Karnnos

Karnnos are a Portuguese industrially-tinged folk project, originally formed as a duo by Johan Aernus and A. Guerra. After the release of their debut disc, "A burial in flames", the project expanded to a quartet, with the addition of Belmil on flutes and bagpipes and Nerunbrir on the viola, violin and synth. With this formation, Karnnos released three cds ("Deatharch crann", "Dún scaith" and "Undercurents and lost horizons") and a EP ("Bearer of order…"). Other musicians (such as Hyaena Fierling Reich or João Pais Filipe) participated on some of this recordings.
After this initial period of activity, the project entered a slumber for some years. The band slowly tried to find a new path to their musical expression; Nerunbrir left the project in this process and J. Oliveira joined Karnnos on the bass. "Dream continent", released 10 years after "Undercurrents…" is the testimony of that process of seeking new grounds.

More recently (2019), Karnnos recorded and self-released "Remembrance", the next chapter on their musical journey, this time as a sextet (J. A., A. Guerra, Belmil, J. P. Filipe, J. Oliveira and A.C, that took over the flutes and bagpipes, while Belmil played the hurdy-gurdy). This record also has the collaboration of R. Brito (Urze de Lume), L. C. (Joy of Nature) and S. Vidal (Espiral). "Remembrance" opened a new cycle for Karnnos, with a more diverse sound palette, ranging from some sort of doom-folk to experimentation with acoustic instruments or derivations from post-punk. The following record, "Concealed, in the silence" was done during the pandemics and presented another change in line-up: Belmil (that was with the band almost from the beginning) and J. Filipe decided to leave. "Concealed, in the silence" presents a return to folkish soundscapes, but also some ambient and experimental moments. Karnnos have just now (September 2025) released a new record called "In the harrowing distance". Closing this trilogy dedicated to memory and life/death/transformation, the line-up for this record is again changed with the entrance of N. Gomes for percussion (who, unfortunately, have passed away during the recordings) and the return of A. C. to the flutes. Deeply marked by the fight of N. Gomes with his disease, the record is somber and is a shift from the previous one, with more presence of electronics (and with 3 elements of the band contributing with electronics now) and a change of acoustic instruments - mostly zither, harmonium and flutes were used in this record. Another change from the 2 previous records is the absence of invitees - "In the harrowing distance" was made only by the resident members.

New chapters of Karnnos existence will unfold next year!