Mit „Ørlǫg“ schlagen SKÁLD ein neues Kapitel auf. Auf ihrem vierten Album beschäftigt sich die französische Nordic-Folk-Formation mit Schicksal, persönlichen Entscheidungen und der Frage, welchen Einfluss wir selbst auf den Verlauf unseres Lebens nehmen können. Gleichzeitig ist die Platte die erste Veröffentlichung der Band über Napalm Records und markiert damit auch hinter den Kulissen einen neuen Abschnitt. Wir haben mit SKÁLD darüber gesprochen, wie sich historische Quellen, altnordische Sprache und traditionelle Instrumente mit einem modernen musikalischen Ansatz verbinden lassen und warum „Ørlǫg“ den Blick stärker auf individuelle und kollektive Verantwortung richtet. Außerdem geht es um die kommende Europatour als Special Guest von The HU, bisher noch unerforschte Themen für zukünftige Veröffentlichungen – und natürlich um die Frage, was man eigentlich mit nach Walhalla nehmen würde, wenn Odin persönlich plötzlich backstage auftaucht.
Frontstage Magazine: With “Ørlǫg”, you explore themes of fate, personal choices, and the influence we have over our own path in life. What made this subject powerful enough for you to build an entire album around it?
SKÁLD: On the first album, I really delved into Norse mythology and legends as they might have been told towards the end of the Viking Age, on the second album, I told much older stories, stories of lost civilisations, submerged worlds, migrations and global catastrophes. On “Huldufolk“, the third album, the songs speak of a world we are no longer able to see but which undoubtedly coexists with our own. It seemed logical to me to address, in this new album, our individual and collective responsibilities, and the way in which we go about our lives in this world as if it did not really concern us. Apart from that, I have come to realise that every little thing leads to something else, the decisions we make now shape the future but, in my view, also the past , or at any rate are inscribed as possibilities within our past . At present, we have a way of approaching fate , of accepting it , without realising that we are moving within it and have the ability to shape or reshape it slightly, rather than simply enduring it. Let’s take control of our own lives.
Frontstage Magazine: Your music draws heavily on historical sources, Old Norse language, and traditional instruments. How do you balance treating these influences with authenticity and respect while still creating music that connects with a modern audience?
SKÁLD: Skáld uses ancient instruments, but bypasses the playing constraints inherent to those instruments, in the same way, Skáld sings in Old Norse and draws inspiration from the forms of skaldic poetry, whilst reserving the right to tackle subjects in a more modern manner. We respect the sources and history, and try to bring this ancient way of thinking back into our present day to be listened to, if one so wishes, as little initiatory tales, or simply as songs telling us of the past or of what lies ahead. The fact that few people understand Old Norse means we must use the music to convey these stories, which can be interpreted differently by each individual, I love the idea that the listener projects their own feelings and their own fantasies onto these songs.
Frontstage Magazine: “Ørlǫg” is also your first release with Napalm Records. Does this partnership mainly represent a new chapter behind the scenes, or has it also opened up new possibilities for SKÁLD creatively and musically?
SKÁLD: Working with Napalm Records is paving the way for us to reach a more international audience, and that is exactly where we are with this fourth album, being part of a label specialising in extreme music finally gives us the freedom to fully explore Skáld’s music, without compromise, without inhibitions, and with a shared vision. It was undoubtedly our Ørlǫg.
Frontstage Magazine: This autumn, you’ll be touring across Europe as special guests of The HU, including shows in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, and Cologne. Your musical worlds share some fascinating similarities – how did this tour come together, and what are you expecting from bringing these two musical cultures and fanbases together?
SKÁLD: We’ve been thinking about doing something together for a while now, their gig on the main stage at Hellfest last year was phenomenal. The planets have finally aligned. Our music is different, although we both use traditional instruments and guttural vocals, opening for them will be exciting. The HU bring the culture and stories of their country, and we bring the stories of an ancient North that isn’t all that well known. Bringing these eras and lands to life and reviving them together promises some great concerts, we can’t wait to meet The HU’s audience.
Frontstage Magazine: SKÁLD have established a strong position within the international Nordic and neofolk scene. Are there any historical, cultural, or musical themes you haven’t explored yet that you would particularly like to dive into on a future record?
SKÁLD: Well, yes, there are some. Although the new album is coming out now and the tours and promotion are taking up a lot of time, I’m already working on the songs for a future album, but it’s too early to reveal the theme. There are plenty of subjects and ways to approach them, and these often evolve as I meet new people and visit different countries, which is just as well, as that’s exactly what we’re going to be doing this year.
Frontstage Magazine: And finally, something completely different: Odin himself suddenly appears backstage after one of your shows and tells you that you have a guaranteed place in Valhalla – but you’re only allowed to bring one modern-day item with you. What are you taking, and why?
SKÁLD: I’m not sure I’ve earned my place in Valhalla, but if I had to choose just one thing to take with me, it might be my wounds… Well, they’ll heal every night, but they’re my badges of honour.
Warrior Chant Tour
As Special Guest for The Hu
29.09.26 UK – Glasgow / O2 Academy
01.10.26 UK – Bristol / Prospect Building
02.10.26 UK – Bournemouth / O2 Academy
03.10.26 UK – Newcastle / O2 City Hall
05.10.26 UK – Belfast / The Telegraph Building
06.10.26 IE – Dublin / 3Olympia Theatre
08.10.26 UK – Birmingham / O2 Academy Birmingham
09.10.26 UK – London / O2 Academy Brixton
10.10.26 UK – Manchester / O2 Apollo
11.10.26 UK – Norwich / UEA LCR
14.10.26 BE – Brussels / Ancienne Belgique
15.10.26 DE – Hamburg / Sporthalle
17.10.26 DE – Munich / Tonhalle
18.10.26 DE – Berlin / Columbiahalle
19.10.26 PL – Warsaw / Stodola
20.10.26 PL – Warsaw / Stodola
22.10.26 DE – Cologne / Palladium
23.10.26 NL – Utrecht / TivoliVredenburg
24.10.26 NL – Tilburg / 013
27.10.26 FR – Lyon / Le Radiant
28.10.26 FR – Paris / L’Olympia
30.10.26 CH – Zurich / X-TRA
31.10.26 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette / Rockhal
Fotocredit: Romy Lena
