Norway is known for pioneering a legendary branch of extreme metal, but no band embodies the scene’s epic resolve quite like Keep of Kalessin.
This band has always possessed fantastic foresight. After all, they are named after one of Ursula K. Le Guin’s arch-dragons. Their original lineup did split after two albums of dark, fast and war-faring black metal, but over the past two decades, founding member Arnt Obsidian has brought Keep of Kalessin into the national spotlight. While he and his colossal crew have toured with the likes of Satyricon, Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir, they’ve carved their own legacy by forging a different path.
With seven albums and three EPs under their hilt, Keep of Kalessin brandish an epic arsenal of extreme metal. The band’s mastery at welding blackened melodies and scouring death metal riffs with magical keys and misty synthesizers has rewarded them handsomely. They’ve scored two Spellemannprisen nominations and scaled to the top of Norway’s album charts. To further test their mettle, they became the first Norwegian metal band to compete for a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Today, Keep of Kalessin are cracking open the next chapter of their long and prosperous journey. The band have signed with Season of Mist, who will release their next two albums and reissue some of the defining moments from their extensive back catalogue.
“We are very proud and excited to announce that we have signed with Season of Mist“, Arnt Obsidian says on behalf of his bandmates Robin Isaksen and Wanja Gröger. “I have known Michael for more than 20 years. He has always been passionate about the music and very supportive of his signings. Back in 1999, Keep of Kalessin played three shows in Norway with Bloodthorn, who were signed to Season of Mist at the time. Michael traveled all the way up from France just to see them.
“Our paths have crossed many times since that tour. I’ve watched Michael build one of the strongest metal labels in the world. His staff shares in his extreme passion. What they’ve accomplished is an amazing feat.
“Keep of Kalessin has always been the underdog, the loner, the different kid. We’re a unique band and cannot be put into a certain category. It’s been difficult finding a home where our potential can be nurtured and harnessed to its full potential. But after talking with Michael and seeing how we fit with Season of Mist’s roster, I’m confident that we’ve now found a label that understands and can truly support us while we take the band to the next level. You can be sure that Keep of Kalessin will return with the best Epic Extreme Metal we’ve ever done in 2025!”
Praise for Keep of Kalessin
“Keep of Kalessin’s two-decade journey has been one of constant evolution…What has remained constant, though, is the band’s sense of ambition and epic scale” – Metal Hammer
“By emphasizing songwriting that skewed towards the epic and often incorporated symphonic and progressive elements alongside huge, polished production values, they offered a sound that felt like it spanned just about every aspect of metal but managed to pull it together in a seamless manner – Metal Trenches
“Totally turned black metal on its head” – Metal Sucks
