Official: Nuclear BlastOut now
The Norwegian progressive black metal band’s record explores the idea of a centre; Grutle Kjellson wrote the lyrics for I Am Ice in the style of Old Norse skaldic verse.
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The story
Enslaved have released Mið, their seventeenth studio album, through Nuclear Blast. To mark the release they shared a visualiser for “I Am Ice”, featuring Sami musician Johan Sara Jr.
Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson says the album explores the idea of “centre” and asks what we are moving towards. He describes “I Am Ice” as “a world of its own, with the seeds of the whole album hidden within it”, opened by Johan Sara Jr.’s joik.
Vocalist and bassist Grutle Kjellson says he wrote the song’s lyrics in full before fitting them to the music, inspired by the metrics of Old Norse skaldic poetry. The song is about a journey through personal darkness and rising again.
Image: Enslaved / Nuclear Blast
Mið is out, and I am immensely proud to share it with you.
Ivar Bjørnson, Enslaved
Our take
Thirty-five years and seventeen albums in, Enslaved remain the reference point for progressive black metal. A joik-led single is exactly the kind of risk that has kept them interesting.
Bottom line
Out now on Nuclear Blast. Stream or buy through the band’s link.
Release sheet
| Band | Enslaved (Norway) |
| Album | Mið (17th album) |
| Label | Nuclear Blast |
| Release | 30/10/2026 |
| Focus track | “I Am Ice” (feat. Johan Sara Jr.) |
The original
ENSLAVED celebrate album release day with visualizer for “I Am Ice” (ft. Johan Sara Jr.)
Issued by Nuclear Blast
