{"product_id":"skald-orl-g-lp","title":"Skald - Orlog - LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eAncient spirits come alive as SKÁLD extend an invitation into times long gone but not forgotten. Ørlog, 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, Ørlog 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. 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: Ørlog 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 “Dokksalir”, 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. “Himinbjorg” 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. 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 Ørlog. The language might sound unfamiliar, but the music still touches the soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide A :\u003cbr\u003eDraumakona \/ Myrkviðr \/ Ratatoskr \/ Dokksalir \/ Útgarðr\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide B :\u003cbr\u003eEk skald rida \/ Himinbjorg \/ Heiemo og Nykkjen \/ Veit barnit \/ Eldr ok iss\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hidden\"\u003eThis item is available for pre-order. It will be available on 09\/25\/2026. \u003cbr\u003eNotice: orders cannot be split into several shipments. Your order will be dispatched when all items are available.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Season of Mist - International","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53531914142039,"sku":"P-178766-","price":24.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/6500\/8471\/files\/Skald-Orl-g-LP-178766-1-1778664382.jpg?v=1779976339","url":"https:\/\/shop.season-of-mist.com\/products\/skald-orl-g-lp","provider":"Season of Mist - International","version":"1.0","type":"link"}