Imagine the headlines: Two titans of black metal, vanished without a trace in the desolate Norwegian mountains! Last month, Metal Injection reported the disappearance of Snorre W. Ruch, the mastermind behind the legendary Thorns, and Rune "General Gribbsphiiser" Røstad, Slagmaur's guitarist and bassist. The story gained traction when Dagur Gíslason of Misþyrming shared it, lending an air of authenticity.
Now, here's where it gets interesting... Some readers suspected the whole thing was an elaborate hoax, possibly generated by AI on a fake website. But we held our ground, waiting for official word from the band. And boy, did we get it.
Slagmaur has just dropped the bombshell: a brand new album, "Hulders Ritual," set to unleash its sonic darkness on February 27, 2026. The album boasts an impressive lineup of guest vocalists, including Gíslason himself, Hoest of Taake, Maria Charlotte Lund, and even Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir. Ruch also contributed with additional production. But the real kicker? The disappearance wasn't a disappearance at all. It was a meticulously planned stunt, according to Slagmaur's label, Prophecy Productions.
In a press release that's as cryptic as Slagmaur's music, Prophecy stated that the staged vanishing act was "far from a simple media stunt but directly tied to the stories of abduction and disappearance caused by supernatural beings on Hulders Ritual." The label added that it served as a reminder of how folklore spreads in the digital age, albeit at lightning speed compared to traditional oral storytelling.
And this is the part most people miss... Slagmaur isn't just retelling old tales; they're actively challenging conventions and provoking reactions. Gribbsphiiser, as the "black jester," uses his art to hold a mirror to society, even if it means creating a viral story riddled with clues and inconsistencies. He doesn't care if this triggers opposition. Is this artistic genius, or a cynical manipulation of the media? Let us know what you think in the comments.
So there you have it: edgy black metal at its finest. You can pre-order "Hulders Ritual" here and check out the first single, "Huldergeist," below. The track delves into a historical event in Fosen, Norway, where someone supposedly went "bergtatt" – taken by the hidden folk and vanished without a trace. Gribbsphiiser explains that the song, featuring vocals from D.G. of Misþyrming and Hoest of Taake, explores dark rituals, paranormal phenomena, and deep-rooted folklore. Maria Charlotte Lund provides the Hulder's haunting response. The music video was filmed by Håkon Settemsdal, a renowned drone pilot and DJI award winner.
What do you make of Slagmaur's methods? Is this a brilliant way to draw attention to their art, or does it cross a line into exploiting real-world anxieties? Share your thoughts below!
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