An important release for the extreme music subgenre of Viking metal, Frost represented a sizeable creative leap for Norway's Enslaved. After only a few years of existence, several record labels, and a few member changes, Enslaved had settled into a bit of a groove on this 1994 release. Bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson leads the way with plenty of throat splitting call-outs to various Norse gods and apocalyptic battle descriptions, while Ivar Bjørnson (guitar, keyboards) and Trym Torson (drums) plow through plenty of destructive riffs of their own. The music oscillates between spooky, plodding keyboard intros to black metal so fast and furious, barely a beat or melody is descernable. Highlights include the relatively decipherable "Fenris" and the slow, dissonant "Yggdrasil," but in general, all the tracks on Frost bear enough of a resemblance to make this 1994 release a fine black metal listen…

The musical journey quite naturally continues on "Urd" …via rollercoaster throughout the northern landscapes. At its core the new album picks up where "Universal" left off, but Brun wasn’t shy about re-introducing the black metal elements Borknagar is known for. Nor was the band afraid of twisting their sound with occasional symphonics, Deep Purple-flavoured keyboards, epic vocal harmonies, and even a wah-wah guitar solo on one track ("The Earthling").
One of the most important aspects of "Urd" is the mix, handled this time out by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. Known for his work with Opeth and Katatonia, Bogren brought everything out of the original multi-studio production, right down to the tiniest nuance.

An album with the diversity and multitude of talented musicians that Winter Thrice features certainly has its work cut out for it. Not only are Borknagar respected pioneers of the second-wave black metal sound, but additionally we have the staggering track record of every member to consider, with pedigrees stretching from the likes of Dimmu Borgir to Vintersorg. Sweetening the deal even further, former vocalist and Ulver mastermind Kristoffer ‘Garm' Rygg has returned to contribute a spot of vocals, sending expectations for this latest offering sky-high. Fortunately for everyone, Borknagar has delivered, with Winter Thrice providing a thoroughly satisfying slab of music. There's simply no capacity in which this album is a let down…

Norway's avantgarde Black Metal pioneers and innovators Borknagar arise at their most spirited and resplendend on their 11th studio album, "True North" (2019). Succeeding 2016's acclaimed "Winter Thrice" release and 25 years into the band's existence, Borknagar's characteristically varied fusion of musical styles and inimitable layered vocal arrangements elevates the hour-long array of these 9 new tracks to a sonic spectacle of epic proportions and undisputable grandeur.

Five years since their much-acclaimed album VUUR VAN VERZET, early 2023 will see Dutch folk metal collective HEIDEVOLK return with their seventh studio album via Napalm Records, continuing to keep the pagan flame burning! Ever since their impressive 2005 debut, De strijdlust is geboren, HEIDEVOLK has taken the heavy music scene by storm, conquering stages throughout the world with their very own brand of folk metal. With dual clean vocals, irresistibly catchy songs, traditional instruments and fast metal riffing all fueled by their folkloric fire and pagan pride, HEIDEVOLK delivers for an uncompromising sound and musical adventure. Their new masterpiece, WEDERKEER, makes no exception, and proves why the Arnhem-based six-piece is one of the best, unrivaled and most exciting bands of their genre and beyond! In a world of myths, nature and legends of the Veluwe, Netherlands, the concept album is a powerful odyssey of the Self, deeply rooted in metal and folklore.

From pole to pole and sea to sea, Amon Amarth are undisputed kings of Viking heavy metal. Formed in Tumba, Sweden, in 1992, they have forged an extraordinary legacy over three decades of thunderous, anthemic metal, all rich in the magical imagery of Viking history, folklore and culture. Armed with their 12th and arguably finest album to date, Amon Amarth are poised to return to full action with a bloody, broadsword-wielding vengeance. The release of The Great Heathen Army will kick-start another relentless global campaign, commencing with a co-headlining tour of Europe alongside Machine Head and fellow countrymen The Halo Effect.

