Few, if any, possible entries for Eurovision 2019 have gained more attention than the BDSM infused techno-band Hatari from Iceland. Before they even competed in the Icelandic semi-finals, they had already taken the fandom by storm, and people have been predicting Iceland’s first-ever Eurovision victory should Hatari win Söngvakeppni.
The band is known for a lot of things. Their interesting choice of wardrobe is one of their in-your-face signatures. We’re talking chains, leather, latex and face masks. Think steampunk-influenced dungeon masters, if you will.
Their music goes beyond materials — it conjures feelings and senses, from anger to sheer rage. It’s a heady mix of underground techno with a heavy beat that flirts with dubstep, punk and goth depending on the day — or even the verse. That combo of sounds and genres is rarely, if ever, heard at the song contest.
What do we know about Hatari so far?
Well, they’ve challenged Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s divisive prime minister, to an “honest fight in Icelandic trouser-wrestling” on Magen David Square. Provocative, eh?
The PM has not yet responded — he’s busy dealing with corruption charges — but the band is hopeful, because according to them, no honourable man will avoid the challenge of a wrestling match.
They’re clearly fond of challenges. If Mr. Netanyahu wins, Israel will be given full economic and political hold over the South Icelandic Island municipality of Vestmannaeyjar. But if Hatari wins, they want to form a liberal BDSM colony within the borders of Israel. Seems like a fair term to us. If y’all don’t believe me, you can read the full statement here.
Hatari’s interests are another matter of interest. There are no unicorns and rainbows emanating from their orifices. Instead they ooze the darkest form of dark. Death. Demands for an overhaul of capitalism. Disdain for consumerism and society’s pretensions. Doomsday. An antagonism for fake news guided by their political leanings. Disgust at the discrepancy of income, rights and more at home and abroad. “We want to uncover and destroy the everyday routine, for it is a scam,” Hatari recently told Icelandic web media visir.is.
Okay, so they’re against capitalism. Or are they? “You can’t actually be anti-capitalistic if you are born into a world where everything is controlled by capitalism and consumerism. So, we want to obliterate all that…and maybe sell a few T-shirts along the way,” Hatari says.
Wait, what? How can you be against capitalism, yet still participate in a modern-day society where said capitalism rules?
“We declared once that we would not engage on social media. But we also declared that we would sell ourselves for the right amount. And break every single promise. Everyone and anyone is for sale if the price is right.”
Alrighty then. The best way to fight capitalism is to give in, sell your soul but be aware of that fact at all times and be relentless and unafraid to point it out to society. The world is a cesspool of consumerism and we’re all slaves. Got it!
Hatari wants to destroy the glossy image of modern life point out the lies we face — and sometimes embrace — every single day. They want to show us that what we see is not reality. It’s merely a thinly woven veil of deceit, wrapped in a fancy and glittering package in order to seem more appealing. So, why enter Eurovision, which, due to its endless confetti and glamorous image, is exactly the thing Hatari should despise most?
They explain, “We don’t hate it. Far from it. Eurovision is a certain platform and the people decide what goes on it. Eurovision is our first milestone towards ending capitalism.”
So, Hatari has done their research regarding the power of Eurovision. The way the contest reaches millions and millions of people all over the world. And their song, “Hatrið mun sigra” would indeed leave its mark on Eurovision for all eternity. But why give a damn about the song? Why not just go on stage and do whatever? Why compose a song that is lowkey conquering Europe and Australia more and more each day? The answer comes easy: It was the only way to reach the public.
“We researched other composers that have won the contest, and there it was. Our Everest. The overused concept of ‘the Eurovision bridge’ (the key change in the middle of the song). Once we figured it out, this beautiful composition was born and thus we have written our name in musical history for good”.
Hatari show their softer side
And wanting to succeed in Eurovision music-wise is not all, for Hatari might be wanting to clean up their image just a wee bit as well. For a postcard for Söngvakeppni, Hatari will be filming in a local school in Reykjavík, where they’ve asked children between eight and ten years of age to participate by wearing the Hatari outfit. And before you choke on your tea and biscuits, we’re talking about the blue tracksuits, not the whips and chains.
“We’re going to show our softer side, play with the kids, bake a cake and let the love surround us all before hate finally takes over. We want to show Icelanders that underneath the harsh shell, we’re soft and kind individuals,” says Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson, the lead singer of Hatari. Aww, so they really are just sweet and caring….for the most part.
So far Hatari has managed to rock the boat so much that they’re on the verge of creating a tsunami. They’ve managed to spark endless amounts of love among both fans of Eurovision as well as the people that claim they want nothing to do with it.
They’ve also sparked A LOT of controversy and even deep hate among people who believe that they’re an unhealthy role model for today’s youth and that they’re only doing this to promote themselves and will put Iceland to shame, should they win Söngvakeppni. They’ve been accused of being rude, vulgar and arrogant towards media and the Icelandic nation.
However, they have also been praised for daring to be different and true to themselves. And they somehow always seem removed from the fact that they’re the most talked-about band in Iceland today. Or are they?
