"Our everyday life is a relentless web of lies. Our image is for sale. We portray a shiny image. The boundaries of the image, personality, the citizen and consumer are erased. This one of the main purposes of this web of lies. We live amongst the abundance of media, information and counterfeiting. The capital has prevailed. We have always been anti-capitalist. Doomsday is already upon us. Like a man who jumps off a cliff and is falling. That's humanity, in a state of doom. We as individuals are for sale. The moment when we sell ourselves does not divide time but encompasses it. We are constantly sinking deeper into consumerism. When we say Europe will crumble, then we mean all nations, not only Iceland, will be crushed from the weight of those socio-economic systems, sooner or later. "

"We want to take advantage of Eurovision's power to criticize Israel's policy".

HATARI's members say that Iceland participates in Eurovision when the competition is held in a state that tramples human rights. However, Icelanders must use the show's power to draw attention to the political content of the competition and the situation in Israel. "Perhaps we will be kicked out of the contest, but it would be just as revealing as any act that we think can be done on stage.".



By Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, translation by Reddit user einarfridgeirs.



"It is absurd that Iceland participates in the ESC when it is held in a state that tramples human rights. But since Iceland IS participating, it is important that whoever represents us uses their ability to set the agenda to the fullest, criticizes the conduct of the Israeli government and points out the inanity of singing, frolicking and dancing at the same time that millions live under siege nearby.



This is how the members of Hatari, Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson, Einar Stefánsson and Klemens Hannigan describe their stance in an interview with newspaper "Stundin".



Many musicians decided to boycott Eurovision this year entirely to protest Israeli treatment of Palestinians. This includes Eurovision legend Páll Óskar Hjálmtýrsson and Daði Freyr Pétursson.



The techno-art-collective Hatari decided, on the other hand, to participate. Their song "Hatrið mun sigra" will be performed in the semifinals this Saturday, February 9th.



The band has been criticized more harshly for participating[by those who prefer to boycott] than many other contestants in light of the fact that they are known for biting, satirical social critique of various kinds. Stundin asked Matthías, Einar and Klemens a few questions regarding their participation.



"The criticism we have received is understandable and shows that many Icelanders intensely dislike how Palestinians are treated. We think it is natural to answer that criticism with respect and without making a joke of it, which is our usual approach to dealing with the media."



"It is not extreme to advocate for a boycott of the ESC. We agree with the views that underpin the decision of those who have. We applaud Páll Óskar for boycotting, because that way he could leverage the power of his reputation and influence as a public figure and authority on all things Eurovision related to start and maintain a critical conversation about Israeli and boycotting that state!"



"We, however, have a different sort of power, the power of the jester. Many of the things Hatari does is either performance art, lies, the packaging of a message using unconventional methods, and our aesthetics deliberately walk the line between the fascinating and the sinister. Participating gives us the power to set the agenda not least in directing the focus of the media in a critical fashion towards the competition and Israel. Maybe we will be kicked out for our statements but that in it self would be as revealing of the true nature [of the competition] as anything we could do on stage [in Tel Aviv]"



The members of Hatari say they have spoken to a variety of people from different background in an effort to comprehend better the true situation in the region. They abhor the conduct of the Israeli state against the Palestinians.



"This includes the illegal settlements on what are supposed to be Palestinian-ruled zones by the judgment of the United Nation, a land grab that seems to have the quiet assent, if not direct support of the Israeli government, a land grab that makes any hopes of a two state solution harder to achieve. Also, many have pointed out that Palestinians living in Israel do not enjoy full civil rights even though they are supposedly citizens of the country. Many other things also factor in. Although the dispute is certainly complicated, and extremism and violence truly do exist on the fringes of both sides there is no doubt that the history of Israel and Palestine in recent decades is a story of how the powerful and strong uses his strength to bully and oppress the weaker, the story of use of overwhelming military force against people who do not have the capabilities to have their say backed up with anything like the same kind of military power".



The members of Hatari say that it is necessary to note that they make a clear distinction between the Israeli state as an institution and the Israeli people. It must be kept in mind that many citizens of Israel, and Jewish people worldwide speak out for Palestine as well.



But how can Hatari justify participating in the ESC? Why do they not simply follow the example of the musicians that boycotted the competition and send a clear message that way?



"We regard Eurovision as a political institution, always, and not the least this year. It would have been preferable if Iceland, and other nations, had simply withdrawn from the competition. Great interests are at stake for the public relations image of Israel."



"There for the decision has been made that yes, Iceland is participating, otherwise we would not be having this conversation. It is in fact absurd to let a country that routinely violates human rights to participate in a competition like this, regardless of whether that state is called Israel, Russia, Qatar or anything else. Since our country is dead set on participating like nothing is wrong it is important that whoever represents us at the contest is aware of the political nature of the competition and the glossy fake image that is being drawn up of Israel."



