Written By Caine Blackthorn
Norwegian progressive black metal innovators Enslaved have released their 17th studio album, Mið, through Nuclear Blast Records, accompanied by a new visualizer for “I Am Ice” and an extensive European tour announcement for 2027.
Released October 30, 2026, Mið finds the Bergen collective exploring the idea of the center, not simply as a fixed point, but as a place where history, mythology, identity and possibility intersect.
The album’s title comes from the Old Norse word for “middle” or “center,” a deceptively simple concept that opens the door to some of the band’s most ambitious philosophical territory.
For Enslaved, whose music has consistently challenged the boundaries separating black metal, progressive rock and Norse-inspired storytelling, Mið represents another opportunity to question where their creative journey leads next.
Finding the Center Without Standing Still
Rather than retreating into familiar territory, Enslaved approach their latest material with an emphasis on musical dialogue, contrasting perspectives and the relationship between ancient traditions and contemporary existence.
The album also introduces collaborations that extend beyond conventional metal instrumentation and songwriting.
“I Am Ice” features Sámi musician Johan Sara Jr., while “Spirit Helper” includes guest contributions from Kevin Kicking Woman, bringing additional cultural and musical dimensions to the recording.
These collaborations complement an album concerned with how traditions move between generations and how seemingly distant experiences can reveal shared human connections.
Enslaved founder Ivar Bjørnson has described the record as the beginning of another creative chapter, while vocalist and bassist Grutle Kjellson has characterized its underlying themes in terms of growth, possibility and the willingness to embrace change.
That perspective gives Mið an unexpectedly hopeful foundation beneath its darker musical identity.
From Solar Will to I Am Ice
The album’s earlier singles introduced different facets of its musical direction.
“Solar Will” arrived with a music video directed by Marius Marthinussen Søreide, exploring the idea of a central creative force and its potentially limitless influence.
“Tales of Trees” further expanded the record’s conceptual landscape ahead of its release.
Now, the visualizer for “I Am Ice” offers another entry point into the album, featuring the contributions of Johan Sara Jr. alongside Enslaved’s distinctive combination of progressive arrangements and black metal foundations.
Produced by Ivar Bjørnson, Iver Sandøy and Grutle Kjellson, Mið was recorded between October 2025 and April 2026 across several studios. Mixing was handled by Jens Bogren, with mastering by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios.
Enslaved Mið Tracklist
1. Non-Being
2. I Am Ice (featuring Johan Sara Jr.)
3. Solar Will
4. Mountain
5. Spirit Helper (featuring Kevin Kicking Woman)
6. Parting
7. Tales of Trees
8. I Miðju
The eight-track album runs approximately 42 minutes. A limited digipak CD edition also includes the bonus track “Fourth of July.”
Enslaved 2027 Tour With Sólstafir and Gaahls Wyrd
Enslaved will bring their latest material to European audiences in February 2027 on a co-headlining tour with Icelandic post-metal outfit Sólstafir, supported by Gaahls Wyrd.
The 21-date itinerary begins February 4 in Berlin, Germany, and travels through Denmark, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Notable stops include Paris on February 16, London’s Electric Ballroom on February 17, Milan on February 24 and Warsaw on February 26. The tour concludes February 27 in Brno, Czech Republic.
ENSLAVED and SÓLSTAFIR 2027 co-headline tour with GAAHLS WYRD:
Feb. 04 – DE Berlin, Festsaal
Feb. 05 – DE Leipzig, Felsenkeller
Feb. 06 – DE Hamburg, Fabrik
Feb. 07 – DK Copenhagen, Amager Bio
Feb. 08 – DE Frankfurt, Batschkapp
Feb. 09 – FR Strasbourg, La Laiterie
Feb. 11 – FR Rennes, Antipode
Feb. 12 – FR Clermont-Ferrand, La Cooperative de Mai
Feb. 13 – FR Toulouse, Le Metronum
Feb. 14 – ES Barcelona, Razzmatazz 2
Feb. 16 – FR Paris, Elysee Montmartre
Feb. 17 – UK London, Electric Ballroom
Feb. 18 – BE Liege, OM
Feb. 19 – NL Nijmegen, Doornroosje
Feb. 20 – NL Utrecht, Tivoli Pandora
Feb. 21 – DE Cologne, Live Music Hall
Feb. 23 – CH Solothurn, Kofmehl
Feb. 24 – IT Milan, Magnolia
Feb. 25 – AT Vienna, SIMM City
Feb. 26 – PL Warsaw, Progresja
Feb. 27 – CZ Brno, Fleda
Enslaved are also scheduled to appear at Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore in May 2027.
For a band whose catalog refuses to remain confined to a single musical identity, Mið suggests that artistic evolution is not about abandoning the past. It is about finding new ways to make that past speak to the present.
Enslaved’s Mið is available now through Nuclear Blast Records and major streaming platforms.
About The Author
Caine Blackthorn writes music news, trending topics, commentary, and feature pieces for Metal Lair with a focus on the shifting culture surrounding rock and heavy metal. From rising ticket prices and touring collapse to legacy artists, industry absurdity, and the changing soul of live music, his work blends sharp observation with the grit, humor, and frustration of the scene itself. Whether covering modern chaos or metal history, Caine approaches heavy music as something lived through, not simply reported on.
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