That’s the thing about Hatari. We’ll never truly know wether they’re being serious or if they’re all just yanking our chains and silently giggling behind their stoic appearance. And maybe it’s best not to know, and simply come along for the ride, regardless of where it takes you.
Love Hatari or hate them. Either way, you have an opinion about them, and let’s just face it. No matter what y’all do, they’ll always win. They call themselves Hatari. Their song is called “Hate will prevail”. Do the math. There is a very thin line between love and hate, and Hatari is not only crossing that line, they’re doing a wild dance on it while being completely unapologetic about the whole thing.
Are you loving Hatari and their song? Do you think they should win in Iceland? And how would they fare at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments box below.
Iceland just jumped from 10th to 7th in the odds and songvakeppnin hasn’t even ended yet. THAT’S how good these guys are
You are all delusional if you think the juries will let them win Eurovision. Even qualifying will be hard.
I think you’re right. I’m still grieving about Montenegrin astronauts not qualifying because of juries in 2013.
Performance and music style might be interesting but I doubt wether everybody will be aware of the idea behind the song. The song title is Irritating and only meant to draw attention. Should have been chosen more carefully as the subject is too serious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS4YLbgVucg , its other material of them, they arent a joke. Real strong contestants. if Iceland send this they could win the whole contest, its too freaking good!
This is my least favorite song of theirs but the music video is amazing.
I don’t get why this article talks about all the satirical interviews they did, but not about their non-satirical interview in which they said they are only participating as a protest and have no intention of honoring the part of their contract that prohibits political actions.
…The song itself IS the protest. They probably aren’t going to do anything too risky, especially now that they realize they are a favorite to win both Eurovision and their national final.
Also, I doubt they would want to be responsible for RUV losing a bunch of money, especially since I’ve heard that one of them works for them
Yes, Matthias works for RUV as a journalist. I highly doubt they will do anything super outrageous like everyone automatically assumed they would when the whole “protest on stage” rumor started. That’s not their style. I’m sure there will be lots of discussions about what they can and can’t say and they’ll try their best to get their message across without technically breaking the rules.
Oh, another one of those restrictive “devil contracts” in the making maybe just to get sure they behave well? 😛
Not true, their participation itself is the protest. They didn’t even mention the song once in that interview.
The most recent thing they have said about that issue is that they “don’t want to step over the line but don’t want to be too vague either” I don’t think they are going to purposely try to get disqualified but it is still a possibility that they will. But they have also said that they will win Eurovision and they can’t do that if they are disqualified so maybe if they focus more on winning then everything will be okay.
I hope so. The song is my favourite and that’s the only thing it should be about.
Is the perfect song for in the end to vomit in everybody .beatifuuuuul.the winner lol
Well it’s just you oops
Well, no matter what happens on saturday, we can expect Iceland’s odds to either jump to the top 5, or completely plummet towards the bottom after the national final.
As of now, Iceland is 10th in the odds instead of their usual mid-30s position for ONE REASON and ONE REASON only, and we all know what that reason is.
the winner!
years ending in nine are good to Iceland…not 1989′ last place, though…
Atari won in 1979.. Gali Atari and milk and honey..
this is a song that you want to hear in a loop..
what will Salvador Sobral say about them?
He won’t say this is fast food music, that’s for sure! And I believe he would respect them for being daring and for their social conscious awareness. “Music is feeling” and Hatari makes people feel!!
Great! Remind me yugoslavian Underground 30years ago.
It will definitely win the NF, but I don’t know how it will go in ESC. I expect protest from Russia and the Caucasus countries. If it would win, the right-wingers would be so outraged. They already trash-talk the show after Conchita. Some East eu countries politicians and media write terrible things (propaganda, agenda etc.), I can’t even imagine what will happen if Hatari wins.
Welp for one, my Russian vote goes straight to HTR no matter what. And frankly, I don’t expect much uproar, industrial music is well known and liked round these parts. The hardest thing for the band, in my view, is to emphasize their humorous side at ESC. Without everyone understanding Icelandic it’s going to be difficult to present their act as a satire that it is. What makes it even worse is that their kind of satire has a false bottom: while you think they ridicule the alt-right and consumerism, they actually ridicule the fact that these things are too… Read more »
You don’t have to worry, ’cause they ain’t wining anything in ESC, they will be lucky just to qualify for final.
With how boring semi 1 is so far, I could see Hatari winning the televote
Not to mention they have a VERY good spot in semi final 1
I could see this winning Semi 1, or at least come top 5 in it.
It will definitely win the Iceland NF, but I don’t know how it will go in ESC. I expect protest from Russia and the Caucasus countries. If it would win, the right-wingers would be so outraged. They already trash-talk the show after Conchita. Some East EU countries politicians and media write terrible things (propaganda, agenda etc.), I can’t even imagine what will happen if Hatari wins.
It’s hilarious to me, that after everything they’ve said and done, there are still people who take them 100% seriously. I thought it was obvious from the beginning that they are a satirical act but most people don’t seem to get that.
Satirical is a good thing, and the song is dope, so why not? I love this song!