"If whoever represents our country does not use his influence to point out the obvious, the absurdity of dancing and frolicking as millions live with limited freedoms and constant uncertainty about their material well being and safety mere miles away, then we have failed, our power to influence the media agenda has gone unused. If the contestant turns a blind eye to the fact that Eurovision is inherently political he devalues the need for a critical conversation about the state of Israel."



"We consider ourselves to be aware of the need for such a conversation and want to use our influence in the media responsibly. It is not of great interest to us whether the producers and management of Eurovision will or will not allow us to compete when push comes to shove. They have the authority to kick us out of the contest, but they cannot censor us outside the Israeli borders."



Mattías, Einar and Klemens claim to not see themselves as the self-appointed spokesmen for Palestine. "Honestly we are just three privileged young men that choose the role of playing the fool in a ridiculous song contest. Of this we choose to be self-aware and use it to bring attention to topics that we stake claim to as artists, such as the absurd nature of Eurovision, Israeli participation in it, the line between art and propaganda, the fake glamour of modern media and freedom of expression.".



But can they criticize the policy of the state of Israel without breaking the rules of the competition and the contract they signed with RÚV?



"The contract states that swearing, political propaganda and anything else that can offend the viewing public is banned. This is inherently paradoxical since it is very much political to consciously perform an act devoid of politics and it is clear that every song performed in Tel Aviv will offend a lot of people. The shiny happy image of togetherness drawn up by Eurovision is in and of itself a political construct in the context of the competition and the justifiable criticism it has received. It is therefore a political impossibility to honor such an agreement, and we have no intentions of even trying."



"If the powers that be decide to block Icelands participation in the contest that is fine by us. In light of the situation as it stands today we feel it is right to send a clear message to the world exactly where we as a nation stand with regards to the Eurovision.".





"The Eurovision is one of the largest ever international events that has been hosted in Israel. The contest is an image of glamour, a lie, whitewashing, a machine of propaganda and a mill of treachery. Our goal is to uncover this mill of treachery. At the beginning of the process of writing a song for the Eurovision we were lost. How could we write engaging compositions that would reach the people? We started researching other composers who have participated in the competition. We paused at a term that was widely used, this key change is like each composer's Everest. When we realized that, everything clicked. This unique piece of music was created. And we wrote ourselves into the music story and are among the old masters"

