Norwegian Viking/black metal legends Helheim return with their 12th studio album - a groundbreaking release where the band does the unthinkable: creates a split album with themselves. For the first time in the band's over-30-year career, primary songwriters V'gandr and H'grimnir have divided the creative process, each taking full control over half of the album, including vocals and musical direction. The result is two distinct yet unmistakably Helheim expressions - a bold evolution of the band's signature sound.

The first half, HrabnaR, features four standalone tracks penned by H'grimnir. Opening with the powerful "Geist", this side highlights H'grimnir’s commanding songwriting - heavy, yet rich with atmosphere - propelled by the relentless, dynamic drumming of Hrymr, whose distinctive style remains a cornerstone of Helheim's sound. From the haunting, melancholic "Sorg er dødens spade" (Sorrow Is Death's Spade) to the intense "Livsblot" and the stirring "Mennesket er dyret i tale" (Man Is The Beast In Speech), this first chapter offers a profound journey through heaviness and reflection.

The second half, Ad vesa, delves into Norse metaphysical concepts, exploring the four components of the human soul according to pre-Christian beliefs: Fylgja, Hamr, Hugr, and Hamingja. In ancient Norse thought, the soul was a composite, not a singular entity, and Helheim brought this rich, complex mythology to life through their deeply atmospheric compositions.

In Norse mythology, Fylgja is a supernatural being or spirit that accompanies a person in connection with their fate or fortune. They can appear to people in their sleep as dream women or while awake, often in the disembodied spiritual form of an enemy.

As a taster of what fans can expect from HrabnaR / Ad vesa, Helheim has presented "Fylgja". In addition, visual artist Gjert-Egil Fjelldal has produced a video for the track.

Commenting on "Fylgja", V'gandr had this to say: "'Fylgja' is a special track on HrabnaR / Ad vesa, where V'gandr has put all his weirdness into one piece of music. It takes you through heavy metal-ish riffs, through black metal and into the fields of majestic prog rock".

HrabnaR / Ad vesa was recorded at Duper Studio in Bergen with Iver Sandøy (known for his work with Enslaved, Wardruna and others). The artwork is by Tom Korsvold.

Set for release on 20 June by Dark Essence Records, Hrabnar / Ad vesa will be available on CD, limited green vinyl, cassette and digitally. Link