Enslaved have announced their new album Mið, due out October 30th via Nuclear Blast Records. Alongside news of the release, the veteran Norwegian metal band has unleashed the new single “Solar Will.”
Album Details
“Solar Will” is prototypical Enslaved, fusing hefty black metal, mid-tempo sky-reaching heavy metal and complex progressive rock structuring into a seamless whole. It covers quite an expanse of emotional terrain in its mere five minutes, feeling at times like basking in the sun and other times like being trapped in a reeking dungeon. It continues the band’s streak of more rock-centered music compared to their somewhat heady period in the 2000s and 2010s.
Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson stated, “There have been sun cults as long as Magic Man has been around (at least). The Sun is a nurturing and terrifying parent that can grant as well as obliterate life totally. Such a classic and awe-inspiring object of our worship and myths requires classic and awesome riffs, Bonham-esque drum grooves and blistering melodic flares celebrating its horrific glory. This is what that sounds like to me: ‘Solar Will’!”
Concept and Themes
Meanwhile, vocalist and bassist Grutle Kjellson offered an extensive explanation of the overall concept of the album, saying: ‘Solar Will’ explores archetypal conflicts, those that manifest in nature, the cosmos, mythology, and, above all, within the human mind. In this instance, the central struggle is expressed through one of the enduring rivalries found in Norse mythology, embodied by two important, though often somewhat overlooked, figures within the pantheon. Readers familiar with the Norse mythological tradition will likely recognize the identities rather instantly, yet I shall refrain from naming them, allowing each reader the opportunity to engage with and decipher the lyrics on their own. After all, perhaps this is one of the essential functions of lyric writing: to invite interpretation and cultivate a sense of wonder? The conclusion, or more precisely, the absence of one, suggests that, for human beings, chaos and dreams are at least as significant as the realities we perceive through our senses. Ultimately, the work advocates not for resolution, but for the acceptance, assimilation, and shaping of these often contradictory forces.
The album also features previous single “Spirit Helper” featuring Kevin Kickin Woman, a track we named Heavy Song of the Week upon its release.
Album Release and Tracklist
Watch the music video for “Solar Will” and see the album art and tracklist for Mið below.
The album Mið will be released on October 30th via Nuclear Blast Records. The tracklist includes: 01. Non-Being, 02. I Am Ice (featuring Johan Sara Jr), 03. Solar Will, 04. Mountain, 05. Spirit Helper (featuring Kevin Kicking Woman), 06. Parting, 07. Tales of Trees, 08. I Miðju.
In conclusion, Enslaved’s new album Mið promises to be an exciting release, with the band continuing to push the boundaries of their sound and explore new themes and concepts. With the release of “Solar Will” and the announcement of the album’s tracklist, fans are eagerly anticipating the full release of Mið on October 30th.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