HATARI (translated as Hater) is a three-piece award-winning industrial BDSM anti-capitalst anti-establishment techno-dystopian homo-erotic bondage sado-maso demonic Icepop performance art group (or multimedia project ) that aims to take the lid off the relentless, unfolding scam that is everyday life. We cannot change things, but we can unveil the anomie of neoliberal society, the pointlessness of every minute spent in the futile race, and the low price for which man now sells himself ever more blatantly. We can scream at our own impotence, scream at our collective sleepwalk through routine, and implore our audience to unite, shoulder to shoulder, and dance. Dance, basically, or die. Hatari represent a considered reflection on hope and hopelessness, power and repression, of image, individualism, despotism, exposing the contradictions that arise when everyone is embedded within the same system and struggling to fight against it. We are Hatari. We are all Hatari.Hatari was founded in Reykjavík, Iceland in 2015 by vocalists-cousins Klemens Hannigan and Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson with masked drummer Einar Hrafn Stefánsson joining shortly after. They play experimental dark ambient darkwave goth punk synth. HATARI have been called art-pop punk, industrial goth, and many things in between. Their major calling cards are outrageous, visceral live shows and an underlying philosophy of deep social discontent. HATARI have been founded by Svikamylla ehf. (translated Web of lies llc) - a transnational private holding company headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland. According to the register, the company has been established by Haraldur Flosi Tryggvason, president of law company LMB Mandat and former chairman of Reykjavik Energy and father of Matthías, while Klemens currently serves as it's board chairman. The company's aim to bring an end to neoliberal capitalism, as well as managing real estate, loans, imports and exports. It also runs news propaganda website icelandicmusicnews.com. In the run-up to Söngvakeppnin final, company has also established Icelandic drinks manufacturer SodaDream limited (a play on Israeli company SodaStream and Eurovision slogan Dare to Dream), which became the official sponsor of the band. SodaDream is exporting water from the pristine Hálslón lake in East Iceland calling it the purest water on Earth (in reality, Hálslón is a storage reservoir of water for use in hydroelectricity production). Klemens and Einar met in Brussels, where they studied in the International School, since their fathers both worked in the Foreign Ministry. Klemens is the son of Nikulás Hannigan, who is head of division in the trade office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He recently gave Iceland's address at the United Nations General Assembly on the situation in Syria. Klemens's mother is Rán Tryggvadóttir, a lawyer, who is sister of Matthías' father and also works in LMB Mandat. Her field of expertise is intellectual property rights. Klemens, who graduated as carpenter from the Technical College, currently studies in The Iceland Academy of the Arts, Fine Arts department, and also works as set designer. Einar, who graduated from Business Administration and currently works at Red Bull Iceland as Event Manager, is the son of Stefán Hauks Jóhannesson - Iceland's ambassador to the UK and member of negotiating committee of Iceland when they have been applying for EU membership. Together they start a duet project "Far From Sea" and deciding to move back home, formed band Kjurr (where Einar played bass ad sings backing vocals). In 2015 Einar joins Bláskjár and since 2016 he plays drums for the band Vök. Matthías graduated from the Reykjavík School of Education and The Iceland Academy of the Arts Division of Performing Arts, worked as play and scriptwriter and journalist for the Morgunblaðið newspaper and national broadcaster RÚV. Though the band's origins are murky, their first recorded appearance was at the Iceland Airwaves festival in 2016, where they sprang onto the scene fully formed, with a soul-searingly aggressive goth-horror aesthetic that immediately captured audiences' imaginations. A harsh, combative, and in-your-face combination of chainsaw synths, guttural growls, and bludgeoning electronic beats, undergirded by a deeply pessimistic and anti-establishment take on life. Their work so far resists easy categorization; while influences are apparent from punk and industrial music, nothing quite like HATARI has ever come along before. They have occasionally faced criticism from goth purists for their irreverent mixture of art-house stylings with more traditional goth tropes, but as anyone who has been to one of their shows can attest, there is nothing inauthentic about this group.One singer, Matthías, is more harsh in appearance, roars and spats the lyrics over heavy dance beats, while the other, Klemens, contrasts the intensity with higher, ethereal vocals. They wear steampunk outfits and command a sort of ritual-esque atmosphere. But with each twisted, bitter scream, HATARI spews digital fire and brimstone unto their audience; an apocalyptic cavalcade of fragmented beats betwixt broken, blazing horns. This dark outfit doesn't just catch attention—they commanded it, ripping each and every solipsistic spider from the blackest corners of the soul. This may not be a band you would listen to at home—for obvious reasons—but from behind the godhead of the synth stack, shrouded in red, pixelated mist, HATARI call for blood. Their four-track debut, the Neysluvara EP was released in October 2017. HATARI have already earned themselves Reykjavik's Grapvine's "Best Live Band" pick of 2016 and 2017 as well as "Shout Out Award" 2018. HATARI continued their progress at 2017 and 2018 editions of Iceland Airwaves festival declared "dominating act" by "The Line of Best Fit", and have also made appearances at Eistnaflug, LungA Festival and Norðanpaunk.Late last year they released a statement saying the band would "conclude its work at the end of the year", and would play a farewell concert in Húrra in Reykjavík on December 28th. The letter stated that the business did not meet the expectations of the Svikamylla ehf. board -. Prior to that performance band released single "Spillingardans", for the production of which Svikamylla ehf. has received a grant of 1 mln ISK (7350 EUR) from the Sound Record Fund. On 17 January band has performed at Eurosonic festival in the Netherlands.On 26 January the group declared making its comeback into the Icelandic music scene. say band members adding that their Söngvakeppnin participation is one step in their plan to bring down the capitalistic world order. Band has released music video for their entry "Hatrið mun sigra", going even further with their soul-crushingly beautiful yet abominable militaristic sado-maso aesthetic. HATARI has sent ripples through Icelandic media for their Eurovision