Eight years after the release of their critically acclaimed album “Eonian”, Norwegian symphonic black metal titans Dimmu Borgir return with a towering new opus: “Grand Serpent Rising”. Set for release on May 22nd, 2026, via Nuclear Blast Records, the new studio album delivers thirteen punishing yet remarkably diverse tracks that reaffirm the band’s status as one of the most formidable forces in extreme music.
Shagrath comments: “I truly feel we’ve outdone ourselves musically on this album. It’s been a long and demanding process, but seeing how it all came together makes it incredibly rewarding. ‘Grand Serpent Rising’ reflects every era of Dimmu Borgir – This album carries echoes of every chapter of Dimmu Borgir’s legacy – I believe our fans will recognize that, and find something within it that truly resonates”.
Even the sheer weight of the album title speaks volumes.
“It fits perfectly”, guitarist Silenoz explains. “Dimmu Borgir is a leviathan of a band on a grand scale and we are rising once again. While the serpent represents evil to some, for us it symbolizes something else: renewal, growth, knowledge, and liberation. Shedding our skin, so to speak. And let’s not forget that February 2026 marks the end of the Year of the Snake, roughly the same moment this album was completed”.
“Grand Serpent Rising” was recorded in Gothenburg with acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström, whose legacy with the band includes landmark releases “Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia” and “Death Cult Armageddon”. The collaboration once again captures the band at their most expansive and ferocious, blending orchestral grandeur with unrelenting black metal intensity.
Alongside the album announcement, the band unveils a cinematic video for the track “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel”. Sung in Norwegian, the song stands as a punishing epic rooted in themes of heritage and bloodline – the passing of something essential from one generation to the next.
Watch the video for “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel” below.
The album comes in the following formats:
• CD Jewelcase
• 2LP + 1CD, 24-Page Mediabook, Transparent Green with Black + White Marble Vinyl
• 2LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
• 2LP Gatefold Dark Green Vinyl
• 2LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl (Norway Exclusive)
• 2LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Vinyl (Sweden Rock Exclusive)
• 2LP Gatefold Pearl Flip Waterfall Vinyl
• 2LP Gatefold Gold with Black Marble Vinyl (Revolver Exclusive)
Pre-order & pre-save “Grand Serpent Rising” here.
Tracklist:
01. Tridentium
02. Ascent
03. As Seen in the Unseen
04. The Qryptfarer
05. Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel
06. Repository of Divine Transmutation
07. Slik Minnes en Alkymist
08. Phantom of the Nemesis
09. The Exonerated
10. Recognizant
11. At the Precipice of Convergence
12. Shadows of a Thousand Perceptions
13. Gjoll
In October 2026, two of the most influential forces in extreme metal join together for a monumental live assault: Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth will embark on the “In League With Satan” Co-Headline Tour, storming across Europe and the UK. As special guests, the Swedish black metal icons Dark Funeral will add even more ferocity to an already devastating lineup.
European Tour Dates 2026:
09 Oct 2026 – Zurich, Switzerland – Halle 622
10 Oct 2026 – Zwickau, Germany – Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau
11 Oct 2026 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
13 Oct 2026 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
14 Oct 2026 – Munich, Germany – Zenith
16 Oct 2026 – Paris, France – Zenith
18 Oct 2026 – Den Bosch, Netherlands – Mainstage
20 Oct 2026 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
22 Oct 2026 – Hamburg, Germany – Inselpark Arena
23 Oct 2026 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
24 Oct 2026 – Brno, Czech Republic – Hala Vodova
27 Oct 2026 – Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall
29 Oct 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden – B-K
30 Oct 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – K.B. Hallen
Get tickets here.
Line-up:
Shagrath – Vocals
Silenoz – Guitars
Damage – Guitars
Victor – Bass
Gerlioz – Keyboards
Daray – Drums
Weblinks:
dimmu-borgir.com
facebook.com/dimmuborgir
