Norwegian doom act Octavia Sperati will begin recording their new album next weekend with Herbrand Larsen (Enslaved, ex-Audrey Horne) and Arve Isdal (Enslaved, Audrey Horne). Expect an April 2007 release.

Dark Dose on Enslaved and a track from the album "Ruun": http://darkdose.com/?p=142
Not my favorite album of theirs, but not a bad place to start.

MIC Norway profiles extreme metal acts Enslaved, Zyklon, 1349 and Keep of Kalessin ahead of their upcoming UK tour: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2006090812532777708400

Video mix: Superfamily, Bobby Baby, Slagsmålsklubben, Robyn, Turbonegro, more...

Enslaved has posted their fall tour schedule: http://www.enslaved.no/?module=events

Candlelight Records will be bringing Scandinavian black-metal acts Dark Funeral (SWE) and Enslaved (NOR) over to the US for a month-long tour to kick off on January 9. Dates are still TBA, but let me tell you: Enslaved is by far the best black-metal band that I've seen live. Very, very highly recommended.

PopMatters reviews the new Enslaved: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/enslaved-ruun/

Stylus reviews the new Enslaved: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/enslaved/ruun.htm

Delusions of Adequacy praises the new Enslaved: http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewID=7019

Decibel heaps high praise on Enslaved: http://www.decibelmagazine.com/reviews/jul2006/enslaved.aspx

Enslaved on tour in the UK:

09/05 - The Village, Dublin (IRL)
09/07 - Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester (UK)
09/08 - Corporation, Sheffield (UK)
09/09 - Garage, Glascow (UK)
09/10 - Manchester Academy 2, Manchester (UK)
09/11 - Carling Academy Birmingham, Birmingham (UK)
09/12 - Mean Fiddler, London (UK)

Decibel Magazine interviews Enslaved: http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/june2006/enslaved.aspx

Of all the original Norwegian black-metal acts, Enslaved has always been one of the best, most progressive bands. While others like Darkthrone refuse to change and bands like Emperor reverted back to exploring their tech/death-metal roots before breaking up, Enslaved consistently expanded on their so-called "viking metal" sound by incorporating even more grandiose melodies, clean expressive singing (and the use of English as opposed to their insistence of only speaking in old Norse) and weird psychedelic parts. I wasn't too stoked on the last two albums "Isa" and "Below the lights" since I considered them a bit of a regression following the brilliance of "Monumension" and "Mardraum", but the new record "Ruun" is a return to form. They've ditched the recycled Darkthrone grim/necro/kvlt-style riffage and gone back to what makes them great: more Voivod-esque syncopation and dissonance, less atonal droning. I had a hard time deciding on a standout track since the whole thing flows really well as an album, so I've posted the title track for you today. It has all the traits that make Enslaved great, so I think it's a good place to start.

MP3: Enslaved - Ruun

Of all the original Norwegian black-metal acts, Enslaved has always been one of the best, most progressive bands. While others like Darkthrone refuse to change and bands like Emperor reverted back to exploring their tech/death-metal roots before breaking up, Enslaved consistently expanded on their so-called "viking metal" sound by incorporating even more grandiose melodies, clean expressive singing (and the use of English as opposed to their insistence of only speaking in old Norse) and weird psychedelic parts. I wasn't too stoked on the last two albums "Isa" and "Below the lights" since I considered them a bit of a regression following the brilliance of "Monumension" and "Mardraum", but the new record "Ruun" is a return to form. They've ditched the recycled Darkthrone grim/necro/kvlt-style riffage and gone back to what makes them great: more Voivod-esque syncopation and dissonance, less atonal droning. I had a hard time deciding on a standout track since the whole thing flows really well as an album, so I've posted the title track for you today. It has all the traits that make Enslaved great, so I think it's a good place to start.

Enslaved - Ruun

Enslaved will tour the UK in support of their new album "Ruun" with a little help from their friends Zyklon, 1349 and Keep of Kalessin. So yeah, pretty much every worthwhile black-metal band that tours all in one place. Dates:

09/07 - Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester (UK)
09/08 - Corporation, Sheffield (UK)
09/09 - Garage, Glascow (SCO)
09/10 - Academy 2, Manchester (UK)
09/11 - Carling Academy, Birmingham (UK)
09/12 - Mean Fiddler, London (UK)