participation. Commentators variously praise band members as the awaited anarchist messiahs, criticize them for not boycotting the competition or prophesize the doom of the Icelandic tourism industry were HATARI to perform for Iceland's behalf in Tel Aviv. Band has claimed that it has hired notorious political analyst Margrét Friðriksdóttir as their PR Manager. Friðriksdóttir is notorious as a white supremacist conservative politician and Christian evangelical commentator in Iceland. She is the admin of respected Icelandic political debate society and Facebook group Stjórnmálaspjallið, where heated debates about HATARI Eurovision entry have taken place. She threatened toto let Icelandintoifwin the Icelandic preliminaries, predicting aif HATARI represent Iceland in this year's contest.comments HATARI spokesperson. On 7 February HATARI have challenged Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel and chairman of the Likud national-liberal movement, to a traditional Icelandic trouser grip wrestling match. They said the match is to take place in Tel Aviv with a UN-sponsored referee present to ensure "drengskapur" or sportsmanlike conduct is upheld. If the chosen HATARI trouser grip wrestling champion is victorious, the statement goes, HATARI will settle within Israel's borders, creating the first ever BDSM colony on the coast of the Mediterranean. If Prime Minister Netanyahu wins, Israel will be given control of South-Icelandic island municipality Vestmannaeyjar. The complete statement can be read and heard here . Band has already reached Israeli TV, being featured in Hazinor on Channel 10. On 8 February the unmasked band has appeared in a serious interview to newspaper "Stundin" , in which they stated that they consider Iceland's participation in a song contest in a country that violates human rights to be absurd. At the same time, the musicians of Hatari stressed that, having received a ticket to Eurovision, they will use their performance to criticize the state of Israel. Read translation of the interview here . Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson, RÚV's director of programming, says that he has received complaints concerning HATARI's performance, and reiterates that the Iceland's Eurovision preliminaries should never be aSkarphéðinn says, adding that For the national selection final, band has decided to show a softer side of HATARI.says Matthías Tryggvi. It was noteworthy that the band mimicked politician Bjarni Benediktsson, chairman of the Independence Party, whose video of cake decorating went viral in 2016.HATARI say their biggest fans are: Metalheads, children of all ages, Swedes, people with green mohawks. Middle-aged men with fetishes and housewives. Great grandmothers and great grandfathers. Russians on Instagram. Leftist Israelites. Germany. Everyone who understands irony.said HATARI when the victory was announced. On the Eurovision stage, HATARI are joined by three dancers: Sólbjört Sigurðardóttir, Ástrós Guðjónsdóttir and Sigurður Andrean Sigurgeirsson. Sólbjört explains that body movements can say much more than what can be done in words. Therefore, Hatari's team emphasizes the visual aspect of the act, as the dance movements are part of the story. She studies dance at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, and her graduation project is precisely the staging of HATARI's concert that takes place in Old Iceland at the end of May. She has taken part in Hatari's performances for the last two years. She adds it was a great experience working with the British choreographer Lee Proud, who has helped HATARI to practice the presentation. Sólbjört and Einar Stefánsson, drummer of the HATARI, are a couple and have a daughter. "She is the one who leds him in the picture that broke the internet," says Sólbjört about the photograph of Guðmundur Atli Pétursson that became famous. She says their daughter is fond of HATARI's music and continually asks to listen to "Hatrið mun sigra". She feels so happy to watch their performance and constantly shouts "mom!", "dad!" during the view.Also on their way to Tel Aviv are graphic designer Ingi Kristján Sigurmarsson, video artist Baldvin Vernharðsson and costume designer duo Karen Briem and Andri Hrafn Unnarsson, all of whom have already established themselves as an integral part of Hatari's multimedia performances. Hatari's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is the group's first bold step in their global plan to orchestrate the inevitable downfall of capitalism.Vikan með Gísla Marteini and Sunnudagsmorgunn presenter Gísli Marteinn Baldursson will be providing commentary for the show on RUV for the 10th time. Icelandic delegation is ready to depart to Tel Aviv in the morning. Hatari have finished packing their enormous amounts of luggage which includes heavy latex and chains.says the head of the delegation Felix Bergsson who takes only light clothing for a temperature of 30 degrees. The group's fashion designers are Karen Briem and Andri Hrafn Unnarsson.He says that there is always a lot of pressure when the entry is good and the country is expecting a good result. So the mood of the delegation is similar to the one Selma had in 1999, and that this will be no relaxation trip for Hatari.At the same time, Felix adds that Icelanders should not accept their qualification to the finals as given.Felix says the main goal of the group is to ensure that the audience gets proper goosebumps after their performance., says Felix Bergsson only promising great staging and fireworks.With less than two weeks to go, RÚV has announced it will show the Eurovision Song Contest this year with a choice of Icelandic, English, or sign language commentary.Gísli Marteinn Baldursson will provide his much-loved Icelandic language commentary on RÚV 1 as usual, while RÚV 2 will feature live commentary from RÚV English, as well as Icelandic sign language. Coverage on RÚV 1 and RÚV 2 will start at 19.00 on the 14th, 16th, and 18th May.Additional information: Iceland page Iceland Music News is following Hatari's preparation, and it's going great! A comfortable interview with an excited fan and YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!Iceland Music News will be in Tel Aviv in May:Preview show Alla leið will be broadcast starting April 13, 20:40 CET. The panel will included Helga Möller, Helgi Jóhannesson and Karitas Harpa Davíðsdóttir with the guests of the first program Einar Bardarson and Regína Ósk.First of April statement by HATARI:Icelandic Bondage Synth-Punk Participants cancel 2019 Eurovision PerformanceNotorious Icelandic BDSM post-marxist techno cabaret performance group HATARI has announced its members will not be playing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv this May. In a statement sent to media Monday, the award-winning anti-capitalist bondage group said they were refused entry into Israel, following demands from the Shurat Hadin organization that Interior Minister Aryeh Deri