SKÁLD - zweite neue Single “Himinbjǫrg” + Video
French ritualists SKÁLD lift the veil to reveal another glimpse into our ancient destiny. “Himinbjǫrg”, the second single off of their upcoming album, Ørlǫg (coming September 25, 2026 via Napalm Records), reaches far out to the edge of Asgard, realm of the Gods.
At the eponymous castle in the sky, Heimdall keeps watch for invaders at the rainbow bridge, Bifröst. SKÁLD lend Asgard’s guardian an assertive voice, letting the song serve as an emphatic yet reassuring guide through our sometimes-clouded destiny. The drum-driven song extends the folk musicians’ invitation to step into ancient times and dance among reawakened spirits.
SKÁLD about “Himinbjǫrg”:
“‘Himinbjǫrg’ invites us to step onto the threshold, to the gateway at the edge of the sky, to face the guardian’s gaze—are we ready to be judged as we reach the end of the bridge? These cliffs in the sky are a mirror of our actions, our ambitions, our Ørlǫg; it is a long journey toward something greater—let us ride on without fear.”
Watch the Official Music Video for “Himinbjǫrg” NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYI8crJCZbI
Ancient spirits come alive as SKÁLD extend an invitation into times long gone but not forgotten. Ørlǫg, coming September 25, 2026, is their first album via Napalm Records, and it is our destiny. As the Norns weave our future, this album is a fascinating passageway into our pristine origins and the consequences of our choices. Ten new songs as stepping stones, Ørlǫg is an offering to listen, to dwell, to reflect—and to find something within yourself previously unknown. SKÁLD don’t just play music, they awaken ancient ways.
A staple band in the neofolk genre, SKÁLD deliver a striking work of art with their latest album, deferentially using their sources to keep old spirits alive and form the enchanting world of Ørlǫg. The language might sound unfamiliar, but the music still touches the soul.
SKÁLD about Ørlǫg:
“Ørlǫg is the cosmic web that influences the world and every person. Part of our Ørlǫg is determined by our birth, our past actions, and our upbringing, but Ørlǫg is not set in stone; our daily choices are constantly shaping it. What we do now and what we have done in the past determines what will happen to us in the future; we cannot escape the consequences of our actions. This album makes us question our choices—both individual and collective—and the patterns we accept or reject. The Norns weave our destiny, but we can take control of certain things: travel, ride worlds, and grow. Each song on this album describes a situation, a place, a choice to be made. Let’s take hold of our Ørlǫg.”
Get Your Copy Of Ørlǫg NOW: https://napalmrecords.com/skald
The atmospheric journey to claim direction starts within the dreamscapes of “Draumakona”, an expressive look at the female side of shamanic prophecy. The French band constructs their Nordic folk melodies to be particularly catchy, shifting powerfully between female lead singing and multilayered vocal arrangements to create an antiphony between individuum and community. Inspired by Skaldic poetry, SKÁLD use instruments fitting of the time: Ørlǫg is shaped by Nordic fiddles, different forms of harps and lyres, horns, kannels, and whistles, among others, as well as three lead vocalists to bring the arrangements to life. “Myrkviðr” picks up on the opening track’s persuasive energy, with male vocals taking the lead this time. Further spreading their message is “Ratatoskr”, intonated by clattering sounds and throat singing, channeled into hauntingly repetitive chants of the eponymous squirrel’s name. For “Dǫkksalir”, SKÁLD unwind their melodies to form a gentle song, sweet-talking almost like a lullaby—and therefore fitting the concept of the charming yet also frightening sirens lurking in the dark. “Útgarðr” contrasts the different voices compellingly by the passages being sung simultaneously with alternating focus and a goosebump-inducing climax—instantly opposed by “Ek skald rida” which makes use of similar techniques, but is the most tranquil track on the album. “Himinbjǫrg” reaches far out to the edge of Asgard, where Heimdall guards the rainbow bridge, Bifröst. SKÁLD lend him an assertive voice, so the song serves as an emphatic yet reassuring guide through our sometimes-clouded destiny. “Heiemo og Nykkjen”, a rendition of a traditional medieval folk ballad from what is now Norway, takes a more provident approach to both instrumentation and vocal delivery, while “Veit barnit” calls upon the knowledge of children and uses a child’s voice alongside their usual harmonies to reflect that. The grim finale, “Eldr ok iss”, Old Norse for “fire and ice”, again calls on contrasts as well as referencing part of the creation myth in which the primordial being Ymir emerged from Muspelheim—the realm of fire—colliding with icy Nilfheim in the beginning of times. SKÁLD build an appropriate arc of suspense with a formidably sinister atmosphere.
