyrics, we did not assume an excessive amount of about what was going to be on album one, two or three. This isn’t like a narrative that begins with the primary music on Half I and ends with the final music on Half III. So, after feeling that we had sufficient music to fill three data, we began compiling three completely different albums from the songs we’d already composed.

You might say that Half I is all weapons blazing with vitality, whereas Half II is the place we dared to not have as many drums and guitars in sure locations. Lyrically, Half II is extra introspective and private, whereas Half I is extra about society and issues exterior of ourselves.

Stein Roger Sordal: All three collections are darkish. They’re about issues I’m involved about. I imply, I’ve lived to be 50, so I’ve skilled so much and I needed the songs to be attention-grabbing for listeners but additionally ripe for me to launch issues that’ve been increase inside me. The second album is extra private, as I’m going into issues about my life (whether or not it’s about childhood or the current and even the longer term). I believe that If the songs come from deep inside and are trustworthy, individuals will relate to it.

Completely. Each data are very poignant, and generally, Inexperienced Carnation are recognized for introspection and rawness. Why has lovely melancholia been such a permanent a part of the group?

Nordhus: Nicely, each of us joined the band with Mild of Day, Day of Darkness, which laid the groundwork for what turned Inexperienced Carnation. It’s this tragic story about loss and it despatched us in a route and temper that’s develop into pure for us. Although we’ve written a brand new trilogy now, we’ve nonetheless not emptied ourselves in relation to issues we’re apprehensive about. That tone is a crucial a part of Inexperienced Carnation and I’d be very stunned if we abruptly began making tremendous glad albums [laughs]. The melancholy at all times has magnificence and hope, although; it’s not fully darkish.

Sordal: Proper. As an example, the title observe is a bit about my relationship with my father and the anger I had till a number of years in the past.

Inexperienced Carnation, “Sanguis (Blood Ties)”

I began fascinated about how he had a horrible upbringing, and naturally, it took me years to determine that these items occur for a motive. Now, it’s simpler for me to rise above that and perceive his youth. I felt sorry for him and we began reconciling, however sadly, he handed away final summer time. Then, there’s the music “Loneliness Untold, Loneliness Unfold” from Pt. II, which I sing and which is a couple of good friend whom I’m afraid of shedding.

Nordhus: The way in which Stein sings it actually stands out, as does the stripped-down association. What’s humorous, although, is that we’ve such a enjoyable time on tour, which you may not count on when you simply have a look at our lyrics.

How has the dynamic between you two modified over time?

Nordhus: We’ve been higher capable of work collectively as time’s passed by. Within the early 2000s, we made extra music individually than we did collectively and we had been by no means a band that’s gone to rehearsals and jammed. Since coming again [with 2020’s Leaves of Yesterday], Stein and I discovered a brand new method of working along with very completely different roles. He is the man who performs all of the devices and I’m the man who has extra to say in regards to the precise compositions. How completely different components join and the way one thing is perhaps perfected.

After we began engaged on the Darkish Poem sequence (round 2018), we accepted that doing all three albums was going to take a hell of a very long time. We even made a report within the meantime [Leaves of Yesterday] to present ourselves sufficient time to complete the trilogy. It’s been an inspiring course of.

On that observe, followers already know that A Darkish Poem can be a trilogy, so what are you able to reveal in regards to the upcoming third chapter?

Nordhus: Nicely, we’ve a live performance in Norway on September twelfth and we’re going to play all three albums in a single night. There can be an orchestra and a choir onstage, too, and we would additionally do a Darkish Poem artwork exhibition throughout that weekend in our hometown that’ll be curated by [ex-Dark Tranquility guitarist] Niklas Sundin, who did the art work.

Sordal: That’s just a bit trace [laughs]. It’s thrilling!

Nordhus: It’s one thing we’ve by no means achieved earlier than and as soon as individuals hear the entire trilogy directly, they’ll perceive the larger image. We’re not making it simple for ourselves, nevertheless it’ll be one other reminiscence that’ll stick with us ceaselessly.

Sordal: Sure, and naturally, there’s many hours of music that we left off the albums, so hopefully we are able to use a few of it sooner or later. Proper now, we’re very happy with the undertaking.

Inexperienced Carnation, “The Shores of Melancholia”

As you ought to be! Plus, you’ve had the most effective comebacks in current reminiscence contemplating that 2020’s Leaves of Yesteryear arrived after a 15-year hiatus.

Nordhus: Thanks. When the fifteenth anniversary of Mild of Day, Day of Darkness got here up in 2016, we thought it was a very good excuse to attempt doing one thing once more. It wasn’t like we had been enemies earlier than; we simply didn’t know what to do subsequent after The Acoustic Model in 2006. We’d launched some good albums however with out the success we’d hoped for. After we returned in 2016, we loved one another’s firm and whereas doing live shows, we realized that we’d forgotten how a lot Inexperienced Carnation meant to individuals.

Sordal: Precisely. We’ve followers who’ve grown with us over time and it’s been so fantastic to see.

Because of Inexperienced Carnation for the interview. Their newest LP, ‘A Darkish Poem, Half II: Sanguis,’ is out Apr. 3 on Season of Mist. Pre-order your copy of the album right here and comply with the them on Fb, X, Instagram and Spotify.