prevent the group from entering the country. Members of HATARI were found guilty of breaking the boycott law, which prohibits anyone from doing business with non-Israeli companies anywhere in the world, as their Israeli visa applications were being processed, band members claim.Following Shurat Hadin’s demands, an inter-ministerial task force was set up to determine how to handle the case of HATARI and possible political criticisms of Israel during the Eurovision Song Contest. A Mossad secret service special ops force was also assembled to read through e-mails of possible HATARI members, and a special session of the UN General Assembly was held to discuss Iceland’s Eurovision entry.Shurat HaDin head Nitsana Darshan-Leitner is quoted saying.Apocalyptic doomsday-rave poetry artists HATARI have previously said that it is ridiculous to let a country that repeatedly violates human rights compete in a contest such as Eurovision.a HATARI spokesperson told Iceland Music News.After having cancelled their Eurovision Song Contest participation, they say they look forward to focusing on their music.a band member remarks.Head of Icelandic delegation Felix Bergsson says he has no idea of ​​the information and heard about it in the night when journalists contacted him. He responds saying this is likely to be April Fools joke and there's work is in progress on organizing Hatari's participation.Felix says. A new set will be built in Iceland and will be exported.Felix says. Asked about cost, he says he cannot answer it at the moment. However, moving the item to Israel is costly. Hatari interview to British Radio Times website.- The nature of our distributor's plan to orchestrate the end of capitalism is such that no single member of Hatari knows the entire plan.Our tasks are laid out for us anonymously by a member of the board of directors, who it is critical we never meet in person. As of now, our only task is to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.- Karl Marx would be our honorary gimp.- Await our next orders from the board of directors, and preferably sell T-shirts, energy drinks, and other branded merchandise to gain capital.Ending capitalism is a very expensive affair, which we take very seriously, and we thank our sponsor, SodaDream, for their support along the way.- We have heard of these right honorary individuals you mention. As we say in Iceland, any man or woman of honour will always respond to a fair glíma challenge, or as you would say in English, a fair match of traditional trouser grip wrestling.If Theresa May and Boris Johnson name the time, place, and terms of the Glíma, we will honour their call.Our first ever liberal Hatari-sponsored BDSM colony on the Mediterranean coast will be open to all people who appreciate the beauty of anti-capitalistic bondage techno performance art.- Our hobbies include promoting our image on social media, marketing products to children, going on scenic tours to appreciate the numerous well-spaced parking lots around the Reykjavik area, Icelandic trouser grip wrestling, reading all the latest in Israeli media, and enjoying a refreshing beverage such as that of premier Icelandic drink manufacturer SodaDream, exporters of the purest water left on Earth.Because Doomsday is upon them, they look into the mirror and recognise themselves in Hatari. We are all Hatari.- Hatred Prevails is, in our view, a dystopia, a reflection on power and the powerless, hope and hopelessness. It is a dark vision of the future, a warning against what we see as a possible reality if we do not love one another. Populism is on the rise in Europe.Our overwhelming victory in the Icelandic national selection process tells us that Icelanders agree with our agenda of upholding a critical discussion about the competition's context. Eurovision is a political affair.- The rules of the Eurovision Song Contest are clear. Any political propaganda on stage is not allowed. However, we plan to use the agenda-setting power that comes with participation to uphold a critical discussion about the context in which the contest is being held.- Dead serious. The band Hatari, which will perform for Iceland at this May's Eurovision Song Contest, was last night named Act of the Year in the pop, rock, rap, and electronic category at the Icelandic Music Awards.Skipping the usual acceptance speech conventions, bandmembers instead jumped right in with a political message to the country's prime minister.Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson said on stage that Hatari are enthusiastic supporters of Iceland's Vinstri Grænir (Left Green) prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, but that it is now time for her to declare whether or not Iceland truly belongs to the group of countries with human rights, democracy and equality as their guiding principles.he admitted. His comments are widely interpreted as a reaction to this week's ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that Iceland's justice minister broke the law when choosing which judges to appoint to the new Landsréttur appeals court, which came into existence at the start of last year. The court also criticised Iceland's parliament, president and Supreme Court for not preventing the minister's breach of the law guaranteeing people a free and fair trial.The minister stepped aside yesterday, but many of her supporters within Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn (the Independence Party) blame the European court rather than the Icelandic politicians.Prime Minister Katrín is under pressure to bring both sides together, but it could prove difficult for her government to criticise and appeal against the ruling at the same time as welcoming it and taking steps to rectify the weaknesses it highlights.The statement from Hatari was characteristic of the intelligent and politically-minded musicians who are entering Eurovision, where overt political statements are against the rules.Iceland's Hatari: ‘We're the pink elephant in the room' Independent newspaper Exclusive: As the cult Icelandic techno band prepare to destroy capitalism and storm Eurovision, correspondent Rob Holley meets them in Reykjavik for their first UK interview.deadpans Matthias Haraldsson, one third of Icelandic art-school outfit Hatari.His bandmate, mulleted-soprano Klemens Hannigan, chips in:Hatari (translation: Haters) are a hyper self-aware, super-satirical and pointedly political BDSM trio, producing pounding techno-pop that sits somewhere between The Teaches of Peaches (2000) and Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1995). And they fancy a shot at Eurovision glory.Our interview takes place next to an athletics track in Laugardalsholl, an indoor sports arena on the outskirts of Reykjavik that is home to the national handball team, and was the setting for the World Chess Championship in 1972. A few days later, it doubles as a studio for the Songvakeppnin finals – Iceland's preliminary Eurovision competition – at which Hatari will be announced as the winners.Hannigan turns up first. He's wearing hot pink eyeshadow, knee-high platform boots and leather straps everywhere. He's followed by his cousin and bandmate, Haraldsson, who is dressed top to toe in leather and spikes, with a full harness strapping down an off-white military jacket. If this sounds a bit much, it's nothing compared to Einar Stefansson, the producer and rubber-encased human metronome, who completes the group.Hannigan says, joking that it was only recently that the group "sold out".He's right. Hatari have been gaining momentum and winning critical acclaim throughout their homeland, impressing Iceland Airwaves festival-goers with their cybernetic horror shows and anti-capitalist agenda. For Eurovision competitors, these guys aren't the rejected talent show contestants favoured by the UK, or the polished pop stars off Sweden's Melodifestivalen factory line: they're the real deal. A band at the top of their game, having fun, setting their own tempo and competing in Eurovision purely for sport.Klemen's falsetto contrasts with Haraldsson's combative barking over electro beats pulsing harder than a two-day hangover. Choreographed by Solbjort Siguroardottir, Andrean Sigurgeirsson and Astros Guojonsdottir, each live performance tells a story in the tradition of a nightmarish Icelandic fairytale, packed with no-nonsense warnings, zombie-puppetry and doomsday prophecies.At the end of 2018, Hatari announced they would disband as they'd failed to accomplish their stated objective: to bring about the downfall of capitalism. Haraldsson explained thathe says,To the surprise of the Icelandic music press, the band "unretired" early this year with the announcement that they were gunning for Eurovision, with a new song called "Hatrio Mun Sigra" ("Hatred Will Prevail"). The song is a "warning from the future", prophesying the downfall of Europe:Cheery stuff, then, for the global competition that gave us Abba, Celine Dion and, last year, the "Fuego" lady, Eleni Foureira. "'Hatred Will Prevail' is pop," Hannigan insists. "I was Googling the music to 'Waterloo' – itself a song about war – and noticed we use the same semitone up in ‘Hatrio Mun Sigra'. It's pop. We've also been brainstorming an Icelandic, Hatari-style cover version of ‘Euphoria' [Loreen's winning song from 2012]."Mattias says. Will the rest of Europe get it? The last time Iceland sent a satirical creation, Silvia Night (a bratty, narcissistic, female drag queen, played by Agusta Eva Erlendsdottir) in 2006, the Greeks booed her, wider audiences didn't get the joke, the juries panned her and she was ungraciously dumped out of the semi-finals. But Hatari feels different. Outside of the art-school bubble, the band resonates with a variety of audiences on three main counts, making them a potent contender for the ESC crown.First, and perhaps most importantly, the music is actually good. The Neysluvara EP (now on Spotify) is as catchy as any dance music you'll listen to this winter, and the videos and live shows are truly electric – it's easy to get whipped up by the sheer energy of their output.They have the additional bonus of the fact that everyone loves an outsider – especially at Eurovision. Hatari have managed to galvanise an army of weirdos, hipsters, homosexuals, grannies and, somewhat inexplicably, their biggest fanbase: Icelandic children. During Songvakeppnin rehearsals they had to be ushered away from the greenroom windows, because hundreds of tiny, excitable eight-year-olds were screaming each time they caught a glimpse of the band.Finally, they talk frankly about the moral complexities of performing in Israel. An important topic for regular Icelanders, who in 2011 became the first western European nation to officially recognise Palestine as an independent state. And one that could potentially see them banned from the competition (Eurovision acts are forbidden from using their stage for political statements).When Tel Aviv was announced as the Eurovision host city, nearly 20,000 citizens signed a petition asking the Icelandic national broadcasters to decline participation, arguing that taking part amounts to an endorsement of Israeli human rights violations against the Palestinian people. Many of the country's household names publicly ruled out competing.says Haraldsson, who goes on to describe what he sees as the paradox of Eurovision this year:Hannigan is keen to show solidarity with fellow Icelandic artists that have chosen a different approach.he says.Haraldsson jumps back in,Rather than boycott the song contest, Hatari have been playing a different game altogether; embracing the platform the competition has given them. In February, an anonymous Hatari spokesperson read a statement live on Rás 2 (the nation's equivalent of BBC Radio 2) challenging the Israeli prime minister to a friendly bout of glima (Icelandic trouser-grip wrestling, of course) on the day of the Eurovision grand final in Magen David Square, Tel Aviv.Haraldsson points out.Iceland hasn't made it past the Eurovision semi-finals since 2014, and they are the only Nordic nation to not have won the competition. Will hatred prevail this year?Mattias says, cracking a rare smile at the band's after-party in Bio Paradis, Reykjavik's only arthouse cinema, as they celebrate their triumph at Songvakeppnin.Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK Eurovision Song Constest Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand mentioned that he has spoken to the Icelandic delegation from the broadcaster RUV and warned that it will have consequences if Hatari uses Eurovision participation with political goals.Sand also says that they have a good dialogue with the Israeli organizers, and that he does not believe Hatari will have trouble coming into the country. Shurat HaDin, Israel Law Center (ILC) - civil rights non-governmental organization focused on representing terror victims has applied to the Interior Minister asking to prevent allowance of Hatari band members to the Israel, reports Yedioth Ahronoth.Organization founder Nitsana Darshan-Leitner says:Scandalous Former member of Knesset Oren Hazan also stated that the band should not be allowed to the country., he wrote.Interior Minister Aryeh Deri responded that the case will be examined by the joint team of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice and Communications. Such a joint team was set up few months before for handing similar Eurovision related issues on the Governmental level.HATARI have embraced their victory in style, with a big Eurovision afterparty at Bíó Paradís. Grapevine presented photogallery from the event.Addressing the crowd with a speech of appreciation, artists expressed both surprise and gratitude at winning.They listed numerous people worth thanking, including noted Jesus warrior Margrét FriðriksdóttirandThey added thatThey were also pleased to see a bunch of young people in bondage leashes, saying,

