As previously reported, legendary Norwegian black metallers ENSLAVED will be releasing their new album, Vertebrae, on September 26th in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the 29th (rest of Europe) via Indie Recordings.

The artwork (pictured) was created by painter Truls Espedal. He comments on his work:

"Back in 2001, one of those nights with loads of beer and metal, I was introduced to Grutle. After a short conversation and a handshake, I was officially working together with Enslaved, and was given the privilege to do the front- and back-cover for the album Monumension. Not long after, Grutle and I sat down and talked about ideas and it was decided which elements that had to be included. During the next 5 years, with three more releases, this became sort of tradition. Hooking up with Grutle and Ivar (Bjørnson - guitar/keyboards) for one night, talking about ideas and them deciding which elements that had to be included. Working with Enslaved just felt natural; the band giving me tons of artistic freedom, with no one breathing down my neck in the process - all of us having the same idea about how the artwork should fit and reflect the music, and to create a recognizable visual style from one album to the next.

Now, with the release of Vertebrae, Enslaved have created their best album to date in my humble opinion. It is a timeless, dark and progressive album which flows perfectly, with enough contrast to never lose the listeners attention. So with such a brilliant record from Enslaved, I had to step it up a notch regarding the artwork. This time around I was also given the chance to do more than just the front- and back-cover. And with the decision to release a digipack, jewel-case and vinyl, I was able to do different ideas and also make a much more coherent work all in all. The elements I had to work with for this release were one particular Norse symbol, vertebras and veins/arteries. And in the digipack and vinyl I was also to include a skull. Interesting considering that in all my paintings I mainly work with the human body (www.truls-espedal.com), and also because these elements might be considered a cliché. Now I had to strip everything to the bone, literally, as well as trying to take a cliché in new and interesting directions. I started taking everything apart, piecing the elements back together in new ways, creating something symbolic and almost surreal. Everything painted to give the feel of something soulful and to a certain extent timeless, and using sharp contrasts in dark/light and colour. All this to get a cover with atmosphere and ‘punch’; a cover that would fit and reflect Enslaved’s music. Dark, epic and brutal, yet beautiful!

Grutle Kjellson (bass/vocals) from Enslaved comments the artwork:

"The Vertebrae cover artwork ultimately visualizes the lyrical concept of this album. You have the Vertebrae in the centre of the picture symbolizing the humanity’s potential strength, and at the same time it is stripped and thus also fragile. The veins that makes the rune-shape makes the connection between the mind and the flesh. The actual composition of the artwork is a continuation of our cooperation with the wonderful and talented artist Truls Espedal. We once again managed to get a thousand ideas visualized in one brilliant piece. This time we have also added some colour to the usual bleakness, making it both more beautiful and dangerous!"

The Vertebrae tracklist as follows: 'Clouds', 'To The Coast', 'Ground', 'Vertebrae', 'New Dawn', 'Relections', 'Center', 'The Watcher'.

According to a press release, "Enslaved have established themselves amongst the leaders of progressive/experimental metal bands with the masterpieces ISA and Ruun. Their new album Vertebrae stands nothing short of their previous – on the contrary! Vertebrae is a travel through the history of the band, looking both back to the roots of grim black metal, and into the future of progressive melancholy ala Tool and Pink Floyd. Mixed by Joe Baressi (TOOL) and mastered by George Marino (LED ZEPPELIN/METALLICA) the album sounds nothing less than amazing."

On November 5th the Vertebrae Tour 2008 with special guest STONEGARD and opener KRAKOW kicks off. Lasting until December 22nd the tour will take the band all over Europe. For a listing of dates click here.