Enslaved Announce Release Of New Album 'RIITIIR' & UK Tour Dates
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Written by Jon Stickler
Enslaved are set to release their new album 'RIITIIR' through Nuclear Blast on September 28th 2012.
It’s now two decades after their birth in Norway and Enslaved’s latest album, 'RIITIIR', will once again surprise even those who are familiar with their non-linear development. 'RIITIIR' embodies a lot more of what has come to be known as Enslaved: indefinable and grandiose, honest and unearthly, dark, harsh, and beautiful.
The praise for 2010’s Axioma Ethica Odini was no less fervent. Besides winning their 4th Norwegian Grammy for “Best Metal Album” in a row, the album also won Terrorizer Magazine’s Reader’s Poll for “Best Album of 2010,” ranked Number 5 in Decibel Magazine’s “Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2010” list, and repeatedly ranked in the Top 10 on “Best Albums of 2010” lists around the world. In Germany, Metal Hammer Magazine awarded Enslaved the “Album of the Year” title and the Dutch magazine Aardschok ranked Axioma Ethica Odini at Number 9. The album also debuted at Number 16 on the American Billboard Heatseekers (New Artists) chart. Following the completion of their North American tours with fellow countrymen Dimmu Borgir and their “20 Years of No Compromises” anniversary tour with Ghost & Alcest, Enslaved were the first metal group to receive the Norwegian Artist & Songwriters Association Honorary Award for their contribution to the Norwegian music industry, presented to them by Norway’s Minister of Culture.
For 2012’s 'RIITIIR', many elements of the recording process are similar to that of the previous few albums. Again, the team of producers came from within the band itself: Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson, Herbrand Larsen – this time completed by Iver Sandøy (who co-produced 2010’s Axioma Ethica Odini, the 7” Thorn EP, and the 12” 'The Sleeping Gods' EP). The core recordings all took place in Bergen, Norway: Ivar Bjørnson’s guitar, Grutle Kjellson’s bass, and Cato Bekkevold’s drums were recorded live in Duper Studios while Herbrand Larsen and Ice Dale recorded their vocals, keys, and guitars in Earshot Studios. Furthermore, Grutle and Ivar’s vocals, guitars, keys, bass pedals, effects, and percussion were recorded in Solslottet Studios and Peersonal Sound. At times, recordings were being done at all three locations simultaneously. The producers travelled to Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, where Jens Bogren mixed and Tony Lindgren mastered the album.
“This time it was all about expanding a winning team rather than changing it,” states guitarist/songwriter/founding member Ivar Bjørnson on 'RIITIIR'’s creation process. “I have to personally admit that expanding the producer team to include a member from outside the band has had its massive challenges for me, but the result is without a doubt better than I had ever dreamed of. Once again, we have learned something about finding the ideal recording process for Enslaved, and for that I am eternally grateful to all the involved parties.”
Mar 12th - Moho, Manchester
Mar 15th - Hammerfest, North Wales
Mar 16th - Belfast
Mar 19th - Sheffield Academy
Mar 20th - Bristol The Fleece
Mar 21st - London The Garage
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