Norwegian progressive black metal pioneers Enslaved have unveiled a unique new collaboration, presenting two sea shanties recorded alongside the Storm Weather Shanty Choir.
The tracks, “Fire Marengo” (traditional) and “Anna Lovinda” (written by Erik Bye), draw directly from Norway’s deep maritime heritage, blending raw seafaring tradition with Enslaved’s atmospheric sensibilities.
At the center of this collaboration lies the legendary tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a living symbol of Bergen’s seafaring culture. It was here that the connection between band and choir first took root during the Tall Ships Races in 2014, when Enslaved performed a commissioned piece on the ship’s deck, merging metal with maritime ritual.
Since then, a deeper bond has formed, especially through Haakon Vatle, a key figure in preserving Norway’s shanty traditions. The band reflects on the connection:
“Shanties were not entertainment; they were functional incantations — rhythm as survival.”
The collaboration culminated during the choir’s 20th anniversary performance in Bergen in November 2025, where both groups performed these songs live. Recognizing something deeper than a one-off moment, they reconvened in early 2026 to record the material properly.
Rather than a stylistic experiment, this release feels like a natural continuation, two expressions of the same coastal spirit converging through rhythm, voice, and shared history.
Tracklist
- Fire Marengo
- Anna Lovinda
Live Dates (2026 Highlights)
- Oslo – Inferno Festival (Apr 4)
- Montana, US – Fire in the Mountains (Jul 23–26)
Formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, Enslaved remain one of the most innovative forces in extreme music, continuing to evolve while staying deeply rooted in Norway’s cultural and historical identity.
With these shanty recordings, they don’t just experiment, they reconnect.
The sea remembers. And so do they.