Norwegian melodic black metal veterans ISKALD have unveiled the first official teaser for their upcoming sixth full-length album, “Curse of the Mind”, due out on September 25th via Dusktone. Rather than focusing on a single track, the teaser offers a carefully assembled preview featuring excerpts from several key moments across the record, providing listeners with a first glimpse into the album’s conceptual and musical scope.
Listen to the teaser here:
Frontman Aage Krekling comments:
“With this first teaser for ‘Curse of the Mind’ we deliberately chose not to reveal full songs yet. The album is built as a conceptual journey through four interconnected chapters linked by ritualistic invocations, and to pull songs out of context this early would break its coherence. We want the listener to experience the full album as one piece when the time comes.
This teaser is constructed as a passage through the entire journey. You will hear fragments from ‘The Other Realm’, ‘Manifestation of Madness’, ‘A Burden of Hope’, ‘The Sacrifice’, and the opening ritual ‘Curse of the Mind – Invocation I’. From the vast emptiness and isolation of The Descent, through the doubt and psychological collapse of The Prison, to the fragile light of hope and finally the ritual of sacrifice before Hela’s throne.
Framed within a stark, Norse-inspired vision of Helheim, the story is mythological in setting but deeply psychological at its core. Helheim is not merely a place, it is the shape taken by inner darkness, and the true battlefield is the mind itself. Consider this your first invocation into that world.”
Preorders:
https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/curse-of-the-mind
https://www.dusktone.org/
Following the acclaimed “Innhøstinga” (2018), the new album marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band after signing with Dusktone in early 2026. Available on colored LP, black LP, CD Box and CD, “Curse of the Mind” was recorded during the summer of 2025 at Strand Studio in Beiarn, mixed and mastered by Hallstein Sandvin, and features artwork by SG7 Graphics.
For over two decades, ISKALD have stood among the leading names in Norwegian melodic black metal. Now performing as a five-piece, the band expands its trademark northern sound with its most ambitious and immersive work to date.
Built as a conceptual journey, “Curse of the Mind” unfolds through four interconnected chapters linked by ritualistic invocations, exploring themes of psychological torment, inner conflict, fragile hope and ultimate sacrifice. Framed within a stark, Norse-inspired vision of Helheim, the story is mythological in setting but deeply psychological at its core. Helheim is not merely a place, it is the shape taken by inner darkness. The true battlefield is the mind itself.
The album unfolds in four movements, connected by four ritual Invocations:
I. The Other Realm – The Descent
Vast emptiness, fog and isolation.
II. Manifestation of Madness – The Prison
Doubt, fragmentation and psychological collapse.
III. A Burden of Hope – The Fragile Light
Strength found through accepting the darkness within.
IV. The Sacrifice – The Ritual
Before the throne of Hela, suffering becomes meaningful.
Tracklist:
1. Curse of the Mind – Invocation I
2. The Other Realm
3. Curse of the Mind – Invocation II
4. Manifestation of Madness
5. Curse of the Mind – Invocation III
6. A Burden of Hope
7. Curse of the Mind – Final Invocation
8. The Sacrifice
Line-up:
Aage Krekling – Vocals
Simon Larsen – Guitars
Ben Hansen – Guitars
Isak Larsen – Drums
Tobias Aubert – Bass
Upcoming ISKALD concerts:
Bodø/Sinus: 03.10.2026
Oslo/Vaterland: 24.10.2026
Trondheim/(TBA): 29.01.2027
Biography:
ISKALD were formed in 2005 in Sortland, Northern Norway, by Simon Larsen and Aage Krekling, with the ambition of creating a distinctive form of melodic black metal deeply connected to the atmosphere of the Arctic north. After the self-released “Northern Twilight” EP, the band gained international attention with their debut album “Shades of Misery” (2007), establishing themselves as one of the most promising acts in the Norwegian scene.
Throughout their career, ISKALD have developed a sound where cold melodies, aggression and atmospheric depth coexist, drawing inspiration from nature, Norse heritage and existential themes. Their discography includes acclaimed albums such as “Revelations of Reckoning Day” (2008), “The Sun I Carried Alone” (2011), “Nedom og Nord” (2014) and “Innhøstinga” (2018), each marking a further evolution of their artistic vision.
Having performed at festivals including Inferno Festival, Midgardsblot, Hove Festival and by:Larm, and shared stages with major names in extreme metal, ISKALD now enter a new phase with Dusktone. The partnership leads to the release of “Curse of the Mind”, their sixth full-length album and first concept record, arriving in 2026.
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