Ørlǫg tracklisting:
1. Draumakona
2. Myrkviðr
3. Ratatoskr
4. Dǫkksalir
5. Útgarðr
6. Ek skald rida
7. Himinbjǫrg
8. Heiemo og Nykkjen
9. Veit barnit
10. Eldr ok iss
Ørlǫg will be available in the following formats:
- 1LP Gatefold Whitelabel / Testpressing, incl. LP-Sized Booklet, Covercard (numbered), Certificate of Authenticity (numbered, dated) – Napalm ROW exclusive (strictly limited to 50 copies)
- 1LP Gatefold Splattered Milk Black Orange, incl. LP-Sized Booklet – Napalm Records exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
- Bundle: 1LP Gatefold Translucent Yellow & Logo Shirt – Napalm Records exclusive
- Bundle: Digipack & Shirt – Napalm Records exclusive
- 1LP Gatefold Marbled Translucent Orange – Band Only Exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
- 1LP Gatefold Clear Indie USA (strictly limited to 200 copies)
- 1LP Gatefold Translucent Yellow
- 1LP Gatefold Gold – France Exclusive (strictly limited to 500 copies)
- 1CD Digipack, incl. 6p Digipack
- Digital Album
SKÁLD Live 2026
Summer European Tour
15.08.26 NO - Borre / Midgardsblot
30.08.26 AT - Graz / Kasematten (w/ FAUN)
Warrior Chant Tour
As Special Guest for The Hu
29.09.26 UK - Glasgow / O2 Academy
01.10.26 UK - Bristol / Prospect Building
02.10.26 UK - Bournemouth / O2 Academy
03.10.26 UK - Newcastle / O2 City Hall
05.10.26 UK - Belfast / The Telegraph Building
06.10.26 IE - Dublin / 3Olympia Theatre
08.10.26 UK - Birmingham / O2 Academy Birmingham
09.10.26 UK - London / O2 Academy Brixton
10.10.26 UK - Manchester / O2 Apollo
11.10.26 UK - Norwich / UEA LCR
14.10.26 BE - Brussels / Ancienne Belgique
15.10.26 DE - Hamburg / Sporthalle
17.10.26 DE - Munich / Tonhalle
18.10.26 DE - Berlin / Columbiahalle
19.10.26 PL - Warsaw / Stodola
20.10.26 PL - Warsaw / Stodola
22.10.26 DE - Cologne / Palladium
23.10.26 NL - Utrecht / TivoliVredenburg
24.10.26 NL - Tilburg / 013
27.10.26 FR - Lyon / Le Radiant
28.10.26 FR - Paris / L'Olympia
30.10.26 CH - Zurich / X-TRA
31.10.26 LU - Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
SKÁLD are:
Christophe Voisin Boisvinet – Percussion, Nordic Fiddles, Harp, Horn, Vocals, Programming
Marti Ilmar Uibo – Percussion, Lyre, Kannel, Whistles, Jaw Harp, Vocals
Steeve Petit – Percussion, Vocals
Marie Potosniak – Fiddles, Vocals
Guillaume Levy – Irish Bouzouki, Citole, Gudok
Nathalie Lemoye-Voisin – Vocals
Ravn – Moraharpa
Michel Abraham – Vocals
Eyline Uibo – Vocals
SKÁLD online:
https://skaldmusic.com
Quelle: NAPALM RECORDS