Semifinal 1 (9 February)

# Performer Entry Songwriter(s) Tele 01. HATARI Hatrið mun sigra HATARI 12069 02. Þórdís Imsland Nú og hér (What Are You Waiting For?) Svala Björgvinsdóttir, Bjarki Ómarsson - Stefán Hilmarsson/Svala Björgvinsdóttir, Bjarki Ómarsson 4271 03. Daniel Oliver Samt ekki (Licky Licky) Daníel Óliver Sveinsson, Linus Josefsson, Peter von Arbin - Daníel Óliver Sveinsson, Linus Josefsson 2198 04. Kristina Skoubo Bærendsen Ég á mig sjálf (Mama Said) Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson - Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson, Valgeir Magnússon 4779 (WC) 05. Hera Björk Eitt andartak (Moving On) Örlygur Smári, Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir, Valgeir Magnússon - Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir, Valgeir Magnússon 8408

Semifinal 2 (16 February)

# Performer Entry Songwriter(s) Tele 01. Elli Grill, Skaði, Glymur Jeijó, keyrum alia leið Barði Jóhannsson 2572 02. Ívar Daniels Þú bætir mig (Make Me Whole) Stefán Þór Steindórsson, Richard Micallef - Stefán Þór Steindórsson, Nikos Sofis 3519 03. Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir Helgi (Sunday Boy) Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir - Sævar Sigurgeirsson, Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir 2772 04. Tara Mobee Betri án þín (Fighting for Love) Andri Þór Jónsson, Eyþór Úlfar Þórisson - Andri Þór Jónsson, Eyþór Úlfar Þórisson, Tara Mobee 3819 05. Friðrik Ómar Hvað ef ég get ekki elskað? (What If I Can't Have Love?) Friðrik Ómar Hjörleifsson - Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson, Friðrik Ómar Hjörleifsson 14968

Final, 2 March

# Performer Entry Tele Jury Total 2nd 01. Friðrik Ómar Hvað ef ég get ekki elskað? 25356 3+3+4+1+2 +5+2+4+3+1 =28=21061 46417 +52134 =98551 02. Kristina Skoubo Bærendsen Mama Said 17391 5+2+1+3+3 +3+4+2+2+4 =29=20582 37973 03. Tara Mobee Fighting for Love 3170 4+5+3+4+5 +4+3+5+4+5 =42=16274 19444 04. Hera Björk Moving On 9488 2+4+2+2+4 +2+5+3+5+2 =31=20102 29590 05. HATARI Hatrið mun sigra 45513 1+1+5+5+1 +1+1+1+1+3 =20=24891 72404 +62088 =134492

Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson, the program director of the Icelandic broadcaster RÚV, says that there is no reason to be deeply concerned that Icelandic entry may be disqualified for violating Eurovision's regulations.says Skarphéðinn.Skarphéðinn says that despite the fact that there is a great deal of media activities, RÚV has not received any formal questions or inquiries from Israel.says Skarphéðinn.Band has decided to take a media break and did not attend the show Kastljós, which was customary to all national selection winners.says Head of Delegation of Iceland Felix Bergsson.says Felix.In an interview to Icelandic broadcaster RÚV HATARI commented their interview to Israeli channel Reshet 13.says Hatari's member Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson.Klemens adds:, says Matthías.Icelandic representatives HATARI made their first appearance after winning the national final. In an interview to Israeli broadcaster Reshet 13, they claimed the Eurovision is a political event.Band has repeated their call to Prime-Minister of Israel:. Band insists it is not about the violence, but a peaceful way to settle disputes.They say they will continue setting up the political agenda, as it is supported by the people of Iceland who voted for them.However, the exact form the protest may take remains unclear, with only one thing certain:Band disagrees that it is breaking the Eurovision rules for being political and offending to viewers with their statements:In the end of the statement, HATARI have advertised SodaDream, Icelandic mineral water manufacturer allegedly created by owners of HATARI brand Svikamylla ehf. in order to sponsor band's preparations for the contest. SodaDream is a play on Israeli company SodaStream and Eurovision slogan Dare to Dream. 02/03 : Hatari will represent Iceland 23/02 : Jon Ola Sand to visit the national final 16/02 : Results of the 2nd semifinal 09/02 : Results of the 1st semifinal 07/02 : HATARI have challenged Netanyahu 29/01 : Eleni Foureira to become guest of the final 25/01 : Preselection participants revealed 24/01 : Stage design presentedAs of 20 September, songs could have been submitted for the participation in the Icelandic national preselectionwhich will be held in February and March.A special committee, composed of representatives from the FTT (Association of composers and lyricists), FÍH (Association of Icelandic Sound Artists) and RÚV, has reviewed the regulations and brought few changes in the competition. Ten songs will compete in the national preselection 2019, and besides public submission, several experienced and popular songwriters will be directly invited to compete. In addition the there will be organized a special workshop for recorders, composers and performers, in collaboration with the FTT.Interested composers can submit entries via the website songvakeppnin.is . Application deadline expires on Monday, October 22, 23:59. At least two thirds of the song and half of the lyrics should be written by Icelandic citizen or residents. Each composer is allowed to submit not more than two entries. The authors are specifically advised that the Söngvakeppnin is about diversity, thus all types of music are welcomed. Submitted songs should be new and unpublished. At the semifinal stage all songs should be performed in Icelandic, at the final they should be performed in the language songwriters intend to present the entry at the international competition. All performers must reach the age of 16 by the end of 2018. Full regulations are available here . All entries will be evaluated by the seven member jury. RÚV will seek ways to ensure the gender equality in relation to the program.On 24 October it was revealed that a total of 132 songs were received. A 7-member electoral committee made of the representatives of FTT, FÍH and RÚV will listen to them. In early January, it will be announced which songs are participating in. RÚV has hired British choreographer Lee Proud as an artistic director and choreographer of the contest. He is a choreographer in well-known musicals all over the world, and in recent years he has directed some of the biggest musicals in Iceland such as Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia. Samuel Jón Samúelsson becomes a music director like last year.Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir, RÚV Assistant Program Manager, who is in charge of the competition, hopes that with the new arrangements the competition will be more diverse and stronger. Show will be hosted by Þeir Fannar Sveinsson and Benedikt Valsson (Benni og Fannar), assisted in Greenroom by Björg Magnúsdóttir. Design of the stage of the contest has been developed by Alfreð Sturlu Böðvarssyni, Inga Bekk, Karli Sigurðssyni and Vigni Erni Ágústssyni. The set will contain both 103 m² LED screens and 350 LED lights. 11 cameras will be used for the broadcast, as well as Autocue pilot for authomatic cameras programming and Audio voices program transmitting 24 channels for the sound control.Participating entries of Icelandic preselection Söngvakeppnin will be revealed on 26 January at 19:45 local time at TV special "Kynningarþáttur Söngvakeppninnar 2019" on RÚV 1. After it, songs will be published on RÚV website as well as Youtube and Spotify. Semifinal broadcasts will be preceded by warm-up show #12Stig on Fridays at 19:40 on RÚV 1.Qualifiers will be held in Háskólabíó on 9 and 16 of February and the finals will be held at Laugardalshöll on 2 March. From the five song competing in each semifinal, a combination of public votes and the expert judging panel will see two of the songs head into the final. Organisers reserve the right to introduce a “wild card” entry to the final in addition to the four semi-final winners. In the final top two acts are being chosen by 50/50 combination of the televoting and the international expert jury vote. In the case of a tie, televoting favourite will prevail. The winner is selected by another round of televoting among those two acts with votes received in the first round will be kept. The winning team will receive one million kronor (7350 EUR) in prize.The international jury included: Birgit Simal (Belgium) - Head of Delegation, Jan Bors (Czech Republic) - Head of Delegation, Karin Gunnarsson (Sweden) - Head of Delegation, Anders M. Tangen (Norway) - TV and radio broadcaster, Eleni Foureira (Greece) - singer, representative of Cyprus 2018, Konstantin Hudov (Azerbaijan) - Head of Press, Molly Plank (Denmark) - Head of Delegation, Þorsteinn Hreggviðsson (Iceland) - Programmer at Rás 2, Sigríður Thorlacius (Iceland) - singer, Haraldur Freyr Gíslason (Iceland) - musician.Eleni Foureira, who came second in last year's Eurovision representing Cyprus, will be special guest of the final of Söngvakeppnin on March 2 in Laugardalshöll.Daði Freyr‏, runner up in the Icelandic selection process for Eurovision 2017, and Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir, another 2017 participant of the contest, declared that they will not participate in the 2019 edition as thousands of Icelanders call for boycott of next years contest. Over 27,000 Icelanders have signed a petition to the national broadcaster to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Israel. After considerations, broadcaster RÚV has eventually decided to participate in the contest after it became clear the show will take place in Tel Aviv and not in Jerusalem. The Programming Director at RUV Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson explained that: