Progressive black/viking metal outfit Enslaved are showing a slightly different side of their sound with the release of an alternate version of the track “Forest Dweller” found on the deluxe digital version of their upcoming album Heimdal. Set for release on March 1 via Nuclear Blast Records, we’ve heard a few songs off the band’s new offering, but none have featured the beautiful cello work of Jo Quail.
Speaking of the single itself, guitarist Ivar Bjørnson said being able to branch out and bring a musician like Quail into the song was an exciting experience.
“It is an absolute honour to have Jo Quail on these special versions of ‘Forest Dweller’ and ‘Congelia’. We are all big fans of her 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 chance to invite guest artists for the release show in Bergen of ‘Heimdal’ back in March 2023, Jo Quail was a given.
“:She blew our (and the audience’s) collective minds with her powerful interpretation and performance on ‘Forest Dweller’ and ‘Congelia’ – to the degree that it simply could not be the end of the story. She has a take on her art that is one of a kind – impossible to categorise, haunting, emotive and atmospheric; we feel that this version of us joining forces underlines the artistic and musical kinship we feel being present between our two camps. So here we are; for the world to hear! Be sure to check out Jo’s releases while you are at it!!!”
Not one to shy away from her experiences, Quail said the opportunity to collaborate with Enslaved — a band she says she enjoys in her off time — was an exciting one.
“I’ve long been a fan of Enslaved, and I have huge admiration for the way their masterful compositions broaden and deepen with each release. When the band invited me to collaborate I had to re-read the email several times! I was honoured and humbled by this invitation from a band so greatly revered by so many of us all over the world, and I was tremendously excited by the chance to explore our sonic worlds together.
“Enslaved are the same people on and off stage, which is not always a given, and it’s something that, in my opinion, translates in their music and performance – the connection with their audience in concert draws us in deeply and it’s nothing short of inspiring. It was an absolute honour to be invited by Enslaved to perform ‘Forest Dweller’ and ‘Congelia’ with them in March 2023. I approached these two quite diverse tracks with immense respect, as both were already fully developed and everything sat perfectly and exactly where it needed to be, so any contribution from me needed to underpin or enhance the existing story arc rather than divert from it. Enslaved are musically very generous; they were wholly supportive of my suggestions for cello parts, and the result was a collaboration that I shall treasure for all time. I’m thrilled that this now has life beyond that one very special concert, and I hope you enjoy the result!”
The special, digital deluxe edition of Heimdal will be released on March 1 via Nuclear Blast Records, but you can pre-save it right now if you’d like.
Enslaved also have a 16-date tour lined up with Svalbard and Wayfarer that’ll hit Europe and the U.K. Tickets are on sale now. You can find the full itinerary of the tour below.
ENSLAVED – UK + EUROPEAN TOUR 2024
w/ Svalbard + Wayfarer
06/03 – UK London, Islington Assembly Hall
07/03 – UK Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
08/03 – UK Manchester, Club Academy
09/03 – UK Glasgow, Slay
10/03 – IE Dublin, Opium
12/03 – NL Helmond, Cacaofabriek
13/03 – FR Paris, La Machine
14/03 – CH Geneva, PTR/l’Usine
15/03 – FR Montpellier, Victoire 2
16/03 – IT Milan, Legend
18/03 – CZ Prague, Futurum
19/03 – AT Vienna, Szene
21/03 – DE Cologne, Club Volta
22/03 – DE Leipzig, Taubchenthal
23/03 – DE Berlin, Hole44
24/03 – PL Warsaw, Proxima
Forthcoming festival dates:
18/05-19/05 BE Thronefest *Vikingligr Veldi set
31/07-03/08 NO Beyond The Gates, Bergen
11/08 UK Bloodstock Festival, Derby
14/08-17/08 DE Summer Breeze, Dinkelsbühl
16/11-17/11 MX Mexico Metal Fest, Mexico City