ENSLAVED Get Hit By Bad Weather & Won't Be Performing Tonight In Toronto, CA!

Enslaved express their sincere apologies to everyone in Toronto, Canada who was looking forward to their show today (February 19). Here is what the band posted on their Facebook page regarding tonight's show:

"We simply can't believe it; we're trapped in a blizzard at the US/CAN border near Winnipeg. We've been here for a full day now-meaning there is no chance of making tomorrow's show (Feb. 19th) at The Opera House in Toronto; even if the weather should turn around dramatically during the next few hours. We're completely devastated as we sit on the bus waiting it out. We can't believe we'll miss what was for sure going to be one of the very highlights of this tour."

– Ivar.


It was recently announced that the band have been nominated for the 2012 Spellemann Award in the category “Best Metal Album” with their most recent release, 'RIITIIR'. This prestigious music award is the Norwegian equivalent to the American Grammy. Ceremonies will take place at the Stavanger Concert Hall in Oslo on Saturday, March 23rd and will be broadcast live on NRK 1. The band offered the following statement:

“By the hammer, saw, and grinder of Thor! What an incredibly pleasant surprise to be getting on the road, being nominated for Spellemannsprisen (Norwegian Grammy)! Having that many people interested & versed in music liking our album is simply overwhelming. We’ll miss the party, but feel confident that others will take care of the scandalous behavior. Thank you jury, this means a lot to us no matter the outcome of the ‘final’!”

This is the seventh time ENSLAVED have received a Spellemann Award nomination. They have won four consecutive times in a row for their previous four studio albums:

·         2010: Axioma Ethica Odini - WINNER
·         2008: Vertebrae - WINNER
·         2006: Ruun - WINNER
·         2004: Isa - WINNER
·         2003: Below The Lights - Nominated
·         2000: Mardraum – Nominated

ENSLAVED’s 'RIITIIR' debuted at #8 on the American Billboard Heatseekers (New Artists) chart in October of last year and appeared on numerous “Best Albums of 2012” lists around the world.

Recorded in Bergen, Norway at Duper Studios, Earshot Studios, Solslottet Studios, and Peersonal Sound, the album was mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The team of producers includes Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson, Herbrand Larsen, and Iver Sandøy. Artwork is once again by talented Norwegian artist Truls Espedal. Total running time is 67 minutes.

'RIITIIR; is available on iTunes at the special pre-order pricing of $8.99 for all U.S. residents (special pricing also extends through the week of release). Visit iTunes to preview 90 seconds of every single thought-altering NEW song.

Remaining dates on ENSLAVED’s “Winter Rite 2013” tour – with Pallbearer, Royal Thunder, and Ancient VVisdom opening – are:

02/19/13  The Opera House – Toronto, ON – CANADA
02/20/13  Les Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC – CANADA
02/21/13  The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
02/22/13  Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

Related links:
ENSLAVED
ENSLAVED on Facebook
ENSLAVED on YouTube
ENSLAVED on Twitter

Norway Endorses Our Music Unlike Other Countries, ENSLAVED Are Nominated For a Spellemann Award (their version of The Grammy's)!

What a total mind fu*k! While here in the U.S. The Grammy's don't give a crap about our music, in Norway The Spellemann Awards (their version of The Grammy's) celebrate our music!

It has been announced that NORWEGIAN progressive extreme Metallers ENSLAVED have just received word of their nomination for the 2012 Spellemann Award in the category “Best Metal Album” with their most recent release, 'RIITIIR'. This prestigious music award is the Norwegian equivalent to the American Grammy. Ceremonies will take place at the Stavanger Concert Hall in Oslo on Saturday, March 23rd and will be broadcast live on NRK 1.

ENSLAVED - who just performed in Seattle, Washington last night and continue their trek through the U.S. and Canada - offer the following statement:

“By the hammer, saw, and grinder of Thor! What an incredibly pleasant surprise to be getting on the road, being nominated for Spellemannsprisen (Norwegian Grammy)! Having that many people interested & versed in music liking our album is simply overwhelming. We’ll miss the party, but feel confident that others will take care of the scandalous behavior. Thank you jury, this means a lot to us no matter the outcome of the ‘final’!”

This is the seventh time ENSLAVED have received a Spellemann Award nomination. They have won four consecutive times in a row for their previous four studio albums:

·         2010: Axioma Ethica Odini - WINNER
·         2008: Vertebrae - WINNER
·         2006: Ruun - WINNER
·         2004: Isa - WINNER
·         2003: Below The Lights - Nominated
·         2000: Mardraum – Nominated

ENSLAVED’s 'RIITIIR' debuted at #8 on the American Billboard Heatseekers (New Artists) chart in October of last year and appeared on numerous “Best Albums of 2012” lists around the world.
Recorded in Bergen, Norway at Duper Studios, Earshot Studios, Solslottet Studios, and Peersonal Sound, the album was mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The team of producers includes Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson, Herbrand Larsen, and Iver Sandøy. Artwork is once again by talented Norwegian artist Truls Espedal. Total running time is 67 minutes.

'RIITIIR; is available on iTunes at the special pre-order pricing of $8.99 for all U.S. residents (special pricing also extends through the week of release). Visit iTunes to preview 90 seconds of every single thought-altering NEW song.

Remaining dates on ENSLAVED’s “Winter Rite 2013” tour – with Pallbearer, Royal Thunder, and Ancient VVisdom opening – are:

02/12/13  Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, B.C. – CANADA
02/14/13  The Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB – CANADA
02/15/13  Dickens Pub – Calgary, AB – CANADA
02/16/13  The Exchange – Regina, SK – CANADA
02/17/13  Osborne Village Inn – Winnipeg, MB – CANADA
02/19/13  The Opera House – Toronto, ON – CANADA
02/20/13  Les Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC – CANADA
02/21/13  The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
02/22/13  Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

Related links:
ENSLAVED
ENSLAVED on Facebook
ENSLAVED on YouTube
ENSLAVED on Twitter

ENSLAVED Announce North American Tour - Full Agenda Available!

