A new album and a new label for SKÁLD in 2026!
By Raven.
SKÁLD has always had a way of taking me on a journey whenever I listen to them, and this time is no exception. Ørlog is the concept of destiny woven by the Norns, and it’s what gives structure to this entire album, which is steeped in femininity.
The difference from their previous album is clear: Ørlog is a cohesive, unified concept album where SKÁLD moves beyond a rather common style of NeoFolk to create a coherent body of work in line with their label change. I hadn’t mentioned it yet, but our French band has signed with Napalm Records! This album can be seen as a sign of the band’s maturation and its growing international reach.
The album opens with Draumakona, which tells the story of the Norns’ offering to Ragnhild; sung by a woman and then taken up by a choir, it transports me into a dream – I really appreciate the contrast at the end with the male voice. Myrkviðr, meanwhile, begins as a question sung by a male voice and continues with another male voice responding to it. Himinbj?rg alternates between a deep male voice and a female choir, the two intertwining. The characteristic sounds so dear to SKÁLD are, of course, present: Ørlog is shaped by Nordic fiddles, various types of harps and lyres, horns, kannels, and whistles, among other instruments, as well as three lead singers who bring the arrangements to life. It’s hard for me to say that I prefer one track over another, as the album is so cohesive and each track complements the others. I listened to the album several times in one sitting for this review, and I think that’s the right way to do it: sit back, listen to it all the way through, and let yourself be carried away by the vocals and the music. The interweaving of male and female vocals, along with SKÁLD’s signature instrumentation, really charmed me on this album.
I highly recommend giving it a listen (at least for those who enjoy this kind of music)!
Christophe Voisin Boisvinet – Percussion, Nordic Fiddles, Harp, Horn, Vocals, Programming
Marti Ilmar Uibo – Percussion, Lyre, Kannel, Whistles, Jaw Harp, Vocals
Steeve Petit – Percussion, Vocals
Marie Potosniak – Fiddles, Vocals
Guillaume Levy – Irish Bouzouki, Citole, Gudok
Nathalie Lemoye-Voisin – Vocals
Ravn – Moraharpa
Michel Abraham – Vocals
Eyline Uibo – Vocals