Norwegian metal band Enslaved have released new EP Caravans To The Outer Worlds. Alongside their new EP, the group have also released a new single “Ruun II- The Epitaph”.
The group’s new track has also been released with a music video which is the second part of a series, the first part of the series can be seen in the video for the new EP’s title track. The track’s video offers scenic and moving visuals that perfectly offsets the song’s deep lyrical content. The group inject their usual themes of Norse mythology into the video, providing a nod to the culture of their home country of Norway, both videos can be watched below.
The new EP has been released via record label and distributer, Nuclear Blast and follows from the band’s 2020 release Utgard. A statement within the press release describes the EP as an other-worldly experience.
“A new cycle is underway, and Enslaved find themselves on a bridge between the archaic and the unmapped. “Caravans To The Outer Worlds” EP is a tale of departure, of leaving behind a barren and desolate world, travelling boldly into the future. There are outer worlds to go to and new havens to rebuild in, to invoke a new dawn and to defend the new world for those of Sense and Earth.”
The group consists of members guitarist Ivar Bjørnson, vocalist and bassist Grutle Kjellson, guitarist Arve ‘Ice Dale’ Isdal, keyboardist and vocalist Håkon Vinje and drummer Iver Sandøy. Frontman Kjellson formed the group with Bjørnson in 1991 and the pair are the only original members left due to multiple line-up changes. The duo is also responsible for the main songwriting within the group.
Kjellson had this to say concerning the new release: “Releasing an EP is a huge privilege, it really is. It is somehow reliving to go on a stroll away from the album format, and take some leaps into obscurity in between two full lengths. There’s so many great and experimental EP’s in music history; Magical Mystery Tour, Garage Days Revisited, Deathcrush, The Golden Years… just to mention a very few. We hope Caravans To The Outer Worlds, our third EP in 30 years, can fascinate and inspire.”
Bjørnson discussing the EP’s musical content said in a Stan: “This EP is an expression of the vital state Enslaved is in – the idea to create a transitory release between Utgard and what is to come next logically led to the idea of an EP. Iver’s idea of adding short intermezzos between the two main songs gave this release even more energy and depth. This EP is one that points backwards towards our early works as well as forward to a yet unknown place we seem to be heading for.”
“Caravans To The Outer Worlds EP contains neck breaking riffage that points backwards to the raw beginnings of Enslaved – the title track marking an explosive lift-off with melodic breakaways and proggy slingshots onto new orbits, while the ominous Ruun II: The Epitaph takes a sombre dive into the murky and mysterious ocean of stars beyond the known. These two main pieces are framed by two intermezzos: Intermezzo I: Lönnlig. Gudlig. and Intermezzo II: The Navigator; wrapping up the main stories with respectively what came before and what is to come…”
The group will be hitting the road later this month with their first tour, ‘Norwegian Big Band’ tour 2021 supported by Shaman Elephant. The tour includes 6 dates in Norway. In February next year, the group will hit the road again and play at various European cities with their ‘Utgard European Tour’, supported by Intronaut, Obsidian Kingdom and Crown.
Enslaved UK tour dates
16/02/2022 – O2 Institute – Birmingham
17/02 – Classic Grand – Glasgow
18/02 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
19/02- 229 – London
Click here to buy tickets.
Click here to download/buy/stream Caravans To The Outer Worlds.
