After reigning in the metal scene for almost 15 years, Viking metal giants SKÁLMÖLD will unveil their highly anticipated sixth studio album, Ýdalir, on August 18, 2023 via Napalm Records. First single Ratatoskur is out now, together with an accompanying lyric video. With their first record in five years, the Icelandic six-piece are bound to exceed all expectations – inspired by several Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology, such as the poem Grímnismál.
Carried by a breathtaking guitar solo, strident growls alternate with clean vocals, delivering the message of Ratatoskur. The Icelanders celebrated their 10-year anniversary in 2020 with an explosive live album, recorded during three sold-out nights at the Gamla Bíó in Reykjavík, and fans can’t wait for the band’s brand new material and energetic live shows at festival stages this summer – including their return to huge European metal festivals like Wacken and Summer Breeze.
Björgvin on Ratatoskur: “We proudly present to you all our sixth studio album, Ýdalir. It has been 5 years since we released our latest album and it is about time we give our fans some new music. By the end of 2019 we had already decided to give the band a little break, give ourselves time to reflect and recharge the batteries after busy and eventful first ten years of SKÁLMÖLD. And then Covid happened. So the break might have been a little longer than intended. But I can honestly say that we are back stronger than ever, full of energy and hunger to make new music and present it to our fans. And Ýdalir is proof of that. The six of us can easily say that it might be our strongest release to date, full of energy, catchy melodies and heathen epicness.“
