Enslaved Announce a New LP Titled Heimdal, Release Its First Single “Congelia”
Progressive black/viking metal band Enslaved have summoned the bifröst and are returning with their 16th studio album, Heimdal. Set for release on March 3, 2023 via Nuclear Blast Records, the Norwegian quintet also released the album’s first single and accompanying music video for “Congelia,” which you can check out below.
According to the band, the new album 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.” It will feature the trippy “Caravans To The Outer Worlds” from last year’s EP that shared the track’s title, while album bonus versions will have an extra track in the form of “Gangandi.”
The band also said there will be an accompanying Blu-ray of their Otherworldly Big Band Experience streamed event that took place last year.
Speaking on the upcoming release of the band’s 16th studio album, both Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson said the new album is the culmination of more than 30 years of Norse mythology rolling around in their minds and writing.
“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!
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 comes together in songs born from sheer inspiration – it is the common force of a close-nit group of friends and musicians.”
Enslaved, Heimdal
01. Behind The Mirror
02. Congelia
03. Forest Dweller
04. Kingdom
05. The Eternal Sea
06. Caravans To The Outer Worlds
07. Gangandi (Bonus Track)*
08. Heimdal
Heimdal formats
- CD
- Limited edition digipack CD (inc. Bonus Track) + Blu-Ray*
- 2LP vinyl gatefold – black
- 2LP vinyl gatefold – white + black marble (Nuclear Blast Excl.)
- 2LP vinyl gatefold – white + green marble (Nuclear Blast + Selected Retailers)
- 2LP vinyl gatefold – blue + white marble (UK Retail + EMP)
- 2LP vinyl gatefold – white (USA Revolver Excl.)
- 2LP vinyl gatefold (inc. Bonus Track) + Blu-Ray – crystal clear w/ black marble (Nuclear Blast Excl.)*
- 2LP vinyl gatefold (inc. Bonus Track) + Blu-Ray – clear w/ black + gold marble (Band Excl.)*