World-renowned Norsemen EINHERJER have returned to unleash their fantastic, grim sound once more! Founded in 1993, the metal veterans have spent nearly 30 years making their mark on the Viking Metal genre with eight studio albums and two EPs. This year, the band even reached another benchmark, earning a nomination for a Spellemann Award – the most important music prize in their home country of Norway. But the four-piece haven’t begun resting on their laurels yet – EINHERJER is now set to deliver Norse And Dangerous (Live… From The Land Of Legends), a spectacular live album to be released via Napalm Records on August 5, 2022 that was originally recorded at their North Star release concerts in their hometown of Haugesund on February 26 and 27, 2021.

Swedish folk metal wolf pack MÅNEGARM take another stroll through ancient sagas and myths of long forgotten times on the successor of chart-breaking Fornaldarsagor (2019) – the upcoming 10th studio album Ynglingaättens Öde (Engl. the fate of the Ynglinga kin) – out April 15, 2022 via Napalm Records. In this multifaceted world of sound, MÅNEGARM incorporate Pagan inspired lyricism based on the old Norse poem Ynglingatal, that describes the fate of an old Norse dynasty - the house of Ynglinga. Ynglingaättens Öde offers balanced variety and atmosphere, breathing new life into ancient myths. With Ynglingaättens Öde, MÅNEGARM underline their standing as spearheads of the world of Viking metal once more and keep Pagan traditions alive, even after 25 years of existence.

On the threshold of the coming Ragnarok, Graveland comes to you armed with a new full-length album, with music that was created from the ashes of past battles. The new songs that revived like a phoenix from legends and myths and the most epic Graveland works such as "Thousand Swords" are a continuation of this style of the band. Epic Pagan Metal! Here's the music to prepare you for Ragnarok! Music from the beginning of the history of Graveland, when it was recorded in a full line-up! A sword, arrow and spear held in a strong hand, hardened in sweat, blood and battle. “Hour of Ragnarok” was forged by a three-person line-up. Three artisans of war weapons took care of it: Rob "Darken" - vocals, guitars, keyboards, Skyth - bass, Ahrin - drums. The songs for the album were created during last three years, but it was 2020 when the work gained momentum. It took a long time to compose and record the symphonic back tracks that makes up the epic background in music. This is a development of an idea that you could have already heared on the album "1050 Years of Pagan Cult". The album was recorded in the Italian studio Rocketbooster!

With 'Skogarmaors' Obscurity forge their ninth studio album. At the first glance one might think there is nothing new in Obscurity, but with Skogarmaors there are several new elements within the band. Since their last album 'Streitmacht' Obscurity's team changed severely. The quintet from the Bergisch Land with Askar (guitars) and Isarn (drums) welcome new brothers in their ranks. Askar followed the footsteps of Cortez and Isarn took place for Draugr. Both, Askar and Isarn did a great job on the new album which is significantly influenced by them. But ingrained fans do not have to fear fundamental changes in style although there are new musical influences due to the line-up change. The 13 new songs on the upcoming album will benefit from those influences. Obscurity will stay a bastion in continuity and they only create music they do stand for. Continuity also takes its part in the place of production. The new album was recorded and produced in the holy halls of 4CN-Studios by Tim Schuldt. Stylistically the new songs reach from Death- to Viking Metal with Black Metal influences. In addition to that the bonus track is an experiment which differs slightly from the rest of the album/songs. Skogarmaors is not a concept album which is why there is such thematic diversity in the lyrics. Nordic mythology and contemporary social subjects take place in the sung words. In 2021 Obscurity hope to clink glasses with their numerous fans on the new album. The pandemic not only challenges artists but cut deeply in the daily life of all of us. Perhaps the music of the rooted in the soil musicians could heal the wounds a little.

Norwegian viking pagan black metal brigade NIFROST is set to release their new, long-awaited, full length album to the masses on June 25, 2021 via Dusktone. NIFROST already established its own remarkable identity built upon cold and ferocious sounds attack, intense melodies and charging guitars. Combining unrelenting black metal atmosphere and vision from varying extreme metal genres with a apocalyptic twist of inspiration, careful listeners may just be able to identify themes from some of their stories, concepts and more… The concept of their third album began with the title “Orkja”, which is the name of a mountain infamous for landslides that turned into murderous floods in the olden days of Jølster, on the wild and beautiful western coast of Norway. Through these old stories, they found a spark of inspiration in approaching apocalyptic themes in a bigger or on smaller more personal-level picture, both physically and metaphorically. When the band wrote the album “Orkja” in late 2018, they never knew how fitting these doomsday-themes would come to be in current times. The seven songs that comprise “Orkja”, each have its own connection to the end of things, and to the possibility of new beginnings.

