The Norwegian pioneers of cosmic travel, ENSLAVEDlaunched their latest avant-garde creation, «Heimdal“, a year ago. To celebrate the studio album’s first year of existence, the band has recently announced the digital album «Heimdal (Deluxe)«, which will go on sale on March 1 through Nuclear Blast Records.
«Heimdal (Deluxe)» will include the studio album in its entirety, as well as the bonus track «Gangandi«, alternative versions of two songs from the album «Freeze” and “Forest Dweller«, both with sublime performances by the renowned cellist Jo Quailin addition to all of The Otherworldly Big Band Experience – the impressive 2022 streaming event ENSLAVED with the Norwegian pro-psychedelic music band Shaman Elephant.
ENSLAVED has published today the alternative version of his song «Forest Dweller«, in which the composer and virtuoso cellist participates Jo Quailinternationally acclaimed, along with a beautiful visual video created by Costin Chioreanu.
The guitarist Ivar Bjornson commented:
«It is an absolute honor to have Jo Quail in these special versions of ‘Forest Dweller‘ and ‘Freeze‘. We are all big fans of his unique work and style; I have personally had the pleasure of working with her for some time through By Norse Music (the label co-founded with Einar Selvik and our manager Simon Füllemann). When we had the opportunity to invite artists for the launch of ‘Heimdal‘ in Bergen, in March 2023, Jo Quail It was a fact. He blew us (and the audience) away with his powerful performance and performance in ‘Forest Dweller‘ and ‘Freeze‘, to the point that it couldn’t be the end of the story. His way of understanding art is unique, impossible to classify, evocative, emotional and atmospheric; We believe this version of our joining of forces underscores the artistic and musical kinship we feel between our two fields. So here we are, for the world to hear us! Don’t forget to take a look at the releases of Jo«.
Jo Quail added:
«I am a fan of ENSLAVED for a long time, and I greatly admire the way his masterful songwriting expands and deepens with each release. When the band invited me to collaborate, I had to reread the email several times. I was honored and humbled by this invitation from a band so revered by so many of us around the world, and was incredibly excited by the opportunity to explore our sonic worlds together. ENSLAVED They are the same people on and off stage, which is not always a fact, and is something that, in my opinion, translates into their music and their performances: the connection with their audience at concerts draws us deeply and is simply inspiring. It was an absolute honor that ENSLAVED invited me to play with them’Forest Dweller‘ and ‘Freeze‘ in March 2023. I approached these two very diverse themes with immense respect, as they were both fully developed and everything fit perfectly and exactly where it needed to be, so any contribution on my part had to underpin or enhance the story arc existing rather than deviating from it. ENSLAVED They are musically very generous; They fully supported my suggestions for the cello parts, and the result was a collaboration that I will treasure forever. “I’m delighted that this has a life beyond that very special concert, and I hope you enjoy the result!”
Booking “Heimdal (Deluxe)» here.
The last studio album of ENSLAVED«Heimdal» (published in March 2023), is both a starting point and a communion with the roots forged more than three decades ago in the turbulent death throes of the birth of Norway’s black metal scene. It is a record that points towards new beginnings, and a dawn that is on the other side of the earth’s vertex. A psychedelic journey through arcane Nordic folklore, connecting with ancient ancestors and our future selves.
The Otherworldly Big Band Experience it was a spectacle ENSLAVED like no other, his biggest and boldest project to date, a colossal, kaleidoscopic stage spectacle with a stellar setlist that spans his career, both past and present. Including some songs never before performed live.
ENSLAVED will be touring the UK and Europe in March. The 16-date tour will take the band to 10 different countries, with support from the British post-hardcore quartet Svalbard and American metalheads wayfarer. Tickets are now on sale here.
Tour dates:
March
6 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
7 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
8 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
9 – Glasgow, UK – Slay
10 – Dublin, Ireland – Opium
12 – Helmond, Netherlands – Cacaofabriek
13 – Paris, France – La Machine
14 – Geneva, Switzerland – PTR/l’Usine
15 – Montpellier, France – Victoire 2
16 – Milan, Italy – Legend
18 – Prague, Czech Republic – Futurum
19 – Vienna, Austria – Szene
21 – Cologne, Germany – Club Volta
22 – Leipzig, Germany – Taubchenthal
23 – Berlin, Germany – Hole44
24 – Warsaw, Poland – Proxima
ENSLAVED They have also been announced for some festivals in 2024:
June
31-August 3 – Beyond The Gates – Bergen, Norway
August
11 – Bloodstock Festival – Derby, UK
14-17 – Summer Breeze – Dinkelsbühl, Germany
November
16-17 – Mexico Metal Fest – Mexico City, Mexico
ENSLAVED are:
Ivar Bjørnson – guitars
Grutle Kjellson – voice
Arve ‘Ice Dale’ Isdal – guitar
Håkon Vinje – keyboards, clean vocals
Iver Sandøy – drums
(Photo – Roy Bjørge)
