Album Review: Audrey Horne – Achilles (Napalm Records)

Norwegian hard rockers Audrey Horne will release the band’s eighth studio album, ‘Achilles’, on September 4th, 2026, via Napalm Records.

One of my favourite things about this new album is that, on the surface, it’s every bit an Audrey Horne album as you would expect. Big riffs, powerful melodies, soaring vocals, and tons of hard rock energy that combines classic 70s and 80s influences into something notably substantial and cinematic sounding. Yet, it’s not without experimentation and, in an interesting twist, has a rawer edge that seeps through and gives it a ‘live’ feel.

Across the eleven tracks, there’s a strong sense that this was a refined writing and recording experience. That, being Audrey Horne, there was probably loads of material for this album, but they narrowed it down to the best and that is what we have here. Eleven bangers that display anthemic qualities, progressive detail, and old-school rock focus. Guaranteeing that a wide array of listeners will find themselves well and truly in love with what it offers.

Putting it simply, it’s not just Audrey Horne OGs that are going to get a kick out of this album. Especially those who love the sound of a twin guitar attack!

I don’t think they could have started the record in more attention-grabbing fashion that they do with the title track and In the Eye of the Hurricane. The former sets the expanded sound bar high, whereas the latter is pure anthemic gold. I love both, but for different reasons, and think they are the perfect showcase of what this album has to offer.

Though tracks like Vampires, with its harmonised guitars and vocals, and God Damn Beautiful, with its groovy melodies, are not to be ignored. The latter has bass player Espen Lien taking centre stage on lead vocals too.

Pretty Little Lies is undeniably a major highlight though as it finds Audrey Horne at their catchiest. The chorus is such a singalong, and I found that this one was stuck in my head for hours afterwards.

Elsewhere I also really dig Insanity, which has a storyline inspired by the classic Iron Maiden tune, ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’. I also really dig the experimentation that goes on in Hell is Eternity, how much the bass shines on Six Feet in the Ground and how big the chorus sounds, as well as the energy of Running Through the Night, and how New Star Falling wraps things up in thrilling power ballad fashion.

It’s just a great album overall. No filler, all killer stuff from a band who never fails to deliver on their promises.

Audrey Horne – Achilles Track Listing:

1. Achilles
2. In the Eye of the Hurricane
3. Vampires
4. God Damn Beautiful
5. Pretty Little Lies
6. Prodrome
7. Insanity
8. Hell is Eternity
9. Six Feet in the Ground
10. Running Through the Night
11. New Star Falling

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