On their fifth sonic assault, "svartrviðr", KING OF ASGARD maintain the perfect balance between the grim and the epic, darkness and twilight while keeping their sound crushing and stripped down to essentials. The blackened death veterans deliver an example of Sweden's classic style at the border of harsh and evocative Nordic blackness and the captivating epic melodies of their homeland's death metal. Founded in 2008 in Mjölby, Östergötland, the band rose from the ashes of cult act MITHOTYN. Teaming up with Magnus "Devo" Andersson, who could easily claim the title of MARDUK's house producer, the Swedes made sure to maintain a black twist to their individual sound. Now, KING OF ASGARD invite you to explore the dark secrets of the Viking world and those glimpses at ancient rituals that lurk deep within Old Norse writings.

Forming in Sweden in 2003 by Mats and Ragnar of the doom metal metal band Isole, Ereb Altor have picked up the fallen torch from Quorthon (of legends Bathory) continuing the legacy and paying homage to the sounds and styles pioneered by Bathory in the latter half of their career whilst also forging their own path with a sound that incorporates elements of black metal, doom metal and folk metal. Eldens Boning is the latest release from the band and is a four song E.P. titled Eldens Boning. The four songs showcase the versatility of the band and sees them in typically rousing and epic form. The Twilight Ship opens the E.P. in colossal style being a mid-paced song with huge vocal lines and massive melodies and is a proper rousing piece of Viking metal. Following is the song that had my arm hairs standing on end and that is Fenrisulven which is an acoustic folk song. This song is absolutely gorgeous containing truly beautiful melodies and a spellbinding mix of violin and acoustic guitars. The title track follows and it is in a far more black metal style with dirty riffs throwing back to early Bathory and Celtic Frost with layers of epic synths and a mix of clean and harsh vocals. Another absolute blinder of a song which is guaranteed to get heads banging. Finishing off the E.P. is Sacrifice 2.0 which is catchy as hell with a great headbangable rhythm to it. Carries on the momentum of sounding massive and hugely epic.

With North Star, Viking Metal pioneers EINHERJER release their eighth studio album on February 26, 2021, proving their status as the pioneers of blending Nordic Black Metal and Folk Metal genres once again. The album marks the band’s return to Napalm Records after 25 years, and their release of the legendary Dragons Of The North album (1996). The Norwegian metal outfit remains musically true to themselves and reinforces their exceptional position. North Star was recorded in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic at the in-house Studio Borealis, owned by founding member and mastermind Frode Glesnes. The raw production ties in seamlessly with its predecessor Norrøne Spor and makes North Star probably the most powerful EINHERJER album to date! North Star is EINHERJER's musical mission towards something bigger - the search for guidance by the North Star in a constantly changing world that is searching for stability. Founded in Norway in 1993, the band has significantly influenced the way of Viking Metal in the following years with Dragons Of The North - 25 years later, EINHERJER are stronger than ever and are bursting with energy on North Star!

Their fans have long known that the 20 year music business veteran vikings of Månegarm are not afraid of developing their melodic pagan sound further. With their latest, self-titled album the band keeps true to course: Månegarm remains expressive and varied from the first note to the last. Once again the band around singer Erik Grawsiö shows just how much wicked fun powerful music can be. From Swedish folk ballads reminiscent of camp fires to wild and forceful black metal interludes, everything the metal sounds of the north are known for is represented. Those looking for the soundtrack to life as a seafaring warrior will get just the thing. And anyone remaining to be convinced will finally receive certainty: Odin owns ye all! Limited Editon Digipak incl. 2 Bonus Tracks ( “Mother Earth Father Thunder” featuring Jennie Tebler - sister of Quorthon/Bathory, Alan Nemtheanga (Primordial) & Mikael (Ereb Altor) )