Enslaved announce new record, Heimdal, out on March 3rd via Nuclear Blast

Bergen progressive black metal visionaries Enslaved have returned with their sixteenth opus! Entitled Heimdal, this new record is both a departure and a communion with roots forged over three decades ago in the turbulent birth throes of Norway’s black metal scene. Named after Heimdal, who is arguably the most mysterious entity in Nordic mythology, the record features psychedelic track “Caravans To The Outer Worlds” from last year’s EP of the same name – the bonus versions of the record contain an extra track, “Gangandi”, alongside a Blu-Ray copy of 2021’s stunning Otherworldly Big Band Experience streamed event, the band’s boldest project to date, featuring fellow Norwegian prog band Shaman Elephant. The kaleidoscopic stage show features a stellar setlist, covering Enslaved’s career, both past and present.

Heimdal was produced by Enslaved’s own Ivar Bjørnson, Iver Sandøy and Grutle Kjellson, with mixing being handled by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios and the final treatment being mastered by Tony Lindgren. The concept and lyrics for Heimdal was, as always, developed by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson in tandem. The record was recorded primarily at Solslottet Studios in Bergen, which is owned by Iver Sandøy, and is a satellite of the well-known Duper Studios, where the drums were recorded and engineered by Iver himself, with assistance from Vegard Lemme. The main guitars, bass, pianos, organs and vocals were also recorded at Solslottet. Arve “Ice Dale” Isdal recorded his guitar leads at his own Earshot & Conclave Studios and the final touches, as well as a few experimental ideas were added at the Overlook Hotel using Solslottet’s mobile studio rig, with all music for Heimdal being written and demoed at Ivar Bjørnson’s own Crow’s Nest Studio. Below this article you can watch the Marius Marthinussen Søreide-directed video for the second single of the record, “Congelia”.

Heimdal will be released on March 3rd via Nuclear Blast. Physicial and digital pre-orders are now available here.