Norwegian Extreme Metal Legends Enslaved Announce New Album

Bergen-based extreme metallers Enslaved have announced their 16th album, Heimdal, set to be released on 3 March 2023 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band have also unveiled a scorching eight-minute new single, Congelia.

The band's composer/guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson said about the album, "It's quite weird, yet pretty awesome that we are now talking about the release of our 16th album; yes, our 16th full-length album release. That's not too shabby for a couple of scallywags from rural western Norway, is it? If you count our stint in the short-lived Phobia act, we have been playing together for no less than 32 years!"

They added, "In all these years, Norse mythology has been our umbilical cord to the realms of mysticism and philosophy and our gateway to the realms of deep psychology and the esoteric worlds beyond. 

"One of the most fascinating characters of our mythology is HEIMDAL, and he has been lurking around in our minds like an enigma for three decades now. His first appearance was in a song called 'Heimdallr' on our demo tape 'Yggdrasill' back in 1992, and he's had both minor and more significant roles in our lyrical universe over the years.

"This time, we have decided to dedicate an entire body of work to this most enigmatic of characters and richest of archetypes - we give you HEIMDAL. We have reached deeper and scouted further ahead than ever before - the past, present and future sound of the band come together in songs born from sheer inspiration - it is the common force of a close-knit group of friends and musicians."

Heimdal includes the psychedelic track Caravans To The Outer Worlds from last year's EP of the same name. Album bonus versions contain an extra track, Gangandi, alongside a Blu-Ray copy of 2021's stunning Otherworldly Big Band Experience streamed event - the band's most thrilling project to date, featuring fellow Norwegian prog band Shaman Elephant. The kaleidoscopic stage show contains a stellar setlist covering decades of Enslaved's career.

The album was produced by Enslaved's own Bjørnson, drummer Iver Sandøy and Kjellson. Jens Bogren handled mixing at Fascination Street Studios, and Tony Lindgren mastered the final treatment.

Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson. They released their first demo Yggdrasill in 1992, their legendary mini-album Hordanes Land coming out in 1993, and their debut full-length Vikingligr Veldi arrived in 1994.  

Pre-order Heimdal here.