Album Review: Enslaved – Mið (Nuclear Blast)

Norwegian black and progressive metal band Enslaved continue to defy expectations and challenge the listener with their brand-new album, Mið, an Old Norse word for ‘centre’, or ‘middle’. The album is out on October 30th, 2026, via Nuclear Blast.

Masters of evolution, Enslaved rarely do the same thing twice, but for long term fans, there is a thread that runs through all their music that defines them as Enslaved. A thread that combines brash blackened intensity with layered progressive elements, showcases potent harmony, and often tells a compelling story. Mið is no different, but it’s also Enslaved moving on from the way 2020’s Utgard and 2023’s Heimdal were steeped in mythology. Instead, what we have is an album that takes the centre of all things and looks at how it all extends outwards. Past, present, future, and beyond.

It’s the kind of thinking that feels vast, but when you combine it with Enslaved’s ability to experiment and explore beyond their traditional boundaries, the result is downright unfathomable.

Unlistenable though? Not even close. Enslaved’s innate ability to capture the listener’s imagination is front and centre from the start with the intro of Non-Being. A deep chill emanates from the atmosphere, and the melody is suitably forlorn. It’s short, but transitions nicely into the chugging, epic power of I Am Ice. Where much of the grandeur comes from Johan Sara Jr, who brings his traditional Sami roots to a blackened blast of harmonious heaviness.

From one memorable heavyweight effort to another, Solar Will comes next and with it, an expressive blend of frantic, black-infused potency and soaring, cleaner touches. A cool chorus, vibrant guitar solo, and shorter length makes this one of their more accessible efforts.

I really like that track, but I’m also quite a fan of the following Mountain, a track of two halves. The first, dripping in dramatic vibes with clean singing and esoteric melody. The second, thumping, dark, and increasingly more chaotic. The transition between the two halves is perfect, making this one hell of an impressive listen.

So, who is Kevin Kicking Woman? The guest who makes an appearance on the meditative Spirit Helper? A Native American educator from the Blackfeet Nation who made history as Montana’s first-ever Native American Teacher of the Year (2024).

The album then reaches a whole new level of elaboration with the lengthy Parting as Enslaved go cinematic, and in glorious fashion. Eight-plus minutes of stunning progressive metal twisted by gnarly black metal and sharp infusions of thick and choking atmosphere. I know I’m repeating myself here, but it is another absolute sensational effort.

I wouldn’t call myself a huge Enslaved fan, especially when I look at their entire body of work to date, but this decade has seen them produce some of their finest records and, bit by bit, I’m finding myself more obsessed with them. This album is one of my favourite, and not just because of what has already been experienced, but because of staggering tracks like Tales of Trees and I Miðju. The former is daringly catchy, with a chorus that buoys the soul. Whereas the latter begins in methodically icy fashion, slowly spreading outwards and consuming all with a wild, aggressive, and downright desensitising showcase of blackened heaviness. Even with all of this, there’s an extravagance embedded within, making it so much more. It’s a big ending, and while I prefer what came before, I came impressed nonetheless.

Enslaved’s unimpeachable record continues. Mið is a brilliant album even with so much intangibility infused within.

Enslaved – Mið Track Listing:

1. Non-Being
2. I Am Ice (feat. Johan Sara Jr)
3. Solar Will
4. Mountain
5. Spirit Helper (feat. Kevin Kicking Woman)
6. Parting
7. Tales of Trees
8. I Miðju

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