Genre-bending English metal act Svalbard have released a tribute to all the metal legends that have passed away. Inspired primarily by the passing of Slipknot drummer and Murderdolls guitarist Joey Jordison, the emotionally and sonically heavy Eternal Spirits Issued via Nuclear Blast is a fitting way to pay respect to our fallen metal icons.
Explaining the release, Svalbard's Serena Cherry states: "Eternal Spirits is one of the most tragic songs we have ever written, yet it is also a celebration of legacy and musical heritage. It is a song about late metal musicians who sadly passed away too soon and the loss we feel within the metal community without their presence. This song is a heartfelt tribute to our metal heroes who are gone but will never be forgotten, because their legacy lives on in the millions of hearts they have touched with their music. It's crushing when your heroes die, but with this song we want to commemorate our late heroes glorious music and the legions of bands they have inspired. That inspiration will never die.
"On a more personal level, Joey Jordison was the person who inspired me to pick up an instrument. I started learning drums when I was 12 years old because of the energy and passion he exuded from his playing. When I listened to his drumming, every hit gave me a surge of motivation. His creative spark lit a fire within me that will never be extinguished. I'd like to dedicate Eternal Spirits in his memory."
Watch the performance video for Eternal Spirits below.
Svalbard are currently working on their fourth album, the follow-up to the wonderful 202 release When I Die, Will I Get Better?
Joey Jordison, co-founder and original drummer of Slipknot, passed away at age 46 in July, 2021. Jordison co-founded Slipknot in 1995 with percussionist Shawn 'Clown' Crahan. He played on some of their biggest tracks including Wait And Bleed, Spit It Out, (515), People = Shit, The Heretic Anthem, Duality, and countless others. The band was nominated for multiple Grammys for Best Metal Performance and Best Hard Rock Performance during his tenure with Slipknot eventually winning Best Metal Performance for Before I Forget in 2006.
Jordison exited Slipknot in 2013 and formed new band Scar the Martyr with former Nine Inch Nails drummer Chris Vrenna on keyboards. He was also the Murderdolls guitarist and backing vocalist between 2002 - 2004 and 2010 - 2011.
He was the drummer for blackened death metal act, Sinsaenum, at the time of his passing, and also performed alongside Bad Wolves bassist Kyle Konkiel in heavy metal band Vimic. It comes as no surprise we named the metal icon as one of the 13 Best Metal Drummers and reported on his reflections on the making of their debut self-titled album.
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