Skáld release second single ‘Himinbjǫrg’ from their upcoming album

French ritualists SKÁLD lift the veil to reveal another glimpse into our ancient destiny. “Himinbjǫrg,” the second single off of their upcoming album, Ørlǫg (coming September 25 via Napalm Records), reaches far out to the edge of Asgard, realm of the Gods. At the eponymous castle in the sky, Heimdall keeps watch for invaders at the rainbow bridge, Bifröst. SKÁLD lend Asgard’s guardian an assertive voice, letting the song serve as an emphatic yet reassuring guide through our sometimes-clouded destiny. The drum-driven song extends the folk musicians’ invitation to step into ancient times and dance among reawakened spirits.

SKÁLD about “Himinbjǫrg“:

“‘Himinbjǫrg’ invites us to step onto the threshold, to the gateway at the edge of the sky, to face the guardian’s gaze—are we ready to be judged as we reach the end of the bridge? These cliffs in the sky are a mirror of our actions, our ambitions, our Ørlǫg; it is a long journey toward something greater — let us ride on without fear.”

Ancient spirits come alive as SKÁLD extend an invitation into times long gone but not forgotten. Ørlǫg, coming September 25, 2026, is their first album via 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. 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.

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.”

GET YOUR COPY OF ØRLǪG NOW

ØRLǪG TRACK LISTING:
 “Draumakona”
“Myrkviðr”
“Ratatoskr”
“Dǫkksalir”
“Útgarðr”
“Ek skald rida”
“Himinbjǫrg”
“Heiemo og Nykkjen”
“Veit barnit”
 “Eldr ok iss” 

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)
• 1LP Gatefold Splattered Milk Black Orange, incl. LP-Sized Booklet – Napalm Records exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies)
• Bundle: 1LP Gatefold Translucent Yellow & Logo 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

SKÁLD LIVE 2026:
EUROPE:
08/30 — Graz, AT —  Kasematten (w/ FAUN)

WARRIOR CHANT TOUR:
As Special Guest for The HU:
09/29 — Glasgow, UK — O2 Academy
10/01 — Bristol, UK — Prospect Building
10/02 — Bournemouth, UK — O2 Academy
10/03 — Newcastle, UK — O2 City Hall
10/05 — Belfast, UK — The Telegraph Building
10/06 — Dublin, IE — 3Olympia Theatre
10/08 — Birmingham, UK — O2 Academy Birmingham
10/09 — London, UK — O2 Academy Brixton
10/10 — Manchester, UK — O2 Apollo
10/11 — Norwich, UK — UEA LCR
10/14 — Brussels, BE — Ancienne Belgique
10/15 — Hamburg, DE — Sporthalle
10/17 — Munich, DE — Tonhalle
10/18 — Berlin, DE — Columbiahalle
10/19 — Warsaw, PL — Stodola
10/20 — Warsaw, PL — Stodola
10/22 — Cologne, DE — Palladium
10/23 — Utrecht, NL — TivoliVredenburg
10/24 — Tilburg, NL — 013
10/27 — Lyon, FR — Le Radiant
10/28 — Paris, FR — L’Olympia
10/30 — Zurich, CH — X-TRA
10/31 — Esch-sur-Alzette, LU — Rockhal

SKÁLD ARE:
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