Review by Michael on October 30, 2026.

Listening to Enslaved’s new album Mið, I always find myself thinking of the fabulous X-Files episode “One Breath”. There is one particular scene I have in mind, where Scully is sitting in a boat and drifting away from the bank. First of all, it is quite symbolic of Enslaved’s music drifting further and further away from what you might call black metal. Secondly, the new album has a lot to do with spirituality.

Of course, you can still find some black metal elements on Mið, such as Grutle’s typical harsh vocals or certain guitar riffs. But, as on previous albums, the Norwegians experiment quite a lot with their sound. For example, they invited Johan Sara Jr. as a guest vocalist on 'I Am Ice', and he brings a spiritual vibe to the song in a very impressive way. When I first heard it, I actually didn’t like it too much, but after a few listening sessions I began to understand what Enslaved wanted to convey with it. The same goes for 'Spirit Helper', which features Native American singer Kevin Kicking Woman performing some ritualistic vocals. I guess this approach is the biggest surprise on the album, and I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that nobody would ever have expected Enslaved to explore Native American sounds. But it actually works very well and underlines the spiritual direction they have taken on their 17th full-length.

In some other songs, however, the guys don't test the listeners’ patience quite so much. 'Solar Will' might be the catchiest song they have written in many albums. It is a straightforward, quite fast, blackish stomper with cool, catchy melodies. The vocals are aggressive, and Iver’s drums sound super-heavy and thunderous. He also handled the production, and I have to say that he has become a very important member of the band over the last few years.

One thing Enslaved simply cannot leave behind is their proggy keyboard work. Almost every song features some progressive sounds, but that shouldn't come as a surprise anymore. What has worked for them since the early 2000s is still quite impressive and demonstrates the wide range of musical influences the band draws upon. Coming back to 'Spirit Helper', its synthesizer intro sounds almost like the Moody Blues performing “Your Wildest Dreams”.

Another interesting aspect is the calmer material, such as 'Parting'. At over eight minutes, it is the longest track on Mið. Soft piano sounds blend with synthesizers, and later on, some Bathory-like acoustic guitars enter the picture. The result might make you feel free and easy, allowing you to forget all your sorrows. That is, until the heavier section kicks in like a hammer pounding on an anvil. Once again, the music turns more blackish, this time with clean vocals. This is another absolutely fantastic song, full of amazing twists and turns.

Maybe Mið' isn’t their most experimental album, and maybe it isn’t their best either (okay, for me it is still Frost, and it will remain so until the end of days). But once again, the Norwegians have proven that you can count on them to keep coming up with high-quality musical ideas. Impressive work!

Rating: 8.5/10 Manitous