Norwegian progressive extreme Metal band ENSLAVED will return to the U.S. and Canada in early 2013 for a headlining, 20-show “Winter Rite” tour joined by U.S. doom metallers Pallbearer and occult rockers Ancient VVisdom as openers. Kick-off is in Philadelphia on January 30th with the tour closing in New York City on February 22nd.

ENSLAVED rhythm guitarist/songwriter/lyricist Ivar Bjørnson checks in from Norway about the upcoming trek:

“North America has become like a second home-shore to us; the rising support we’ve been getting for the last albums and tours has been amazing! We’re more than ready to come over again and play our new album Riitiir live to show that the new material is extremely well-fitted for a live setting, and to reflect the enthusiasm and dedication we’ve been getting from the fans over there! See you on the road!”

Confirmed dates for ENSLAVED’s headlining “Winter Rite 2013” tour are:

01/30/13  Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
01/31/13  Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
02/01/13  Mr. Smalls Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA
02/02/13  Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
02/03/13  Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL
02/04/13  Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN
02/06/13  Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
02/08/13  The Troubadour – West Hollywood, CA
02/09/13  Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
02/10/13  Branx – Portland, OR
02/11/13  The Highline – Seattle, WA
02/12/13  Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, B.C. – CANADA
02/14/13  The Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB – CANADA
02/15/13  Dickens Pub – Calgary, AB – CANADA
02/16/13  The Exchange – Regina, SK – CANADA
02/17/13  Osborne Village Inn – Winnipeg, MB – CANADA
02/19/13  The Opera House – Toronto, ON – CANADA
02/20/13  Les Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC – CANADA
02/21/13  The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
02/22/13  Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

ENSLAVED have been announced as the headliner to Scion AV’s Roadburn Records showcase on Saturday, November 10th, 2012 at The Roxy in West Hollywood. Also performing are White Hills, Scott Kelly, Earthless, and Astra. RSVP to the All Ages show here: www.scionav.com/METALSHOW

ENSLAVED’s twelfth studio album, 'RIITIIR', was just released in North America on October 9th and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart with the band’s highest first-week sales of 2,269 copies sold in the U.S.

Recorded in Bergen, Norway at Duper Studios, Earshot Studios, Solslottet Studios, and Peersonal Sound, the album was mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The team of producers includes Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson, Herbrand Larsen, and Iver Sandøy. Artwork is once again by talented Norwegian artist Truls Espedal. Total running time is 67 minutes.

'RIITIIR; is available on iTunes at the special pre-order pricing of $8.99 for all U.S. residents (special pricing also extends through the week of release). Visit iTunes to preview 90 seconds of every single thought-altering NEW song.

Related links:
ENSLAVED
ENSLAVED on Facebook
ENSLAVED on YouTube
ENSLAVED on Twitter

Ghost Announce '13 Dates Of Doom' North American Tour!

Swedish Doom Meisters Ghost are pleased to announce their return to North America for their "13 Dates of Doom" tour! The tour features direct support from Toronto, Ontario witch rockers Blood Ceremony and Austin TX death rockers Ancient VVisdom. The "13 Dates of Doom" tour marks the Ghouls' first return to the US since their now infamous stops at the Maryland Death Fest and The Studio at Webster Hall in New York City. The band was scheduled to be part of the recent Enslaved tour, but had to pull out after some last minute complications with the Ghouls' visas.

Ghost cult leader "The Ghoul with No Name" and his anonymous ghouls will be touring in support of the band's debut album "Opus Eponymous", which has been called "must have stuff" by Blistering adding that "Ritual is one of the best classic Metal songs in recent memory," while Alarm Press calls out the album as "wildly catchy and full of melodic twists."

The Ghoul with No Name comments "It is with an evil haunting chuckle that we are announcing that we are finally coming to North America. In the name of Satan, we will conduct thirteen rituals in thirteen different cities throughout the United States and Canada and now we are summoning all of our devotees to partake in these blasphemous eves of black magic."



GHOST "13 Dates of Doom" Tour featuring Blood Ceremony & Ancient VVisdom:

- Wed/Jan-18: New York, NY at Bowery Ballroom
- Thu/Jan-19: Washington, DC at Rock N Roll Hotel
- Fri/Jan-20: Boston, MA at Middle East Downstairs
- Sat/Jan-21: Montreal, QC at Corona Theatre
- Sun/Jan-22: Toronto, ON at The Mod Club
- Tue/Jan-24: Chicago, IL at Bottom Lounge
- Wed/Jan-25: Minneapolis, MN at Station Four
- Fri/Jan-27: Denver, CO at Marquis Theatre
- Sat/Jan-28: Salt Lake City, UT at The Vertigo
- Mon/Jan-30: Seattle, WA at El Corazon
- Tue/Jan-31: Portland, OR at Hawthorne Theater
- Wed/Feb-01: San Francisco, CA at Bottom of the Hill
- Thu/Feb-02: Los Angeles, CA at The Roxy

"I'm in their fan club. [Laughs] I had no idea what they looked like until I saw the video. I heard the music first and I thought it was very great, very unique, very melodic and a breath of fresh air for Metal. It reminded me a bit of '70s kind of Rock that I liked as well. So yeah, I love the band." - James Hetfield, Metallica

Related links:
Ghost's Official Site
Ghost on Facebook