Ancient spirits come alive as Skáld extend an invitation into times long gone but not forgotten. “Ørlǫg”, coming September 25th, 2026, is the French band’s new studio album, and first via Austrian label juggernaut 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. 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. 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.
Skáld about the signing:
“Signing with Napalm Records is a really exciting step, the band has never been so united and this strong partnership with the label makes us even stronger. It was undoubtedly meant to be, and ‘Ørlǫg’ is the perfect album to make it happen. We can’t wait to see where this shared vision takes us”.
Napalm Records Senior A&R Sebastian Münch about the signing:
“Skáld have a remarkable way of bringing Nordic folklore and mythology to life through their music. Their new album, ‘Ørlǫg’, is a fantastic release that both longtime fans and those discovering the band for the first time are sure to enjoy. I’m thrilled to be working with Skáld and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together with Napalm Records”.
Along with the album announcement comes the first single: “Draumakona” opens up the atmospheric journey into “Ørlǫg” with an expressive look at the female side of shamanic prophecy. Lyrically focusing on dreamscapes, the French band constructs their Nordic folk melodies to be particularly catchy to pull listeners right into their world, shifting powerfully between female lead singing and multilayered vocal arrangements to create an antiphony between individuum and community.
Skáld about “Draumakona”:
“‘Draumakona’ explores the unique role women play in divination and shamanic vision; the Norns, who weave the destinies of gods and mortals, support this perspective. Everyone wants to know what their future holds and may wait for it to be revealed to them, but to truly know, one must confront oneself, travel far and wide, not fear the different worlds, and listen to one’s dreams”.
A staple band in the 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’”.
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” 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)
• Deluxe Hardcover Book Edition – 1LP Gatefold Splattered Orange Red, CD & Instrumental Bonus CD, incl. extended 36pp Booklet – Napalm Records exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
• 1LP Gatefold Splattered Orange Red, incl. 36pp Booklet – Napalm Records exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
• 1LP Gatefold Splattered Milk Black Orange, incl. LP-Sized Booklet – Napalm Records exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
• Bundle: 1LP Gatefold Translucent Yellow & 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
Watch the official video for “Draumakona” below.
Pre-order “Ørlǫg” here.
Tracklist:
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
Festivals 2026:
18.06.26 FR – Clisson / Hellfest Open Air
20.06.26 PL – Poznan / Pyrkon Fantasy Festival
17.07.26 DE – Dresden / Weisser Hirsch Open Air *
18.07.26 DE – Regensburg / Piazza Festival *
19.07.26 PL – Bolków / Castle Party
21.07.26 CH – Nyon / Paléo Festival
30.07.26 NL – Lisse / Castlefest
15.08.26 NO – Borre / Midgardsblot
30.08.26 AT – Graz / Kasematten *
(w/ Faun)
North American Tour Dates 2026:
26.06.26 US – Denver, CO / Marquis
27.06.26 US – Farmington, NM / Locke Street
28.06.26 US – Phoenix, AZ / Crescent Ballroom
29.06.26 US – Los Angeles, CA / Lodge Room
30.06.26 US – San Diego, CA / Brick By Brick
01.07.26 US – San Jose, CA / The Ritz
02.07.26 US – Portland, OR / Hawthorne Theatre
03.07.26 US – Seattle, WA / El Corazon
04.07.26 CA – Vancouver, BC / Rickshaw Theatre
06.07.26 CA – Calgary, AB / Dickens
07.07.26 CA – Edmonton, AB / Starlite Room
09.07.26 CA – Winnipeg, MB / Park Theatre
10.07.26 US – Minneapolis, MN / Turf Club
11.07.26 US – Chicago, IL / Reggies
12.07.26 US – Detroit, MI / Sanctuary
13.07.26 CA – Toronto, ON / TD Music Hall
14.07.26 CA – Montreal, QC / Fairmount Theatre
European & UK Tour Dates 2026:
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
Line-up:
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
Weblinks:
skaldmusic.com
www.facebook.com/skaldvikings