I don’t care if they’re serious or not, the song is great. That’s all I want.
If they’ll get selected, it will be similar to 2006 entrant Silvia Night but this time more people will be on the joke.
It will definitely win the Iceland NF, but I don’t know how it will go in ESC. I expect protest from Russia and the Caucasus countries. If it would win, the right-wingers would be so outraged. They already trash-talk the show after Conchita. Some East EU countries politicians and media write terrible things (propaganda, agenda etc.), I can’t even imagine what will happen if Hatari wins.
Sorry random question: does anyone know if the Iceland or Norway NFs tomorrow can be streamed abroad on their sites or other channels? If not maybe Portugal? I want to watch at least one NF tomorrow night. 🙂
You can watch them all here https://media.esc-plus.com/live/
Hopefully Iceland send them , they are like Lordi 2.0 — it will be interesting to see something new in this boring ESC, well after my favorites – Bella, Laura, Monica, Maruv, others singers in Germany, and girl from Montenegro from 2009 didnt won, i dont have a big expectations to be honest.
Tell me I’m not the only one who’s hoping to see them winning Eurovision…
Im with you 300%
Iceland has two choices – pick them and have a guaranteed top 10 finish (even if on televote only) or pick any other others and have an almost certain NQ once again. The thing is – Iceland cares, but do foreign juries?
I love how Hatrid mun sigra it’s their “mainstream song” and some old fans are hating it because “they sold themselves”. I love how they studied the Eurovision bridge (?) and you can appreciate it in their song. I love how serious they are in songs like Odyr and how sexual and concern and furious they are at the same time, naturally, in songs like Spillingardans (that videoclip it’s a point of no return, I swear.. . Klemens is so beautiful, he blinds me, and his chorus there it’s so aesthetic, but so dark and sad…). This band is brilliant.… Read more »
Iceland hatari is the Best 12 points from Poland
If will have won preselection iceland to be to distinguish so polish group Tulia for sure interesting diversity is beautiful Slovenia equally the best
“according to them, no honourable man will avoid the challenge of a wrestling match.” Well….no honourable man would challenge somebody older than him. I agree with them about capitalism, but still, you are free to spend as much as you can, not as much as you want. It is true though, that banks want us in debt forever. Have you noticed how shamed are young people who still live with their parents? As if that means they don’t have a job and a salary. You just have to be forced to go to the bank and take a loan, to… Read more »
I mean, the offer for Netanyahu is really stupid (let alone impossible as they’re not in control of all those stuff)
I wish they weren’t going for something political like that but damn, they won me over with the song, it REALLY grew on me
It’s a satire, they’re not being serious
Good point!
Thanks for the article, I also enjoyed the reaction video. Let’s hope they get to the show.
“people have been predicting Iceland’s first-ever Eurovision victory should Hatari win Söngvakeppnin” where? where are they?
I think they’d have a chance but hey, I’ve been repeatedly wrong.
Hatari mun sigra, everybody.
We LOVE you soo much!! xx
It’s a bit too much for me, but I am old. So I hope you young folks enjoy…
I’m a grandmother in my late 50’s and I bloody love it. It has to go Eurovision. Either them or Hera
I’m still betting on Hera, but if Hatari wins the ticket, they could the Lordi of the 2010s.
I was surprised when I heard this song. This is not the type of music that I usually listen to but this song caught my attention after few seconds. It´s about time to make some changes and send something different from Iceland. I am sure that if Hatari wins the Söngvakeppnin it will make a much better success than previous years.
I can see it do top 15 easily if not top 5!
Don’t get too ahead of yourself. I’m going in presuming another act will win over Hatari so I don’t get disappointed or surprised if Hatari does win. It would be nice to have an Icelandic song at Eurovision, the first in what, six years? I’m also hoping Keiino would win because I love their song, but I could live with Moreland as my second choice because it’s been even longer that a Norwegian song was at Eurovision. We got a flood of national finals tomorrow. I wish every one luck.
I will admit, I wasn’t into Hatari at first because I only heard a snippet and didn’t get it. Seeing the whole song performance finally made sense and I kinda dig it, though I am worried it could get screwed over in the national final and even if it does win the ticket, it might fail to qualify at Eurovision due to its risky nature. We’ll see tomorrow.
Hatari are just so different, and I love it.
I hope Hatari wins. It would be my 1st place and I would definitely vote for it once it’s in the grand final.
If Hatari gets it at Eurovision, and if you are from a country in semi final one, vote for it like hell so it can make it to the final.
I really hope that they will be chosen tomorrow and that they won’t do something silly as declining to go to Tel Aviv as a protest.
I don’t know how would they do in Eurovision, but we and also Iceland really need this. They have been sending generic stuff over the years and it’s time for taking the risks.
I think Ive posted this earlier, but dont see my comment back here? Does anyone know what time the Icelandic finals start 2morrow and about what time the results are known? any live stream available maybe? Would be great!!
You can watch it here. https://media.esc-plus.com/live/ It will air from 20:45 – 23:05 CET
Thanks for info!
I hope they won’t do something stupid too.