With "And the Now", Norwegian Grammy winners Gaahls Wyrd are revealing the beating heart of their upcoming second album. The third single spun from Braiding the Stories twist and turns black metal into something darker and dreamier.
Listen to And the Now below.
Braiding the Stories is out June 6th, 2025 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/gaahlswyrdbraidinggthestories
"And the Now" captures the essence of Gaahls Wyrd's latest musical evolution. The third single off Braiding the Stories draws us deeper into the mercurial frontman's self-appointed "White Lodge", which floats somewhere between dreams and the subconscious.
Anchored by Kristian "Gaahl" Espedal's dynamic vocals and Ole "Lust Kilman" Walaunet's stunning guitars, "And the Now" channels the energy of ‘80s and ‘90s gothic rock without sacrificing the esoteric intensity that defines Gaahls Wyrd. Recorded at Solslottet Studio in Bergen, Norway, and produced alongside Iver Sandøy (Enslaved, Wardruna), the song reinforces the band's commitment to experimentation and depth. Once again, they're cinematic, vivid, and audaciously unclassifiable.
The striking cover art by visual artist Øivind Myksvoll (Wardruna, Trelldom) is just as mysterious and arresting as his work for The Humming Mountain. Look closely and you’ll find what appears to be hair (aka the veil) and the cosmos (crystallized wine from Gaahl’s collection). Indeed, the group’s signature horned figure lurks between the layers. For Gaahls WYRD, music, lyrics, concept, and art are synonymous. They’re designed to be experienced in their entirety and in unison. Braiding the Stories isn’t an obvious listen, but it gently (and sometimes maniacally) pulls at the listener. The sensation of the journey from opener “The Dream” to closing epic “Flowing Starlight” is quite unlike anything before. All hail Braiding the Stories!
Line-up:
Kristian Espedal «Gaahl» - All Voices
Ole Walaunet «Lust Kilman» - All Guitars
Andreas Salbu «Nekroman» - Bass
Kevin Kvåle «Spektre» - Drums
Production Credits:
Recorded at Solslottet Studio, Bergen, Norway.
Produced by Iver Sandøy & Gaahls WYRD.
Mixed & mastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio, Bergen, Norway.
Cover Art:
Øivind Myksvoll
Biography:
Chris Dick
Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/gaahlswyrdbraidinggthestories
Follow Gaahl's Wyrd:
Bandcamp: https://gaahlswyrd.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaahlswyrd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaahlswyrd
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7h8V7XHdJ3akShW3uFaZyn
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/gaahls-wyrd/1451373309
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10911081
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/58388182
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear & Black Marbled
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Silver & Dark Green Marbled
12" Special "Hair-Filled" Vinyl
Cassette
Various Merch
