Enslaved have entered the studio to begin work on what will be their 14th album.
The Norwegian outfit are at Duper & Solslottet Studios in Bergen and plan to remain there throughout the rest of April, laying down tracks for the follow-up to 2015’s In Times.
Guitarist and keyboardist Ivar Bjornson says: “It is absolutely fantastic to be in the studio with these new songs. So many doors were opened with In Times and the times that followed – for us as a band, for me as a composer and I guess for us all on a personal level.
“I have never worked this hard to put together music for an album before, and that intensity continues into the studio where everybody is giving their everything, every hour of every day.
“We are a tighter unit than ever before, which is obvious sonically.”
He continues: “The concept conjured by myself and old war-brother Grutle Kjellson is the strongest we have worked with.
“Finally, I am proud that we have taken more risks than ever before, and one in particular – and it is yielding awesome results. What does that mean? Stay tuned to find out!”
No title or release date has been revealed, but the band have confirmed that the artwork will once again be created by Truls Espedal.
Further details will be revealed in due course.

Purson “has gone as far as it could go” as band sign off with their final track Chocolate Money

Purson have confirmed that they’ve split.
Rumours have been swirling for months over their future – but singer Rosalie Cunningham has now officially announced that Purson has “gone as far as it could go.”
She says in a statement: “The past five years have been an unforgettable whirlwind, for which I have to thank our wonderful fans around the world, the band and all the people who have contributed to Purson’s success over the years.
“Their support has been overwhelming, but the Purson framework has gone as far as it could go, and now it’s simply time to move on.
“I feel strongly drawn to a more DIY approach to my career in music, and look forward to the freedom to explore many avenues as a solo artist.”
To mark the end of the band, Purson have released one final track titled Chocolate Money featuring Comus’ Jon Seagroatt on saxophone and Vodun singer Chantelle Brown on backing vocals.
Cunningham adds: “Chocolate Money is a snapshot of the ostentatious decadence of the 70s. The mythical rock star character with his double-entendre and self-centred hedonism.
“The industry has become a very different world since then, which is something I will expand on lyrically with my next album. It has inspired my desire to go back to basics and remember what music is supposed to be about.”
Chocolate Money, which can be heard below, is a new recording and didn’t feature on Purson’s final album Desire’s Magic Theatre.

It’s been seven years since Danzig last delivered a new studio album, tiding fans over with the long-promised Skeletons covers album last year. With Black Laden Crown on the horizon, the first song off the new record, “Devil on Hwy 9,” has emerged!
The song opens with familiar, rhythmically-minded riffing and those cherished pinch harmonics that are the cornerstones of the Danzig sound. A searing solo sends “Devil on Hwy 9″ on its way and when the energy finally subsides, giving way to a rock-steady verse, the icon’s snarling croon comes in, painting visuals of a long night traveling on a never-ending highway.
“This is a cool song. I wanted to do a driving song, just crazy driving, pedal to the metal song. And this is it,” Danzig initially commented when speaking with Full Metal Jackie. When asked if the road was Highway Nine in New Jersey, the singer said, “It’s a highway on the East Coast. Yeah. It’s a pretty long highway.”
Black Laden Crown is set for release on May 26 through Evilive Records and Nuclear Blast. Pre-orders can be placed here with CD and vinyl options available and digital purchases can be made through iTunes or Amazon.
Danzig’s Blackest of the Black festival is set to take place at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, Calif., on May 26 and 27. Ministry, Suicidal Tendencies, Atreyu, Corrosion of Conformity, Vamps, Marduk, Suicide Silence, Venom Inc., and a lot more are all set to perform over the weekend with other attractions including a Castle Danzig, a bondage stage, a sacrifice altar and still more. 

Swedish outfit Avatar will join Orange Goblin at the 15th Metal Hammer Golden Gods with Orange Amplification in June

Avatar will play at this year’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods with Orange Amplification.

The Swedish outfit will perform at the 15th annual event at London’s IndigO2 at The O2 on Monday, June 12, which will be hosted by Fozzy frontman and WWE megastar Chris Jericho.
Metal Hammer editor Merlin Alderslade says: “When we confirmed that the Metal Hammer Golden Gods were back, we promised you a show – and few modern bands know how put on a show like Avatar.
“We can promise you won’t have seen anything quite like this. It’s gonna be wild!”
Earlier this week it was confirmed that Orange Goblin would kick-off the Golden Gods, which will be the biggest metal event of the year.