Checking in once again from Duper Studios in Bergen, of Norwegian progressive extreme metallers Enslaved offer the fourth installment in the seven-part “Diary of Mad Men” series shedding insight into the band’s as-yet-untitled thirteenth studio album, set for an early 2015 release.
Enslaved guitarist & composer Ivar Bjørnson:
Wow, time flies when you’re having a magical time. Already Friday, and Cato [Bekkevold, drummer] is doing his last tracking already. It will be a lot more quiet around the studio from now on. Doing stuff live has the benefit of several things being done at the same time, so Grutle [Kjellson, bassist & vocalist] is beginning to move on to some double bass (!) additions and we’re getting Ice Dale’s guitars over from his studio and added to the main sessions. This is shaping up big time. Tomorrow is a day off, kind of. Me, Cato, and Iver [Sandøy, co-producer] are using the up-and-running studio to record drums for another project – more on that another time.
Enslaved bassist & vocalist Grutle Kjellson adds:
It is always a bit difficult – and that’s the beauty of it – to exactly pinpoint the direction of a new album before the final mix is done! However, I feel that this one will be quite the darker effort compared to our latest releases. It is leaning towards both our heavier albums and the darker side of ‘70s Rock, long and interesting songs with a laser-sharp edge. I hope and believe our fans will embrace it.
Main recordings for the new album are taking place at Duper and Solslottet Studios in Bergen, Norway with additional recordings done at Conclave & Earshot Studios (presided over by Enslaved Larsen and Ice Dale), and Ivar Bjørnson’s Peersonal Sound Studios.
