No matter what shape his muse takes, Tor-Helge Skei remains both one of the most consistent and surprising talents in extreme music. As a founding member of the critically acclaimed Manes and Lethe, the Norwegian multi-instrumentalist and producer has pushed the boundaries of metal and electronic music. Now, with his latest experiment, he’s expanding his vision like never before. While it spans an impressive range of genres and features many celebrated collaborators, Holissstik achieves something even greater than its individual accomplishments.

Today, Holissstik are releasing the second advanced single from Chapter 1: This Endless Solitude. While scarred by past misgivings, by bearing its tortured soul, “Would You Take This Heart” reveals the collective spirit that makes Skei and his collaborators such a unified force.

“Collaboration is the heart and soul of Holissstik”, Skei says. “‘Would You Take This Heart’ was originally a simple, slow, ambient instrumental. But, as is often the case, the song evolved, unplanned and uncontrolled. As more and more collaborators added their parts, it became heavier and heavier, darker and darker”.

Listen to “Would You Take This Heart” Below:

Chapter 1: This Endless Solitude comes out August 14, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Stream

https://orcd.co/holissstiktheendlesssolitude

Besides Hellem, Murphy and Parelius, the other members of Manes’ core and extended family who contribute to Holissstik include Atrox’s Eivind Fjøseide, ex-Atrox’s Tor-Arne Helgesen, The Third and the Mortal’s Rune Hoemsnes, Drontheim’s Tom Christian Engelsøy and Atrox’s Rune Folgerø. Holissstik also welcomed involvement from Kristoffer Oustad of Kristoffer Nyströms Orkester, Plague Machinery and formerly V:28; Christophe Denhez of Område and Ecr.Linf; rapper Pierre Ripka, or “K-rip”; Nik Košar of Kamra; Gabriel Trentini of Luce d’Inverno and Malaflame; rocker and engineering guru Stig Waltoft, a.k.a. “FluffyBunnyFeets”; and Trond Johansen. Not to mention, Buddhist monks were even persuaded to contribute chanting. While This Endless Solitude is mostly in English, it also features Pali, French, Polish and Italian.

Although the very nature of Holissstik demands that we expect the unexpected, the collective’s future certainly seems to guarantee obsidian horizons and torrential deluges of artistic truth. In other words, the project promises to persistently and ritualistically pummel us with devastating yet necessary, epic masterworks. Skei and his collaborators truly present the most immersive experiences possible and, in Manes language, offer a safe place in the unsafe; dive in with your hands bound, and be submerged within the imprisoning brilliance. Skei continues to participate in a range of outstanding groups, and yet Holissstik stands as the most unpredictable and, counterintuitive as it might sound, accessible undertaking in the history of his illustrious career.

Lineup
Tor-Helge Skei

Guest musicians

Anna Murphy - Vocals on “Obsession Six”

Christophe Denhez - Guitars on “The Rhythm of Silence”, Guitars, vocals and lyrics on “Behind Me”

Eivind Fjøseide - Guitars on all songs except “Projections”

Gabriel Trentini - Vocals and lyrics on “Obsession Six”

Kristoffer Oustad - Synth on “The Rhythm of Silence”, “Projections”, “Reoccuring Dreams”, “This Endless Solitude”

Tor-Arne Helgesen - Drums on all songs except “Behind Me” and “This Endless Solitude”

Marita Hellem - Vocals on “The Rhythm of Silence” and “This Endless Solitude”

Martyna Halas - Vocals and lyrics on “The Rhythm of Silence”, “My Salvation”, “Would You Take This Heart” and “This Endless Solitude”

Nik Košar - Vocals and lyrics on “Projections” and “Reoccuring Dreams”

Pierre Ripka - Vocals and lyrics on “The Rhythm of Silence”

Paritta Monks - Chanting on “Would You Take This Heart”

Rune Folgerø - Vocals on "This Endless Solitude"
Rune Hoemsnes - Drums on "Behind Me"
Stig Waltoft - Synth and sounds on "Would You Take This Heart"
Tom Engelsøy - Vocals on "Obsession Six"
Torstein Parelius - Bass on "Behind Me" and "This Endless Solitude", lyrics on "This Endless Solitude"
Trond Johansen - Guitars on "Would You Take This Heart"

Production credits

Recorded, produced and mixed by Tor-Helge Skei

Mastered by Knut V. Prytz

Songwriting credits

All songwriting and arrangements by Tor-Helge Skei

Biography

Jillian Drachman

Cover art

Adrien Bousson

Pre-order & Stream

https://orcd.co/holissstiktheendlesssolitude

Available formats